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

Game drives across three ecosystems: the Mara's big five, flamingos at Nakuru, hippos on Naivasha waters.

A 5-day safari tour departing Nairobi that moves through Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha, with daily game drives, lodge accommodations and a boat excursion on Crescent Island. The itinerary spans three distinct wildlife zones in five days, starting with the Mara's predators and plains game, then shifting to Lake Nakuru's bird sanctuary and the hippo-filled waters of Naivasha. Admission fees are payable at pickup. A guide speaks English throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara

• Depart Nairobi hotel
• Stop at Rift Valley viewpoint
• Arrive Maasai Mara for lunch
• Afternoon game drive
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 2: Full day Maasai Mara

• Early morning pre-breakfast game drive
• Breakfast at lodge
• Further game drive
• Lunch at lodge
• Leisure break or optional Masai village visit
• Late afternoon game drive
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 3: Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru

• Early morning pre-breakfast game drive
• Breakfast at lodge
• Depart for Lake Nakuru
• Picnic lunch enroute
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

• Breakfast at lodge
• Game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
• Visit Baboon Cliff and Makalia Falls
• Lunch
• Drive to Lake Naivasha
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

• Breakfast at lodge
• Boat excursion to Crescent Island Sanctuary
• Walk among plain game
• Lunch in Naivasha
• Depart for Nairobi
• Arrive and drop at hotel

The experience

You leave your Nairobi hotel and drive toward Masai Mara, stopping at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint before arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. The first full day is built around early morning and late afternoon drives, the hours when wildlife moves, with a midday break at the lodge. The itinerary notes that elephant, buffalo and lion sightings are common. Rhino and leopard are rarer and not guaranteed. On day three, an early game drive precedes the drive south to Lake Nakuru, with a picnic lunch on the road.

Lake Nakuru National Park centers on bird life: the itinerary describes flamingos, white pelicans and marabu storks breeding in the lake's alkaline waters. A game drive there also reaches white rhino and the rare Rothschild's giraffe, identifiable by five horns instead of three. Baboon Cliff offers a panoramic view of the lake surrounded by euphorbia and acacia forest. Makalia Falls is an additional stop within the park. After lunch, you drive to Lake Naivasha for the night.

The final day begins with a boat excursion to Crescent Island, a private game sanctuary where you walk among small herds of plains game: the only moment on the tour when you leave the vehicle. Lunch follows in Naivasha, then the drive back to Nairobi ends in the evening. All five nights include lodge accommodation. Transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup and drop-off at your hotel or apartment.

What’s included

• Lodge accommodation for five nights.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• pickup and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel, apartment or airport.
• daily game drives in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha.
• boat excursion to Crescent Island.
• English-speaking guide.
• vegetarian meals available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to7h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Kenya Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this 5-day itinerary if you want to move through three distinct wildlife zones (the Mara's predators and herds, Nakuru's flamingos and rare giraffes, and Naivasha's hippos and boat walk) without the time commitment of a longer safari. The fixed five-day structure fits a week-long trip with travel days on either end.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What wildlife might I see on the Masai Mara game drives?

Elephant, buffalo and lion are commonly sighted on the early morning and late afternoon drives across the reserve. Rhino and leopard are present but few in number, shy and elusive, so sightings are not guaranteed.

What makes Lake Nakuru different from the other stops?

Lake Nakuru National Park is known as a bird sanctuary, with flamingos, white pelicans and marabu storks breeding in the alkaline waters. You'll also see white rhino and the rare Rothschild's giraffe with five horns, plus views from Baboon Cliff and Makalia Falls within the park.

Do I get out of the vehicle at any point?

Yes, on the final day, a boat excursion takes you to Crescent Island, a private game sanctuary where you walk among small herds of plains game before returning to Naivasha for lunch.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Lodge accommodations, all game drives, the boat excursion and transport with pickup and drop-off are included. Admission fees of 880 USD are payable at pickup. A visit to a local Masai village costs 20 USD per person. A hot air balloon experience is 450 USD.

How is the day structured on a full day in the Mara?

You start before breakfast with an early morning game drive, return for breakfast, then head out again for a further drive. After lunch and a leisure break at the lodge, a late afternoon or early evening drive rounds out the day before dinner and overnight.