5-Day Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari

Highlights

This Safari Trip in Kenya is the perfect balance of thrilling game drives, scenic beauty, and unforgettable encounters with Africaโ€™s most iconic wildlife. Over five days, you will explore two of Kenyaโ€™s most celebrated national parksโ€”Lake Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve. Each destination offers its own unique atmosphere and wildlife diversity, ensuring every day feels like a new adventure.

Your journey begins at Lake Nakuru National Park, often called โ€œa beautiful wildlife haven.โ€ Nestled on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, Lake Nakuru is a sanctuary for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The park is famous for its population of black and white rhinos, large herds of buffalo, lions, leopards, and over 450 bird species, including flamingoes that fringe the lake in shimmering pink. Its varied landscapesโ€”escarpments, ridges, and open grasslandsโ€”create a spectacular backdrop for game drives.

From Nakuru, your Safari Trip in Kenya continues to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, globally renowned as one of the best safari destinations in Africa. The Mara is home to more than 40% of Africaโ€™s larger mammals, despite occupying only 0.01% of the continentโ€™s landmass. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and wildebeest roam the endless plains, making every game drive exciting and unpredictable. During the Great Migration season (Julyโ€“October), millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River in dramatic scenes of survival, but even outside migration, the Mara delivers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world.

The experience is enhanced by luxury accommodation at Lake Nakuru Lodge and Ashnil Tented Camp in the Masai Mara. These properties combine comfort with proximity to the parks, allowing you to immerse yourself in the wilderness without sacrificing style.

Beyond wildlife, this Safari Trip in Kenya showcases Kenyaโ€™s hospitality, culture, and landscapes. From the warm welcome at Nairobiโ€™s airport to the spectacular sunsets over the savannah, every detail is designed to create lasting memories. Professional driver-guides ensure safe travel and insightful game drives, sharing stories about animal behavior, ecosystems, and local traditions.

This 5-day itinerary is perfect for families, couples, or small groups who want to maximize their time in Kenya. It delivers varietyโ€”birdlife at Nakuru, predators in the Mara, the thrill of spotting the Big Five, and the beauty of the Great Rift Valley. With seamless transfers, luxury camps, and expertly guided safaris, this package embodies the very best of Kenya Safari Packages.

By the time you return to Nairobi, you will have seen lions in the grasslands, flamingoes shimmering along a soda lake, leopards blending into trees, and elephants grazing against the backdrop of endless skies. This Safari Trip in Kenya is more than a holidayโ€”it is a once-in-a-lifetime immersion into Africaโ€™s wild heart.

Details Itinerary

Your Safari Trip in Kenya begins the moment you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. A professional safari representative greets you with a warm smile, assists you with luggage, and presents you with a complimentary souvenir safari hat to mark the start of your adventure. After introductions and a short briefing, you board your private safari Land Cruiser and begin the scenic drive toward Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenyaโ€™s most picturesque reserves.

The journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley, with opportunities to stop for photos at viewpoints overlooking dramatic escarpments and sprawling plains below. Along the way, your guide explains the geological history of the Rift Valley, as well as the cultures of the communities who live along its fertile slopes. By midday, you arrive at Lake Nakuru Lodge, where a hearty lunch awaits.

In the afternoon, you embark on your first game drive inside Lake Nakuru National Park. Often described as โ€œa beautiful wildlife haven,โ€ Nakuru is famous for its diverse ecosystemsโ€”woodlands, ridges, and bushy grasslands, all centered around the shimmering lake. The park is a birdwatcherโ€™s paradise, with over 450 recorded species, including pelicans, cormorants, and flamingoes that paint the shoreline pink in certain seasons.

But it is not just birds that make Nakuru special. The park is home to endangered black and white rhinos, and with luck, you may spot them grazing peacefully or resting in shaded thickets. Buffalo, waterbucks, giraffes, and zebras roam freely, while predators such as lions and leopards add excitement to every drive. The sight of a leopard draped elegantly across a tree branch or a lion pride resting in the grassland is an unforgettable highlight of any Safari Trip in Kenya.

As the sun sets, casting golden light across the lake, you return to your lodge for dinner. The evening is spent enjoying the comfort of your accommodation, with the sounds of the bush around you and the cool Rift Valley breeze setting the mood for restful sleep.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge

After breakfast at Lake Nakuru Lodge, you pack your bags and prepare for the next leg of your Safari Trip in Kenya. Todayโ€™s journey takes you to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, a destination that embodies the very essence of an African safari.

You set off in your safari Land Cruiser, heading southwest toward the Mara. Along the way, there are short stops for restrooms, photography, and stretching your legs. The drive takes you through bustling roadside towns, fertile farmlands, and eventually the open savannahs leading to the reserve. You pass through Narok town, the cultural and economic hub of the Maasai people. Here, you might catch sight of Maasai warriors in their traditional red shukas, herding cattle with a backdrop of rolling hills.

By mid-afternoon, you arrive at Ashnil Tented Camp, a luxury safari camp set in one of the best locations for game viewing in the Mara. After check-in and a refreshing cup of Kenyan tea or coffee, you relax briefly before setting out on your first Mara game drive at 4:00 pm.

The Masai Mara is one of the most wildlife-rich ecosystems in Africa. Within moments of entering the reserve, you are likely to encounter elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and perhaps predators such as lions or cheetahs. Your guide skillfully tracks animals, explaining their behavior and showing you the best spots for photography. Some wildlife is elusive, such as leopards, which blend almost seamlessly into tall grasses or lounge high in trees. Spotting one requires patience, skill, and luckโ€”but the reward is unforgettable.

The Maraโ€™s watering holes are prime locations to watch wildlife. On a hot afternoon, elephants bathe, antelopes gather cautiously, and predators lurk nearby, waiting for opportunities. Every game drive feels like stepping into a wildlife documentary, and your Safari Trip in Kenya ensures youโ€™re right in the middle of the action.

As dusk approaches, you return to Ashnil Tented Camp. Here, luxury meets wildernessโ€”stylish tents with en-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds, and verandas overlooking the bush. Dinner is served under the stars or in the dining area, offering a mix of international cuisine and Kenyan flavors. Tonight, you fall asleep to the distant roars of lions and the nocturnal calls of the savannah.

Accommodation: Ashnil Tented Camp

On the third day of your Safari Trip in Kenya, you rise early for a sunrise game drive. The Mara is magical at dawn, as the cool air and golden light set the stage for wildlife activity. Predators are particularly active at this timeโ€”lions may be returning from a nightโ€™s hunt, cheetahs scanning for prey, and hyenas scavenging the remains.

After breakfast, you collect picnic lunch boxes and set out for a full-day exploration of the reserve. With over 1,500 square kilometers of savannah, the Masai Mara is vast and teeming with life. Despite covering only 0.01% of Africaโ€™s landmass, it hosts over 40% of the continentโ€™s larger mammals. This makes it one of the most rewarding safari destinations in the world.

As you drive across rolling plains and acacia-dotted landscapes, you encounter elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and countless antelope species. Predators are also abundantโ€”lions are everywhere, often seen in prides resting or hunting; leopards stalk silently; and cheetahs use termite mounds as lookout points.

If your trip coincides with the Great Migration season (Julyโ€“October), you may witness one of natureโ€™s greatest spectacles: millions of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River. The scene is dramaticโ€”herds plunge into crocodile-infested waters while predators wait on the other side. Itโ€™s a breathtaking display of survival and the highlight of many Safari Trips in Kenya.

You pause during the day to enjoy your picnic lunch in a designated spot within the reserve, often with sweeping views of the plains and wildlife roaming nearby. After lunch, the adventure continues with more game drives, each turn revealing something new. From playful elephant calves to graceful gazelles, from secretary birds striding across the grass to vultures circling overhead, the Mara is a living theater of nature.

By late afternoon, you return to Ashnil Tented Camp. The evening is yours to enjoy the campโ€™s facilitiesโ€”perhaps a dip in the pool, a sundowner by the fire, or simply resting on your veranda as the savannah darkens. Dinner is another feast, followed by relaxation under star-studded skies.

This day showcases why the Masai Mara is considered the jewel of Kenya Safari Packagesโ€”wild, beautiful, and filled with unforgettable encounters.

Accommodation: Ashnil Tented Camp

On the fourth day of your Safari Trip in Kenya, you wake up in the heart of the Masai Mara, knowing that another thrilling day of wildlife encounters awaits. The early morning air is cool and fresh, and as you sip a hot cup of tea or coffee at the camp, you can already hear the distant calls of birds and perhaps the faint roar of a lion echoing across the plains.

After breakfast, you once again collect your picnic lunch boxes and depart for a full-day safari. The Masai Mara never fails to surprise, no matter how many times you explore it. Each corner of the reserve offers something differentโ€”one moment you may come across a herd of elephants moving silently through the bush, the next, you could find yourself watching a cheetah sprint across the open savannah in pursuit of prey.

Your Safari Trip in Kenya today is all about immersing yourself deeper into the wilderness. The Mara is a photographerโ€™s paradise. Whether itโ€™s a giraffe stretching its long neck against the horizon, a pride of lions lying lazily in the grass, or a group of wildebeest gathered nervously at a riverbank, the opportunities to capture breathtaking images are endless.

If you are traveling during the Great Migration season, the drama intensifies. Today may bring the chance to witness another crossing at the Mara River, where wildebeest plunge fearlessly into crocodile-filled waters. Even outside migration season, the Mara is teeming with life. Hippos wallow in muddy pools, crocodiles bask in the sun, and large herds of antelope graze peacefully.

As the day progresses, your guide ensures that you cover new areas of the reserve, offering a different perspective from the previous day. With over 1,500 square kilometers to explore, there is always something new to discover. Picnic lunch is enjoyed in a scenic spot, perhaps under the shade of an acacia tree or overlooking the sweeping plains where zebras and gazelles graze.

By late afternoon, you return to Ashnil Tented Camp, where you can relax and enjoy the lodgeโ€™s luxurious amenities. Perhaps you take a swim, sip a sundowner as the sun dips low, or simply sit back and let the sounds of the bush wash over you. Dinner is served in the evening, offering a mix of local and international dishes, and the night closes with the glow of lanterns and the serenade of nocturnal wildlife.

Another full day in the Mara reinforces why this reserve is the crown jewel of all Kenya Safari Packagesโ€”it is raw, wild, and endlessly captivating.

Accommodation: Ashnil Tented Camp

The final day of your Safari Trip in Kenya begins with an early morning game drive. This is your last chance to soak in the beauty of the Mara and to tick off any animals you may not yet have seen. Perhaps youโ€™ll spot a leopard on the move, a lion pride greeting the morning sun, or elephants slowly making their way to a waterhole. Every sunrise in the Mara is unique, and this final drive ensures you depart with even more unforgettable memories.

After the game drive, you return to camp for a leisurely breakfast. Then itโ€™s time to check out, load your luggage into the safari Land Cruiser, and begin the journey back to Nairobi. The drive is filled with scenic views of the Rift Valley, rolling hills, and rural towns, giving you one last chance to appreciate Kenyaโ€™s landscapes and vibrant culture. Along the way, there are stops to stretch your legs and visit washrooms.

By midday, you arrive in Nairobi in good time for lunch. A farewell meal is arranged at KFC Restaurant, a modern and casual spot that offers a comfortable end to your safari adventure. After lunch, you are transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.

As you bid farewell, you carry with you the highlights of your journey: the flamingoes and rhinos of Lake Nakuru, the lions and leopards of the Masai Mara, the drama of the migration, and the spectacular scenery of the Rift Valley. This Safari Trip in Kenya has given you five days of adventure, wildlife, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Inclusions :

  • Pick-up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on arrival and drop-off at the airport on the last day
  • Full-board accommodation during safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Accommodation at Lake Nakuru Lodge and Ashnil Tented Camp as per itinerary
  • All meals as per the day-to-day program
  • All transport in a customized safari vehicle (non-A/C, private usage) with a pop-up roof for maximum game viewing and photography
  • Professional English-speaking driver/guide with in-depth wildlife and cultural knowledge
  • Unlimited game drives as outlined in the itinerary
  • All park entrance fees for Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Bottled drinking water provided daily during game drives
  • Government taxes, hotel taxes, and service charges

Exclusions:

  • International flights to/from Nairobi
  • Visa fees for Kenya
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Extra meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and shopping
  • Tips and gratuities for driver/guide, lodge staff, and porters
  • Optional activities such as hot air balloon rides or Maasai village visits
  • Any other items not mentioned under โ€œIncludesโ€

Prices

Travel DatesGroup SizePrice per Person (USD)
01 Jul โ€“ 31 Oct 20242 guests$1,750
3 guests$1,615
4 guests$1,545
5 guests$1,505
6 guests$1,575
7 guests$1,455
01 Nov โ€“ 20 Dec 20242 guests$1,615
3 guests$1,495
4 guests$1,436
5 guests$1,400
6 guests$1,380
7 guests$1,360
21 Dec 2024 โ€“ 01 Jan 20302 guests$1,750
3 guests$1,615
4 guests$1,545
5 guests$1,505
6 guests$1,475
7 guests$1,455

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