5-Day Safari – Lake Naivasha Area Attractions & Masai Mara Reserve
Experience an unforgettable 5-day safari adventure starting and ending in Nairobi, exploring Kenya’s scenic Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, and the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. This well-rounded itinerary combines game drives, bird watching, a boat safari, hiking, and guided walking tours. Enjoy the tranquil charm of Lake Naivasha with hippos and rich birdlife, walk among wildlife at Crescent Island, and explore the rugged beauty of Hell’s Gate National Park. Then venture to Masai Mara for thrilling game drives across its open plains, witnessing the Big Five and, during migration season, the breathtaking wildebeest crossings. Ideal for travelers seeking a blend of adventure, relaxation, and Kenya’s authentic natural beauty.
Trip Highlights
- Game drives in Masai Mara – Kenya’s top wildlife reserve
- Boat safari on Lake Naivasha with views of hippos and water birds
- Guided walking safari on Crescent Island
- Cycling or 4x4 exploration through Hell’s Gate National Park
- Visit to the scenic Great Rift Valley viewpoint
- Optional Maasai village visit & hot air balloon safari
- Bird watching, hiking, and photography opportunities
Itinerary
07:00 hrs. – We will pick you up from Nairobi hotel, residence or Nairobi airport
Head out on our first safari leg through the Great Rift Valley escarpment with stops along the way to take in the dramatic rises and drops of this marvelous landscape.
After our relatively short drive, we’ll arrive at Lake Naivasha, a freshwater Rift Valley Lake where we will transition from Safari vehicle to a boat for a safari across the lake. On the water, we’ll glide past curious hippos, exotic fish and have a chance to take in the full avian life such as cormorant and pelican
Then we’ll switch gears for a guided walking safari to close-by Crescent Island Sanctuary where we can stroll by peacefully grazing antelope, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and more.
Filling out our day, we’ll bicycle over (or take the 4 x 4 if you choose) to Hell’s Gate National Park for a safari through the gorge taking in the gazelle, zebra, and others.
It’s been a very diverse safari day! We’ll spend the night at the Lake Naivasha safari lodge or tented camp of your choice.
- Main Destinations: Lake Naivasha Area Attraction
- Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Taphe Guest House Resort { https://www.hotels.com/ho1354891680/taphe-guest-house-resort-naivasha-kenya/} – Budget Accommodation located in or near Lake NAivasha Area Attraction
- Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
We’ll be up early to enjoy the light breaking over the forest and lake, hearing the birds and seeing the animals come to life.
But now we’re traveling over the floor of the scenic Great Rift Valley with views of the escarpment as we journey through Masai country.
With the expanse of the Masai Mara National Reserve spread before us, you’ll know you have arrived someplace special. Kenya’s most popular park, the reserve is world-famous for its incredible density of wildlife and during the Great Migration (July – October) an unending torrent of gazelle, wildebeest, and zebra streaming into the park.
All of Africa’s Big Five are here so we’ll be tracking lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, plus warthog, ostrich and so much more.
We’ll spend the first of two nights at the Masai Mara at your safari lodge or tented camp.
- Main Destinations: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Masai Mara Miti Mingi Tented Camp { https://mitimingiecocamp.com/} – Budget Accommodation located in or near Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Today is a day of unlimited game drives – explore as much as you wish or take time to relax – the choice is yours. Just let your driver/guide know what you’d like to do.
The Masai Mara is known for offering the most diverse wildlife in the region and sightings of lion are not uncommon. We’ll be tracking for elephant, buffalo, rhino and herds of wildebeest and zebra.
We’ll visit the Mara River, site of the massive influx of animals during the migrating season. Here at the river, we’ll look for hippos and crocodiles, while in the hills, lions lie in wait for the hordes of grazers invading the reserve.
If you wish you can take an optional visit to a nearby Masai village to meet the tribespeople and learn about their culture and their lives. You might even partake in their famous jumping dance.
Another optional treat is an early morning hot air balloon safari over the park as the sun lights up the forests, savannah, and hills. The sight of the park coming to life is a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Just ask your driver/guide for details – he’ll be happy to make all the arrangements.
Our final safari night at the Masai Mara will be at the safari lodge or tented camp of your choice.
- Main Destinations: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Masai Mara Miti Mingi Tented Camp { https://mitimingiecocamp.com/} – Budget Accommodation located in or near Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Today is a day of unlimited game drives – explore as much as you wish or take time to relax – the choice is yours. Just let your driver/guide know what you’d like to do.
The Masai Mara is known for offering the most diverse wildlife in the region and sightings of lion are not uncommon. We’ll be tracking for elephant, buffalo, rhino and herds of wildebeest and zebra.
We’ll visit the Mara River, site of the massive influx of animals during the migrating season. Here at the river, we’ll look for hippos and crocodiles, while in the hills, lions lie in wait for the hordes of grazers invading the reserve.
If you wish you can take an optional visit to a nearby Masai village to meet the tribespeople and learn about their culture and their lives. You might even partake in their famous jumping dance.
Another optional treat is an early morning hot air balloon safari over the park as the sun lights up the forests, savannah, and hills. The sight of the park coming to life is a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Just ask your driver/guide for details – he’ll be happy to make all the arrangements.
Our final safari night at the Masai Mara will be at the safari lodge or tented camp of your choice.
- Main Destinations: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Masai Mara Miti Mingi Tented Camp { https://mitimingiecocamp.com/} – Budget Accommodation located in or near Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5: Masai Mara – Nairobi (265 km – Approx. 5 hrs)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch.
For our final safari morning, we’ll be up with the birds… to watch them come into the new day. It’s a beautiful morning for a game drive!
We’ll breakfast and then enjoy an extra safari (depending on where your accommodation is located) through the park.
Finally, it’s time to depart for Nairobi – we should have you back in town around 16:30 hrs. (4:30 pm).
We will drop you off at your hotel, residence or Nairobi Airport.
- Main Destination: Nairobi
- Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinking water (other drinks not included)
End of tour
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- You’ll be dropped off at the airport
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- - Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary
- · Airport picks up and drops off.
- - All meals noted in the itinerary. Each day generally includes Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner buffets consisting of both western and local dishes.
- - Transportation in standard game viewing safari vehicle complete with pop-up roof for easy viewing and photography.
- - Every passenger guaranteed a window seat.
- - Your driver/guide speaks English and has in-depth knowledge of the flora, fauna, landscape, and Kenyan culture.
- - A 4 x 4 Safari minivan/ Land cruiser outfitted with two-way, long-range high-frequency radio communications equipment.
- - Each minivan carries safari accessories including wildlife books, beanbags to support cameras on car doors and windowsills, binoculars, a first-aid kit, an ice-chest, and a fire extinguisher.
- - Bottled mineral water during game drives.
- - Park entrance fees and game drives as noted in the itinerary.
- - All government taxes, levies, and fees
- - Pick up and drop off transfers
Cost Excludes
- - Domestic and international airfares and departures taxes.
- - Personal communications charges for telephone calls, faxes, email, etc.
- - Tips and gratuities for your driver/guide.
- - Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. (Drinking Bottled mineral water provided during the game drive.)
- - Laundry services.
- - Between meal snacks, parks, attractions, and events not included in your itinerary
