Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Masai Mara: 4-day private safari

Hunt the Big Five across three parks in four days with your own driver and jeep.

A 4-day private jeep safari from Nairobi through Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara Game Reserve, with a dedicated driver-guide, hotel pickup and unlimited game viewing. You travel in your own vehicle, stop where wildlife appears, and spend a full day in Masai Mara hunting lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. The itinerary includes a boat safari on Lake Naivasha to spot hippos and birds, a guided walk on Crescent Island, and picnic lunch by the Mara River where crocodiles and hippos gather—or during July to October, the great migration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park

• Pick up from Nairobi hotel or airport
• Drive via Great Rift Valley escarpment
• Stop to view Rift Valley escarpment
• Boat safari at Lake Naivasha
• Guided walking safari at Crescent Island
• Arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park
• Afternoon bird and game drives

Day 2 — Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara Game Reserve

• Morning game and bird drive at Lake Nakuru
• Drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve
• Stops at scenic places en route
• Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara

Day 3 — Full day game viewing in Masai Mara

• Full day game viewing in Masai Mara
• Picnic lunch by Mara River

Day 4 — Masai Mara to Nairobi

• Breakfast and checkout at lodge
• Drive towards Nairobi
• View Longonot extinct volcano
• Optional stop at Naivasha or Kiambethu farm tour
• Transfer to Nairobi or airport

The Experience

The safari begins at 7am with pickup from your Nairobi hotel or airport. The drive to Lake Nakuru takes three hours through the Great Rift Valley escarpment, with stops to take in the dramatic landscape. At Lake Naivasha you board a boat to watch hippos, crocodiles and exotic birds, then walk Crescent Island with a guide before heading to Lake Nakuru National Park. The afternoon is spent on game drives around the lake, where black rhinos, white rhinos, lions, giraffes and warthogs share the park with large flocks of pelicans and sometimes flamingos.

Day two is a five to six hour drive from Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara Game Reserve, with scenic stops along the route. You arrive in time for afternoon game viewing. Day three is the full-day game drive—the heart of the safari. Masai Mara holds the highest concentration of wild animals in the region, and you spend the entire day traversing the reserve in search of the Big Five. Lunch is a picnic by the Mara River, where you watch for hippos, crocodiles and, during the migration months of July to October, the river crossing itself.

On the final morning you have a leisurely breakfast before the six-hour drive back to Nairobi. Your guide points out Longonot, an extinct volcano in the Rift Valley. You can add lunch and a tour of Kiambethu tea farm (three-course buffet, extra cost) or stop at Lake Naivasha for additional excursions, or drive straight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.

What’s included

• Hotel or airport pickup in Nairobi.
• dedicated driver-guide for all four days.
• private jeep for the entire safari.
• game drives at Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara.
• boat safari on Lake Naivasha.
• guided walk on Crescent Island.
• three nights' accommodation at safari lodges or tented camps.
• breakfast each morning.
• picnic lunch on the full Masai Mara day.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Natural World Kenya Safaris

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese, so you choose the language that works for your group. The private jeep means you stop when wildlife appears and move at your own pace—no shared vehicle schedule or group decisions about where to drive next.

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Top questions

What animals will I see on this safari?

The Big Five—lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, rhino and elephant—are the main targets across all three parks. Lake Nakuru and Naivasha also host hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and numerous bird species including pelicans and flamingos. Masai Mara holds the highest concentration of wild animals in the region.

Is the driver a guide who explains what we're seeing?

Yes, your dedicated driver-guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese and provides commentary throughout the safari. They navigate the parks and point out wildlife and landmarks like Longonot volcano on the return drive.

What happens during the full day in Masai Mara?

You spend the entire day on game drives across the reserve hunting the Big Five and other wildlife. Lunch is a picnic by the Mara River, where you watch hippos and crocodiles. During July to October, you may witness the great migration river crossing.

Does the price include meals?

Picnic lunch on the full Masai Mara day is included. Breakfast at your lodge each morning is included. Lunch and excursions on the final day—such as the Kiambethu tea farm tour—cost extra.

Can I add activities or change the route?

On the final day you can opt for lunch and a tour of Kiambethu tea farm, or stop at Lake Naivasha for additional excursions, both at extra cost. Otherwise the itinerary is set to keep the three parks and the full Masai Mara day within four days.