7-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary | Big Five Wildlife Viewing
A 7-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary | Big Five Wildlife Viewing. A 7-day Kenya safari typically covers the country’s most iconic wildlife destinations, including the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, and Great Rift Valley lakes like Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. This popular route, often called the “Southern Circuit,” is designed to maximize wildlife viewing of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino).
A Detailed 7-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary | Big Five Wildlife Viewing
Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Depart from Nairobi for Amboseli National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Amboseli Full Day
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives. This park offers some of the best photographic opportunities in Kenya.
Day 3: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha/Hell’s Gate
Drive to the Great Rift Valley. Activities often include a boat safari on Lake Naivasha or cycling through Hell’s Gate National Park.
Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park
A short drive to Lake Nakuru, a premier spot for watching rhinos (both black and white) and diverse birdlife.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
Travel to the world-renowned Masai Mara, arriving in time for an evening game drive.
Day 6: Masai Mara Full Day
A full day of game tracking. If visiting between July and September, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi
Final early morning game drive before returning to Nairobi for your flight home.
End of the 7-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary | Big Five Wildlife Viewing
Alternative: 7-Day Kenya Self-Drive Safari Northern Highlights
For travelers interested in rarer species, an alternative route heads north:
- Samburu National Reserve: Home to the “Special Five” (Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and beisa oryx).
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy: One of the best places to see chimpanzees and the world’s last northern white rhinos.