Elephants roam beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, lions chase zebra across the grasslands, and vast wildebeest herds are on the move as Amboseli and the Masai Mara are home to some of Africa's most iconic safari images. These fabled destinations offer an excellent first-time African safari to combine exceptional game viewing with the raw wonders of the landscape. This 9-day safari reveals it all and culminates in a private conservancy that enhances the exclusivity of the Masai Mara.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Nairobi – Elegant Welcomes
Nairobi might be one of the continent's economic powerhouses, but its city skyline still glimpses at the wildness of Africa. Gaze out across the hills and you will see giraffe and elephants as they roam in the same panorama as towering as skyscrapers. It's a bizarre juxtaposition to see nature such an integral piece of the cityscape. You will be greeted at Nairobi International Airport and transferred to a hotel on the edge of the city, where your premium suite will overlook the savanna of Nairobi National Park. It's just a glimpse at wildlife, yet one that helps the anticipation build for the start of the safari tomorrow. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure, and the hotel is a quiet place to rest and relax with dinner in the hotel's restaurant included.
What's Included:
Day 2
Amboseli National Park – Elephants Beneath Kilimanjaro
Day 3
Amboseli National Park – Game Drives
Day 4
Masai Mara National Reserve – Masai Mara Plains
Day 5
Masai Mara National Reserve – Wildebeest Along the Mara River
Day 6
Mara North Conservancy – Exclusive Safari
Day 7
Mara North Conservancy – A Game Walk
Day 8
Mara North Conservancy – Hot Air Balloon Safari
Day 9
Nairobi – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy seven full days of big game safari in three destinations for plenty of time to see all the animals, but also to relax and soak up the rhythm of the African savanna
- Explore the beauty of Amboseli National Park, where elephant herds rumble beneath the dramatic cone of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak
- Discover the grand scale of the Masai Mara, a vast reserve that's home to hundreds of thousands of mammals (and that's outside the great wildebeest migration months!)
- Gaze over the Mara River and follow the epic battles between big cats and the ungulates, particularly lion pride and resident wildebeest
- Complete the safari in Mara North, a private conservancy with a wildlife experience reserved for just a handful of guests
- Twice-daily game drives ensure that you discover the full diversity of Kenyan wildlife, from unusual antelopes to leopards that hide in the trees
- Staying at Mara North provides opportunity for private bush walks and exclusive safari activities that are guided by Masai warriors
- Fly between reserves in light aircraft to minimize travel time as you enjoy stunning views of Kenya's safari landscapes
Starting Price
$7,100 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.93 stars based on 240 reviews.
The trip was exhilarating and the job done by our Zicasso travel agent was second to none.
Our trip was 20 days, with multiple locations, flights, and activities. Our agent arranged things so well, we hardly had to do anything. Guides and contacts always arrived on time and led us through each location efficiently and safely.
The gorilla trek in Rwanda was amazing. On safari, we saw the Big Five by the end of day two and saw many, many unique animal encounters. We did a walking safari one day, which was also a highlight. Our agent recommended the Lewa Conservancy as a stop and this was wonderful for seeing many black and white rhinos.
I would give our travel company a 10/10 for personal care and attention. I highly recommended them for a high-quality, memorable African adventure!
Reviewed By Michael D.
We had a wonderful journey, with every step detailed and escorted from end to end. Our Zicasso travel experts did a great job and were always available for support.
Reviewed By Margarita M.
Without exaggeration, this was the most amazing trip of my life. Everything was perfect, from the itinerary to the lodging, food, and guides. We saw so much and so many varied topographies. We also got such a great flavor of the culture, people, and way of life in both countries. It truly was incredible from start to finish.
Reviewed By Stephanie L.
We had a fantastic trip. There were a few hiccups, but they were minor and were resolved very quickly.
This was pretty much the trip we had envisioned coming to life! Zicasso's travel agents on the ground, assisting us, were on top of things and made the trip go super-smooth. Thanks!
The camps we stayed at were amazing, the food was fabulous at both camps, the hotel in Nairobi was very nice; all in all, a great trip. Thank you so much for putting together my bucket list, including the experience with elephants in Tsavo East National Park!
Reviewed By Tracy C.
There aren't enough superlatives to describe our safari. Every single aspect exceeded expectations. The Zicasso trip designer, who handled the in-country arrangements, was terrific, and literally every arrangement went smoothly. A few last-minute changes on the front and back end were handled effectively.
Each of the camps was different, but wonderful in its own way. We liked the variation. The accommodations were great and the food was great. But the people – hosts, driver/guides, spotters, service personnel were really great – friendly, fun, helpful, enjoyable to be with, and really great. It's difficult to put into words how much we enjoyed being with them and with each other (me, my five adult children, and their spouses). And the wildlife and landscapes, again, quite different over the three camps, were spectacular. Every game drive was a much-anticipated adventure and the guides were, to a person, superb in helping us understand the animal behaviors we observed.
There is nothing we would have done differently and we were constantly amazed at how smoothly everything worked out (literally no hitches, even minor ones), how much fun we had with each other and our hosts, and how much the people we were with contributed to our experience. I'm not given to hyperbole, but I'm left without words to describe how great the experiences we had were and how seamless the arrangements seemed to be.
Reviewed By Jim K.
It was a unbelievable, fantastic trip. Working with Zicasso's travel agency was a pleasure. They set everything up, working with me closely to customize my trip. Everything went as planned and all the selections and partner companies were great.
Reviewed By Dave A.