With three to four days, we would lean towards choosing one park properly rather than splitting the time, and here is the actual trade-off between them.

The Mara offers the widest range and density of wildlife in Kenya, big cats, large herds, and if your dates fall in migration season, the chance of a river crossing. It is also further from Nairobi, roughly a five to six hour drive or a short scheduled flight, which eats into a short trip if you self-drive rather than fly.

Amboseli is closer to Nairobi, around a four hour drive, and is known for two things above all: large elephant herds that are relatively easy to see up close, and, on a clear day, spectacular views of Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania rising over the plains. It is a smaller park than the Mara, easier to cover thoroughly in two days without feeling rushed, and generally has lower park fees.

For three to four days, flying into the Mara for two to three full days of game drives gives the fullest wildlife experience and is what we would recommend if this is a once in a lifetime trip and budget allows a scheduled flight rather than a long road transfer.

If budget is tighter or you would rather not fly domestically, Amboseli with a shorter, closer road transfer, combined with a day in Nairobi National Park either side, is a genuinely satisfying short trip and easier logistically.

Splitting three to four days between both usually means too much time spent travelling and too little in either park to properly settle in. Pick one, and save the other for next time.