Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara: 4-day safari with guide + lunch

Summary

Follow flamingos and lions across Kenya’s wild heartlands

You’ll travel from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru for flamingo-filled shores and rhino sightings, then cross into Maasai Mara for game drives among lions and elephants. With a local guide leading each step, picnic lunches by riversides, and a visit to a real Maasai village, this 4-day safari brings you close to Kenya’s wild beauty in ways you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was nervous that first morning — not sure if the drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru would be just hours of highway or something more. But by the time we rolled down the windows near Nakuru, the air changed. It smelled like rain on dust and something green I couldn’t name. Our guide, Peter, pointed out a group of kids waving at every passing car. I waved back, probably too enthusiastically. Lunch at Citymax Hotel was simple but filling — ugali, beans, some spicy greens — and then we were off into the park.

I’d seen photos of Lake Nakuru’s flamingos before but nothing prepares you for that pink band around the water. It’s almost unreal, like someone spilled paint along the shore. The birds are noisy — not graceful at all up close — but there’s this weird beauty in it. We saw rhinos too (Peter whispered “black one” like it was a secret), plus buffalo lounging in mud that smelled stronger than I expected. That night I lay in bed listening to insects and distant laughter from the hotel staff outside.

The drive to Maasai Mara felt longer than I thought it would be — maybe because I kept craning my neck for zebras or anything moving in the grasslands. When we finally reached Enchoro Wildlife Camp, lunch tasted better than it probably was just because we were starving. The afternoon game drive? Honestly, I lost track of how many animals we saw: lions with those dark manes, wildebeest everywhere, cheetahs so close you could see their spots twitching when they breathed. At one point our van stopped and everything went quiet except for wind through dry grass. Kind of made me forget about my phone for once.

The next day was all about chasing light across the plains — picnic lunch by the Mara River (the bread got a bit squashed in my bag but nobody cared). Saw hippos yawning wide as boats and a herd of elephants crossing right in front of us; even Peter looked impressed. On our last morning, we visited a Maasai village where everyone greeted us with songs and those bright red shukas. Tried jumping with them (not easy) and learned how they make fire by hand — my attempt was mostly smoke and laughter from the kids.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi to Lake Nakuru

• Drive to Lake Nakuru and lunch
• Afternoon wildlife viewing at Lake Nakuru
• Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 2 — Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Masai Mara and lunch
• Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara
• Dinner and overnight at Enchoro Wildlife Camp

Day 3 — Full-day Masai Mara Safari

• Morning and afternoon game drives
• Picnic lunch near Mara River
• Dinner and overnight at Enchoro Wildlife Camp

Day 4 — Masai Mara to Nairobi

• Breakfast at camp
• Optional visit to Masai village
• Drive back to Nairobi with lunch at Carnivore restaurant
• Drop off at hotel or JKIA Airport

Top questions

How long is the drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru?

The drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru typically starts at 8am and takes several hours by road.

Are meals included during the safari?

Yes, lunches are included throughout the tour—at hotels or picnic-style inside the parks.

Will I see flamingos at Lake Nakuru?

Lake Nakuru is famous for its large population of flamingos along the lake shore.

Is there a visit to a Maasai village?

Yes, an optional visit to a Maasai village is offered on the last morning before returning to Nairobi.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay at Citymax Hotel near Lake Nakuru and Enchoro Wildlife Camp in Maasai Mara.

Is pickup included from my hotel in Nairobi?

Yes, hotel pickup in Nairobi is included at the start of your safari.

Are game drives guided?

All game drives are led by an experienced local guide familiar with wildlife spotting.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Nairobi, all park entry fees, guided game drives through both Lake Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara Reserve, overnight stays at Citymax Hotel and Enchoro Wildlife Camp with meals provided—including picnic lunches—and an optional visit to a traditional Maasai village before your return transfer back to Nairobi city or airport.