Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya! Your unforgettable safari trip in Kenya begins the moment you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Upon landing, you will be warmly greeted by our professional representative who will assist with your luggage and transfer you to your hotel in Nairobi. As the gateway city to East Africa’s most renowned national parks, Nairobi offers the perfect starting point for your adventure.
After checking in, take some time to relax and recover from your international journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may unwind at the hotel or choose to explore Nairobi’s vibrant surroundings. In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner—either at your hotel or at a recommended local restaurant—where you can savor traditional Kenyan cuisine while reflecting on the exciting days ahead.
This first night allows you to settle in and prepare for the adventures that await on your safari trip in Kenya. With the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and other world-famous destinations on the horizon, your journey promises incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Day 2: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
Start your day with an early breakfast at the hotel at 7:30 AM before departing for the Giraffe Centre at 9:00 AM. Here, you’ll have the rare opportunity to interact with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, feeding them from raised platforms and learning about the ongoing conservation efforts that make this center world-famous. After spending an hour at the Giraffe Centre, continue to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, arriving by 10:15 AM. This sanctuary is one of the highlights of any safari trip in Kenya, giving you the chance to watch rescued baby elephants being bottle-fed and hear inspiring stories about their rehabilitation and eventual release into the wild.
By midday, you will have worked up an appetite, and at 12:30 PM, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Nairobi, sampling authentic Kenyan flavors. Afterward, at around 1:30 PM, begin your scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. The 2.5-hour journey takes you through rolling landscapes, lush highlands, and the dramatic escarpments of the Great Rift Valley before arriving at your lodge by 4:00 PM.
After check-in and a brief rest, head out at 4:30 PM for an evening game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, a true jewel of your safari trip in Kenya. The park is world-renowned for its flamingo-fringed lake, large rhino population, Rothschild’s giraffes, and a variety of other wildlife including lions, leopards, and buffalo. As the sun begins to set, the golden light reflects off the lake, creating stunning photographic opportunities. Return to your lodge by 6:30 PM for dinner and an overnight stay, reminiscing on a day filled with both cultural encounters and thrilling wildlife experiences.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge Meals: Full Board
Day 3: Lake Nakuru National Park
Begin your day with a sunrise game drive at 6:00 AM in Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the most rewarding early-morning experiences during your safari trip in Kenya. At this hour, the park comes alive with activity, offering excellent chances to spot predators such as lions returning from a night of hunting, as well as grazing herbivores like waterbucks, zebras, and buffalo. Bird enthusiasts will also delight in the flamingos, pelicans, and other species that make the lake a paradise for avian life. Keep an eye out for the rare Rothschild’s giraffe, a unique highlight of Nakuru.
Return to your lodge by 9:30 AM for a hearty breakfast and some relaxation time before heading back into the park. Spend the rest of the morning exploring Nakuru’s diverse landscapes, from acacia woodlands and open grasslands to the shimmering lake shores. Around 12:30 PM, you will enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and the sounds of the wild.
In the afternoon, continue your wildlife adventure, with opportunities to spot more of the park’s famous residents, including both black and white rhinos that thrive in this protected sanctuary. As the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow across the park, return to your lodge by 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served, offering the perfect chance to relax, share stories, and reflect on another incredible day of your safari trip in Kenya.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge Meals: Full Board
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara
Start your day with breakfast at the lodge at 7:00 AM before preparing for your journey to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the crown jewels of any safari trip in Kenya. The scenic drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, passing through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views and photo opportunities.
Around 12:30 PM, you will stop for lunch—either en route or upon arrival at your lodge in the Mara at about 1:30 PM. After check-in, take a moment to relax and settle into the peaceful surroundings of your camp or lodge, located near the vast savannah plains.
At 4:00 PM, embark on your first evening game drive in the Maasai Mara, a thrilling introduction to one of Africa’s most iconic reserves. As the golden light of late afternoon sweeps across the plains, you’ll have the chance to encounter an abundance of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary “Big Five”—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—alongside cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and countless antelopes. The Mara’s sheer density of wildlife makes every game drive an adventure filled with surprises.
By 6:30 PM, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. As you relax under the African night sky, you’ll reflect on the incredible encounters of the day and look forward to more adventures ahead on your safari trip in Kenya.
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp Meals: Full Board
Day 5: Maasai Mara National Reserve
On this exciting day of your safari trip in Kenya, you will spend your time exploring the spectacular Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. The day is designed to give you maximum flexibility with two options for your game drives:
Option 1: Two Game Drives
Start your day early with a morning game drive at 6:00 AM, the prime time to spot predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards when they are most active. The cool morning hours are also perfect for observing grazing herbivores like elephants, giraffes, and antelopes across the golden plains. By 9:30 AM, return to your lodge for breakfast and some time to relax.
Later in the afternoon, head out again for a game drive from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This evening drive offers another thrilling opportunity to watch wildlife, as animals become active once more before nightfall. The setting sun paints the savannah in warm hues, creating magical moments to capture with your camera before you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Option 2: Full-Day Game Drive with Picnic Lunch
Alternatively, you may choose to spend the entire day out in the reserve with a packed picnic lunch. This option allows you to venture deeper into the Maasai Mara, reaching areas less visited and increasing your chances of witnessing spectacular scenes such as predator hunts, massive elephant herds, or, if traveling during the right season, the dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration.
Whichever option you choose, this full day in the Maasai Mara ensures unforgettable encounters and highlights the magic of a safari trip in Kenya.
Day 6-7: Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast at the lodge at 7:00 AM, you will depart from the Maasai Mara at around 8:00 AM and begin your scenic journey to Lake Naivasha. The drive takes approximately 5 hours and offers stunning views of the Great Rift Valley, with its dramatic escarpments, rolling hills, and vibrant landscapes. This route is a highlight in itself, showcasing Kenya’s natural beauty and adding another dimension to your safari trip in Kenya.
By 1:00 PM, you will arrive at Lake Naivasha, where you’ll check in at your hotel and enjoy lunch overlooking the calm waters of this freshwater lake. Afterward, take some time to relax and soak in the tranquil setting before the afternoon’s adventure.
At about 3:00 PM, set out on a boat safari across Lake Naivasha, one of the most memorable experiences of your safari trip in Kenya. As you glide across the waters, you’ll spot pods of hippos wallowing near the shores and an impressive variety of bird species, including African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers. With luck, you may even see giraffes and antelopes grazing along the shoreline.
After your boat excursion, return to your hotel to unwind before dinner is served at 7:00 PM. End the day with a peaceful evening meal as you take in the serene atmosphere of Lake Naivasha, a perfect contrast to the thrilling game drives earlier in your journey.
Accommodation:Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Day 8:Deapart for Nairobi
After breakfast at your lodge at 7:00 AM, check out and prepare for your return journey to Nairobi. The drive takes approximately 2–3 hours, passing once again through the beautiful Great Rift Valley landscapes that have accompanied much of your safari trip in Kenya.
You will arrive in Nairobi around midday, where you may enjoy a farewell lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant or another local eatery (optional). Following lunch, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for your onward flight home, marking the end of your unforgettable safari trip in Kenya.
With memories of close wildlife encounters, breathtaking scenery, and unique cultural experiences, this journey will remain one of your most cherished travel adventures.
Accommodation: End of safari – no overnight included
