Mount Kenya and Masai Mara Short Itinerary: 6 Days of Forest Walks and Big Cats

A short combination works best when you accept what it can and cannot do. Six days is enough to feel the cool air of the mountain slopes, enjoy a guided walk and see wildlife in a conservancy, then move on to the Mara for several game drives.

It is not long enough for a Point Lenana trek, which needs several days on the mountain and acclimatisation. If you want the summit, read the medium itinerary instead.

This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Day 1: Nairobi to the Mount Kenya Region

Meet your guide in Nairobi and drive north through the highlands, passing farmland, wheat and flower country before the mountain appears on the skyline in clear weather. Check in at a lodge or camp on the lower slopes and take an easy walk to adjust to the cooler air. Read Nairobi to Mount Kenya for what the journey is like. Keep the afternoon free; the first day is mostly about travel and settling in.

Day 2: Forest Walk and Conservancy Drive

Spend the morning on a guided walk in montane forest or along the lower trail with a ranger or guide, watching for birds, monkeys and mountain flowers. In the afternoon visit a nearby conservancy for a game drive. This gives a first taste of Kenyan wildlife before the Mara. See Mount Kenya activities for options that suit different fitness levels and ages.

Day 3: Transfer Towards the Mara

Return to Nairobi in the morning, or take a short flight from a nearby airstrip if your operator offers it. Continue to the Mara by road or light aircraft. A road transfer is a long day, so many travellers fly for the final leg. Check Nairobi to the Mara and luggage rules for light aircraft before you pack.

Days 4 and 5: Masai Mara Game Drives

Two full days in the reserve or a conservancy let you search for lions, cheetahs, elephants and herds on dawn and late-afternoon drives, with a lunch break at camp. If the migration is present your guide may plan a full-day drive to the river. You could swap one morning for a balloon flight, described in balloon safari in the Masai Mara. Dawn starts are worth the effort.

Day 6: Return to Nairobi

Enjoy a final morning drive, then return to Nairobi by air or road. Book onward flights for the evening rather than the morning to avoid rushing; if you travel by road, allow plenty of time. Stay near the airport or in the city if you have an early departure. See where to stay in Nairobi for options.

Pacing Advice and Swaps

This itinerary has two long travel days, so travel light and keep daypack items accessible. If you prefer less driving, flying in and out of the Mara removes the longest road legs. If you want more mountain time, shorten the Mara to two nights, but do not cut it below that or the drive-fly effort outweighs the game viewing. Travellers who want a summit attempt should extend to ten days or more.

Choosing Where to Stay on the Slopes

The mountain region offers lodges, tented camps and guesthouses at a range of altitudes, and the choice shapes your two nights. A lower base is warmer and easier on the body, while a higher base gives earlier access to trails and better views on clear mornings. Families and first-time visitors usually prefer comfort and a short drive to walks, whereas keen hikers like to start from the forest edge. Ask your operator how far you will drive each day and whether a fire or heating is provided, because evenings can be cold. See where to stay near Mount Kenya for the types of accommodation available.

Making the Most of a Short Trip

A short itinerary succeeds when expectations are realistic. You will not see everything, but you can feel two very different landscapes and see Kenya's big cats. Keep your bags light, wear layers on travel days and leave the camera in easy reach, because the first view of the mountain or the first lion can come unannounced. If one of the two halves must be shorter, shorten the mountain rather than the Mara, since game drives benefit from repetition. Read Kenya safari itineraries of three, five and seven days to compare the pace with other short plans.

Keep Planning This Combination

For the wider picture see the combination overview, medium itinerary, route and transfer guide, best time guide, practical guide.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team