8-Day Big Cats Safari Kenya

Follow the predators. Photograph the wild. Experience Kenya's most iconic safari landscapes.

The Big Cats Safari of Kenya is an 8-day wildlife journey designed for travellers fascinated by Africa's most charismatic predators making it a special-interest wildlife safari.

Beginning in Nairobi, the safari travels into the cool, forested highlands of Aberdare National Park, continues to the tranquil waters of Lake Naivasha, and culminates in three dedicated days exploring the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The focus is on finding and photographing lion, leopard and cheetah, while also encountering hyena, jackal, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, antelope and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife.

For wildlife photographers, the Maasai Mara provides exceptional opportunities to observe animal behaviour—from predator-prey interactions and territorial behaviour to hunting strategies and family dynamics.

The itinerary also incorporates a Lake Naivasha boat excursion and guided walking experience at Crescent Island, providing a refreshing change from conventional vehicle-based game viewing.

Accommodation is based on mid-luxury to luxury safari lodges and hotels, with full-board meals and applicable park/conservation fees included.

Safari highlights

• 🦁 Lion tracking and photography
• 🐆 Leopard-searching game drives
• 🐆 Opportunities to encounter cheetah
• 🐕 Hyena and jackal sightings
• 🐘 Elephant and buffalo encounters
• 🦒 Giraffe and plains-game viewing
• 📷 Wildlife photography opportunities
• 🌲 Aberdare's highland forest ecosystem
• 🛶 Lake Naivasha boat excursion
• 🚶 Crescent Island guided walking experience
• 🌅 Three dedicated days in the Maasai Mara
• 🏖️ Optional Kenya beach extension
• 🏔️ Optional Mount Kenya extension

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi

Overnight: Nairobi | Bed & Breakfast

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where an Afrika Hub Vacations representative will meet, greet and transfer you to your Nairobi hotel.

Use the evening to relax and prepare for your wildlife adventure.

Days 2 & 3 – Aberdare National Park

Accommodation: Mid-luxury/Luxury Lodge | Full Board

Depart Nairobi and travel into the cool central highlands of Kenya towards Aberdare National Park.

The Aberdare ecosystem offers a dramatic contrast to the open savannahs of the Maasai Mara, with high-altitude forests, moorlands, waterfalls, streams and rugged mountain scenery.

Wildlife encounters may include:

• Elephant
• Buffalo
• Black rhino
• Leopard
• Colobus monkeys
• Bongo
• Warthog
• Various antelope
• Numerous forest bird species

Aberdare is also an excellent destination for travellers interested in Kenya's mountain ecosystems and forest wildlife.

The melanistic leopard is a rare and exceptionally elusive sighting.

Day 4 – Aberdare → Lake Naivasha

Overnight: Lake Naivasha | Full Board

Descend from the Aberdare highlands towards the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha.

Enjoy a boat excursion on the lake, looking for hippos and waterbirds, before continuing to Crescent Island for a guided walking experience.

Crescent Island offers a distinctive safari experience where visitors can walk among herbivores in a controlled environment with an experienced guide.

Possible wildlife includes:

• Giraffe
• Zebra
• Buffalo
• Gazelle
• Antelope
• Waterbuck
• Hippo
• Extensive birdlife

This day provides an excellent contrast to the vehicle-based predator searching that follows in the Mara.

Days 5, 6 & 7 – Maasai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: Mid-luxury/Luxury Safari Lodge | Full Board

Three Days Dedicated to Big Cats

Travel to the Maasai Mara, Kenya's internationally renowned wildlife destination.

For the next three days, the primary objective is to search for the Mara's celebrated predators.

Lion

The Mara is renowned for its lion populations, offering opportunities to observe prides hunting, resting, interacting and raising cubs.

Leopard

Search along riverine areas and woodland habitats for the elusive leopard.

Cheetah

The Mara's open plains can provide excellent opportunities to observe cheetah hunting, resting and raising cubs.

Other predators

Your game drives will also search for:

• Spotted hyena
• Jackal
• Serval
• African wild dog where present
• Birds of prey

The safari is particularly attractive to wildlife photographers, as the three-day stay allows more time to observe behaviour rather than simply collecting species sightings.

The Great Migration

If travelling between approximately July and October, the safari can also coincide with the annual wildebeest migration.

However, migration timing is influenced by rainfall and ecological conditions and sometimes starts as early as Mid June overflowing to October.

Day 8 – Maasai Mara → Nairobi

Enjoy an optional early-morning game drive before breakfast.

After breakfast, depart the Mara for Nairobi.

Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon/evening for your hotel or airport drop-off and onward connection.

End of safari.