Kenya Safari Tours from Nairobi: Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and Multi-Country Packages

Kenya is one of the world’s premier safari destinations. The Masai Mara’s open grasslands host the greatest concentration of predators in Africa. Amboseli offers elephant herds silhouetted against Mount Kilimanjaro. Lake Nakuru is a designated rhino sanctuary where flamingos line the alkaline shores.

Africa Moja Tours and Safaris organizes Kenya safari packages departing from Nairobi, ranging from 2-day Masai Mara getaways to 12-day multi-country Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar expeditions. All tours include accommodation, guided game drives, park entrance fees, meals as specified, and a professional English-speaking driver-guide.

Kenya Safari Packages: Compare All 12 Tours

Masai Mara Safaris

Multi-Park Kenya Safaris

Kenya + Tanzania + Zanzibar Combinations

All prices are per person sharing. Daily departures on any date year-round. Contact Africa Moja Tours for solo supplements and group discounts.

How to Choose: Which Kenya Safari Is Right for You?

Kenya’s Top Safari Destinations

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara covers over 1,500 square kilometers of open grassland, acacia woodland, and riverine forest in southwestern Kenya, bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. It is one of the most wildlife-dense reserves in Africa.

What you will see:

• Big Five: Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino are all present. The Mara’s open terrain makes predator sightings more frequent than in most parks.
• Great cats: The Masai Mara has one of the highest densities of lions in Africa (estimated 850 to 900 in the greater ecosystem). Cheetahs hunt on the open plains, and leopards frequent the riverine forests along the Mara and Talek rivers.
• Great Migration herds: Between July and October, over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 500,000 gazelles cross into the Mara from the Serengeti.
• Other wildlife: Spotted hyena, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, topi, eland, Thomson’s gazelle, and over 450 bird species.

Game drive format: Pop-up roof 4×4 safari vehicles with an expert guide. Morning drives depart at sunrise (around 6:00 AM) when predators are most active. Afternoon drives run from approximately 3:30 PM to sunset. Full-day drives include a picnic lunch at the Mara River.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli lies at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak (5,895 meters). The park is famous for its large elephant herds and the dramatic backdrop of Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped summit.

Why visit Amboseli:

• Elephants: Amboseli has one of the longest-running elephant research projects in the world. Herds of 20 to 50 elephants are commonly seen against the Kilimanjaro backdrop.
• Open marshlands: Fed by underground streams from Kilimanjaro, the swamps attract dense concentrations of hippos, buffalo, and waterfowl.
• Photography: The combination of large mammals, flat terrain, and the mountain makes Amboseli one of the best parks in East Africa for wildlife photography.
• Birdlife: Over 400 species, including pelicans, herons, egrets, and martial eagles.

Amboseli features in the 4-Day Amboseli Safari ($1,550), the 6-Day Masai Mara + Amboseli Safari ($3,650), and the 7-Day Kenya Highlights Safari ($3,890).

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru, in Kenya’s Rift Valley, is a soda lake famous for its flamingos and as one of Kenya’s best locations for rhino sightings.

Why visit Lake Nakuru:

• Flamingos: Up to 1.5 million lesser flamingos congregate on the lake’s alkaline waters, creating a pink shoreline (numbers vary seasonally).
• Rhinos: Lake Nakuru is a designated rhino sanctuary, protecting both black and white rhino. It is one of the most reliable places in East Africa to see rhinos.
• Rothschild giraffes: A rare subspecies found in the park.
• Tree-climbing lions: Occasionally spotted in the acacia woodland surrounding the lake.
• Compact size: The park is small enough to cover thoroughly in a single day, making it an efficient addition to multi-park itineraries.

Lake Nakuru features in the 4-Day Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru Safari ($2,250) and the 7-Day Kenya Highlights Safari ($3,890).

The Great Wildebeest Migration: Month-by-Month Guide

The Great Migration is a continuous, year-round cycle. Understanding the timing helps you choose the right travel dates.

January to March: The herds are in the southern Serengeti (Tanzania), where calving season peaks in February. Over 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily, attracting heavy predator activity. Not visible from the Masai Mara.

April to May: The herds begin moving northwest through the Serengeti. This is the long rainy season in Kenya and Tanzania, with lower visitor numbers. Still primarily in Tanzania.

June: The herds gather on the western Serengeti, approaching the Grumeti River. Some early arrivals may reach the Tanzania-Kenya border.

July to August: The migration enters the Masai Mara. The Mara River crossings begin, with thousands of wildebeest plunging into water filled with hippos and crocodiles. This is peak season. Book well in advance.

September to October: The bulk of the herds are spread across the Masai Mara. River crossings continue, and predator sightings are at their best as lions and cheetahs pick off stragglers. This is the prime window.

November to December: The herds begin moving south, back toward the Serengeti. The Mara empties gradually. Resident wildlife remains strong.

Which months should I book?

• For Mara River crossings: July to early October
• For maximum herds in the Mara: August to September
• For fewer crowds with good migration sightings: Late June or late October

Africa Moja Tours offers a dedicated 4-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari ($2,250) and a 7-Day Great Wildebeest Migration Safari ($2,250) timed for the crossing season.

Best Time to Visit Kenya for a Safari

While the Great Migration draws visitors from July to October, Kenya is an excellent safari destination year-round.

Recommendation: For the Great Migration, book July to October. For excellent wildlife with fewer crowds and lower prices, November to December and June are outstanding. Amboseli and Lake Nakuru are best in the dry seasons (June to October, January to February).

How Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost?

Pricing depends on duration, number of parks, accommodation tier, and group size. Here is the full range of Africa Moja Tours Kenya packages:

What is included in every price: Nairobi hotel or airport pickup and drop-off, all transfers between parks, accommodation, meals as specified, park entrance fees, guided game drives in pop-up roof vehicle, English-speaking driver-guide, bottled drinking water.

What is not included: International flights to Nairobi, travel insurance, visa fees, personal purchases, optional activities (hot air balloon safari, Maasai village visit), tips/gratuities, alcoholic beverages.

Luxury upgrade: All packages can be upgraded to luxury lodges (Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Amboseli Serena, Sarova Lion Hill at Lake Nakuru). Contact Africa Moja Tours for upgraded pricing.

How to Get to Kenya and the Masai Mara

All Africa Moja Tours Kenya safaris depart from and return to Nairobi. Pickup is from your Nairobi hotel, guesthouse, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Direct flights to Nairobi from:

• United States: New York (JFK), Atlanta (ATL), Washington D.C. (IAD) — approximately 14 to 17 hours
• United Kingdom: London Heathrow — approximately 8.5 hours
• South Africa: Johannesburg OR Tambo — approximately 4 to 5 hours
• Europe: Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Istanbul — approximately 8 to 10 hours
• Middle East: Dubai, Doha — approximately 5 hours

Nairobi to the Parks

All road transfers are in private pop-up roof safari vehicles with your driver-guide. The drive to the Masai Mara passes through the Great Rift Valley with a scenic viewpoint stop.

From South Africa: Travelers starting in Johannesburg or Cape Town can fly to Nairobi (approximately 4 to 5 hours from Johannesburg). Africa Moja Tours can arrange Kenya safaris as standalone trips or as extensions to South African itineraries (Kruger, Cape Town, Victoria Falls). Contact us for combined multi-country pricing.

Day-by-Day: What to Expect on Your Kenya Safari

The Masai Mara Days (All Mara-inclusive packages)

Day 1 (Travel + Afternoon Safari):

• Morning pickup from Nairobi hotel or JKIA airport at 7:00 AM
• Scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley (5 to 6 hours), with a viewpoint stop
• Arrive at your tented camp or lodge for lunch
• Afternoon game drive from approximately 3:30 PM to sunset
• First sightings typically include lions, elephants, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe
• Return for dinner at camp

Day 2 (Full-Day Safari):

• Early morning game drive at sunrise (6:00 AM) targeting predators: lions hunting, cheetahs on the plains, leopards in riverine forest
• Guide tracks fresh footprints and uses radio communication with other guides
• Picnic lunch at the Mara River (hippos, crocodiles, and during Jul–Oct, migration crossing point)
• Afternoon game drive continues until evening
• Return for dinner

Day 3 (Final Morning Drive + Departure):

• Sunrise game drive as you exit the reserve
• Depart for next destination (Nakuru, Amboseli, or Nairobi depending on your package)

The Lake Nakuru Day (4-Day Mara + Nakuru, 7-Day Highlights)

• Arrive from Masai Mara for lunch at lodge
• Afternoon game drive: search for black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, flamingos (seasonal), lions, leopards
• The scenery here is very different from the Mara: forests, cliffs, and a shimmering soda lake
• Next morning: short game drive as you exit, then continue to Amboseli or Nairobi

The Amboseli Days (4-Day Amboseli, 6-Day, 7-Day Highlights)

• Arrive from Nairobi or Lake Nakuru for lunch
• Afternoon safari: elephant herds in the marshlands, Kilimanjaro views clearing in late afternoon
• Full day: sunrise drive (Kilimanjaro visible at dawn), picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint, golden-hour sunset drive with elephants against the mountain
• Final morning: sunrise safari, then return to Nairobi

Kenya Safaris for Different Travelers

For First-Time Safari Visitors

Kenya is one of the best places to start. The Masai Mara offers exceptional Big Five density, open terrain that makes wildlife easy to spot, and the cultural bonus of the Maasai people.

Recommended: 3-Day Masai Mara Safari ($1,950). Three days gives multiple game drives across different sections of the reserve, with strong chances of seeing lion, elephant, buffalo, and leopard.

For Couples and Honeymooners

Kenya offers some of Africa’s most romantic safari settings:

• Sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Mara, followed by a champagne breakfast on the plains (optional add-on)
• Tented camps with private decks overlooking the savanna
• Sunset game drives
• Combine with Zanzibar beach extension: 12-Day Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar ($7,250)

For Families with Children

All Kenya safaris are suitable for families:

• Pop-up roof vehicles give children excellent visibility
• High wildlife density means constant sightings throughout the day
• Cultural visits to Maasai villages are interactive and educational
• Adjusted schedules available for families with younger children
• Rest camp stops between drives

Recommended for families: 4-Day Masai Mara Safari ($1,950). Four days provides a comfortable pace with breaks between game drives.

For Budget Travelers

The 3-Day Masai Mara Budget Safari ($1,350) uses comfortable budget-tier tented accommodation while delivering the same guided game drives, Big Five search, and Great Migration access (seasonal) as premium packages.

Budget safaris include: professional driver-guide, pop-up roof 4×4, all park entrance fees, budget tented camp with en-suite bathroom, meals (full board), Nairobi pickup and drop-off, bottled water.

For Photography Enthusiasts

Kenya’s landscapes are among the most photogenic in Africa:

• Masai Mara: Wide-open grasslands, dramatic skies, and abundant predator action. The migration river crossings are some of the most photographed wildlife events in the world.
• Amboseli: Elephants silhouetted against Mount Kilimanjaro at sunrise. One of the most iconic shots in African wildlife photography.
• Lake Nakuru: Pink flamingo shorelines with forested hills in the background.

All vehicles have pop-up roofs and window seats on both sides for unobstructed shooting angles. Guides position the vehicle for the best light.

For Migration Seekers

If the Great Migration is your primary goal:

• 4-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari ($2,250): focused, efficient, targets river crossings
• 7-Day Great Wildebeest Migration Safari ($2,250): extended time tracking herds across different sections of the Mara

Book July to October. Peak river crossings: August to September.

Kenya + Tanzania: The East African Safari Circuit

For travelers who want both countries, Africa Moja Tours offers cross-border packages.

10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari ($5,560 pp):

• Masai Mara game drives (Kenya)
• Serengeti National Park (Tanzania): the Mara’s larger, southern extension
• Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania): a collapsed volcanic caldera with one of the highest wildlife densities on the continent
• Lake Manyara (Tanzania): famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingos

12-Day Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar ($7,250 pp):

• All of the above, plus a beach extension on Zanzibar Island
• White sand beaches, snorkeling, Stone Town historical walking tour
• The complete safari and beach combination

Both packages include all cross-border logistics, park fees, accommodation, meals, and guided game drives.

Cultural Encounters: The Maasai People

The Maasai are one of East Africa’s most recognized indigenous communities. Semi-nomadic pastoralists, the Maasai have coexisted with wildlife in the Mara ecosystem for centuries.

What a Maasai village visit includes:

• Traditional welcome dance (adumu, the jumping dance performed by warriors)
• Tour of a traditional manyatta (homestead)
• Demonstration of fire-making using friction
• Beadwork market where women sell handmade jewelry and crafts
• Conversation with community elders about Maasai customs and daily life

Cultural visits are an optional add-on on most 3-day and longer Masai Mara packages.

What Is Included in Every Africa Moja Kenya Safari

• Pop-up roof 4×4 safari vehicle for game viewing and photography
• Professional, English-speaking driver-guide with expert knowledge of Kenya’s parks
• Accommodation in tented camps or lodges (budget, mid-range, or luxury depending on package)
• All meals as specified per package (most packages are full board)
• Park and reserve entrance fees to all parks on your itinerary
• Nairobi hotel or airport pickup and drop-off
• Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
• All road transfers between parks

Not included: International flights to Nairobi, travel insurance, visa fees, personal purchases, optional activities (hot air balloon safari approximately $450 to $550 pp, Maasai village visit, tips/gratuities), alcoholic drinks.

Flexible booking: Year-round departures on any date, private tours (your group only), customizable itineraries, daily departures guaranteed. Contact us for solo traveler rates.

How to Book a Kenya Safari from the US, UK, or Europe

1. Contact Africa Moja Tours via WhatsApp (+27 11 234 2201), email, or the website booking form
2. Receive a custom quote based on your travel dates, group size, and interests
3. Confirm with a deposit via credit card or international bank transfer
4. Receive your detailed itinerary including Nairobi hotel details, daily schedule, and packing list
5. We meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your Nairobi hotel on Day 1

All prices are quoted in US dollars (USD).

Why Book a Kenya Safari with Africa Moja Tours

• TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award with 4.8-star rating
• SATSA accredited (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association)
• SafariBookings verified with 65+ reviews
• Multi-country expertise: We operate safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa (Kruger), Victoria Falls, Namibia, Botswana, and Zanzibar. If you are combining destinations, we manage all logistics.
• Private tours only: You travel with your own group. Every safari is guided exclusively for you.
• All logistics handled: Nairobi pickup, road transfers, park fees, accommodation, meals, and game drives.
• Year-round daily departures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need for a Kenya safari? A minimum of 3 days is recommended for the Masai Mara. For a multi-park experience (Mara + Amboseli or Mara + Lake Nakuru), 4 to 7 days is ideal. For Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar combined, 10 to 12 days.

What is the best time to see the Great Migration in Kenya? The herds are typically in the Masai Mara from July to October, with Mara River crossings most frequent in August and September. Migration timing varies slightly each year depending on rainfall. Guides track the herds daily and adjust routes accordingly.

How much does a Kenya safari cost? Africa Moja Tours packages range from $1,350 per person (3-Day Budget Safari) to $7,250 per person (12-Day Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar). All packages include Nairobi pickup, accommodation, meals, park fees, guided game drives, and transfers.

Is Kenya safe for tourists? Yes. Kenya is one of Africa’s most established safari destinations, welcoming over 2 million tourists annually. Safari parks and reserves are well-managed. All Africa Moja Tours safaris are led by certified driver-guides in private vehicles.

Do I need a visa for Kenya? Most US, EU, UK, and other nationalities require an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visa, obtainable online before travel. Check the Kenyan e-immigration portal for current requirements and fees.

What vaccinations do I need for Kenya? Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from certain countries and recommended by most travel health clinics. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all safari areas. Consult your travel health provider at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

Can I combine a Kenya safari with a South Africa trip? Yes. Many clients pair a Kruger safari or Victoria Falls tour with a Kenya extension. Fly from Johannesburg to Nairobi (approximately 4.5 hours). Africa Moja Tours manages all logistics on both ends. Contact us for combined multi-country pricing.

Is a hot air balloon safari worth it? A sunrise balloon flight over the Masai Mara is one of the most popular add-on activities. Float silently over herds of wildebeest, zebra, and giraffe as the sun rises, followed by a champagne breakfast on the plains. Cost is approximately $450 to $550 per person. Ask Africa Moja Tours to include this in your package.

Are Kenya safaris suitable for children? Yes. All game drives are safe for children of all ages. The Masai Mara’s high wildlife density keeps children engaged. Cultural visits to Maasai villages are interactive and educational. Hot air balloon safaris typically have a minimum age of 7. Schedules and accommodation can be adjusted for families.

What is the difference between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti? The Masai Mara (Kenya) and the Serengeti (Tanzania) are part of the same ecosystem, separated by the Kenya-Tanzania border. The Masai Mara is smaller but has a higher wildlife density per square kilometer. The Serengeti is larger and hosts the migration herds for a longer portion of the year (approximately November to June). The 10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari ($5,560) covers both.

What is the difference between budget and mid-range accommodation? Budget tented camps have en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, comfortable beds, and full meal service. They are clean, secure, and located near or inside the reserves. Mid-range lodges and camps offer larger rooms, better furnishings, and sometimes a pool or viewing deck. Both tiers deliver the same guided game drive experience.

Can I customize my itinerary? Yes. Africa Moja Tours builds custom itineraries. Add a Nairobi city tour day, extend your time in any park, upgrade accommodation, or combine Kenya with Tanzania, Zanzibar, South Africa, or Namibia. Contact us with your preferences.

What currency are Kenya safari prices in? Prices are quoted in US dollars (USD). Credit card payments and international bank transfers are accepted.

What happens if my flight to Nairobi is delayed? Africa Moja Tours monitors flight arrivals and adjusts pickup times. If a significant delay affects your itinerary, the team rearranges activities where possible.