4-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari from Nairobi

Two parks, four days of game drives: Masai Mara's plains and Lake Nakuru's rare white rhinos

A 4-day safari tour from Nairobi that combines Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park with daily game drives in a 4x4 Jeep, an English-speaking guide, and hotel accommodation. You depart Nairobi at 8 am on day one, spend two full days driving the Mara Reserve in search of the Big Five and the Great Migration, then move to Lake Nakuru for a 3-hour morning game drive before returning to Nairobi by 3 pm on day four. The itinerary pairs two distinct ecosystems: the open grassland plains where predators hunt and millions of wildebeest migrate annually, and a smaller park known for its white rhinos and flamingos.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara Reserve

• Pick up at Nairobi City Center
• Drive via Rift Valley viewpoint
• Arrive Masai Mara for lunch
• Check in at Lenchada Camp
• Evening game drive in Masai Mara

Day 2: Full Day Masai Mara Game Drive

• Breakfast at 6 am
• Full day game drive in Masai Mara
• Picnic lunch under croton tree
• Game drive to Mara River
• Optional Maasai village visit or balloon safari

Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru Park

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Check in at Hill Court Resort
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

• Early breakfast
• Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru
• Depart for Nairobi
• Arrive and drop off in Nairobi

The experience

Pickup happens at Nairobi City Center at 8 am on day one. The drive to Masai Mara crosses the Great Rift Valley, where you stop at a viewpoint overlooking the valley floor before arriving in time for lunch. After checking in at Lenchada Camp, you head out for an evening game drive to start spotting wildlife. Day two is a full day in the reserve: breakfast at 6 am, then all-day game drives with a picnic lunch under a croton shade tree. The route takes you to the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles line the banks. This is also the day the Great Migration unfolds if you're there during the season: millions of wildebeest and zebra moving across the plains, followed by lions, cheetahs, hyenas and other predators.

On day three you drive to Lake Nakuru National Park and overnight at Hill Court Resort. Day four starts with an early breakfast and a 7 am departure into the park for a 3-hour game drive. Lake Nakuru is smaller than the Mara but holds rare white rhinos and pink flamingos. After the drive, you head back to Nairobi on a 3-hour return journey, arriving around 3 pm. An English-speaking guide travels with the group throughout, and the 4x4 Jeep is shared with other travelers. Optional add-ons available on day two include a visit to a local Maasai village (USD 20 per person) or an early-morning hot air balloon safari (USD 380 per person).

What’s included

• Hotel accommodation at Lenchada Camp (two nights) and Hill Court Resort (one night).
• daily game drives in a shared 4x4 Jeep.
• an English-speaking guide for all four days.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• park entry fees for Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by JungleRoam Safaris (Kenya)

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see both reserves' wildlife in one trip (the Mara's open plains and Lake Nakuru's flamingos) rather than focusing on a single park.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What animals can I expect to see on a 4-day Masai Mara safari?

The Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) are present in Masai Mara, along with many other mammals and bird species. The Mara River holds hippos and crocodiles. Lake Nakuru is known for white rhinos and flamingos. The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra occurs seasonally, typically July through October.

How does the schedule work across the four days?

Day one includes pickup at 8 am from Nairobi, a drive through the Great Rift Valley, arrival and lunch at Masai Mara, then an evening game drive. Day two is a full day of game drives with breakfast at 6 am and a picnic lunch in the reserve. Day three is a drive to Lake Nakuru with overnight accommodation. Day four begins at 7 am with a 3-hour game drive at Lake Nakuru, followed by a 3-hour drive back to Nairobi, arriving around 3 pm.

What accommodation is included in the 4-day tour?

You stay at Lenchada Camp for nights one and two in Masai Mara, and at Hill Court Resort on night three at Lake Nakuru. Accommodation, meals and an English-speaking guide are all included in the tour price.

Can I add activities like a balloon safari or visit to a Maasai village?

Yes. On day two, you can arrange an optional early-morning hot air balloon safari for USD 380 per person, or visit a local Maasai village for a cultural tour at USD 20 per person. Both are available to add at checkout or during the tour.