5-Day Maasai Mara-Lake Nakuru-Naivasha Group Trip 4 X4

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

Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve

The journey typically commences in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, with a departure between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. The drive descends the eastern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, offering a panoramic view of the valley floor, which was formed by tectonic plate movements millions of years ago. Travelers arrive at the Rhino Tourist Camp, located near the Ololaimutiek Gate of the Maasai Mara, in time for lunch.

Rhino Tourist Camp is a budget-friendly facility featuring stone-walled chalets or permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms and mosquito netting. After a brief rest, the first afternoon game drive begins at 4:00 PM. This "golden hour" is optimal for photography as the angle of the sun softens, and predators such as lions and hyenas begin to stir from their midday lethargy.

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 Exploration of the Maasai Mara

This day is dedicated to a comprehensive exploration of the reserve. Group joining safaris utilize customized 4x4 safari vans or Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs to facilitate 360-degree wildlife viewing. The Mara is characterized by rolling grasslands, umbrella-shaped acacia trees (Acacia tortilis), and riverine forests along the Mara and Talek Rivers

During the full-day drive, the group typically carries packed picnic lunches to maximize time in the field, often stopping at the Mara River. This site is famous for the dramatic crossings of wildebeest and zebras during the migration season (July to October), where animals must navigate Nile crocodiles and steep embankments. Beyond the migration, the Mara is a stronghold for the African cheetah, which utilizes the open plains for high-speed hunts, and the elusive leopard, often found in the dense foliage of the Talek River.

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 via Narok

The morning begins with an optional visit to a Maasai manyatta (village). This cultural excursion provides insight into the semi-nomadic lifestyle of the Maasai people, their traditional beadwork, and their "adumu" jumping dance. Following breakfast, the group departs the Mara for the town of Nakuru.

The route passes through Narok, the commercial hub of the Maasai region, and continues through the fertile highlands of the Mau Escarpment. Upon arrival in Nakuru, guests check into the Buraha Zenoni Hotel and Resort. This mid-range facility serves as a comfortable base for exploring the nearby national park, offering modern amenities, hot showers, and diverse meal options that contrast with the rustic camp experience in the Mara.

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 to Lake Naivasha

The morning is dedicated to an extensive game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Beyond the birdlife, the park’s yellow-fever tree (Acacia xanthophloea) woodlands provide habitat for leopards and tree-climbing lions.

In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake situated at the highest elevation of the Kenyan Rift Valley (1,884 meters).[18] Upon arrival, a boat safari is conducted to view the large pods of hippos and the African Fish Eagle. Many travelers opt for a walking safari on Crescent Island, a private sanctuary where one can walk among giraffes, zebras, and waterbucks without the presence of predators.

Accommodation: Chambai Hotel (Chambai Safari Hotel).
Activities: Lake Nakuru game drive, Lake Naivasha boat ride, Crescent Island walk.

Main Destination:

Lake Naivasha (Naivasha)

Accommodation:

Hotel Chambai Safari

• Budget hotel located near Lake Naivasha (Naivasha)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Hells gate National Park to Nairobi

The final day focuses on Hell’s Gate National Park, unique among Kenyan parks for allowing visitors to explore on foot or by bicycle. The park is characterized by dramatic volcanic scenery, including Fischer’s Tower and the Central Tower.

The Ol Njorowa Gorge provides a scenic trekking route through water-gouged cliffs. The area is also a center for geothermal energy production, with the Olkaria Geothermal Station visible in the distance. Following the morning activities and lunch, the safari concludes with a return drive to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon.

Activities: Cycling or walking safari in Hell’s Gate, gorge exploration, return transit to Nairobi.

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.