4-Day Wildlife Safari in Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Enjoy amazing views of the Great East African Rift Valley
• 02 See flora and fauna at Soysambu Conservancy
• 03 Go for game drives in the Mara, the land of the big cats
• 04 Get a chance to see the Great Wildebeest Migration

Embark on a 4-day wildlife safari to Lake Nakuru National Park through the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Visit the rhino sanctuary, enjoy abundant birdlife, and opt for a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to spot waterbirds and hippos at a distance. Continue to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a haven for wildlife lovers, for rewarding game drives with chances to spot the Big Five and the elusive leopard. This journey combines scenic landscapes, rich birdlife, and some of Kenya's most celebrated safari experiences.

As you sail along the shores of the lake, you will see a variety of waterbird species, including the African Fish Eagle, cormorants, pelicans, ibises, and kingfishers, among others.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Naivasha, Narok, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Nairobi to Lake Nakuru via the Great Rift Valley

• Meet your driver-guide in the lobby of your hotel in Nairobi for a safari briefing, then proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park with a stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint.
• You will then continue past the Longonot craters into Naivasha. Here, you may choose to go for an optional boat ride. As you sail along the shores of the lake, you will see a variety of waterbird species, including the African Fish Eagle, cormorants, pelicans, ibises, and kingfishers, among others. You will also have an opportunity to view hippos at a distance.
• Continue your drive to Lake Nakuru and check in at the Lanet Matfam Hotel for a late lunch.
• At 4:00 pm, embark on an afternoon game drive at Soysambu Conservancy, then return to the hotel before dusk for dinner and your overnight stay.

2

Day 02

Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve

• After breakfast, check out and depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve via Narok, the largest Maasai town.
• Proceed to the reserve and check in at the AA Mara Lodge for lunch. At 4:00 pm, you will embark on an afternoon game drive.
• The Maasai Mara is at the top of most people's Kenyan safari wish lists. The location of the Great Migration, it is a gloriously beautiful, wildlife-rich savannah landscape, once described by eminent biologist Julian Huxley as "the only easily accessible and readily studied remaining portion of the world's pre-human climax community at its tropical richest."
• You can see traditionally dressed Maasai herding their cattle and goats in a lifestyle that, in some respects, has not changed much since they first arrived here 350 years ago.
• You will then return to the lodge before dusk for dinner and your overnight stay.

3

Day 03

Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara

• After an early morning breakfast, be ready for a great full-day game drive with a picnic lunch along the Mara River. The park is also known for providing excellent predator sightings in their natural habitats, thanks to its relatively large populations of lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
• You will also see lots of elephants, Masai giraffe, common zebra, impala, Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, topi, hartebeest, black-backed jackal, spotted hyena, and more.
• You also have the option of visiting a Masai cultural village. The Maasai are proud pastoralists and warriors.
• Spend time in the "Manyatta" and immerse yourself in one of the earth's oldest cultures. The ladies and children will entertain you with traditional songs, and while at the village, you will see how they go about their daily lives in a very traditional way, such as making fire with stones and sticks.
• You will then return to the camp before dusk for dinner and your overnight stay.

4

Day 04

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

• You will have breakfast at your leisure, then check out from the camp. Your drive back to Nairobi will include a last-minute shopping stop in Narok town.
• Arrive in Nairobi in time for an optional lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant, after which you will be transferred to your preferred destination.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Inter-hotel transfers from the start to the end of the tour
• Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary (Sarova Lionhill Game Lodge and Sarova Mara Tented Camp)
• Transport in a 4x4 safari van with a pop-up roof
• Professional, experienced English-speaking safari guide during the safari
• Water in the vehicle during the safari
• Park entrance fees

What's Not Included

• International flights and departure taxes
• Visa fees
• Tips and porterage
• Drinks and laundry
• Extra meals and visits not mentioned in our program
• Walking safaris
• Insurance and medical evacuation
• Items of a personal nature

What to bring

• Baggage: the 'mantra' is travel light!
• Clients should be encouraged to carry soft-sided travel bags as opposed to hard or roller cases such as Samsonite, etc. This saves time during the loading and offloading of the safari vehicles.
• Other personal items.
• Do not forget the camera, camcorder, and a plentiful supply of film and spare batteries.
• A pair of binoculars will greatly enhance game viewing, while a torch to find your way around camp after dark is a good idea.
• Books, pencils, crayons, and crackers can be brought as gifts for the children of local villages that you may pass or visit whilst on safari. We do not encourage candy, as some do not have easy access to dentists.
• Sunglasses and a hat for protection against the sun are recommended, and swimsuits should be packed for the swimming pool or beach.

Know before you go

• Summer clothing is worn throughout the year, although at times a jacket and light raincoat may be necessary. Early morning and evening temperatures at altitude (most national parks are located 1000 m plus asl) are cool, so we recommend a sweater to keep you warm, especially during your dawn and dusk safaris.
• On safari, wear neutral colours such as brown, beige, and khaki - bright colours may alarm the animals. Sensible walking shoes are also recommended.
• Since laundry is only possible where you are staying for two nights, try to carry quick-dry clothing, particularly for properties mentioned in the itinerary.
• Casual wear is the norm during the day: a short-sleeved shirt for men, and light cotton dresses or a skirt and top for women. In the evening, all hotels and restaurants require long trousers for men in particular.
• Topless sunbathing is not permitted.
• Tipping is not compulsory but is always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service and would like to tip. There are no set percentages for tips. The local culture believes the level of tips should be at the client's discretion, and any token of appreciation is gladly received.
• We recommend that you tip your guide directly at the end of your stay in camp; as a rough guideline, you might want to tip US$5-10 per day.
• Please note that there are variations between all the EA countries on tipping and gratuities.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Nairobi, Kenya

Tour start

Nairobi, Kenya

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.