5 Days Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari

Duration

4 NIGHTS

Best For

First-time East Africa visitors and wildlife-first travelers.

Group Size

2-6 guests

Accommodation

Lodge or tented camp (full-board)

Safari Overview

Two premium parks, one unhurried circuit

Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya's two premium parks, renowned for rare rhinos, predator sightings, waterfalls, and over 500 bird species including iconic flamingos that give the lake its 'pink lake' nickname. It also shelters the endangered Rothschild's giraffe and Africa's largest euphorbia forest.

The Masai Mara — voted one of the 7 Wonders of the World — hosts the annual migration of roughly 1.3 million wildebeests between July and October, alongside reliable Big Five sightings across its vast plains.

Transfers: Private 4x4 safari vehicle with dedicated guide from Nairobi

White rhino grazing in Lake Nakuru's golden grass

Flamingos wading along the shores of Lake Nakuru

Wildebeest herd thundering across the Mara River

Pair of cheetahs walking a Mara track at sunset

Safari Snapshot

A deeper two-park adventure with a full day at Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos, then three nights in the Masai Mara for Big Five drives and optional balloon or cultural visits.

Safari Style

Classic Game Drives

Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.

Trip Rhythm

3-6 Nights

Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.

Destinations

Kenya

Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.

Day 1 · Nairobi to Lake Nakuru

Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park

Pick up from your hotel or the airport and depart for Lake Nakuru with a stopover at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. Enjoy views of Mount Longonot before an en-route game drive to your lodge. After lunch, venture on an afternoon game drive to spot flamingos, white and black rhinos, and the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. Dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.

Rift Valley viewpoint and Mount Longonot views
Afternoon game drive for rhinos and flamingos

Day 2 · Lake Nakuru National Park

Full-Day Lake Nakuru Exploration

Begin with an early game drive targeting predators such as lions and leopards, plus colobus monkeys, hyenas, and waterbucks. Explore the biggest euphorbia forest in Africa, yellow acacia woodlands, and viewpoints including Lion Hill and Baboon Cliff. All meals at your lodge or camp.

Dawn predator drive
Euphorbia forest and Baboon Cliff viewpoints
Over 500 bird species

Day 3 · Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

After breakfast, head to the Masai Mara with a quick stopover at Narok town. Check in at your lodge for lunch, then enjoy a siesta before an afternoon game drive tracking nocturnal species as they begin their evening hunt. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.

Narok town stopover
Afternoon game drive for nocturnal species

Day 4 · Masai Mara National Reserve

Full Day Masai Mara Game Reserve

Rise early for a dawn game drive, returning to your accommodation at mid-morning. After lunch, set off for another drive across the vast plains to spot the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards — plus crocodiles, hippos, gazelles, and wildebeests. Optional Maasai village visit or balloon safari at additional cost. Dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.

Dawn and afternoon game drives
Big Five and wildebeest migration corridor
Optional balloon safari or Maasai village

Day 5 · Masai Mara to Nairobi

Masai Mara to Nairobi

After a relaxed breakfast, start the journey back to Nairobi, crossing acres of wheat and barley and passing the Longonot Earth Satellite station. Upon arrival, lunch before drop-off at your hotel or the airport.

Scenic return via Rift Valley
Longonot satellite station en route

Route Map & Safari Points

Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.

1
Day 1
Nairobi
Pick-up, briefing, and departure towards the Rift Valley.
2
Day 1
Great Rift Valley Viewpoint
Panoramic stop with views of Mount Longonot and the valley floor.
3
Day 1-3
Lake Nakuru National Park
Rhino sanctuary, flamingo shores, euphorbia forest, and Lion Hill viewpoints.
4
Day 3-5
Masai Mara National Reserve
Big Five country, wildebeest migration corridor, and vast savanna plains.

What's Included

Transport in a 4WD safari jeep
Pick up on day one in Nairobi and drop off on the last day in Nairobi
Park entry fees
All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
Drinking water on all days
Bath towels
Professional guide
All activities, unless indicated as optional
Meals as specified in the day-by-day section
Taxes and VAT
Services of a professional tour guide/driver
Government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fees

Exclusions

Hot-air balloon ride
Maasai village visit
Boat ride
Tips and gratuities
Beverages and alcoholic drinks
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Best Travel Window

Seasonality

Jul - OctJan - Mar

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more clarity before you book? Start here.

What makes this different from the 4-day Nakuru-Mara safari?

This route adds a full dedicated day at Lake Nakuru, giving you time for dawn predator drives, the euphorbia forest, and viewpoints like Lion Hill and Baboon Cliff that the shorter itinerary cannot cover in depth.

When is the wildebeest migration in the Mara?

The migration of roughly 1.3 million wildebeests typically passes through the Masai Mara from July to early October. Booking within this window gives you the best chance of witnessing the spectacle.

Can I do a balloon safari on this trip?

Yes. An optional hot-air balloon ride is available on Day 4 at additional cost, offering an aerial view of the reserve and its wildlife at dawn.

Planning Guides for This Route

Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.

Destinations · 6 min

Lake Naivasha: Freshwater Rift Valley Paradise

Lake Naivasha is a 139 km² freshwater lake surrounded by swamp and fever tree forests, famous for its hippos and flamingos. It's a birder's paradise with over 400 species, and one of the few places where you can sail past hippos, bike with giraffes, and horseback-ride near impala in a single day.

Read Guide

Destinations · 7 min

Lake Nakuru National Park: Flamingos, Rhinos, and Rift Valley Scenery

Lake Nakuru sits on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and supports excellent birdlife including large flocks of pelicans and flamingos. Beyond birds, it's one of Kenya's best rhino-viewing parks, with introduced Rothschild's giraffe and the chance of tree-climbing lions and leopards.

Read Guide