
moderate
7 days
Light-to-moderate—comfortable sitting for long drives and capable of short walks or bicycle rides in Hell’s Gate.
A seven-day road safari from Nairobi that stitches together the Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha and Amboseli—designed for travelers who want close game viewing, landscape variety and cultural contact. Read on for what to expect, practical distances and packing advice.
The sun is a hard coin above the savanna when the Land Cruiser rolls off the tarmac outside Nairobi. Dust lifts in lazy ribbons as the city’s skyline falls away and the great sweep of the Rift Valley opens up—an undulating world of ochre grass, acacia silhouettes and salt-streaked lakes that pull the eye to distant peaks. Over seven days this route hands you Kenya in chapters: Mara’s rippling herds, Nakuru’s mirror-lake shore, Naivasha’s quiet hippo pools and Amboseli’s plains with Kilimanjaro looming like a patient giant just over the border.

Early mornings (before 7am) produce the best wildlife activity—pack a thermos and be ready at the vehicle for the first light.
Mornings are chilly in the Rift Valley and hot by midday; a lightweight insulated layer and sun shirt are ideal.
Carry at least 1.5–2 liters of water per day; Nairobi sits near 1,800m so drink regularly if you’re not acclimated.
Ask permission before photographing people and buy crafts directly from Maasai artisans to support local incomes.
The Rift Valley formed through tectonic rifting millions of years ago; Maasai pastoralists have managed grazing patterns here for generations, shaping local wildlife relationships.
Many parks work with community conservancies to fund rangers and protect migration corridors—reduce waste, respect set trails and support locally run initiatives when possible.
Essential for picking out distant cats and bird flocks at lake margins.
Useful for short walks, lodge grounds and the Hell’s Gate cycling/walking area.
all-year specific
Protects from intense equatorial sun during midday drives and walks.
summer specific
A 100–400mm equivalent captures action across the plains and river crossings.