Day 1
Road transfer
NBO (Nairobi, Kenya) to Hemingways Eden Residence, Nairobi, Kenya
i
Photo: Kicheche Safari Camps · Source ↗
An Explore Africa journey
Classic Kenya: Amboseli, Laikipia & the Mara
Ref EA2026007·Indicative from A$8,500 per person·8 nights
When to go
July to October for the migration in the Masai Mara; January and February are also excellent and drier. April and May are the long rains.
Country information
Kenya is the birthplace of the safari: the Masai Mara's big cats and migration, elephants beneath Kilimanjaro at Amboseli and the private conservancies of Laikipia. What to know from the start: • Entry requirements: confirm passports, visas, digital entry forms and transit rules at smartraveller.gov.au and each destination's official immigration website before travel. • Health: seek route-specific advice from a travel-health professional and smartraveller.gov.au; vaccination and malaria guidance varies by itinerary. • Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES). • Getting around: light aircraft from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the camps; soft bags of about 15kg.
The journey
Day by day
Classic Kenya
Day 1
Hemingways Eden Residence
Nairobi · Kenya · 1 nights
Booking guidance
Book rooms online on a bed and breakfast basis. The Main House and full estate are also available for exclusive use.
Day 2
Light aircraft transfer
WIL, Wilson Airport, Nairobi to Amboseli airstrip, Kenya
Days 2–3
Porini Amboseli Camp
Amboseli · Kenya · 2 nights
Booking guidance
Book online by selecting your dates, tent and guest numbers. The standard plan is All inclusive. Children aged eight and over are welcome.
Day 4
Light aircraft transfer
Amboseli airstrip, Kenya to Laikipia airstrip, Kenya
Usually routed via Wilson Airport
Days 4–5
Kicheche Laikipia
Laikipia · Kenya · 2 nights
Booking guidance
Arrange your stay through Kicheche's reservations team. A 20% non-refundable deposit is required, with the balance due at least 45 days before arrival. Families with children under 7 must book an exclusive-use vehicle.
Selected experiences
- Laikipia bespoke helicopter safariBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.Public booking link ↗
Day 6
Light aircraft transfer
Laikipia airstrip, Kenya to Mara North airstrip, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Days 6–8
Kicheche Mara North
Maasai Mara · Kenya · 3 nights
Booking guidance
Use the official property website to enquire about availability or booking. Explore Africa can add Kicheche Mara North to an itinerary, but does not make the booking.
Selected experiences
- Game drivesBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.
Selected experiences
- Maasai Mara dawn balloon safariBook with the official operator or ask Explore Africa to include this in a tailored itinerary.Public booking link ↗
Day 9
Light aircraft transfer
Maasai Mara, Kenya to WIL, Wilson Airport, Nairobi
The route
How to book this trip
This is a plan you can book yourself. We’re a planning service, not a booking platform. Here’s the order of play:
- 1Camps first. Enquire with each camp below to confirm availability and rates, and book direct.
- 2Then transfers & regional flights. Arrange these once your camp dates are locked.
- 3International flights last. Booked separately from Australia, once the ground trip is confirmed.
Hemingways Eden Residence
Enquire ↗Kenya · 1 night
Porini Amboseli Camp
Enquire ↗Kenya · 2 nights
Kicheche Laikipia
Enquire ↗Kenya · 2 nights
Kicheche Mara North
Enquire ↗Kenya · 3 nights
Safari packing checklist
Pack a soft duffel, not a hard case, as light aircraft cap luggage at ~15–20 kg including hand luggage. Neutral colours, and layers for cold mornings.
Documents & money
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Visas / e-visas as required
- Travel insurance details
- Vaccination certificates
- Cards + some USD cash
- Copies of key documents
Clothing: neutral tones
- Lightweight long sleeves & trousers
- Warm fleece / layer (cold dawns)
- T-shirts
- Swimwear
- Sleepwear
- Smart-casual for dinners
Footwear
- Closed walking shoes
- Sandals / camp shoes
Gear
- Binoculars
- Camera + spare batteries & cards
- Sunglasses & wide-brim hat
- Headtorch
- Small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
Health & toiletries
- Antimalarials (if advised)
- Insect repellent (DEET)
- High-SPF sunscreen & lip balm
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
- Basic first-aid kit
Want this route tailored to you?
Love this route, but travelling with children, need malaria-free options, or want to fit in Victoria Falls? Generate your tailored blueprint or request a one-to-one itinerary review with Explore Africa.
This itinerary is a planning tool: indicative, not a quote or a booking. Price lines include only the items they explicitly identify. Transfers, activities, meals and flights are excluded unless stated. Availability, rates and flight times change, so please confirm them directly. Submitting a trip sends an enquiry to our team; it does not create a reservation.
See our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.