8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari

Morning Game Drive in Nairobi National Park, Then Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve

The first day of your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Nairobi or directly from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). From the onset, the thrill of adventure beckons as you embark on a game drive in the world-renowned Nairobi National Park. This is the only wildlife park in the world situated within a capital city’s boundaries, offering a surreal contrast between urban development and untamed wilderness. Against the backdrop of Nairobi’s skyline, expect to encounter black rhinos, lions, giraffes, ostriches, buffaloes, and even cheetahs roaming freely across the savannah.

Following the morning game drive, you will stop in Nairobi for a hearty lunch and a short rest. The journey then resumes as you drive toward the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Along the route, enjoy panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley, characterized by dramatic escarpments, lush fields, and traditional Maasai villages dotting the horizon. This is your first real taste of Kenya’s scenic rural beauty.

You will arrive at Sentrim Mara Camp by late evening, just in time to check in and settle into your spacious tented accommodation. Dinner will be served, and your overnight stay at the lodge offers a peaceful rest ahead of your next day’s full exploration of the reserve. This opening day sets the tone for your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari, blending city-based wildlife viewing with the promise of wild frontiers ahead.

Masai Mara National Reserve Game Drive

Wake up to the wild sounds of nature and prepare for a day entirely dedicated to exploring the Masai Mara – a true gem of the 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin your morning game drive just as the sun rises over the sweeping savannah. This is the best time for wildlife activity as predators finish their hunts and herbivores begin to graze. Masai Mara is home to over 95 species of mammals and over 570 bird species, making it a top global safari destination. Expect to encounter lions lazing in the sun, elephants moving through the plains, herds of zebras and wildebeests grazing, and elusive leopards hiding in the acacia trees.

Your expert guide will take you through various habitats – from riverine forests to open grasslands – and share insights about animal behavior, plant life, and conservation efforts. Around midday, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the park, perhaps near the Mara River where crocodiles and hippos are often seen.

The afternoon drive brings even more wildlife encounters, and if you’re traveling between July and October, you might witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra cross from the Serengeti into Masai Mara.

As the sun sets, you return to Sentrim Mara Camp for dinner. Reflect on the day’s magical sightings under a star-lit sky. This is a day that embodies the spirit of the 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari.

Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you’ll check out of Sentrim Mara and begin your scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, marking the third day of your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari. This leg of the journey reveals the diverse landscapes of Kenya – from the open plains of the Mara to the highland forests surrounding Lake Nakuru. You’ll make several stops along the way to admire the beautiful scenery and observe local wildlife.

Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its populations of flamingos that give the lake a pinkish glow, as well as its resident black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, and predators such as lions and leopards. After arriving at the park in the early afternoon, you’ll have lunch at a hotel located within the park before setting out on an afternoon game drive.

The game drive offers rich rewards, including sightings of waterbucks, warthogs, baboons, and the endangered rhinos that are under special protection. The diverse ecosystems around the alkaline lake attract a wide range of animals and make for some of the most picturesque photography in Kenya.

In the evening, you’ll check in at Ziwa Bush Camp, a serene eco-lodge located just outside the park. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner, share stories of the day’s sightings, and rest for another adventure-filled day ahead. Day 3 of the 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari showcases Kenya’s biodiversity and conservation efforts in a compact and stunning reserve.

Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha

The fourth day of your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari continues with a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Take in the early morning activity of animals, birds, and the gentle mist that sometimes hovers over the lake’s surface. After breakfast, you’ll depart for Lake Naivasha, one of Kenya’s most tranquil and scenic destinations. This journey takes about two hours, with captivating views of volcanic hills, fertile farmlands, and lush vegetation along the way.

Upon arrival at Lake Naivasha, you’ll check in at Osotua Luxury Resort, a mid-range lakeside retreat ideal for relaxation. Enjoy lunch, then set out for a boat ride across the serene waters of the lake. This is one of the most peaceful parts of your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari, offering up-close views of hippos, numerous bird species like kingfishers and cormorants, and the gentle sway of the papyrus reeds.

The boat will take you to Crescent Island, where you can disembark and enjoy a guided walking safari. The island is home to giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes – all living freely in a predator-free environment. Afterward, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Optional activities such as a visit to Hell’s Gate National Park for biking or hiking are available depending on your interest and schedule. Day 4 provides a relaxed and intimate wildlife experience on the 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari.

Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park

After an early breakfast, your journey on the 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari continues with a drive from Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park. This day is a long but rewarding travel day, as you transition from the lush Rift Valley region to the arid, open landscapes of southern Kenya.

The drive provides beautiful and varied scenery, from farmlands and small towns to open grasslands framed by the distant slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. On a clear day, the mountain – Africa’s tallest – begins to reveal itself in the distance. You’ll arrive at Sentrim Amboseli Lodge in the late afternoon, just in time for a late lunch and a short rest.

Later in the day, embark on your first game drive in Amboseli National Park. The park is known for its large elephant herds and dramatic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. You may spot cheetahs, buffaloes, hyenas, zebras, and numerous bird species.

As the sun sets behind Kilimanjaro, the light transforms the landscape into a photographer’s dream. Return to the lodge for dinner and a restful evening. This day on the 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari offers a transition from wetland to dry savannah and delivers some of the most iconic vistas in Africa.

Amboseli National Park to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

As the sun rises over the expansive plains of Amboseli National Park, your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari enters another exciting phase. After an early breakfast, you’ll check out from your lodge and enjoy one last early morning game drive through the park. This drive offers a final opportunity to encounter elephants, giraffes, lions, or perhaps a cheetah stalking its prey, set against the iconic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

After the drive, you’ll bid farewell to Amboseli and proceed to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, situated near Tsavo West National Park. The landscape begins to change as you approach this private sanctuary, with rolling hills and rocky outcrops rising from the savannah. You’ll arrive at the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge, one of Kenya’s most unique accommodations. Elevated on stilts, the lodge offers uninterrupted views of nearby waterholes frequented by elephants, buffalo, and antelope throughout the day.

After a warm welcome and check-in, lunch will be served at the lodge. The afternoon is spent relaxing and wildlife viewing from the comfort of the viewing decks, perfect for photography and soaking in the surrounding nature. As dusk falls, enjoy a hearty dinner in the lodge’s panoramic restaurant before retreating to your room for a peaceful night surrounded by the sounds of the wild.

• Main Destination: Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
• Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge – Luxury lodge inside Taita Hills WS
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (Other drinks not included)

Game Drive at Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

On Day 7 of your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari, you’ll immerse yourself fully in the wonders of Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. This day is dedicated to a full-day game drive, giving you ample opportunity to explore this spectacular ecosystem. Following an early breakfast, your experienced guide will lead you into the sanctuary’s diverse terrain, where savannahs, woodlands, and swamps host an incredible variety of flora and fauna.

The early hours of the morning offer the best chance to spot wildlife in action—elephants parading in herds, lions on the prowl, or zebras grazing in the dew-laced grasslands. The sanctuary is also a haven for bird watchers, with numerous bird species flitting among the acacia trees and open skies. Your guide will share expert insights into animal behavior, helping you appreciate the delicate balance of this thriving ecosystem.

A scenic picnic lunch will be arranged at a designated site within the sanctuary, offering a serene pause amid the untamed beauty of the African bush. After lunch, the adventure continues with more wildlife sightings and memorable moments. As the golden hues of evening set in, you’ll return to Salt Lick Safari Lodge, where a delicious dinner awaits. The lodge’s elevated design makes for excellent night-time animal viewing right from your room or the common decks.

• Main Destination: Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
• Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge – Luxury lodge inside Taita Hills WS
• Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (Other drinks not included)

Morning Game Drive, Departure to Nairobi

The final day of your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari begins with an optional early morning game drive. This is the perfect way to maximize your wildlife sightings, especially of elusive creatures like leopards or nocturnal predators making their final rounds before sunrise. With the golden morning light casting long shadows across the savannah, the scenery is perfect for photography and reflection.

After the game drive, you’ll return to the lodge for breakfast and check-out. Your journey continues with a scenic drive back to Nairobi, a perfect moment to reminisce on the unforgettable memories created throughout the safari. Expect to arrive in Nairobi by around 4:00 pm, ideal for international travelers catching outbound flights or checking into accommodations within the city. If onward accommodations are required, Decisive Safaris Africa Tours Limited will gladly make arrangements on request.

As your 8-Day Magical Kenya Game Drive Safari comes to a close, we invite you to share your feedback and reviews, which are vital in helping us continuously improve our service. We hope your safari has inspired a deeper appreciation for nature and Kenya’s unique wildlife heritage.

• Main Destination: Nairobi (City)
• Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
• Meals & Drinks: Breakfast included; lunch & dinner not included, drinking water provided (Other drinks not included)