5-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha

Five days across three parks: the Mara's rolling grasslands and Big Five, then the rift valley's lakes and rhinos.

A 5-day safari tour through Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha, departing from Nairobi with hotel pickup included. You spend two full days game driving in the Mara, then move through the rift valley parks for bird watching, rhino viewing and a guided walk in Hell's Gate. The tour includes private transportation, accommodation at lodge camps, and a guide who speaks your language. Optional activities like hot air balloon rides and boat trips are available at extra cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara Safari

• Pick up from hotel
• Travel via Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Lunch in Narok town
• Drive to Masai Mara Reserve
• Check-in and relax at camp
• Afternoon game drive
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 2: Full Day Masai Mara Game Drive

• Breakfast at camp
• Full day game viewing in reserve
• Picnic lunch at hippo pool
• Continue game drive
• Optional Maasai village visit
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

• Early morning pre-breakfast game drive
• Breakfast at camp
• Depart for Lake Nakuru
• Lunch en-route with scenic views
• Arrive in Nakuru town
• Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha Safari

• Breakfast at lodge
• Game drive in Lake Nakuru Park
• Hot lunch
• Drive to Lake Naivasha
• Optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha
• Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Lodge

Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

• Breakfast at lodge
• Nature walk in Hell’s Gate National Park
• Optional bicycle hire for cycling
• Hot or picnic lunch
• Drive back to Nairobi
• Drop off at hotel or airport

The experience

You start with a pickup from your Nairobi hotel and drive to the Masai Mara via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive. The reserve spans rolling grassland dotted with acacia trees and holds the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos) alongside vast herds of zebras and wildebeest. Two full days of game viewing follow, with an extensive road network that lets you track animals at close range. Lunch breaks happen at spots like the hippo pool, where you watch for crocodiles and hippos from the shore. A visit to a Maasai village is optional on day two.

On day three you leave the Mara early for a pre-breakfast game drive, then head south toward Lake Nakuru. The park is known for its prolific bird life, especially flamingos, and holds a sanctuary for white rhinos. You'll also see Cape buffalo and waterbuck near the shoreline. From there you continue to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake where you can add a boat ride to spot hippos and fish eagles. Day five begins with a nature walk through Hell's Gate National Park, where over 100 bird species live alongside African buffalo, zebras, elands and gazelles. You can rent bicycles to cycle through the park, then drive back to Nairobi in the afternoon, arriving at your hotel or airport.

The tour operates with a private driver and guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or several other languages. You stay at 3- and 4-star lodge camps in each location, and private transportation covers all transfers and park fees. Drinking water is provided throughout. Other beverages are at your own cost. The itinerary balances game viewing with cultural stops and rift valley scenery, and optional experiences like a hot air balloon safari over the Mara can be added at checkout.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the tour.
• airport and hotel pickup from Nairobi.
• all park entry fees.
• accommodation at 3- and 4-star lodge camps for four nights.
• a professional guide fluent in your choice of language.
• drinking water during the tour.
• game drives in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Hell's Gate National Park.
• a guided nature walk in Hell's Gate.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 54 years) · Senior (55 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Czech, Japanese, Polish and Russian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Czech, Japanese, Polish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wild race Africa Safari Tours and Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're arriving in Nairobi and want to see the Mara's wildlife and the rift valley's lakes in one trip without arranging your own transport or guides. The five-day length gives you two full days in the Mara for multiple game drives, then moves through two smaller parks: a balance that works for first-time safari travelers and photographers who want variety. If you have more time, the 7-day version adds depth to each location. If you have less, a 3-day option covers the Mara alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Czech, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Polish.

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's the difference between the standard and premium options on this 5-day safari?

The 5-Day Premium Kenya Safari uses 5-star lodges throughout, while the standard tour uses 3- and 4-star camps. Both follow the same route and include the same game drives and activities. The premium option upgrades accommodation only.

Do I need to book the hot air balloon ride in advance, or can I add it when I arrive?

The hot air balloon safari over Masai Mara is optional and can be arranged at checkout for an additional cost, so you decide before the tour starts whether to include it.

What animals will I actually see in the Masai Mara?

Masai Mara holds the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos) plus zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos and numerous bird species. Two full days of game drives give you multiple chances to encounter them, though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day.

Is the boat ride on Lake Naivasha included, or do I pay extra?

The boat ride on Lake Naivasha is optional and costs extra. You can choose to add it when you book, or skip it and spend the afternoon at the lodge instead.

How much time do I spend actually driving versus sitting at the lodge?

Days one and two are full game-viewing days in the Mara, with morning and afternoon drives plus lunch breaks. Days three and four include morning game drives followed by travel to the next location. Day five is a half-day nature walk in Hell's Gate before the drive back to Nairobi, so most of your time is spent on the road or in the parks.

What happens on my first and last nights in Nairobi?

The tour includes accommodation at the parks and lodges for four nights. Your first night before departure and your last night after returning to Nairobi are not included, so you'll need to arrange separate accommodation in the city.