Kenya, Tanzania · Safari

6-Day Kenya Safari to Naivasha, Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru

6 Days Round trip from Nairobi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Lake Naivasha, one of the Great Rift Valley's freshwater lakes, with over 350 bird species and around 300 hippos
  • 02 Walk through predator-free game parks near Crater Lake Reserve to spot giraffes, zebras, and impalas on foot
  • 03 Visit a traditional Masai village to learn about Masai lifestyle, step inside a hut, and experience local bartering
  • 04 Look for the hunting cats of the Masai Mara at the best wildlife-viewing hours around sunrise and sunset
  • 05 See Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its large population of pink flamingos featured in "Out of Africa"

Drive through Kenya's classic safari landscapes, from Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley to the rolling plains of the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park. Along the way, enjoy excellent birdwatching, a walking safari among giraffes, zebras, and impalas, and a cultural visit to a traditional Masai village. This journey combines wildlife, scenery, and local culture, with opportunities to spot hippos, flamingos, and the hunting cats of the Mara. It also includes memorable viewpoints over the Great Rift Valley and optional hot air ballooning over the reserve.

Drive through Kenya's classic safari landscapes, from Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley to the rolling plains of the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Naivasha, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Mount Longonot
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Nairobi to Lake Naivasha and Crater Lake Reserve

  • Leave Nairobi early for the drive to Lake Naivasha, one of the Great Rift Valley's freshwater lakes and home to an incredible variety of birdlife, with over 350 species found along the lake shore. The lake is also home to around 300 hippos, which can often be seen and heard from the lodge.

  • Enjoy the stunning Crater Lake Reserve and explore one of the few game parks where you are allowed to walk on foot. There are no predators in these game parks, and you will spot giraffes, zebras, and impalas.

  • Your Kenya tour guide will give you plenty of information about the plants, birds, animals, and people of Naivasha. Make sure you bring your walking shoes.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

2
Day 02

Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara via Mount Longonot

  • Visit the spectacular volcano Mount Longonot and continue towards the rolling plains of the Masai Mara. The last ninety minutes of the journey are on a bumpy and dusty dirt road as you drive across the Loita Plains, taking in the scenery.

  • Before entering the Game Reserve, visit a Masai village. Not only can you see inside a traditional Masai hut and learn about Masai traditions and lifestyle, but you can also try your hand at the age-old tradition of bartering for souvenirs. The village is slightly commercialized, but it gives a good idea of how the Masai live.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

3
Day 03

Wildlife Viewing and Optional Balloon Safari in Masai Mara

  • The best time of day to spot the hunting cats is just before sunrise and just after sunset, so you will be up and away early.

  • Hot air ballooning is on offer. It is an amazing experience, as you take off at sunrise and float above the Game Reserve, viewing the wildlife for approximately an hour before landing in the reserve to enjoy a full breakfast with champagne under the shade of a tree on the plains.

  • You are offered two opportunities for a balloon safari on this tour; your tour leader will advise you whether the Masai Mara or Serengeti ballooning option is the best choice depending on the location of the migration. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

  • At the lodge in the reserve, there are many optional activities to enjoy. In the evening, you can learn more about the Masai and their way of life with a talk about their rich culture and an option to join them in traditional dancing.

Optional activities:

  • Hot air balloon ride: US$ 450 per person

  • Visit Masai village for a cultural tour: US$ 25 per person

4
Day 04

Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park

  • Leaving the Masai Mara, you are driven north to Nakuru before heading into Lake Nakuru National Park. Nakuru is the primary Masai trading centre in the area, and the town is full of the colour of the Masai, resplendent in their red Shukas (robes). It is a fantastic town to stock up on souvenirs or simply admire the local art. Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its large population of pink flamingos, which featured in the movie "Out of Africa".

  • Enjoy the sunset while listening out for the laughing hyena or the mighty lion staking his territory for the night.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.

5
Day 05

Lake Nakuru to Nairobi via the Rift Valley Viewpoint

  • After a half-day walking safari, you journey back to the lodge for a big buffet breakfast. Then pack up and head to Nairobi, stopping at the Rift Valley viewpoint for some stunning photo opportunities. The Rift Valley runs 6000 km from the Red Sea into Mozambique and is up to 100 km wide in places.

  • After reaching the viewpoint, enjoy the spectacular view.

  • Head back to Nairobi for the night.

  • Your tour ends upon arrival in Nairobi.

Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Great Rift Valley

Where this trip takes you

Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Great Rift Valley

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Nairobi 5 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Park fees (for non-residents)
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinking water (on all days)

What's Not Included

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • 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
  • Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Nairobi, Kenya
Tour start
Nairobi, Kenya
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 6 days finish where they began, in Nairobi.

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