The short answer
- Core route
- Nairobi and the Masai Mara
- Add ons
- Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli, the north, the coast
- Minimum
- 3 to 4 days
- Rule we follow
- More Mara nights July to October
Every Kenya safari is built around the Masai Mara, and the month you travel changes everything: where the migration is, what the Mara costs and whether the rains are falling.
Choose your month, days and extras below. When you're happy, send the route to a local specialist for a free quote, or compare ready made safaris.
Build your route
1. When are you going?
2. How many days do you have, including travel days?
3. What would you like to add to the Masai Mara?
Your 10 day route for August. We have added 2 spare nights where they help most, starting with the Masai Mara. About 23 hours of driving in total.
- August is usually Great Migration season in the Masai Mara, so the route has an extra night there for the best chance of a river crossing.
- The Masai Mara fee is US$200 a day from July to December, the biggest single cost on most safaris.
| Days | Where | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Amboseli | Arrive in Nairobi. Drive about 4.5 hrsElephant herds below Kilimanjaro, best at dawn when the mountain is clear |
| 4 | Lake Naivasha | Drive about 6 hrsBoat trip among hippos on Lake Naivasha, then a walk on Crescent Island or cycling in Hell's Gate |
| 5 | Lake Nakuru | Drive about 1.5 hrsLake Nakuru for black and white rhinos, and flamingos when water levels suit them |
| 6 to 9 | Masai Mara | Drive about 5 hrsGame drives near the Mara River for the migration and river crossings |
| 10 | Nairobi | Drive back to Nairobi (5.5 hrs) for your flight home |
Rough cost, budget to mid range
US$2,060 to 3,360
Per person for two sharing, including about US$1,160 in park fees, without international or light aircraft flights. Fine tune it in our safari cost calculator.
Want this exact route?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for your dates.
Or compare ready made tours: Kenya safari tours →
How the planner decides
- Migration season: From July to October it adds a third night in the Masai Mara for a better chance of a river crossing. See our migration tracker.
- Park fees: The Masai Mara is US$100 a day until June and US$200 from July; other parks use the October 2025 KWS rates. See the safari cost guide.
- Rains: It warns about the long rains in April and May and the wet coast from April to June.
- Spare days: Extra days go to the Masai Mara first, then the beach and Amboseli.
Rather have a trip to Kenya made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the cost?
It is a rough guide for budget to mid range safaris with park fees, for two people sharing. Light aircraft flights, tips and the eTA are extra.
Can I change the route?
Yes. Send it with the quote button and a specialist will adapt it to your dates and budget.
Kenya month by month
More Kenya guides
Best time to visit Kenya: safari seasons, rains and the migration
June to October and January to February are the best months for a Kenya safari, with dry weather and animals gathered near water. July to October adds the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, at peak prices.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Kenya: when and where to see it
Around 1.5 million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, circle between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. They are usually in the Mara from July to October, with river crossings peaking in August and September.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Kenya safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$150 to 250 per person per day on a budget safari, US$300 to 500 mid range and US$700 or more for luxury, including park fees. Park fees alone can be US$200 to 600 per person on a short Masai Mara trip.
Updated 16 October 2026
Masai Mara safari guide: reserve or conservancy, how long and how to get there
The Masai Mara is Kenya's most famous safari, with big cats all year and the Great Migration from July to October. Choose between the busy national reserve and quieter private conservancies, and allow at least two or three nights.
Updated 16 October 2026