7-Day Kenya Self-Drive Safari Itinerary

The route

1. Day1

   Nairobi to Lake Nakuru

   155 km2.5 hrs

   Depart Nairobi early via the A104 Nairobi–Nakuru highway. Arrive at the Lanet gate (Lake Nakuru NP main entrance) by 10 am. Spend the full afternoon on the lake circuit — rhino sightings at the southern sanctuary, Baboon Cliff viewpoint, and the western lake shore flamingo area.

   • Driving time: 2.5 hours
   • Park entry: USD 60/person
   • Key wildlife: black and white rhino, flamingo, lion, leopard

   Overnight: Lake Nakuru public campsite (inside the park, basic facilities)

2. Day2

   Lake Nakuru — Full Day

   Full day game drive. Dawn departure from campsite by 6 am — the Nakuru dawn circuit along the lake's western shore is the best time for leopard sightings in the acacia woodland. Morning and afternoon circuits cover Lion Hill, the southern rhino sanctuary, and the hippo pool. One full day at Nakuru is sufficient for most visitors.

3. Day3

   Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

   270 km4.5 hrs

   Depart by 7 am via Naivasha and the B3 through the Rift Valley escarpment to Narok, then the C12 to the Sekenani gate (southeastern Masai Mara gate). Arrive early afternoon. Afternoon game drive immediately on entering the reserve — the Sekenani to Talek River circuit is productive for lion and cheetah.

   • Driving time: 4.5 hours (via Naivasha and Narok)
   • Park entry: USD 80/person/day
   • Key wildlife: lion, cheetah, leopard, wildebeest (July–October)

   Overnight: Sekenani public campsite

4. Day4

   Masai Mara — Full Day

   6 am departure from campsite. Full day circuit: Mara River area (crossing sightings July–October), Musiara Marsh (big cat territory), and the central plains for cheetah. Return to campsite by 6:30 pm gate closing time. The Masai Mara is a 1,510 km² reserve — plan game drive routes the evening before using a paper reserve map available at the gate.

5. Day5

   Masai Mara — Second Full Day

   Second full day. Explore the northern Mara — the Ol Kiombo and Kichwa Tembo areas are less visited than the Mara River crossing sites and consistently productive for lion pride sightings. Late afternoon circuit toward the Talek River.

   Overnight: Sekenani campsite

6. Day6

   Masai Mara to Amboseli

   320 km5.5 hrs

   Early departure by 6 am. Drive south via Narok, Nairobi bypass (use the Southern Bypass to avoid city traffic), then the A104 south to Namanga and the 30 km approach road to Amboseli's Meshanani gate. Arrive by 1 pm. Afternoon circuit to the Enkongo Narok marsh — the elephant herds arrive at the marsh from mid-afternoon.

   • Driving time: 5.5 hours
   • Park entry: USD 72/person/day
   • Key wildlife: elephant herds, Kilimanjaro backdrop, cheetah, lion

   Overnight: Amboseli public campsite (inside park, near Ol Tukai)

7. Day7

   Amboseli and Return to Nairobi

   240 km5 hrs

   6 am departure from campsite — the single most important timing rule in Amboseli. Kilimanjaro's summit is clear from 6 am to 9 am on most mornings; cloud builds from mid-morning. 3-hour dawn circuit with the mountain clear, photographing elephant herds against the summit. Exit by 10 am, drive north via Namanga to Nairobi. Arrive Nairobi by 4 pm.