4-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari from Nairobi

Hunt the Big Five across two reserves without arranging the route yourself.

A 4-day group safari from Nairobi covering Masai Mara National Reserve for 2 nights and Lake Nakuru National Park, with game drives, budget tented accommodation, picnic lunches and hotel pickup included. The Masai Mara leg catches the wildebeest migration when in season. Lake Nakuru is home to white rhinos and flamingos. Early starts and full-day drives mean you cover ground. The fixed itinerary and shared 4×4 mean logistics are settled before you arrive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve

• Pick up from Nairobi hotel at 7 am
• Drive to Masai Mara via Rift Valley viewpoint
• Picnic lunch en route
• Check in at budget tented camp
• Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara

Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara

• Breakfast at camp
• Full day game drive in Masai Mara
• Picnic lunch in the reserve
• Optional Maasai village visit in evening

Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

• Early breakfast at camp
• Optional Maasai village visit
• Depart to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Picnic lunch en route
• Arrive and check in at Nakuru hotel

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

• Early breakfast at hotel
• Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru
• Depart for Nairobi after game drive
• Drive back to Nairobi (3 hours)

The experience

The tour picks you up at 7 a.m. from your Nairobi hotel and drives south through the Great Rift Valley, stopping at a viewpoint to see the valley floor before lunch on the way. You reach Masai Mara in the afternoon, check into a budget tented camp, and head straight out for your first game drive. The reserve's grassy plains and year-round rainfall support huge herds of herbivores and the predators that follow them (lions, cheetahs, leopards) making wildlife sightings consistent throughout the day.

Day 2 is a full day in the Mara. You drive from dawn, searching the plains and riverbanks for the Big Five, with picnic lunch served in the reserve. If the wildebeest migration is passing through (seasonal), you may witness the crossing at the Mara River, one of the world's largest wildlife movements. The optional Maasai village visit in the evening (USD 10 per person) lets you meet the local community. A hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (USD 400 per person, optional) is also available on this day if you book it in advance.

On Day 3, you leave early after breakfast and drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park, with lunch en route. The lake is smaller than the Mara but holds rare white rhinos and large flocks of flamingos, along with over 450 bird species. You stay overnight in Nakuru town. Day 4 begins at 7 a.m. with a 3-hour game drive in the park, then a 3-hour drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Nairobi CBD.
• shared 4×4 game-viewing vehicle with English-speaking guide.
• 2 nights in budget tented camps in Masai Mara.
• 1 night hotel accommodation in Nakuru.
• game drives in both Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park.
• picnic lunches during drives and en route.
• breakfast at camps and hotels.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 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

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lenchada Safaris

Is this one for you?The English-speaking guide and shared group format work well if you're comfortable asking questions during drives and don't need private commentary. Early starts (7 a.m.) and full days in the vehicle suit travelers who want to maximize wildlife viewing time rather than a leisurely pace. The fixed 4-day schedule means you see both reserves without building the itinerary yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 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 72 h before the start.

What animals am I most likely to see on this safari?

The Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) are the main target, and the Mara's open plains make sightings relatively consistent. Lake Nakuru is known for white rhinos and large concentrations of flamingos. You'll also encounter zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, hyena, cheetah and numerous bird species across both reserves.

When does the wildebeest migration happen in Masai Mara?

The great migration is seasonal, typically occurring when the herds move from Tanzania's Serengeti in search of water and fresh pasture. Timing varies by year, so check with the operator for the current migration window before booking if seeing the crossing is a priority.

What kind of accommodation will I have?

Budget tented camps with self-contained tents are provided in Masai Mara (options include Mara Lenchada, Sankale Camp or Rhino Camp). In Nakuru, you stay at a hotel such as Buraha Zenoni or Hillcourt. These are basic but comfortable, with en-suite facilities.

Is food included in the tour price?

Picnic lunches are included during the game drives and en route between reserves. Breakfast is provided at the camps. Dinner and other meals are not included, though the camps and hotels have dining facilities available.

Do I need my own transport to get to the meeting point?

Hotel pickup from anywhere in Nairobi CBD is included in the tour price, so you don't need to arrange your own way to the starting point. The 4×4 vehicle is shared with other travelers throughout the 4 days.

What should I bring for a budget safari like this?

Binoculars, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), neutral-colored clothing for game drives, a light jacket for early mornings, and any personal medications. The tented camps have basic amenities, so pack accordingly for a rustic but functional experience.