Masai Mara, Nakuru & Naivasha: 5-Day Safari with Game Drives

Summary

Masai Mara wildlife, Rift Valley views and lakeside moments

You’ll wake up to animal calls in Masai Mara, watch clouds of flamingos at Lake Nakuru, and cycle among zebra herds at Hell’s Gate—all with meals included and a local guide who knows every shortcut. Expect long drives broken by laughter and roadside picnics, plus nights under canvas where you’ll fall asleep to wild sounds you won’t soon forget.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell—earthy, a bit sweet, as we stopped at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. Our driver-guide, Joseph, pointed out the escarpment lines with a laugh about his childhood hikes there (he said he never made it to the top as a kid). The drive from Nairobi was longer than I expected—maybe because I kept craning my neck for zebras—but lunch under an acacia tree made up for it. By afternoon we rolled into Masai Mara just as the sun got lazy. The tents at Lenchada camp had these little zippers that stuck sometimes; honestly, I didn’t mind. Hot shower felt like a small miracle after the dust.

I still hear the low grunts of wildebeest from that first evening game drive—so many animals moving together, like they’d rehearsed it. Joseph had this way of spotting lions before anyone else saw even a tail flicker. We ate dinner outside that night (stew with chapati), listening to distant hyenas. Next day was all about chasing shadows and tracks—elephants in the morning haze near Mara River, hippos yawning wide enough you could almost see their tonsils (not that you’d want to). I tried to say “thank you” in Maa to one of the Maasai we met; he just smiled and corrected me gently.

Leaving Masai Mara felt abrupt but Lake Nakuru was a different kind of wild—flamingos everywhere, pink smudges against blue water. It smelled sharp and fresh by the shore. We watched rhinos grazing so close you could count their wrinkles if you squinted hard enough. Our budget hotel in Nakuru was simple but clean; I slept like a rock anyway. Next day at Lake Naivasha, I took an optional boat ride on Crescent Island—there were hippos half-hidden in reeds and birds making a racket overhead. My arms got sunburned but it was worth it.

Hell’s Gate surprised me most—I didn’t expect to walk or bike right past zebra herds or feel steam rising off hot springs near Ol Karia’s geothermal plant (it smells faintly of eggs there, not gonna lie). By then our group felt like old friends; someone joked about forming a WhatsApp group called “Safari Survivors.” On the last stretch back to Nairobi, I kept replaying Joseph’s stories in my head—about migration seasons and how flamingos choose their mates—and thinking how much bigger Kenya feels now than when we started.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi to Masai Mara with game drive

• Pick up from airport or hotel
• Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Have picnic lunch en route
• Arrive at Masai Mara in afternoon
• Evening game drive
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 2 — Full day game drive in Masai Mara

• Early breakfast at camp
• Full day exploring Masai Mara
• Visit Mara River border
• Picnic lunch during game drive
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 3 — Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

• Optional visit to Masai Village
• Late breakfast at camp
• Depart to Lake Nakuru National Park
• Picnic lunch en route
• Dinner and overnight at budget accommodation

Day 4 — Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

• Early breakfast at Nakuru
• Morning game drive in Nakuru Park
• See flamingos and rhinos
• Depart to Lake Naivasha
• Picnic lunch en route
• Optional evening boat ride on Crescent Island
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 5 — Lake Naivasha to Nairobi via Hell's Gate

• Early breakfast at lodge
• Visit Hell's Gate National Park
• See Geothermal Power Plant and Hot Springs
• Optional Crescent Island boat ride
• Lunch
• Depart to Nairobi
• Arrive Nairobi and drop off

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this safari?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from selected hotels in Nairobi.

Are meals provided during the tour?

Yes, meals are included as per itinerary except Day 1 breakfast and Day 3 dinner.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in budget camps or hotels with basic facilities like hot showers and toilets inside tents where noted.

Can children join this safari?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Is cycling allowed inside Hell's Gate?

Yes, Hell's Gate allows walking and cycling among wildlife.

How many days does this safari last?

The safari lasts 5 days including travel time from Nairobi.

Is there an option for a boat ride at Lake Naivasha?

Yes, there’s an optional evening boat ride on Crescent Island at Lake Naivasha.

Will we visit Maasai villages?

An optional visit to a Maasai Village is available on Day 3 before leaving Masai Mara.

What’s included

Your days include hotel pickup and drop-off from select Nairobi hotels or airport, all park entry fees covered by your guide, bottled water throughout each journey segment, four nights’ accommodation ranging from tented camps in Masai Mara to budget hotels near Nakuru and Naivasha, plus daily meals (except breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 3). Optional activities like boat rides or Maasai village visits can be arranged along the way before returning to Nairobi late afternoon on the final day.