5-Day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Hells Gate Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Nairobi to Maasai Mara

The journey begins with a departure from Nairobi, typically between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM. The route descends the Great Rift Valley escarpment; a geological feature formed approximately 20 to 25 million years ago by tectonic plate movements. A brief stop at the Rift Valley Viewpoint allows for panoramic photography of the valley floor before proceeding to Narok town for lunch.

Upon arrival at the Masai Mara National Reserve in the mid-afternoon, you will check into Rhino Tourist Camp After settling in, an late afternoon game drive commences. This is a prime time for spotting predators as the temperature drops and activity levels increase. The Masai Mara is world-renowned for its "Big Five"—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as its high density of plains game.

Main Destination:

Masai Mara National Reserve

Best Time To Visit June to October (For general wildlife viewing) and July or August to October (For wildebeest migration)

High Season June to October and December to March

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Masai Mara NR

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

BuffaloCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Rhino Tourist Camp

• Budget tented camp located just outside Masai Mara NR

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinks not included

Full Day Maasai Mara

This day is dedicated to a comprehensive exploration of the reserve. Travelers typically depart after an early breakfast with a packed picnic lunch to spend the maximum amount of time in the field. The itinerary often includes a visit to the Mara River, the site of the dramatic Great Migration crossings that occur between July and October.

The ecosystem of the Mara is characterized by open grasslands, which provide excellent visibility for tracking cheetahs and lion prides. During the picnic lunch, often held at a designated "hippo pool," you can observe pods of hippopotamuses and Nile crocodiles. The day concludes with a return to Rhino Tourist Camp for dinner and overnight rest.

Main Destination:

Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation:

Rhino Tourist Camp

• Budget tented camp located just outside Masai Mara NR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru

The morning begins with an optional visit to a traditional Maasai village (Manyatta). This cultural excursion provides insight into the semi-nomadic lifestyle, traditional architecture, and social structures of the Maasai people. Following this, the safari departs the Mara region for Lake Nakuru, a drive of approximately five to six hours.

The route passes through varying landscapes, including views of Mount Longonot, a dormant stratovolcano. You will arrive in Nakuru town in the late afternoon or evening to check into Buraha Zenoni Resort. This resort serves as a comfortable base for exploring the nearby national park the following morning.

Main Destination:

Lake Nakuru National Park

Best Time To Visit June to February (Best for wildlife viewing; little rain)

High Season July to February (The park gets very busy)

Best Weather June to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Nakuru NP

GiraffeCommon

White RhinoCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

Black RhinoOccasional

Show more

LionOccasional

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

ElephantNone

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Buraha Zenoni Hotel & Resort

• Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Lake Nakuru NP

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Lake Nakuru Wildlife Viewing and Transfer to Naivasha

After an early breakfast at Buraha Zenoni, you enter Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and serves as a critical sanctuary for both Black and White Rhinoceroses. The park’s alkaline lake is famous for attracting vast numbers of Lesser and Greater Flamingos, which feed on the abundant Spirulina algae, though water levels in recent years have caused these populations to fluctuate.

In addition to rhinos and birds, the park is home to the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbucks, and leopards. After a morning game drive and a picnic lunch, the tour proceeds to Lake Naivasha. Upon arrival, you may opt for a boat safari to see hippos and African fish eagles or visit Crescent Island for a walking safari among giraffes and zebras. Overnight is typically spent at a hotel in Naivasha, such as Hotel Chambai.

Main Destination:

Naivasha (City)

Accommodation:

Hotel Chambai Safari

• Budget hotel located in Naivasha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Hells Gate National Park and transfer to Nairobi

The final day focuses on Hell’s Gate National Park, unique for being one of the few Kenyan parks where visitors can cycle or walk among wildlife due to the absence of large predators. The park features dramatic obsidian caves, towering basalt cliffs, and the Olkaria Geothermal Station.

Following a morning of exploration or cycling, the group has lunch before embarking on the return drive to Nairobi. The safari concludes with a drop-off at your hotel or the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in the late afternoon, typically around 5:00 PM.

Main Destination:

Nairobi (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.