Animal Kingdom Kenya Safari
ANIMAL KINGDOM KENYA SAFARI is a detailed Africa Last Minute safari product for travellers who want a guided route through Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha. It can be quoted in different accommodation categories and transport styles depending on travel dates, comfort level, group size and budget.
Key Highlights
- Nairobi arrival
- hotel overnight
- Lake Naivasha boat ride with optional Crescent Island
- Masai Mara game drives
- Optional Giraffe Centre
- Karen Blixen
- city tour
- shopping
- Diani or Zanzibar extension
Make This Journey Yours
Every Africa Last Minute itinerary is adjustable. Tell us your dates, guest profile, comfort level, and pace, and we will shape the package into a quote-ready travel proposal.
Itinerary
Arrival in Nairobi and Safari Briefing
Africa Last Minute welcomes guests at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or their Nairobi hotel. This first day should feel calm and reassuring, especially for long-haul arrivals. The representative confirms the route, accommodation category, meal plan, luggage expectations and any optional activities that have been pre-booked.
- Arrival and transfer: Meet-and-greet assistance, transfer to the hotel and check-in support. If rooms are not ready, guests can store luggage and relax in the lobby or hotel restaurant.
- Optional Nairobi add-ons: Depending on flight timing, offer Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, a short city orientation, shopping, a day room or dinner reservation.
- Evening briefing: Review the Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara routing, departure times, park etiquette, tipping guidance and what to pack for the safari vehicle.
Nairobi to Lake Naivasha - Great Rift Valley and Boat Safari
After breakfast, guests leave Nairobi and descend into the Great Rift Valley. The drive is part of the experience: escarpment viewpoints, roadside markets and dramatic valley landscapes help introduce Kenya beyond the city.
- Morning drive: Depart Nairobi after breakfast, with a viewpoint stop if traffic and weather allow. The guide explains the Rift Valley, local farming areas and lake ecosystems.
- Afternoon lake experience: After lunch and check-in, take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to look for hippos, fish eagles, water birds and lakeside wildlife.
- Optional Crescent Island: For guests who want a soft adventure, add a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, where plains wildlife can often be seen without a vehicle.
Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara - Into Big Cat Country
Guests depart Lake Naivasha after breakfast and continue through Narok and Maasai country toward the Masai Mara. The road journey should be positioned as a transition from Rift Valley lakes to classic savannah wilderness.
- Scenic transfer: Drive via Narok with comfort stops. The guide explains Maasai culture, livestock landscapes and how the Mara ecosystem connects with the Serengeti.
- Arrival and lunch: Arrive at the lodge or camp for check-in and lunch, subject to road and gate timing.
- First game drive: Head out in the late afternoon when temperatures fall and wildlife becomes more active. This first drive focuses on orientation: plains game, elephants, giraffes, hyenas and possible lion sightings.
Full Day in the Masai Mara - Game Drives and Optional Balloon Safari
This is the main wildlife day. The guide should shape the schedule around wildlife movement, guest interest and the lodge location. Guests can choose a full-day game drive with picnic lunch or split morning and afternoon drives with rest at camp between activities.
- Morning safari: Start early for the best light and predator activity. Search for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, topi, gazelles, zebras and giraffes.
- Mara River or plains exploration: Depending on season and location, explore riverine habitats, open plains, kopjes and water points. During migration season, river areas may be prioritised when safe and practical.
- Optional balloon safari: A pre-booked balloon safari can replace the early morning drive and usually ends with a bush breakfast. Availability and price must be confirmed before booking.
- Evening at camp: Return to the lodge for dinner, image review, campfire time or a quiet evening before the return journey.
Masai Mara to Nairobi - Final Drive and Departure Options
After breakfast, guests check out and begin the journey back to Nairobi. Depending on the lodge location and departure time, a short en-route game drive may be possible as guests leave the reserve or conservancy.
- Morning departure: Drive back through Narok toward Nairobi with comfort stops.
- Arrival in Nairobi: Drop off at a hotel, airport, residence or agreed central point.
- Extension options: Offer a Nairobi overnight, Diani or Mombasa beach extension, Amboseli add-on, city tour or dinner depending on onward plans.
What is included
- Safari transport in the quoted vehicle type, such as safari minivan, 4x4 Land Cruiser, shared vehicle or flight transfer where applicable.
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide, lodge guide, ranger or activity guide during the listed safari components.
- Accommodation in the quoted lodge, camp, hotel, mountain hut or campsite category, subject to availability.
- Meals as specified in the final confirmed itinerary.
- Game drives, boat rides, trekking activities, mountain services or sightseeing stops specifically listed in the final quotation.
- Airport, hotel, lodge, airstrip or agreed-point transfers only where shown in the confirmed route.
- Government taxes and service charges related to the confirmed package unless separated in the quote.
What is excluded
- International flights, domestic flights unless specifically listed, airport taxes and airline extras.
- Visa fees, passport costs, travel insurance, vaccinations and personal medical expenses.
- Park fees, conservancy fees, marine park fees, gorilla permits, chimp permits, mountain fees or special permits unless expressly included.
- Drinks, laundry, telephone calls, room service, souvenirs and personal expenses.
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, lodge staff, porters, rangers, boat crews, mountain crew and community hosts.
- Optional extras such as balloon safaris, cultural visits, day rooms, beach extensions, golf, fishing, city tours or upgraded transfers unless stated as included.
- Any deviation from the confirmed itinerary caused by late arrival, missed flights, route changes, weather, park regulations or private guest requests.
Important Notes
- Confirm season, travel dates, group size and rooming list before quoting.
- Verify park fees, conservancy fees, permits and domestic flight schedules before confirming.
- State accommodation level clearly: classic, mid-range, luxury or premium. Avoid mixing lodge categories in one unclear price.
- Add realistic drive times and advise guests that road conditions can vary.
- Do not guarantee wildlife sightings, migration crossings, gorilla encounters beyond permit rules, or mountain summit success.
Optional Extras
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser upgrade
- Luxury lodge, premium camp or family-room upgrade
- Extra night extension for a more relaxed pace
- Airport meet-and-assist and Nairobi day-room arrangement
- Beach extension to Diani, Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi or Zanzibar
- Professional photography-focused guiding where available
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this package be customized?
Yes. Accommodation level, vehicle type, start point, end point, pace and optional extras can be adjusted before quotation.
Are park fees included?
Only include park, conservancy or permit fees if they are clearly listed in the final confirmed quotation.
What should guests confirm before booking?
Travel dates, group size, rooming needs, flight times, preferred accommodation level and any special interests such as photography, culture, beach extensions or gorilla permits.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No. Wildlife sightings depend on nature, season, weather, guide skill and daily animal movement. The itinerary increases opportunity but cannot guarantee specific sightings.
Ideal Traveller
- First-time safari travellers who want a planned route.
- Couples, families and small groups looking for private or flexible safari arrangements.
- International visitors combining safari with Nairobi, the Kenya coast, Uganda, Tanzania or onward flights.
- Guests who want clear routing, lodge options and quotation support before booking.
