Day 1: Nairobi โ Drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Your Kenya Safari Package โ Serena Safari Experience begins the moment you step out of Nairobiโs Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. After clearing immigration and customs, your professional driver-guide greets you warmly and leads you to your private safari vehicle. A short briefing introduces you to the journey aheadโa seven-day adventure across Kenyaโs most celebrated parks, staying in the luxurious Serena properties renowned for their locations and service.
The road journey begins as you leave the cityโs bustle behind and head southwest toward the world-famous Maasai Mara. Along the way, you make a stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint, one of the highlights of this drive. Standing at the escarpment, you gaze out across a vast geological marvelโmiles upon miles of valley floor stretching to the horizon, dotted with lakes, farms, and volcanic cones. Itโs a breathtaking introduction to Kenyaโs landscapes and a reminder of the countryโs geological and cultural depth.
Continuing on, you drive through rolling farmlands and small towns, with glimpses of Maasai herders moving cattle and goats across open plains. The journey itself is part of the experience, giving you a sense of Kenyaโs rural heartland before arriving at the untamed beauty of the Mara. By midday, you reach Mara Serena Safari Lodge, a stunning property perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of the reserve. The lodgeโs architecture blends with the landscape, offering rooms with sweeping vistas of the endless savannah. After check-in and a sumptuous lunch, you have time to relax before the afternoon adventure begins.
At 4:00 p.m., you set out on your first game drive in the Maasai Mara. The excitement is palpableโthe Mara is one of the best places on earth to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). Within minutes, you may encounter herds of elephants walking gracefully through the grasslands, zebras grazing in harmony with wildebeest, or even lions dozing under acacia trees. The Maraโs rich biodiversity ensures that every game drive is filled with discoveries.
As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, you stop at a scenic spot for sundowners. The silhouettes of giraffes and antelopes against the glowing horizon create the quintessential African safari scene. Returning to the lodge, dinner awaitsโan elegant buffet featuring both international and Kenyan dishes. You spend your first night in the Mara under the stars, drifting off to the distant roars of lions and the calls of nocturnal birds. This first day of your Kenya Safari Package sets the tone for the thrilling days ahead.
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve
The second day of your Kenya Safari Package โ Serena Safari Experience is entirely dedicated to the Maasai Mara, offering you the chance to immerse yourself in one of Africaโs most iconic wildlife sanctuaries. You rise early, as dawn is the best time to see predators in action. After a hearty breakfast, you board your safari vehicle with picnic lunch boxes packed, allowing you to spend the entire day exploring without returning to the lodge midday.
The Mara is famed for its abundance of big cats. Lions are particularly prolific here, with prides numbering up to 20 individuals. Watching lionesses with their playful cubs, or a coalition of males surveying their territory, is a sight you will never forget. Leopards, though more elusive, are often spotted draped over tree branches, while cheetahs are seen prowling the open plains in search of prey. With patience and the keen eyes of your guide, you may witness a hunt unfolding before you.
The Mara is not only about predators. It is also home to immense herds of herbivoresโwildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and topis. During the Great Migration season (JulyโOctober), millions of wildebeest and zebras flood into the Mara from the Serengeti, creating one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world. Outside migration months, the park still teems with life, offering unparalleled opportunities to see the Big Five and countless other species.
At midday, you stop under the shade of a lone acacia tree or by the banks of the Mara River to enjoy your picnic lunch. The river is home to pods of hippos and enormous Nile crocodiles, particularly at crossing points during migration. After lunch, you continue your game drive, perhaps encountering giraffes browsing gracefully, hyenas skulking in the background, or elephants splashing in mud to cool off. Bird enthusiasts will also be delightedโover 450 species have been recorded in the reserve, from colorful rollers to mighty raptors.
By late afternoon, you return to the lodge, where a refreshing swim in the pool or a drink on the terrace awaits. Dinner is once again a culinary highlight, followed by storytelling around a fire or relaxation under the stars. After todayโs immersive experience, you realize why the Maasai Mara is considered the crown jewel of any Kenya Safari Package.
Day 3: Maasai Mara โ Drive to Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita
On the third morning of your Kenya Safari Package, you enjoy a final breakfast at Mara Serena before checking out and beginning your drive toward Lake Nakuru. The route takes you back through the Rift Valley, offering new perspectives of its dramatic landscapes. Along the way, you pass farmlands, roadside markets, and Maasai homesteads, each glimpse adding depth to your understanding of Kenyan life.
Arriving at Lake Nakuru National Park by early afternoon, you head straight into a game drive. Nakuru is one of Kenyaโs most celebrated birding destinations, once famed for its massive flocks of flamingos that turned the lakeshore pink. While their numbers fluctuate with water levels, flamingos remain a highlight, and their dazzling colors are matched by pelicans, herons, and other waterbirds. The park is also a sanctuary for rhinosโboth black and white species thrive here, making Nakuru one of the best places in Kenya to see them.
As you explore, you may encounter giraffes gracefully walking through the acacia forest, buffaloes grazing near the water, and even elusive leopards resting in the trees. Lions are also present, occasionally seen lounging on the parkโs rocky outcrops. Though smaller than the Mara, Nakuru offers a compact, rewarding safari experience with diverse habitats ranging from forests to open grasslands to lakeshore.
After an exciting afternoon of game viewing, you continue to Lake Elementaita Serena Camp, where dinner and overnight await. This elegant camp is situated on the shores of Lake Elementaita, another Rift Valley lake and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you enjoy serene views of the water and surrounding birdlife. The camp combines luxury and intimacy, ensuring that your Kenya Safari Package continues in comfort and style.
As you settle into your room, the dayโs highlights play vividly in your mind: the grandeur of the Mara, the birdlife of Nakuru, and the peaceful beauty of Elementaita. With three days completed, your safari has already revealed Kenyaโs extraordinary diversity, and yet more wonders await in Amboseli and Tsavo West.
Day 4: Lake Elementaita โ Drive to Amboseli National Park
The fourth day of your Kenya Safari Package โ Serena Safari Experience begins with breakfast at Lake Elementaita Serena Camp. The lakeโs shimmering waters reflect the early morning light, and the calls of waterbirds create a serene backdrop as you prepare for another exciting leg of the journey. After checking out, your driver-guide escorts you south toward Amboseli National Park, one of Kenyaโs most iconic destinations.
The road journey is long but scenic, offering yet another glimpse into Kenyaโs incredible diversity. As you descend from the Rift Valley escarpment, the landscapes shift dramatically. Fertile farmlands give way to arid savannahs, dotted with Maasai manyattas (traditional homesteads). Along the way, you may spot herds of cattle being led by Maasai herders dressed in their vibrant red shukas, symbols of a culture that has coexisted with wildlife for centuries.
By midday, you arrive at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, your base for the next two nights. The lodge sits in a prime location within the park, offering panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaroโthe tallest mountain in Africa. On clear days, the snow-capped summit rises majestically above the plains, creating one of the most photographed backdrops in the safari world. After a delicious lunch and a short rest, you prepare for your first game drive in Amboseli at 4:00 p.m.
Amboseli is known as the โLand of Giantsโ because of its immense elephant herds. This afternoon, you may witness family groups moving gracefully across the plains, their silhouettes framed by the towering Kilimanjaro in the background. It is a photographerโs dream and one of the highlights of any Kenya Safari Package.
The park is not just about elephants. Lions roam its grasslands, hyenas patrol the edges of marshes, and cheetahs sprint across the open plains. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and buffaloes are abundant, while the marshy swamps fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro attract hippos and countless birds. By the end of the evening, you return to the lodge, where dinner is served under starlit skies. The sounds of the African nightโhooting owls, distant lion roars, and the soft trumpeting of elephantsโremind you that you are in one of the wildest corners of the planet.
Day 5: Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Day five of your Kenya Safari Package is devoted to exploring Amboseli in depth. After breakfast, you set out early with picnic lunch boxes, ready to spend a full day in the park. The morning light paints the savannah golden, and Kilimanjaro looms in the distance, its snowy peak glowing softly.
Your first stop is likely to be one of the parkโs swamps. These wetlands are magnets for elephants, who wade into the water to cool off, pulling up grasses with their trunks. Watching a herd of elephants feeding in the swamp, their calves splashing and playing, is a moment that captures the soul of Amboseli.
Predator sightings are also common. Lions are often found resting under acacia trees, waiting for the cooler hours of evening to hunt. Cheetahs are spotted on termite mounds, scanning for prey. Hyenas, often underestimated, play an important role in the ecosystem and can be seen patrolling in packs. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted with the sheer varietyโAfrican fish eagles, crowned cranes, egrets, and pelicans thrive in Amboseliโs wetlands.
By midday, you stop for your picnic lunch at a designated spot, enjoying sandwiches, fruit, and drinks while gazing across the plains. With Kilimanjaro as your backdrop, even a simple lunch feels extraordinary. The afternoon offers another chance to track predators or witness more of the parkโs diverse wildlife.
Amboseli is also renowned for its Maasai culture, and optional visits to a Maasai village can be arranged. Here, you learn about the traditions of the Maasai people, their cattle-centered way of life, and their resilience in living alongside wildlife. This cultural element adds depth to your Kenya Safari Package, connecting the wildlife experience with the human stories of the land.
As the day draws to a close, you return to Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge. Dinner is served in the lodgeโs elegant restaurant, often accompanied by cultural performances or quiet evenings spent gazing at Kilimanjaroโs silhouette under moonlight. You retire for the night, satisfied that you have witnessed Amboseliโs wonders in all their glory.
Day 6: Amboseli โ Drive to Tsavo West National Park
On the sixth morning of your Kenya Safari Package, you wake early to the sight of Kilimanjaro bathed in dawnโs first light. After breakfast, you check out of the lodge and begin the journey toward Tsavo West National Park, arriving in time for lunch at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge.
Tsavo West is a park of rugged beauty and dramatic contrasts. Its landscapes are shaped by ancient volcanic activity, featuring lava flows, rocky hills, and lush oases. The park is less crowded than Amboseli or the Mara, giving it a raw, untamed atmosphere that appeals to travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. Kilaguni Serena Lodge, one of Kenyaโs oldest and most iconic safari lodges, is built overlooking a waterhole that attracts animals throughout the day. From the lodge terrace, you can often see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and antelopes coming to drink.
After lunch, you head out for an afternoon game drive. Tsavo West is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants famously known as the โred elephantsโ due to their habit of covering themselves in the parkโs red-oxide soil. Lions, leopards, zebras, and wildebeest are also present, along with smaller species like dik-diks and klipspringers.
One of the highlights of Tsavo West is Mzima Springs, a natural oasis fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro. Here, crystal-clear waters support hippos, crocodiles, and colorful fish. A specially designed underwater viewing chamber allows you to observe hippos swimmingโa rare perspective not found in most parks.
The park also features dramatic viewpoints such as Shetani Lava Flow, a stark black expanse of volcanic rock created by eruptions centuries ago. Standing here, you gain a sense of Tsavoโs geological history and its role in shaping Kenyaโs landscapes.
By dusk, you return to Kilaguni Serena Lodge, where dinner awaits. The evening is magicalโwildlife gathers at the waterhole just beyond the dining terrace, allowing you to watch elephants or buffaloes as you enjoy your meal. Falling asleep at Kilaguni is an experience in itself, with the sounds of the wilderness all around you. This day adds another layer of richness to your Kenya Safari Package, showcasing the diversity of Kenyaโs parks and the seamless blend of comfort and adventure that Serena lodges are known for.
Day 7: Tsavo West โ Drop at Voi for Mombasa or Return to Nairobi
Your final morning on the Kenya Safari Package โ Serena Safari Experience begins with breakfast at Kilaguni Serena Lodge, accompanied by spectacular views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes. Before leaving, you join your driver-guide for a short morning game drive within Tsavo West National Park. Early hours are often the most rewarding, as predators return from nighttime hunts and the rising sun casts golden light across the rugged terrain.
You may spot elephants coated in the parkโs famous red soil, giraffes browsing among acacia trees, or lions resting on rocky outcrops. The diversity of habitats in Tsavoโfrom open plains and rocky ridges to wetlands and springsโmeans that every drive here feels fresh and full of possibility. If time allows, your guide may take you past Mzima Springs for one last glimpse of hippos wallowing in crystal-clear waters.
By mid-morning, you exit the park, and your journey takes one of two routes depending on your onward plans. If you are extending your holiday with a beach escape, your driver drops you at Voi station, where you board the SGR train to Mombasa. The modern railway connects safari with sea in just a few hours, delivering you to Kenyaโs white-sand beaches for relaxation after your safari adventure. Alternatively, if you are flying out, you continue by road back to Nairobi, where you are dropped at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or at a city hotel.
This flexibility is part of what makes the Kenya Safari Package so appealingโit seamlessly combines game drives, luxury lodges, and easy transitions to either coastal relaxation or international flights. As you say goodbye to your driver-guide, you reflect on a week filled with extraordinary encounters: lions in the Mara, flamingos at Nakuru, elephants under Kilimanjaro, and red-soil herds in Tsavo. Each destination revealed a new facet of Kenyaโs magic, and together they created a story that only a safari of this depth and quality can deliver.
The Serena Safari Experience is more than just travelโit is a carefully curated journey that combines the thrill of the wild with the comfort of Serena hospitality. With this Kenya Safari Package, youโve not only seen the Big Five and countless other species but also experienced the diversity of landscapes, cultures, and ecosystems that make Kenya one of the worldโs greatest safari destinations.