
5-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Naivasha
Kenya's classic circuit: two nights in the Masai Mara for the big cats, rhinos at Lake Nakuru and a boat trip among the hippos of Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley.
About this safari
Kenya's classic circuit: two nights in the Masai Mara for the big cats, rhinos at Lake Nakuru and a boat trip among the hippos of Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley.
This 5 days private safari starts in Nairobi and takes you to Two nights in the Masai Mara, Black and white rhinos at Lake Nakuru, Boat ride on Lake Naivasha, Walk among giraffe on Crescent Island. Your own vehicle and guide set the pace, and every stay and transfer is confirmed around your dates.
Safari snapshot
A quick look at the route, day by day.
| Day | Place | Highlights | Hotel options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nairobi to the Masai Mara | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Mid-range tented camp near the reserve |
| Day 2 | Full day in the Masai Mara | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Mid-range tented camp near the reserve |
| Day 3 | Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Lodge near Lake Nakuru |
| Day 4 | Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Lodge on Lake Naivasha |
| Day 5 | Return to Nairobi | Game drives · big cats · local guide | Departure |
Ways to customise this trip
- Add a night in the bush, a cultural visit or a balloon flight
- Upgrade your stays or finish with beach time in Zanzibar
Route
- Day 1Masai Mara
- Day 2Masai Mara
- Day 3Masai Mara
- Day 4Nairobi
- Day 5Nairobi
Day by day
Here is how the days run. We can adjust the route around your dates and the pace you want.
1Day 1Nairobi to the Masai MaraMid-range tented camp near the reserve / Lunch, Dinner

Leave Nairobi in the early morning and descend into the Great Rift Valley, stopping at a viewpoint, then drive via Narok to the Masai Mara, arriving for lunch at camp. Your first afternoon game drive introduces the open savannah and its residents — lions, elephants, giraffe, topi and herds of zebra. Dinner and overnight at camp. Kenya's parks share the same ecosystem as northern Tanzania. Your guide focuses on the wildlife the area is known for and adjusts the day to what is moving. Lunch is a picnic in the park, usually at a viewpoint or under a big tree, so no time is lost driving back to camp. In the late afternoon you check in at your mid-range tented camp near the reserve, with time to freshen up before dinner and a briefing from your guide about tomorrow. Lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Masai Mara
- Accommodation
- Mid-range tented camp near the reserve
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
2Day 2Full day in the Masai MaraMid-range tented camp near the reserve / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A full day with a picnic lunch lets you range across the reserve to the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles lie in the water and, from July to October, the migration herds may cross. Your guide follows the predators — the Mara is one of Africa's best places for cheetah and lion — and you return to camp at dusk. With another day in the same area, your guide can explore sections you haven't seen yet, return at first light to a promising sighting, or wait patiently where the animals are gathering. Your guide picks a shady spot for a picnic lunch in the field, keeping the whole middle of the day for wildlife. The evening is spent at your mid-range tented camp near the reserve: a hot shower, sundowners as the light fades, and dinner while you compare the day's sightings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Masai Mara
- Accommodation
- Mid-range tented camp near the reserve
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3Day 3Masai Mara to Lake NakuruLodge near Lake Nakuru / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park, about five hours, arriving for lunch. The afternoon game drive circles the lake, where both black and white rhinos are protected in a fenced sanctuary, alongside Rothschild's giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck and tree-climbing lions. Flamingo numbers vary with the water level. Stop at Baboon Cliff for the view across the lake before checking in. A packed lunch is eaten out in the park, often within sight of grazing herds. You return to your lodge near Lake Nakuru as the sun drops, with time to rest before dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Masai Mara
- Accommodation
- Lodge near Lake Nakuru
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4Day 4Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent IslandLodge on Lake Naivasha / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short drive south to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake fringed with papyrus and fever trees. Take a boat ride for close views of hippos, fish eagles and pelicans, then land on Crescent Island for a guided walk among giraffe, zebra and wildebeest — there are no big predators, so you can walk freely. Lunch by the lake and a relaxed afternoon at your lodge. In the late afternoon you check in at your lodge on Lake Naivasha, with time to freshen up before dinner and a briefing from your guide about tomorrow. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Nairobi
- Accommodation
- Lodge on Lake Naivasha
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5Day 5Return to NairobiBreakfast

A leisurely breakfast with the lake view, then the two-hour drive back up the Rift Valley escarpment to Nairobi. Arrive around midday for a drop-off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Ask us to add Amboseli, or to continue across the border into Tanzania. Your driver times the transfer around your flight and helps with luggage at the airport. Safe travels — and ask us about extending with Zanzibar or another park.
- Main stop
- Nairobi
- Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you stay on this trip. We can move the comfort level up or down when we plan your dates.
Days 1, 2Mid-range tented camp near the reserve
Day 3Lodge near Lake Nakuru
Day 4Lodge on Lake NaivashaTour rates
Your price depends on your dates, group size and the stays you choose. We confirm it in writing once we have checked availability.
Prices are per person and assume shared rooms. Season, park fees, group size, flights and lodge availability all affect the final quote.
Get my exact quoteWhat’s included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance and conservation fees for the itinerary
- Accommodation as listed, or similar
- Meals as listed and bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport or hotel transfers at the start and end
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Boat ride and Crescent Island fees
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Read guideFrequently asked questions
Can this 5 days itinerary be changed?
Yes. We can review your dates, daily pace, room preferences and interests, then build a specific proposal. Changes to flights, activities or park nights may affect cost and availability.
Which accommodation will I stay in?
Your proposal will name the properties and room categories for each night. Any stays shown here are planning options and remain subject to availability; alternative properties are agreed before confirmation.
What wildlife will we see?
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and the animals themselves. Your guide plans around local conditions, but particular species, migration movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Can I change the route and accommodation?
Yes. The published routes are starting points. Tell us your dates, interests and preferred comfort level so we can adjust nights, transfers and activities before quoting.
What determines the final price?
The travel season, number of travellers sharing a vehicle, park fees, room arrangements, lodge availability and domestic flights all affect cost. Your written proposal will identify inclusions and optional extras.
Can the safari finish in Zanzibar?
A mainland safari can connect with Zanzibar by a separately arranged domestic flight. Leave enough time for the transfer and confirm baggage allowances before booking flights.
When is the best time for a Tanzania safari?
Wildlife can be seen all year. June to October is dry, with animals gathering near water. January to March brings the calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May are the long rains: greener, quieter and often better value. We match the parks and camps to the month you travel.
How many days do I need?
Two or three days suit Tarangire and Ngorongoro. Four to six days let you add the Serengeti without rushing, and seven or more give time for extra parks, a cultural visit or the coast. Fewer long drives usually means a better trip.
Is the safari private?
Our tailor-made safaris are private: your own vehicle and guide, and a daily pace set around your group. Shared departures can sometimes be arranged for solo travellers — ask us and we’ll explain the options.
What vehicle will we travel in?
Game drives are in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for viewing and photography. Your proposal confirms the vehicle and seating for your group size.
Is a safari suitable for children?
Yes, with the right planning. We keep drives shorter, choose family-friendly rooms and build in rest time. Some camps and activities have minimum ages, so please share each child’s age when you enquire.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Most lodges and camps can prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other meals with notice. Tell us about allergies or requirements when you enquire and we’ll pass them to every property on your route.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Requirements depend on your nationality and recent travel, and a yellow fever certificate may be needed if you arrive from certain countries. Malaria precautions are generally advised. Please check with a travel health clinic before you go.
What should I budget for tips?
Tipping is not compulsory but is customary for guides and lodge staff. We include current guidance with your proposal so you can plan for it in advance.
Will there be Wi-Fi and charging?
Many lodges and camps offer charging points and some Wi-Fi, but the connection can be slow or limited to main areas in remote parks. A spare power bank is useful on game drives.
How far in advance should I book?
For July to October and the holiday season, three to nine months ahead gives the best choice of camps. Shorter notice is often possible — send us your dates and we’ll check availability.
A few details.
A good beginning.
Tell us who is coming and what you would love to find here. We’ll send back a route you can read, question and make your own.
- Planned around your dates and interests
- Midrange or luxury, at your pace
- A personal conversation with our local team


