Bestseller Maasai Mara 5 Days
Maasai Mara Luxury: Big Cats & Bush Sundowners
- ✦ Big Five game drives in the legendary Mara
- ✦ Stay in a luxury tented camp with butler service
- ✦ Optional sunrise hot-air balloon safari
Ready to book
From
$2,450
← All safarisFly-in safari
Amboseli to Maasai Mara by Air: Mountains to Lion Plains
Amboseli · Samburu · Lewa · Mara Conservancies 11 Days / 10 Nights From $16,310 per person
Overview
The journey
A 11-day fly-in safari — one of our Kenya safari holidays. A fly-in safari with light-aircraft charters through Amboseli, Samburu, Lewa and Mara Conservancies. The route runs in one direction with no doubling back, and saves the best for last — private mara conservancy with night drives and walks.
Why this safari
What makes it different
11 days across 5 camps, every sector flown, with your own guide on the ground.
5 distinct ecosystems in 11 days
Nairobi · Amboseli · Samburu · Lewa · Mara Conservancies — each chosen for a different animal, landscape and light, and ordered so you never double back.
A tight, purposeful route with no wasted days
Every move is planned around game movements and light, so short days still deliver full game-viewing mornings.
Your own 4x4 Land Cruiser and private guide
No shared vehicles and no fixed departure times — you decide when to leave camp, how long to sit with a sighting, and where to have breakfast.
Every transfer flown by private charter
You are in a game vehicle minutes after landing, with luggage handled planeside — the same route by road costs the better part of two days.
Ultra-Luxury is genuinely all-inclusive
All meals, premium drinks, laundry, park and conservancy fees, private guiding and the charter flights are in the price. You should not need your wallet until you tip.
Priced honestly, with fees shown up front
Park and conservation fees, taxes and levies are itemised on your proforma invoice — 50% confirms the booking and the balance is due before travel.
At a glance
Trip essentials
Best season
Jun – Oct & Jan – Feb (dry, clear skies)
Pace & difficulty
Balanced — two to three nights per camp · Easy to moderate
Group size
Private departure — 2 to 6 guests per vehicle
Game viewing
54–72 hours of guided game viewing across 9 active days
Destinations routed
Nairobi National Park → Amboseli National Park → Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba → Lewa Wildlife Conservancy → Maasai Mara National Reserve
Ideal for
First-time safari guests · Couples and small private groups · Private departures for 2–6 guests
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
Every day is planned to the hour, with the flexibility to change anything before you confirm.
Route overview
- 1
Nairobi National Park
Day 1 · 1 night
- 2
Amboseli National Park
Days 2–3 · 2 nights
- 3
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Days 4–5 · 2 nights
- 4
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Day 6 · 1 night
- 5
Amboseli National Park
Day 7 · 1 night
- 6
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 8 · 1 night
- 7
Amboseli National Park
Days 9–10 · 2 nights
- 8
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 11 · journey ends
- 1
ArrivalDay 1 · Arrive in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Met at Jomo Kenyatta International and transferred to your hotel for a relaxed evening and trip briefing with your Perch Africa specialist.
MorningArrival, immigration assistance and meet-and-greet by your Perch Africa representative
AfternoonTransfer, luggage re-pack for light aircraft, and a full trip briefing with your guide
EveningWelcome dinner and route walkthrough with your safari specialist
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Giraffe Manor
Dinner
Private airport transfer
Visa/e-TA must be approved before departure — we send the checklist on booking
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
- 2Safari
Day 2 · Elephants beneath Kilimanjaro
Amboseli National Park
Game driveScenic flightSundownersLight-aircraft charter to the airstrip to Amboseli. Afternoon game drive across the swamps as the great herds come in to drink, with Kilimanjaro clearing at sunset.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — visit to a maasai manyatta
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then birdwatching at enkongo narok swamp
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Massive elephant herds & legendary 'super tuskers'
- Uninterrupted Kilimanjaro views
- Five distinct habitats in one small park
Angama Amboseli
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 100/adult/day (non-resident)
Best Kilimanjaro views: dawn & dusk in dry months
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
- 3Safari
Day 3 · Observation Hill & the swamps
Amboseli National Park
Wildlife viewingDawn drive before the mountain hides in cloud, a climb up Observation Hill and a slow afternoon among bathing elephants.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — birdwatching at enkongo narok swamp
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then sundowners at observation hill
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Massive elephant herds & legendary 'super tuskers'
- Uninterrupted Kilimanjaro views
- Five distinct habitats in one small park
Angama Amboseli
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 100/adult/day (non-resident)
Best Kilimanjaro views: dawn & dusk in dry months
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
- 4Safari
Day 4 · Samburu Special Five
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Scenic flightLight-aircraft charter to the airstrip to Samburu. Afternoon along the Ewaso Nyiro for reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk and beisa oryx.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — walking safaris (where permitted)
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then guided game drives
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Sasaab
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise
- 5Safari
Day 5 · Samburu culture & river
Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba
Cultural visitVisit a Samburu manyatta, then a long afternoon on the river looking for leopard and elephant.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — guided game drives
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then cultural & community visits
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Sasaab
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and a swimsuit for the coast
- 6Safari
Day 6 · Lewa rhino country
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Scenic flightLight-aircraft charter to the airstrip to Lewa. Afternoon on Lewa's open plains, one of Kenya's great rhino strongholds, with Grevy's zebra and wild dog in range.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — cultural & community visits
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then birdwatching & photography
EveningNight drive (permitted in the conservancies), then dinner around the fire
Highlights
- Excellent wildlife viewing year-round
- Authentic local culture & guides
- Curated lodges & camps in every tier
Lewa House
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Standard park/reserve fees apply
Best accessed via light aircraft or 4x4 transfer
Spare camera batteries and double the memory cards you think you need
- 7Safari
Day 7 · Walks, horses & the Ngare Ndare
Amboseli National Park
Guided walkGuided walk or horseback ride at dawn, then the forest canopy walkway above the Ngare Ndare waterfalls.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — birdwatching at enkongo narok swamp
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then sundowners at observation hill
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Massive elephant herds & legendary 'super tuskers'
- Uninterrupted Kilimanjaro views
- Five distinct habitats in one small park
Lewa House
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 100/adult/day (non-resident)
Best Kilimanjaro views: dawn & dusk in dry months
Neutral greens and browns for game drives — avoid blue and black (tsetse flies)
- 8
SafariDay 8 · Into the private conservancy
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Scenic flightLight-aircraft charter to the airstrip to Mara Conservancies. Afternoon drive with vehicle limits on sightings, followed by a spotlit night drive for hyena and leopard.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — guided bush walks (conservancies only)
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then maasai village visit
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Mara Plains Camp
All inclusive
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Soft-sided bag of 15 kg maximum per person on light-aircraft transfers
- 9Safari
Day 9 · Walking with Maasai guides
Amboseli National Park
Guided walkCultural visitMorning bush walk with Maasai rangers reading tracks, afternoon with the big cat prides of the conservancy.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — game drives focused on elephant herds
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then visit to a maasai manyatta
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Massive elephant herds & legendary 'super tuskers'
- Uninterrupted Kilimanjaro views
- Five distinct habitats in one small park
Mara Plains Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 100/adult/day (non-resident)
Best Kilimanjaro views: dawn & dusk in dry months
Bring binoculars; one pair per person changes the whole safari
- 10Safari
Day 10 · Conservancy lions at leisure
Amboseli National Park
SundownersFull unhurried day with the conservancy lions and cheetah, off-road where the rules allow, sundowners on a kopje.
MorningDawn departure with coffee in the vehicle — visit to a maasai manyatta
AfternoonSiesta through the heat, then birdwatching at enkongo narok swamp
EveningSundowners at a viewpoint, then a bush dinner under the stars
Highlights
- Massive elephant herds & legendary 'super tuskers'
- Uninterrupted Kilimanjaro views
- Five distinct habitats in one small park
Mara Plains Camp
All inclusive
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof and window seat guaranteed
Approx. 1.5 h on the road
Park fees: USD 100/adult/day (non-resident)
Best Kilimanjaro views: dawn & dusk in dry months
A warm fleece for pre-dawn drives — it is genuinely cold before sunrise
- 11Departure
Day 11 · Departure
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Scenic flightA final morning at Mara Conservancies, then a charter flight to connect with your onward or international flight.
MorningFinal sunrise game drive or a slow breakfast, then check-out and pack
AfternoonScheduled light-aircraft flight
EveningAssisted check-in for your international flight home
Highlights
- Annual Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Highest lion density in Africa
- Resident leopards along the Talek & Mara Rivers
Accommodation confirmed on booking
Breakfast
Light aircraft + 4x4 game-drive vehicle on landing
Scheduled light-aircraft flight
Light-aircraft baggage limit: 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage
Park fees: USD 200/adult/day (high season, non-resident)
Conservancy fees additional — typically USD 100–150/night
Reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and a swimsuit for the coast
You leave Nairobi National Park with the sound of the plains still in your ears — and a standing invitation to come back for the season you missed.
Transparent pricing
Park & conservation fees included
| Destination | Type | Per adult / day | Days | Per adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park | Park entry fee | $50 | 1 | $50 |
| Amboseli National Park | Park entry fee | $100 | 5 | $500 |
| Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba | Park entry fee | $80 | 2 | $160 |
| Lewa Wildlife Conservancy | Conservation fee | $150 | 1 | $150 |
| Maasai Mara National Reserve | Park entry fee | $200 | 1 | $200 |
| Total statutory fees per adult | $1,060 | |||
Children under 12 pay 50% and infants under 3 are free. Your proforma invoice itemises 16% VAT, the 2% catering levy and the 2% service charge separately.
What's included
- All accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each day
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof, window seat guaranteed
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Scheduled light-aircraft flights on the internal legs shown in the itinerary
- All game drives and activities named in the itinerary
- All park, reserve and conservation fees for the routed destinations
- Airport meet-and-greet plus all transfers in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle and camp laundry where offered
- Flying-doctor evacuation cover (AMREF) for the safari days
- 24/7 in-country support line and a proforma invoice with every quote
Not included
- International flights and airport departure taxes
- Visa / e-TA fees and travel insurance (both mandatory)
- Premium drinks, champagne and imported spirits
- Optional extras: hot-air balloon, private guide, spa, diving
- Tips for guides, camp staff and drivers (guidance provided pre-departure)
- Personal shopping, telephone and anything not listed as included
What to pack
- ✦Neutral safari clothing — greens, browns, khaki (avoid blue and black)
- ✦Warm fleece and windproof layer for early-morning drives
- ✦Wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- ✦Binoculars (one pair per person) and a zoom lens if you shoot
- ✦Insect repellent with DEET, plus antimalarials as advised by your doctor
- ✦Soft duffel bag of 15 kg per person for light-aircraft legs
- ✦Universal adaptor and a power bank — camp power is generator-timed
- ✦Copies of passport, insurance and yellow-fever certificate where required
Health & safety
- ✦Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for all safari areas — confirm with your doctor
- ✦Yellow-fever certificate required when entering from an endemic country
- ✦Camps are unfenced: always walk with an askari escort after dark
- ✦Never stand up or lean out of the vehicle during a sighting
- ✦Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is mandatory
- ✦Flying-doctor evacuation cover is included for your safari days
Good to know
- ✦Kenya e-TA is applied for online and usually approved within 72 hours
- ✦Park fees are payable in USD and are included in your quoted price
- ✦Conservancy camps allow night drives and walking; the reserve itself does not
- ✦M-Pesa is universal for small payments — ask us how to load it
- ✦16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge are itemised on your proforma invoice
- ✦Book 6–9 months ahead for July–October and the festive season
- ✦Drones are prohibited in national parks without a written permit
- ✦A deposit of 50% confirms your dates; the balance is due 45 days before travel
Guest reviews & credentials
Why travellers trust us with the Amboseli to Maasai Mara by Air: Mountains to Lion Plains
“Our guide read the plains like a book — we were the only vehicle at a leopard sighting twice. Every transfer, camp and park fee was exactly as quoted.”
Maasai Mara · 6 nights
“Travelling with a 6-year-old and grandparents could have been chaos. Perch planned the driving days around nap times and picked family tents with connecting rooms.”
Amboseli & Tsavo · 5 nights
“The migration timing advice was spot on. When one camp went full they moved us to a better one in the same conservancy at no extra cost, same day.”
Serengeti & Ngorongoro · 8 nights
KPSGA silver & gold guides
Every driver-guide is Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified, with 8+ years in the parks on your route.
Licensed tour operator
Registered with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (Kenya) and TALA-licensed operations in Tanzania.
AMREF Flying Doctors cover
Air-evacuation cover for every guest for the full duration of the safari, included in your rate.
Vehicle & safety standards
Serviced 4x4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, first-aid kits, satellite comms and daily driver check-ins.
Transparent proforma pricing
Park fees, conservancy levies, 16% VAT, 2% catering levy and 2% service charge itemised before you pay.
4.9 / 5 guest rating
Across 380+ reviewed departures, with a 62% repeat-and-referral rate from past travellers.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
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