4-Day Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari from Nairobi

Track the Big Five across open savannah, then watch flamingos work a shallow alkaline lake

A 4-day safari tour from Nairobi combining two of Kenya's premier wildlife reserves: Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park. You travel by vehicle with a professional guide, stay at lodges with full board, and run morning and afternoon game drives to see lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes and hundreds of bird species. The itinerary splits time between the vast Mara landscape and the ecological diversity of Lake Nakuru, with a 5–6 hour drive between them and a 3-hour return to Nairobi on the final morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Masai Mara and game drive

• Pick up from Nairobi hotel
• Drive through Rift Valley
• Stop at Narok Town
• Arrive at Masai Mara lodge
• Lunch at lodge
• Sundown game drive
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 2: Full day game drives in Masai Mara

• Breakfast at lodge
• Morning game drive
• Visit Mara River (July-October)
• Afternoon game drive
• Lunch at lodge
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 3: Drive to Lake Nakuru and game drives

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Lunch at lodge
• Afternoon game drive
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 4: Morning game drive and return to Nairobi

• Early morning game drive at Lake Nakuru
• Breakfast at lodge
• Lunch during return drive
• Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Arrive and drop off at Nairobi hotel

The experience

Masai Mara National Reserve covers 1,510 square kilometers of open savannah and riverine woodland along the Mara and Talek rivers. The tour picks you up from your Nairobi hotel at 7:30 am on day one and drives through the Rift Valley floor, stopping in Narok Town before arriving at Mara Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. You then run a sundown introductory game drive followed by your first full game drive in the reserve. Day two is devoted entirely to the Mara: morning and afternoon drives give you the best chance of spotting the Big Five (lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant and rhino) along with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, hyena and warthog. Between July and October, you may witness the wildebeest migration and see crocodiles and hippos at the Mara River.

On day three you drive 250 kilometers (5–6 hours) to Lake Nakuru National Park, a shallow alkaline lake ringed by escarpment and ridges. The park is known for over 450 bird species, including flamingos, and also holds zebras, gazelles, Rothschild giraffes, impala and black and white rhino. After lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge you rest, then run an afternoon game drive. The final morning starts with an early safari drive while animals are still active, followed by lunch and a scenic drive back to Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley, arriving at your hotel in the afternoon.

All accommodation is at 3-star lodges with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner included each day). Transport is by vehicle with a professional driver-guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language. Bottled water is provided throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi are included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi.
• accommodation at 3-star lodges (Mara Sopa Lodge and Lake Nakuru Lodge).
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) each day.
• transport by vehicle with professional driver-guide.
• bottled water throughout.
• all park entry fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by African Sermon Safaris Limited

Is this one for you?Book this 4-day itinerary if you want to split time between the Mara's wide-open savannah and Lake Nakuru's bird-rich alkaline lake, with enough days in each reserve to run multiple game drives and maximize your chances of seeing the Big Five and hundreds of species.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on a 4-day Masai Mara safari?

The Masai Mara holds lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, warthogs, jackals, gazelles and impala. Lake Nakuru adds over 450 bird species, flamingos, Rothschild giraffes and black and white rhino. July through October brings the wildebeest migration.

How much time do I spend actually driving and looking for wildlife?

You run a sundown drive and full game drive on day one, then morning and afternoon drives on day two: that is three full game drives in the Mara. Day three includes afternoon and early morning drives at Lake Nakuru. Most of each day in the reserves is spent on game drives. The lodge days include meals and rest time.

What is included in the price and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes all accommodation at 3-star lodges, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), transport by vehicle with a professional guide, bottled water and all park fees and taxes. Alcoholic beverages and optional activities are not included.

Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Most time is spent in a vehicle on game drives, though you will be sitting for extended periods and the roads can be rough. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

How far is the drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara, and how long does it take?

The drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara is 5–6 hours, with a stop in Narok Town en route. The return drive from Lake Nakuru to Nairobi on day four is 3 hours.