Nairobi: Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Maasai Mara 5-Day Safari
Five days tracking rhinos, hippos and the big 5 across Kenya's three best reserves
You're picked up from your Nairobi hotel or airport at 8am and driven south through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru for two game drives and an overnight stay. Day two moves to Lake Naivasha with a boat ride among hippos and a walking safari on Crescent Island. Days three and four are spent in Maasai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives hunting the big 5, with full days to explore the reserve's vastness. You return to Nairobi on day five after an early game drive, arriving around 5pm. All lodges, meals, park fees, vehicle and experienced driver-guide are included.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
- Pick up from Nairobi hotel or airport
- Drive via Great Rift Valley Viewpoint
- Morning game drive at Lake Nakuru
- Lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge
- Afternoon game drive
- Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge
Day 2: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
- Early morning game drive at Lake Nakuru
- Breakfast at Lake Nakuru Lodge
- Drive to Lake Naivasha
- Lunch at Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
- Afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Walking safari on Crescent Island
- Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
Day 3: Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara Reserve
- Breakfast at Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
- Drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Lunch at Maasai Mara
- Afternoon game drive in Maasai Mara
- Dinner and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge
Day 4: Full day in Maasai Mara Reserve
- Morning game drive in Maasai Mara
- Lunch at Mara Simba Lodge
- Afternoon game drive in Maasai Mara
- Dinner and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge
Day 5: Maasai Mara to Nairobi
- Early morning game drive
- Breakfast at Maasai Mara
- Drive to Narok town
- Lunch in Narok town
- Drive to Nairobi
- Drop off at Nairobi hotel or airport
The experience
Your driver-guide meets you at the hotel or airport at 8am on day one, and the first thing he does is ask what animals you most want to see, then he actually listens. That kind of attention matters when you're spending five days in a Land Cruiser with someone who knows where the leopards hide and which birds call at dawn. The drive south from Nairobi takes you through the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint before you reach Lake Nakuru, where the morning game drive starts before lunch and the afternoon brings another push into the reserve. Rhinos are shy here, but they're there in the bushes, and the bird calls from the shoreline don't stop.
Day two moves you to Lake Naivasha, starting with an early game drive back at Nakuru before breakfast, then a scenic drive that crosses into Kenya's breadbasket. The afternoon is split between a boat ride threading through hippos on the water and a walking safari on Crescent Island, where you're on foot among the wildlife instead of behind glass. It's a different rhythm: slower, closer, and the guide reads the animals' movements in real time. Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge is where you sleep, and the meals come with the lodge's own rhythm, not a rushed schedule.
Days three and four are the Maasai Mara, the reserve most people come to Kenya to see. You arrive in time for lunch on day three, then the afternoon game drive starts the hunt for the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant), and the Mara delivers on that promise more reliably than anywhere else in the country. Day four is a full day: morning game drive, afternoon game drive, all meals at Mara Simba Lodge. The vastness of the reserve and the sheer density of wildlife is what makes it different from Nakuru and Naivasha. The drama of survival plays out in front of you, and your guide uses the vehicle's RF radio to stay in touch with other drivers who've spotted something worth seeing. On day five, an early morning game drive before breakfast, then the drive back to Nairobi with a lunch stop in Narok town, arriving around 5pm.
The vehicle is a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for photography and game viewing, and it's yours alone: no shared seats, no other groups. Your guide speaks English and has the experience to spot animals most visitors miss. The lodges are mid-range, comfortable, and the meals are included throughout. Park entrance fees, taxes, drinking water during the game drives, first aid kit, cooler box. It's all in the price. If you travel with an infant, specialized seats are available.
What’s included
- Pickup from your Nairobi hotel or airport at 8am on day one.
- exclusive use of a 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof throughout all five days.
- experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- accommodation at Lake Nakuru Lodge (night 1), Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge (night 2), and Mara Simba Lodge (nights 3–4).
- all meals as per the itinerary.
- all national park entrance fees.
- 1-liter bottled drinking water per person per day during game drives.
- safari accessories including first aid kit, cooler box and fire extinguisher.
- boat ride on Lake Naivasha.
- walking safari on Crescent Island.
- morning and afternoon game drives at each reserve.
- return transport to Nairobi on day five with lunch in Narok town.
- 24-hour emergency support.
Before you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Explorer Kenya Tours and Travel Limited
Is this one for you?Choose this safari if you want to see Kenya's three most productive reserves in one trip without arranging transport, park permits, lodges or meals yourself: the five-day structure and private vehicle let you move at your own pace while the experienced guide handles the wildlife spotting and logistics.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the guide in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (1 year): free.
What time does the safari start each day?
Pickup from your Nairobi hotel or airport is at 8am on day one. Subsequent days begin with early morning game drives before breakfast, typically starting around 6am or 6:30am depending on the lodge.
Is the safari vehicle shared with other groups?
No. You have exclusive use of the 4x4 Land Cruiser throughout the entire five days: no other passengers, no shared seats.
What is included in the price?
All government taxes and levies; exclusive use of the safari vehicle; experienced English-speaking driver-guide; accommodation at the three lodges; all meals as per the itinerary; all park entrance fees; 1-liter bottled water per person per day; safari accessories including first aid kit, cooler box and fire extinguisher; and 24-hour emergency support.
Can I bring an infant on this safari?
Yes. Specialized infant seats are available upon request.
What animals can I expect to see?
Lake Nakuru is known for rhinos and diverse birdlife. Lake Naivasha has hippos and wildlife on Crescent Island. Maasai Mara is the best place to see the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant) plus large numbers of other wildlife.
How long is the drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru?
The drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru via the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and stops.
What is the fitness level required?
The safari is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most time is spent in the vehicle during game drives. The walking safari on Crescent Island on day two is optional and at a leisurely pace.
What happens if I want to return to Nairobi earlier?
The itinerary is fixed as a five-day package. Early returns would need to be arranged separately and may incur additional costs or forfeit unused portions.
Is the driver-guide the same person throughout the five days?
Yes. The same experienced driver-guide stays with you for the entire safari, which allows him to learn your preferences and spot animals more effectively.
Nairobi: Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Maasai Mara 5-Day Safari
5d · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT · at your hotel
from US$ 1,759 per person
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