Kenya · Safari

4-Day Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari with Big Five Game Drives

4 Days Round trip from Masai Mara National Reserve Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Maasai Mara's vast savannahs and spot the Big Five
02 Discover Lake Nakuru's flamingos and thriving rhino sanctuary
03 Witness seasonal wildlife migrations and river crossings
04 Immerse in authentic cultural encounters with Maasai communities

Embark on a thrilling 4-day budget safari through two of Kenya's most rewarding wildlife destinations, Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru. Explore the Mara's vast savannahs on game drives in search of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and cheetahs, with the chance to witness seasonal river crossings at the Mara River. Continue to Lake Nakuru, known for its rhino sanctuary and rich birdlife, including flamingos. Optional Maasai village visits add a cultural dimension to this compact adventure.

After an early breakfast, spend the morning exploring Nakuru National Park, home to approximately 350 bird species, including flamingos, African fish eagles, and pelicans.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

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

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Maasai Mara via the Great Rift Valley

Pick up from your hotel or the airport at around 7:30 am and meet the rest of the group at the office.
Drive southwards along the floor of the Great Rift Valley, stopping at a scenic viewpoint, and arrive in time for lunch.
Enjoy an evening game drive in the Mara, renowned for its tree-studded grasslands, rolling hills, and abundant wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, and large herds of plains game.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Lenchada Tented Camp or similar.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Main Destination: Maasai Mara
Accommodation: Mara Lenchada Tented Camp or similar

Day 02

Full-Day Maasai Mara Game Drive

After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch, exploring the Mara's vast plains and rivers.
Visit the Mara River to observe crocodiles, hippos, and other aquatic wildlife.
Optionally, visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about semi-nomadic culture.
Enjoy all meals and overnight at Mara Lenchada Tented Camp or similar.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Main Destination: Maasai Mara
Accommodation: Mara Lenchada Tented Camp or similar

Day 03

Maasai Mara to Nakuru via Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, optionally visit a Maasai village to learn about local culture.
Depart for Nakuru National Park with a picnic lunch en route.
If time allows, stop at Lake Naivasha for a boat ride at Crescent Island.
Arrive in the evening and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Buraha Zenoni Resort.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Main Destination: Nakuru National Park
Accommodation: Buraha Zenoni Resort

Day 04

Lake Nakuru Safari and Return to Nairobi

After an early breakfast, spend the morning exploring Nakuru National Park, home to approximately 350 bird species, including flamingos, African fish eagles, and pelicans.
Spot black and white rhinoceros, leopards, giraffes, colobus monkeys, and a variety of plains antelope in this protected conservation area.
Depart for Nairobi with a picnic lunch en route, arriving at your hotel or the airport to conclude the safari.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Main Destination: Nakuru National Park
Accommodation: None (tour ends in Nairobi)

Where this trip takes you

Masai Mara, Mara River crossings, Lake Nakuru National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Masai Mara National Reserve 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park fees
All activities (unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation
A professional driver/guide
All transportation
All taxes/VAT
Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Round-trip airport transfer
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

What to bring

Neutral colors: Wear khaki, olive, or tan. Avoid bright colors (which distract animals) and dark blue or black (which attract Tsetse flies).
Layering: A light fleece or windbreaker is essential for early morning game drives when temperatures can be as low as 10?C (50?F).
Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots for camp and optional nature walks.
Binoculars: A pair of 8x42 binoculars is standard for spotting leopards in trees or distant birds in Nakuru.
Camera equipment: A DSLR with a 200mm-400mm telephoto lens is ideal for wildlife photography.
Power bank: While many 4x4 vehicles have charging ports, a portable power bank ensures your devices stay charged during long game drives.
Universal adapter: Kenya uses Type G (British-style) three-pin plugs.
Sun protection: High-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and polarized sunglasses.
Insect repellent: Products containing DEET are most effective against mosquitoes and flies.
Personal first aid: Include anti-diarrheal medication, rehydration salts, and any personal prescriptions.

Know before you go

Park fees from July-December are higher by $100 per day.
Tipping etiquette: Tipping is a significant part of the service industry in Kenya. It is customary to tip your driver-guide approximately $10-$15 USD per person per day, and camp staff $5 USD per day.
The Great Migration timing: If your goal is to see the wildebeest river crossings, you must book between July and October. However, the Mara offers exceptional resident wildlife viewing year-round.
The "Big Five" reality: While the Masai Mara is one of the best places on earth to see the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino), the rhino is most easily spotted in Lake Nakuru National Park, which serves as a dedicated sanctuary.

Logistics