9-Day Big Kenya Safari – Mid-Range Kenya’s Ultimate Wildlife Circuit by Road

9-Days
From: $3,710
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9-Day Big Kenya Safari – Mid-Range Kenya’s Ultimate Wildlife Circuit by Road
Tour Overview
Itinerary
Tour Cost
Inclusions
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This 9-day Big Kenya Safari – Mid-Range is crafted for travelers who want to experience Kenya’s most celebrated national parks in one carefully paced journey.

From the wildlife-dense plains of the Maasai Mara to the flamingo-filled lakes of the Rift Valley, the elephant herds of Amboseli, and the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Tsavo West, this safari offers variety without feeling rushed.

You’ll travel with an experienced guide using a combination of pop-up roof safari 4x4 vehicles and pop-up roof safari minivans, chosen to match terrain and distance for comfort and wildlife viewing.

With handpicked mid-range lodges, private guiding, and smooth logistics handled end to end, this safari is ideal for travelers comparing options and looking for maximum value with trusted local expertise.

✨ Availability is limited due to lodge capacity and seasonal demand — enquire early to secure the best options.
✨ This safari is fully customizable — we adjust pace, lodges, and activities to suit you.
✨ Optional upgrades and add-on experiences can be arranged on request.

Who This Safari Is Ideal For

  • First-time visitors wanting to see Kenya’s highlights in one trip

  • Couples and small groups seeking a private, mid-range safari

  • Travelers who value comfort, good pacing, and experienced guiding

  • Guests looking for a Big 5 safari without luxury pricing

This safari may not be ideal for travelers with very limited time or those seeking ultra-luxury fly-in travel only.

Why This Safari Best

  • Logical circuit covering Kenya’s top ecosystems with minimal backtracking

  • Balanced pacing with multi-night stays in major parks

  • Strong wildlife flow from Mara predators to Amboseli elephants

  • Comfortable road travel using the right vehicle for each region

  • Proven mid-range lodges offering value, location, and reliability

Tour Highlights

Big 5 game drives in the Maasai Mara

Flamingos and rhinos at Lake Nakuru

Scenic Rift Valley lakes and landscapes

Mount Kilimanjaro views in Amboseli (weather permitting)

Volcanic scenery and Mzima Springs in Tsavo West

Privately guided safari experience

Tour Map

Tour Features

Mid-range tour

This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.

Private tour

This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.

Can be customized

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Suitable for solo travelers

Solo travelers can book this private tour.

Can start any day

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Suitable for all ages

This tour is suitable for children of all ages

Day 1

Nairobi → Maasai Mara National Park

Your safari begins with an early morning pickup in Nairobi, departing by pop-up roof safari minivan toward the Maasai Mara.

The drive takes you through the Great Rift Valley with scenic stops before entering the reserve in time for lunch at your mid-range lodge or tented camp.

In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive across the vast Mara plains, searching for lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and plains game.

As the sun sets, return to camp for dinner and overnight, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (approx. 5–6 hours)

Accommodation

Zebra Plains Mara Camp

Day 2

Full Day in Maasai Mara National Park

Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives, allowing you to cover different habitats and river systems.

Your guide will focus on predator tracking while sharing insights into animal behavior and the Mara ecosystem.

Between game drives, return to camp for lunch and relaxation before heading out again later in the day.

The afternoon drive offers excellent light for photography and ends with a classic Mara sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Game drives in pop-up roof safari vehicle

Accommodation

Zebra Plains Mara Camp

Day 3

Maasai Mara → Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, depart the Maasai Mara and drive toward Lake Nakuru National Park, descending into the Rift Valley.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch before heading into the park for an afternoon game drive.

Lake Nakuru is famous for its rhino sanctuary, Rothschild giraffes, and birdlife, including flamingos when conditions allow.

The compact park allows rewarding game viewing before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (approx. 5–6 hours)

Accommodation

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Day 4

Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha

Enjoy breakfast before a short drive to Lake Naivasha, arriving at your lakeside lodge in time for lunch.

The relaxed setting offers a change of pace from traditional game drives.

In the afternoon, choose an optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and birdlife, or enjoy a guided nature walk at Crescent Island among grazing wildlife.

Dinner and overnight are at the lodge overlooking the lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (approx. 1–1.5 hours)

Accommodation

Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort

Day 5

Lake Naivasha → Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and travel south toward Amboseli in a pop-up roof safari minivan, enjoying views of changing landscapes along the way.

Arrive in Amboseli in time for lunch at your lodge or camp.

Later, head out for an afternoon game drive, exploring Amboseli’s open plains and swamps.

Large elephant herds, buffalo, zebras, and birdlife are common, with Mount Kilimanjaro often visible in the background.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (approx. 6–7 hours)

Accommodation

Kibo Safari Camp

Day 6

Full Day in Amboseli National Park

Spend the day on morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli, maximizing wildlife viewing opportunities.

Early mornings are ideal for elephant photography, especially when Kilimanjaro appears clear.

Between drives, relax at your lodge and enjoy the open views across the plains.

The day ends with a peaceful sunset before dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Game drives in pop-up roof safari vehicle

Accommodation

Kibo Safari Camp

Day 7

Amboseli → Tsavo West National Park

After breakfast, depart Amboseli and travel to Tsavo West National Park using a pop-up roof safari 4x4 vehicle, better suited for the park’s rugged terrain.

Arrive at your lodge for lunch before an afternoon game drive.

Explore Tsavo West’s dramatic volcanic landscapes, lava flows, and wildlife areas.

Depending on time, visit highlights such as Shetani Lava Flow or scenic viewpoints before returning to your lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (approx. 3–4 hours)

Accommodation

Severin Safari Camp

Day 8

Full Day in Tsavo West National Park

Enjoy a full day in Tsavo West with morning and afternoon game drives.

The park is known for its red elephants, diverse scenery, and fewer crowds, offering a more rugged safari experience.

You may also visit Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear water reveals hippos and crocodiles through underwater viewing points.

Return to the lodge for dinner and your final overnight in the wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Game drives in pop-up roof safari 4x4

Accommodation

Severin Safari Camp

Day 9

Tsavo West → Nairobi

After breakfast, enjoy a final short game drive as you exit Tsavo West, capturing last wildlife moments of your safari.

The drive back to Nairobi offers time to reflect on your journey across Kenya’s most iconic parks.

Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your 9-day Big Kenya Safari.

Meals: Breakfast
Transport: Road transfer (approx. 4–5 hours)

Accommodation

No Accommodations ( End of tour )

Important to know

The prices below are per person (based on two adults travelling together) and please note that the prices are approximate for 2026.

Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday.

There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.

Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.

Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.

Rates Per Person

Month/SeasonPrice per Person (Solo, Single Supplement)Price per Person (2 People Sharing)
Jan 1, 2026 - Feb 28, 2026$5,430$3,710
Mar 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026$4,725$3,240
Apr 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026$4,815$3,300
Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026$4,725$3,240
Jul 1, 2026 - Sep 30, 2026$5,730$4,010
Oct 1, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026$5,730$4,010
Nov 1, 2026 - Dec 15, 2026$5,025$3,540
Dec 16, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026$5,730$4,010
Jan 1, 2027 - Feb 28, 2027$5,430$3,710
Mar 1, 2027 - Mar 31, 2027$4,725$3,240
Apr 1, 2027 - May 31, 2027$4,815$3,300
Jun 1, 2027 - Jun 30, 2027$4,725$3,240
Jul 1, 2027 - Sep 30, 2027$5,730$4,010
Oct 1, 2027 - Oct 31, 2027$5,730$4,010
Nov 1, 2027 - Dec 15, 2027$5,025$3,540
Dec 16, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027$5,730$4,010

Included

Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excluded

International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Meal Plan

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinking water

Check Tour Availability

Check Availability

We Are Highly Recommended

Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Samuel N profile picture
Samuel N
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3 day safari Our safari with Lassic Africa tours was absolutely amazing.From pickup to drop off it was well planned and informative especially to my kids,they enjoyed and learned a lot on our 3 days safari our guide Ian was very knowledgeable about wildlife and birds i would highly recommend Lassic Africa Tours
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john g profile picture
john g
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Awesome experience Visited masaai mara and naivasha ian was punctual very professional and entertaining. My family and I really enjoyed. I highly recommend
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ray h profile picture
ray h
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the most wonderful tour of masai mara from start to finish John was prompt, organised and so helpful. he made it a mission to find us the big 5 as well as various other animals we wanted to see. he truly went above and beyond for us and I am so glad we booked a private tour. would recommend to all my friends and family :)
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Pauline N profile picture
Pauline N
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An Unforgettable safari We had a wonderful 3 days at Amboseli.Our guide Albert was informative, attentive and really entertaining,highly recommend.
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Michael D profile picture
Michael D
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great guided safari adventure John is a very experienced guide that got us front row seats to see two lions up close. Also saw rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras and many beautiful birds as well. Very professional service and friendly. The private tour was definitely worth the small extra price. Since there were only two of us we were able to go on a short walking tour with an armed park ranger to see a hippo, giraffes, and the river up close out of the safari vehicle.
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Marian Suresh profile picture
Marian Suresh
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Safari Nairobi National Park Very nice . John was very friendly . He picked us up on time and tried his best to show us the wild life …..highly recommend.
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Melanie N profile picture
Melanie N
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Once in a lifetime This was a once in a lifetime experience. Our tour guide, John, was prompt with picking us up at our hotel, a safe driver and a wonderful tour guide around the Nairobi National Park. We saw so many animals up close and had plenty of time to take pictures and soak up the surroundings. I highly recommend if you are in the area.
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madahutanu04 profile picture
madahutanu04
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Amazing Experience Driver and Guide Just finished a 3 day safari with John and he was the best driver ever From start to finish he could not have done anymore for us During the game drive we didn’t see many giraffes and they are my favourite at the end of the game drive he refused to go to the hotel without showing me more giraffes and he found so many even at roadsideThe next day on our return to Nairobi he even took us to the Giraffe center where I was able to feed them Thank you so much John ❤️
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Vitor B profile picture
Vitor B
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Amazing Safari with John We are just returning from a 3 day Safari to Masai Mara From the very first moment when John picked us up from the airport until he dropped us off back in Nairobi he couldn’t have done anymore for us He made sure we were happy the whole time drove us safely and didn’t rest until we saw all the animals we wanted to see It was an experience of a lifetime and we thank John for that … the best driver in Kenya In the end of our trip he even took us to Giraffe center in Nairobi as my fiancée loves giraffesWe cannot recommend John enough he is amazing and whenever we are back in Kenya he will be our driver again for sure Thank you John ♥️Vitor ( Portugal ) & Madalina ( Romania )
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Dusty D profile picture
Dusty D
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Spectacular!!! We went on the 1/2 day sunrise tour with the best guide in the whole park John! 😊He was so incredibly knowledgeable and was very patient with all our 100 questions! We were so very lucky to have seen some of the animals that not everyone gets to see, and John made sure of that! He was always on a mission to find the best animals for us! Even the lions 🦁! Thank you so much John! 😊
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