7-Day Amboseli, Meru & Masai Mara Fly In Safari

Amboseli, Meru & Masai Mara

Rates From $7,315

About This Tour

This gentle journey connects three distinct ecosystems through convenient domestic flights. The adventure begins in the arid plains of Amboseli, transitions into the green springs of Meru, and concludes in the iconic grasslands of the Masai Mara. It is perfectly suited for couples and families who want a seamless, unhurried wildlife experience without long road journeys.

The rhythm of the safari moves steadily from the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro to the northern wilderness, before heading south for classic big cat viewing. Travel between these distant regions is swift and comfortable, maximizing time spent on the ground observing nature. Guests can expect a balanced pace that blends active wildlife viewing with deep relaxation in camp.

The entire travel experience is grounded in comfort, local warmth, and reliable logistics. Careful planning ensures smooth transitions from airstrips to comfortable midrange lodges. The journey leaves travelers feeling deeply connected to the landscapes, resting well at every stop along the way.

Our Community Impact

Johnbow carefully selects lodges that employ team members from neighboring villages to ensure safari income stays within the community. Your visit directly supports local livelihoods and funding for nearby primary schools.

Our Sustainability Promise

We partner exclusively with properties that manage water responsibly, use solar energy, and actively minimize plastic waste. By utilizing domestic flights instead of long drives, we reduce vehicle wear on fragile wilderness tracks.

Why This Safari Works

This itinerary is smartly designed to eliminate the exhaustion of long-distance driving in Kenya. By utilizing scheduled flights, guests save days on the road and arrive at each wilderness destination fresh and ready to explore. The route builds beautifully from the dramatic, elephant-filled plains of Amboseli to the untamed, quiet wilderness of Meru, before hitting a grand crescendo in the wildlife-dense Masai Mara. It provides an ideal rhythm of morning exploration and quiet afternoon rest, making it exceptionally well-suited for first-time safari goers, couples, and seniors who value comfort and energy conservation. Small adjustments can easily be made to fit your specific timing.

Your Trip at a Glance

A snapshot of your entire experience, from key highlights to where you'll stay and what to expect each day.

  • Big Five Experience
  • Children Allowed
  • Couple
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family
  • Flight Transfer (Fly-in)
  • Fly-In Safari
  • Friends
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Great Migration
  • Group Travel
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari
  • Private Safari
  • Rare Wildlife Sightings

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli
  • Day 2: Amboseli National Park
  • Day 3: Amboseli to Meru via Nairobi
  • Day 4: Meru National Park
  • Day 5: Meru to Masai Mara
  • Day 6: Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Day 7: Masai Mara to Nairobi

Destinations

  • Amboseli National Park
  • Meru National Park
  • Masai Mara National Reserve

Where You Stay

  • Amboseli Tortilis – 2 nights
  • Elsa's Kopje – 2 nights
  • Sand River Mara – 2 nights

Safari Highlights

  • Watching large elephant herds walk before Mount Kilimanjaro.
  • Flying smoothly over the changing textures of the Great Rift Valley.
  • Exploring the wild, uncrowded river paths of Meru.
  • Enjoying an afternoon drink as the sun sets over the African bush.
  • Sharing a fresh breakfast in the open savannah.
  • Rolling hills and endless wildlife encounters in the Masai Mara.
  • Walking through the wild on foot with a professional guide.
  • Falling asleep to the sounds of the nearby river from your tent.

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Itinerary Highlights

  • Soft afternoon light over the savannah.
  • First views of the grand Mount Kilimanjaro.
  • A warm welcome at the safari camp.

Itinerary information

The journey begins with a scenic drive from Nairobi into the heart of Amboseli. The dusty plains open up to reveal vast wetlands fed by the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro. Guests check into the lodge and enjoy a hearty lunch before heading out for a late afternoon drive. The park is famous for its massive elephant bulls, which stand out beautifully against the mountain backdrop. As dusk approaches, the air cools and the animals gather near the waterholes. The evening settles in with a relaxed dinner and storytelling around the campfire.

  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner

  • Accommodation: Amboseli Tortilis

Itinerary Highlights

  • Watching elephants graze in the marshes.
  • Walking through the wilderness with a guide.
  • Dining under the shade of acacia trees.

Itinerary information

A full day unfolds in the open plains of Amboseli. An early morning start offers the best chance of seeing Kilimanjaro’s peak clear of clouds. Travelers spend hours tracking wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, and large herds of buffalo. A highlight of the day is a guided walking safari, where a professional guide points out tracks and small wonders of the bush. Lunch is served out in the wild, surrounded by nature. The afternoon brings more exploration before returning to camp for a peaceful evening under the stars.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Amboseli Tortilis

Itinerary Highlights

  • A smooth flight over central Kenya.
  • Arriving in the green wilderness of Meru.
  • Looking out over the iconic rocky hills.

Itinerary information

After a relaxed breakfast, guests transfer to the airstrip for a flight back to Nairobi. From there, a connecting flight heads north to Meru National Park. This region offers a complete change of scenery, featuring lush rivers, dense woods, and dramatic rocky kopjes. The atmosphere here is quiet and exclusive, with very few other vehicles in sight. Guests arrive at the lodge in time for lunch and a restful afternoon. A short evening drive introduces travelers to this unique northern habitat before dinner.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Elsa’s Kopje

Itinerary Highlights

  • Searching for rare northern wildlife species.
  • Visiting a protected rhino sanctuary.
  • The peaceful sound of rushing rivers.

Itinerary information

The day is dedicated to discovering the secrets of Meru National Park. This wilderness is famously wild and untamed, offering a raw safari feel. Drivers navigate through doubling riverbanks and open plains to spot reticulated giraffes, lesser kudus, and leopards. Guests also visit the local rhino sanctuary, which provides an excellent opportunity to view these heavily protected animals up close. The pace is relaxed and unhurried, allowing for long observations of animal behavior. The day ends with a quiet dinner overlooking the hills.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Elsa’s Kopje

Itinerary Highlights

  • Flying directly into the Maasai Mara savannah.
  • First sights of the sweeping plains.
  • Listening to the river from your tent.

Itinerary information

Travelers board a morning flight from Meru straight into the world-famous Masai Mara. The view from the aircraft reveals an endless carpet of green and gold grass. Upon landing, a vehicle transfers guests to the camp, spotting wildlife along the way. The Masai Mara is legendary for its exceptional big cat populations and massive herds of plains game. After a warm lunch and some rest, an afternoon drive explores the river loops and open ridges. Dinner is served near the murmuring waters of the Sand River.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Sand River Mara

Itinerary Highlights

  • Endless views of the Mara plains.

  • Watching predators interact in the wild.

  • A classic sundowner stop at twilight.

Itinerary information

A classic safari day takes place in the richest wildlife reserve in Kenya. Guests head out at dawn when predators are most active, watching lions on patrol or cheetahs scanning the plains from termite mounds. The vast landscape is filled with zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles moving in constant rhythm. A picnic lunch allows travelers to stay out in the field for longer periods without returning to camp. In the late afternoon, the vehicle stops at a scenic viewpoint for a traditional sundowner drink before heading back for a farewell dinner.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Sand River Mara

Itinerary Highlights

  • One last morning drive across the ridges.

  • A final flight back to the capital.

  • Warm farewells from your guiding team.

Itinerary information

The final morning begins with a shorter drive to capture the sunrise over the Mara plains. It is a wonderful time to take last-minute photographs and say goodbye to the wilderness. Returning to camp for a fresh breakfast, guests then pack their bags and head to the airstrip. The scheduled flight glides smoothly back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. A Johnbow representative meets travelers on arrival to help with transfers to the international airport, bringing this beautiful African journey to a close.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: None (Departure)

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We designed this flying route to save you twenty hours of bumpy driving, letting you wake up fresh for elephants in Amboseli and sleep peacefully in the Mara. ❞

~JohnBow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

SeasonDate Range2 Guests4 Guests6 Guests
Peak Season1 July – 30 Sept, 2026$7,610$7,465$7,315

Important Rate Notes

  • Internal flights have a strict luggage limit of 15kg per person in soft bags.
  • Similar standard alternative lodges may be offered if the listed properties are fully booked.
  • Single room supplements apply during peak and festive travel seasons.
  • Child policies and age limits vary across the three selected safari camps.

What's Included

  • Accommodation for six nights as listed in the itinerary.
  • Scheduled domestic flights linking Nairobi, Amboseli, Meru, and the Mara.
  • Private 4x4 Land Cruiser for all airstrip and ground transfers.
  • Scheduled and shared game drives conducted twice daily.
  • All daily meals from lunch on day one to breakfast on day seven.
  • A two-hour guided walking safari with a professional guide.
  • Kitirua Conservancy fees and bush breakfast experiences.

Optional Addons

  • Early morning Hot Air Balloon Safari in the Masai Mara.
  • Traditional Maasai Cultural Village visit.
  • Relaxing massage and spa treatments at the lodges.

What's Not Included

  • International flights to and from Nairobi.
  • Entry fees for Amboseli National Park (paid directly at the gate).
  • Optional activities like balloon safaris or village visits.
  • Laundry services and drinks outside the standard meal plans.
  • Personal travel insurance and entry visas for Kenya.
  • Gratuities and tips for camp staff and driver-guides.

Ready to start planning your Safari? Tell us your travel dates, who you are traveling with, and what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Meru offers an incredibly wild, uncrowded experience where you rarely see other vehicles. It gives you a raw, peaceful sense of old Africa that popular parks cannot match.
Amboseli fees must be paid directly by the guest using cashless payments at the gate. Your Johnbow driver-guide will assist you with the simple digital payment process on arrival.
No, these are small, scheduled bush aircraft specifically designed for short dirt airstrips. They offer magnificent low-altitude views of the Kenyan landscape and Rift Valley.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

info@johnbowtoursandtravel.com
Kenya Cinema Plaza, 3rd Floor Room 3-8. Moi Avenue, Nairobi