Mid-range 
7-Day Mid-Range Kenya Safari
The open plains of the Mara to the dramatic setting beneath Kilimanjaro, in one thoughtfully paced week.
A thoughtfully paced private safari linking the legendary Maasai Mara, wildlife-rich Lake Nakuru and elephant country in Amboseli. The route is built around well-known game-viewing areas, comfortable mid-range accommodation and the freedom of travelling exclusively with one party.
From the open plains of the Mara to the dramatic setting beneath Kilimanjaro, each destination brings a distinctly different side of Kenya into focus.
Departures run on any day subject to availability, and the trip suits solo travellers and travellers of all ages.
The route, stop by stop
What you are likely to see
Solid tone means often seen on this route. Outline means possible, and worth the patience. Sightings vary with season and luck, and nothing wild is guaranteed.
The ground this safari covers
7 days, in order
Each day lists the route, the meals included and the lodge for that night. Ask us for the expected driving time on any day.
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Nairobi is left early, and the road climbs west over the lip of the Great Rift Valley, drops across its floor and runs on through Narok to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, arriving in time for lunch at Enkorok Mara Camp.
The afternoon game drive heads out across one of Kenya's most celebrated wildlife landscapes, famous for its resident wildlife, its seasonal migration and its outstanding chances of seeing predators and great herds of plains game.
Accommodation
Night 1 of 3
5 photos
Enkorok Mara Camp
Maasai Mara Tented camp · 5 photos
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Enkorok Mara Camp is a tented camp in the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s most celebrated safari destination, where the open grasslands support lion, cheetah, elephant and huge herds of plains game, and where the wildebeest migration arrives in the dry season. The camp has 26 tents decorated with warm wooden furniture and bright Maasai fabrics. Each […]
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Full day in the Maasai Mara
The whole day is given to game drives, with the freedom to spend longer wherever the wildlife is most active. The morning drive catches the predators while they are still on the move, and the reserve gives excellent odds for lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and giraffe.
The birdlife is rich too, across the grassland, the woodland and the riverbanks, and the evening light over the plains is something to wait for.
Accommodation
Night 2 of 3
5 photos
Enkorok Mara Camp
Maasai Mara Tented camp · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Enkorok Mara Camp is a tented camp in the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s most celebrated safari destination, where the open grasslands support lion, cheetah, elephant and huge herds of plains game, and where the wildebeest migration arrives in the dry season. The camp has 26 tents decorated with warm wooden furniture and bright Maasai fabrics. Each […]
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara exploration
A third day on the Mara brings the chance of a new encounter on every drive, from big cats on the open plains to large herds moving through the grass. By now the guide knows where the animals have been, and can build on the last two days: a return to a pride with cubs, perhaps, or a search for the leopard that was glimpsed the day before.
Accommodation
Night 3 of 3
5 photos
Enkorok Mara Camp
Maasai Mara Tented camp · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Enkorok Mara Camp is a tented camp in the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s most celebrated safari destination, where the open grasslands support lion, cheetah, elephant and huge herds of plains game, and where the wildebeest migration arrives in the dry season. The camp has 26 tents decorated with warm wooden furniture and bright Maasai fabrics. Each […]
Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
The Mara is left in the morning, and the road runs north east through farmland and back into the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, a striking contrast to the open plains, known for its birdlife and its important rhino population. Lunch is at Ziwa Bush Lodge.
The afternoon game drive follows the lake shore and the acacia woodland in search of black and white rhino, with buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe and flocks of pelicans along the way.
Accommodation
One night
8 photos
Ziwa Bush Lodge
Edge of Lake Nakuru National Park, Nakuru Lodge · 8 photos
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Ziwa Bush Lodge is a boutique lodge set in landscaped gardens on the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park, in the heart of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and roughly three hours’ drive from Nairobi. Its location just outside the park makes it easy to head out on game drives to look for rhino, lion, buffalo […]
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli
Lake Nakuru to Amboseli
Amboseli is a long drive away, and the day starts early, heading south through the Rift Valley, past Nairobi and on across the dry Maasai plains. Kilimanjaro appears on the horizon as the park draws near.
After arrival and lunch at Amboseli Sopa Lodge, the afternoon game drive explores a landscape of dry lake beds, open grassland, acacia woodland and green wetland. The highlights are Amboseli's great elephant herds and the mountain rising behind them.
Accommodation
Night 1 of 2
4 photos
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Kimana area, foothills of Kilimanjaro, about 20 minutes' drive from Amboseli National Park Lodge · 4 photos
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Thatched cottages spread through the grounds just outside the park, several rooms opening onto a private view of Kilimanjaro on a clear morning.
Amboseli National Park
Full day in Amboseli
Amboseli gets the whole day, at a relaxed pace. The drives explore its distinctive habitats in search of elephant, big cats and the many other animals of its plains and swamps, from buffalo and hippo to zebra, wildebeest and a remarkable variety of birds.
When the cloud clears, usually early and late in the day, Kilimanjaro's snow capped summit stands above it all.
Accommodation
Night 2 of 2
4 photos
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Kimana area, foothills of Kilimanjaro, about 20 minutes' drive from Amboseli National Park Lodge · 4 photos
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Thatched cottages spread through the grounds just outside the park, several rooms opening onto a private view of Kilimanjaro on a clear morning.
Amboseli to Nairobi
Amboseli to Nairobi
A final morning game drive in Amboseli, and then the road north to Nairobi, with lunch taken en route and arrival expected around five in the afternoon. The safari ends with a transfer to a city hotel or the airport.
The price, in full
Written plainly so there are no surprises at the airport. Anything optional can be added to the quote before you pay.
Included
Already in the price you see.
- Park fees for non-residents
- All activities unless specifically marked optional
- All accommodation unless listed as an upgrade
- A professional driver-guide
- All transportation unless marked optional
- All taxes and VAT
- Airport transfer to and from the safari
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
Not included
Budget for these separately.
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Tips, published guideline US$10 per person per day
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, travel insurance and visa fees
- Government-imposed increases in taxes or park fees
- Meals specifically identified as excluded in the itinerary
| Rate range | Per person |
|---|---|
| Published range | $2,070 to $2,840 |
The advertised rate is presented in USD and varies according to the selected travel arrangements and availability.
Questions, answered
What travellers ask us most about a safari like this one. Anything else, ask below and a specialist in Nairobi replies within one business day.
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This safari is private: your own vehicle and guide for the whole trip, and we never merge your party with another to cut costs.
How do we book, and how much is the deposit?
Press Book this safari. You can hold your dates for three days without paying while a specialist checks availability with the lodges and parks, or pay a deposit of 30, 40 or 50 percent, or the full amount, by credit or debit card through Pesapal. You can also pay by bank transfer, or in person at our Nairobi office by card. The standard schedule is a 30 percent deposit to confirm and the balance 60 days before arrival; bookings made within 60 days of departure, and gorilla or chimpanzee permits, are paid in full at booking. Card details go to Pesapal, never to Volcan.
Will we see the Great Migration and a river crossing?
The herds usually reach the Maasai Mara around July and stay until about October, crossing the Mara River many times in that period. For the rest of the year they are in the Serengeti in Tanzania. The timing is set by the rains, so no operator can promise a crossing on a given day, but our guides follow the reports every morning and position you as well as experience allows.
Do we need a visa?
Kenya: most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before travel at etakenya.go.ke. Rules depend on your passport and change from time to time, so check them before you book flights, and always apply through the official government portal, never a third-party agent. We tell you what applies to your route when we confirm your trip.
Which vaccinations and health precautions do we need?
See a travel clinic at least six weeks before you go. Malaria is present in most safari areas of East Africa, so ask about antimalarials, insect repellent and cover-up clothing for the evenings. A yellow fever certificate can be required depending on your route and where you arrive from.
What vehicle will we travel in?
A Toyota Land Cruiser from Volcan’s own fleet, in the company’s colours, with the same driver-guide from the first day to the last. It is yours alone for the whole safari, and every vehicle carries reusable water bottles.
Can children come on this safari?
Yes, and a private vehicle makes it easy to set the pace around them. Child rates depend on the lodges, and some camps and activities set minimum ages, so tell us the ages of everyone travelling and we confirm what applies before you pay anything.
What happens if we need to cancel?
Tell us in writing as early as possible. The cancellation charges for your trip are set out in your written booking confirmation. Gorilla permits, internal flights and non-refundable lodge deposits already paid on your behalf cannot be recovered, so they are charged in full. Refunds go back to the card or account the payment came from. The detail is in our Booking & Payment Terms.
Plan this safari with us
Send your dates and who is travelling. A specialist checks availability with the lodges and parks and replies within one business day with an itemised price.
- Free, and no obligation
- Ask about changing the dates, lodges or pace
- Answered by the team in Nairobi who plan the trip

7-Day Mid-Range Kenya Safari
Dates are held for 72 hours without payment while you check flights. Nothing is charged until the itinerary is confirmed in writing.
Prices are for guidance and are confirmed against current lodge and park rates before any payment.
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All prices shown are estimates. Your final price is confirmed in your written quote.