9 Days Big Five Safari Kenya | Tsavo, Amboseli & Mara

A 9 days Big Five safari in Kenya covering Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara is a private road safari that runs the full southern Kenya circuit in one continuous loop from Nairobi. Unlike shorter itineraries that focus on two or three parks, this route gives roughly a full day or more at each of six destinations, run in a private 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver-guide.

The safari opens in Tsavo East National Park, known for its red-dust elephants, a result of the park’s iron-rich soil, alongside lions, buffalo, zebra, and giraffe across open, dry terrain. It continues to Tsavo West National Park, where volcanic landscapes and lava flows contrast with Tsavo East’s plains, and a stop at the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary covers the park’s protected black rhino population. Mzima Springs, a spring-fed pool with an underwater viewing chamber, offers close-up sightings of hippos and fish.

From Tsavo, the route continues to Amboseli National Park, spending a full two days here. Amboseli is consistently ranked among Kenya’s best parks for reliable elephant sightings and, on clear days, unobstructed views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Large elephant herds, lions, cheetahs, and buffalo are common across the park’s open terrain, and the extended stay allows for both morning and afternoon game drives across multiple sections of the park.

The safari then shifts pace at Lake Naivasha, a freshwater Rift Valley lake where a boat safari covers hippo and bird sightings, followed by a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, one of Kenya’s few sanctuaries where wildlife can be approached on foot. An optional stop at Hell’s Gate National Park adds cycling through dramatic gorges and geothermal terrain. Lake Nakuru National Park follows, known for its black and white rhino sanctuary and a Rothschild’s giraffe breeding program, alongside flamingos and strong general birdlife.

The itinerary concludes with two full days in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s highest-density wildlife reserve, where predator sightings, particularly lion, leopard, and cheetah, are reliably strong. Travelers visiting between July and October have a chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration as it crosses the Mara River.

This route suits travelers who want a genuinely complete Big Five circuit rather than a partial one, with enough time at each park to avoid feeling rushed. It’s a longer, more thorough alternative to the standard 5- or 6-day Amboseli-Naivasha-Mara itineraries, adding both Tsavo parks and a full extra day in Amboseli. Accommodation spans budget, mid-range, and luxury lodges and tented camps at every stop, allowing the same route to fit a range of travel styles and budgets.

9 Days Big Five Safari At a Glance

• Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
• Destinations: Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve
• Highlight Species: Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino); red-dust elephants; Rothschild’s giraffe
• Safari Type: Private safari
• Transport: 4×4 pop-top Land Cruiser jeep with open-top viewing
• Best Time to Visit: July–October for the Great Migration; January–March for clearer Kilimanjaro views

Your Route

From Nairobi to Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara before returning to Nairobi, here’s where your 9-day safari takes you:

This 9 day Big Five safari price depends on your lodge category (budget, mid-range, or luxury), the season you travel, and your group size. As with our other packages, larger groups bring the cost per person down.

Children: free (0–2 years); 75% of adult rate (3–11 years)

Shoulder Season — price per person

Peak Season — price per person

Low Season — price per person

Single Room Extra not listed for low season in the source pricing, worth confirming with your team whether that's intentional. Indicative costs per person, excluding international flights.

Tsavo East Lodges

Satao Camp — Best for continuous game viewing. Arranged in a semi-circle around a floodlit waterhole that draws elephants, zebra, and buffalo throughout the day and night.

Ashnil Aruba Lodge — Best for dam-side views. Situated on the edge of Aruba Dam on the Voi River, with the main deck doubling as a strong game-viewing spot.

Galdessa Camp — Best for luxury and river-based wildlife viewing. Set on the banks of the Galana River, which draws animals reliably, especially in the dry season.

Tsavo West Lodges

Severin Safari Camp — Best for scenic views and quiet luxury. Set against Mount Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills, with a riverside location that attracts wildlife throughout the day.

Ngulia Safari Lodge — Best for families and adventure seekers. Sits on the Ndawe Escarpment overlooking the Rhino Sanctuary, with nightly leopard sightings possible at its floodlit waterhole.

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge — Best for romantic escapes and eco-luxury. Overlooks a busy waterhole drawing elephants and buffalo daily.

Amboseli Lodges

AA Amboseli Lodge — Budget. Three-star comfort less than two miles from the Kimana Gate of Amboseli National Park.

Amboseli Sopa Lodge — Budget. Rustic, well-spaced cottages set through mature gardens.

Kilima Safari Camp — Mid-range. Located inside Amboseli National Park a short distance from Kimana Gate.

Masai Mara Lodges

PrideInn Mara Camp — Best for affordable luxury & riverside views, along the Talek River.

La Maison Royale Mara Camp — Best for boutique luxury & tranquil escapes, near Sekenani Gate.

Mara Maisha Tented Camp — Best for authentic safari ambiance & local hospitality, near the main reserve entrance.

This itinerary can be extended with a Diani Beach coastal stay, or started from Mombasa instead of Nairobi, ask us about tailoring your route, lodge selection, and travel dates.

Best Time to Visit

• July–October: peak season, best for the Great Migration in the Masai Mara
• January–March: clearer Mount Kilimanjaro views in Amboseli, generally drier conditions across the circuit
• April–June: green season, lower rates, lusher landscapes

Travel Distances

• Nairobi to Tsavo East: ~5 hours
• Tsavo East to Tsavo West: ~1 hour
• Tsavo West to Amboseli: ~2 hours
• Amboseli to Lake Naivasha: ~6 hours
• Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru: ~2 hours
• Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara: ~6 hours
• Masai Mara to Nairobi: ~5 hours

What to Pack

• Lightweight, neutral-colored clothing
• Comfortable walking or cycling shoes (for Hell's Gate)
• Camera and binoculars
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Light jacket for early mornings and Rift Valley evenings