Kenya · Safari

4-Day Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari with Private Game Drives

4 Days Round trip from Nairobi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience thrilling wildlife encounters in the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park
02 Enjoy a private, flexible safari itinerary tailored to your preferences
03 Take in sweeping views over the Great Rift Valley on the drive from Nairobi
04 Enjoy an authentic cultural visit to a Masai village
05 Witness the great wildebeest migration from July to October
06 Take the opportunity for a hot air balloon safari in the Masai Mara

Embark on a 4-day journey through Kenya's iconic landscapes, from the sweeping plains of the Masai Mara to the wildlife-rich shores of Lake Nakuru National Park. Enjoy thrilling game drives to spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, rhinos, flamingos, and more, with the flexibility of a private safari tailored to your preferences. Along the way, take in views over the Great Rift Valley and enjoy an authentic cultural visit to a Masai village. This safari is ideal for travellers short on time who still want to experience two of East Africa's most magnificent wildlife reserves.

Embark on a 4-day journey through Kenya's iconic landscapes, from the sweeping plains of the Masai Mara to the wildlife-rich shores of Lake Nakuru National Park.

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 Nairobi, Mombasa, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park

Languages English, French, German, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Masai Mara via the Great Rift Valley

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, you will be met by our tour leader, who will welcome you to the country, brief you on your entire safari, answer any questions you may have, and introduce you to your driver-guide. Even if you arrive a night earlier, a free airport transfer will be offered to your hotel, whether booked with us or not, giving you the chance to interact with your guide before safari day.
Depart for the drive to the Masai Mara, with a brief stop at the escarpment overlooking the Great Rift Valley for a great view of its beauty. You will arrive in the Masai Mara early in the afternoon, with a short game drive en route, in time for a late lunch and check-in.
In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm in search of wildlife. Animals you are likely to see include elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, different types of gazelles, birds, cheetahs, leopards, and many others, before returning back before dark for dinner and an overnight stay at Keekorok Lodge.

Day 02

Full-Day Private Safari in the Masai Mara

Today, you will spend the whole day on game drives.
Since this is a private safari, the decision on how you want to spend the day is entirely at your disposal, in discussion with your driver-guide.
You may choose to have an early morning game drive and return in time for breakfast, followed by a mid-morning game drive before lunch and another game drive late in the afternoon. Alternatively, you can opt for an early morning game drive with a picnic breakfast, giving you the entire morning on safari before returning in time for lunch. You may also choose to have an early breakfast and depart with a picnic lunch, allowing you to spend the entire day on game drives and return at your own time.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Keekorok Lodge or a similar lodge.

Day 03

Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park

After an early morning breakfast, depart for the drive out of the Masai Mara with a morning game drive en route.
You will arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park early, in time for a short game drive on the way to the lodge for lunch and check-in.
In the afternoon, enjoy game drives in search of wildlife around the lake, where you will see thousands of flamingos, pelicans, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, zebras, and more, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

Day 04

Lake Nakuru National Park to Nairobi

Enjoy an early morning game drive in search of wildlife, returning in time for breakfast.
Later, check out of the lodge and depart for the drive to Nairobi, with a short game drive en route, followed by drop-off at the airport or your city hotel.
Note: this safari combines very well with a beach holiday extension in Mombasa.

Where this trip takes you

Masai Mara plains, Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai village

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nairobi 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Meals on a full-board basis: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Return airport and round-trip transfers
Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis
The above rates are on a per-person sharing basis
Cultural tour at a Masai village
Park entry fees
Unlimited game drives using a luxury 4x4 safari Land Cruiser

What's Not Included

Visa
International flight
Insurance
Drinks

What to bring

Travel documents for airport arrival and park travel
Comfortable clothing suitable for safari game drives
Items needed for a possible beach holiday extension in Mombasa

Know before you go

This 4-day Masai Mara safari is ideal for travellers who are short on time but still want to experience the very best of East Africa's most magnificent wildlife reserves.

Tight schedules due to work or other constraints are simply a fact of life, but we don't think this should stop you from making the most of the Masai Mara on safari.

From Lake Nakuru National Park to the plains of the Masai Mara, this is your chance to encounter animals in Kenya from the best possible angle. Visits to local Masai villages also provide an array of authentic and insightful East African experiences, many of which are bound to be absolutely unforgettable.

Thanks to Kenya's East African location, you'll also find every opportunity to continue your travels in the region, with beach breaks in Lamu, Mombasa, or Zanzibar just as worthwhile as extended time spent in the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania.

Tailor your tour to coincide with the great wildebeest migration from July to October, and you'll find millions of wildebeest and zebras making their way over the Mara River as they run the gauntlet with crocodiles and other fearsome predators. Also, as the Masai Mara is the only location in Kenya where you can take a hot air balloon safari, this could be one airborne activity that's absolutely too good to miss.

Logistics