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5-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha

Duration

5 days, 4 nights

Parks

Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha

Travel style

Private, budget

Vehicle

4×4 Land Cruiser

Best time

Jun to Oct, Jan to Feb

Overview Route Itinerary Lodges Prices What’s included Reviews FAQ

Trip overview

This compact 5-day safari packs in three of Kenya’s best wildlife areas. Begin in the Masai Mara, where you spend two days looking for the Big Five on the open savanna. Then head into the Great Rift Valley for Lake Nakuru, known for its flamingos and rhinos, and Lake Naivasha, where a boat ride takes you close to hippos and birdlife.

The trip uses budget-friendly camps and lodges, with game drives and a boat trip included. Your guide knows the parks and the wildlife well, and will help you get the most out of each stop. It suits travellers who are short on time but want a proper first safari.

Your route

Masai Mara 2 nights · Lake Nakuru 1 night · Lake Naivasha 1 night. Starts and ends in Nairobi.

Long drive days? Ask about flying between parks instead. It can save most of a day.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara

5-6 Hour Drive · Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Your Kenyan adventure begins with an early morning departure from Nairobi. As you leave the busy capital behind, the scenery changes from urban sprawl to rural farmland and finally to open savannah. The drive takes you through the Great Rift Valley, with a stop at a scenic viewpoint to stretch your legs and take in the valley below.

Arriving at the Masai Mara in the afternoon, you’ll check into Lenchada Tourist Camp, your base for the next two nights. After a quick lunch, set out for your first game drive in one of Africa’s most famous reserves. Keep your eyes peeled for lions lounging in the grass, herds of elephants moving across the plains, or if you’re lucky, a cheetah on the hunt. As the sun sets, you’ll return to camp for dinner and a chance to share your first day’s experiences around the campfire.

Dinner and overnight stay at Lenchada Tourist Camp.

Day 2: Full day in Masai Mara

Game Drives · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wake up to the sounds of the African bush coming alive. Today is for exploring the Masai Mara. You’ll set out early for a morning game drive when animals are most active. The Mara is home to all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), and your guide will help track them down. You might watch a pride of lions teaching its cubs to hunt, or a family of warthogs trotting past with tails in the air.

After returning to camp for lunch and a short rest, head out for an afternoon game drive. Each area of the Mara offers something different, from the Mara River, famous for its wildebeest crossings during the migration, to the open plains where cheetahs stalk their prey. Your guide will explain animal behaviour and how the reserve works. As the day winds down, find a scenic spot to watch the sunset before returning to Lenchada Tourist Camp for dinner.

Dinner and overnight stay at Lenchada Tourist Camp.

Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

5-6 Hour Drive · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Leave the Masai Mara after an early breakfast and set off for Lake Nakuru National Park. The drive takes you through the heart of Kenya, with glimpses of rural life and changing scenery. You’ll cross the Great Rift Valley, with its dramatic escarpments and volcanic hills, and your guide will stop along the way so you can stretch your legs.

Arriving at Lake Nakuru in the afternoon, check into the comfortable Hill Court Resort & Spa. After lunch, head out on an afternoon game drive in the park. Lake Nakuru is famous for its flamingos, which often form a pink fringe around the lakeshore. The park is also one of the best places in Kenya to spot both black and white rhinos. Keep your camera ready for tree-climbing lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, or leopards. As daylight fades, return to the resort for dinner and a chance to relax by the pool.

Dinner and overnight stay at Hill Court Resort & Spa.

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

2 Hour Drive · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start your day with an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The cool morning air is ideal for spotting animals as they begin their day. Look out for buffalo grazing by the lakeshore, zebras crossing the savannah, or perhaps a leopard returning from its nightly hunt. After the drive, return to the resort for breakfast and check-out.

The short drive to Lake Naivasha takes you through beautiful Rift Valley scenery. On arrival at Peppercorn Holiday Resort, settle in and enjoy lunch with views of the lake. In the afternoon, you’ll take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, gliding past pods of hippos and watching for fish eagles diving for their prey. The lake is home to over 400 species of birds. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the resort to the calls of hippos in the nearby lake.

Dinner and overnight stay at Peppercorn Holiday Resort.

Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

3-4 Hour Drive · Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

On your final morning, you have the option of an early guided nature walk around the resort grounds (extra cost). It’s a good chance to spot birdlife and perhaps small mammals like dik-diks or bushbucks. After breakfast, pack up and begin your journey back to Nairobi.

The drive offers final views of the Great Rift Valley and rural Kenya. You’ll stop for lunch en route. Arriving in Nairobi in the afternoon, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, having seen the big cats of the Masai Mara, the flamingos of Lake Nakuru and the hippos of Lake Naivasha.

Where you'll stay

Tents at Lenchada Tourist Camp — Lenchada Tourist Camp, Masai Mara

Peppercorn Holiday Resort, Lake Naivasha

“Or similar” means we may swap a lodge of the same standard if one is full on your dates. We always tell you before you book.

Prices for 2026 and 2027

Season	2 people	3	4	5	6
Jan to Jun	$1,400	$1,300	$1,200	$1,100	$1,000
Jul to Dec	$1,600	$1,400	$1,200	$1,200	$1,100

Prices are per person sharing, in US dollars. Single supplements and child rates on request.

What's included

Included

Park entry fees
All accommodation as listed
All meals as indicated
Game drives with a professional guide
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or the airport
Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser
All government levies and taxes

Not included

International flights
Spirits and premium wines (house wine and beer are included at most lodges)
Travel insurance
Single room supplement
Tips and personal expenses
Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation) and Kenya’s mandatory travel insurance

Deposit: 30% to confirm your lodges
Balance: due 60 days before travel
Cancellation: full refund if you cancel more than 60 days before travel. Full cancellation policy

Reviews from our guests

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cameron M 
 
 
 
 Verified A Couple in December 2025 - 5 Stars
We booked with Stanley and Majestic Safari for the 6-day luxury tour through Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. The trip completely exceeded our expectations, even despite it not being ‘peak season’ we were able to tick off Africa’s Big 5 on the very first game drive. This was in no small part down to our guide, Bonnie, who was an essential part of tracking these animals - you have to request him if booking through Majestic. Each accommodation also exceeded our expectations in terms of location, comfort, quality and service of the staff. Being a first time safari for us, we weren’t sure what to expect - but selecting the luxury option was well worth it. All aspects of travel and organisation was seamless. Once booked, there was next to nothing for us to think about as we were in experienced hands - and we were glad to have partnered with Majestic as there was significantly more organisation required in the background than we originally realised. Stanley also went above and beyond the itinerary, picking us up from the airport late at night despite the tour not starting until a few days later and ensuring we had some food to take into the hotel. This was after providing us with in-depth packing lists and general guidance on exploring Nairobi. I couldn’t recommend Majestic enough and hope to arrange another trip with Stanley in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Coastal66646927528 
 
 
 
 Verified A Beautiful Safari with an Excellent Guide – Just Check the Route First
Majestic Kenyan Safaris gave us a wonderful Kenya experience, and our guide was genuinely lovely. He was calm, kind, and extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, parks, and local environment, which made the safari both engaging and meaningful. One thing worth noting for future travellers is the itinerary structure. Over the six-day safari, the route involved long drives in a zig-zag pattern rather than a simple circular loop. This meant more transit time on some days. This was not the fault of the company or the guide, as the itinerary was clearly outlined, but something we wish we had paid closer attention to when booking. Overall, Majestic Kenyan Safaris were professional, warm, and well organised. With careful attention to route planning beforehand, they offer a truly memorable safari experience.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Anouchka905 
 
 
 
 Verified The most Unforgettable Safari
Stanley Gichuki crafted the journey of dreams Thanks to our incredible guide, Bonie whose fearless spirit turned every mile into magic. He welcomed us in Samburu National Park and led us off the beaten path with a deep, soulful knowledge of the land, its stories, its rhythms, its wild heart. Samburu was our favorite in terms of landscape. We stood in awe in Samburu as reticulated giraffes swept across the horizon, watched Grevy’s zebras stride with quiet elegance, and felt the earth tremble beneath African elephants. We held our breath as a cheetah emerged from the tall grass, and we followed Kamau Boniethrough wet, treacherous tracks to where lions rule their hidden kingdom. Our journey continued into Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a sanctuary of hope, where we encountered the gentle wisdom of chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall, Sweetwater Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and witnessed the immense beauty of both white and black rhinos, alongside more elephants, more lions… and countless unforgettable moments. Our journey ended in the Maasai Mara . Our last drive was unforgettabel as we watched a cheetah devouring a thompson gazelle, leaving the rest of the kill to a fight between two jackals and a flock of vultures. We had a brief encounter with a leopard walking down a river and watched more lions enjoying their buffalo lunch. Truly memorable experiences. Kenya, you are once in a lifetime. Thank you
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   goort g 
 
 
 
 Verified Safari with Majestick Kenya
We just returned from a 9 days safari, and we enjoyed it very much. Everything was arranged very well, our driver/guide Bonnie was outstanding. The tour company did everything to be helpfull in picking up from the airport, taking us with their jeep to all the place we visited, and we had very nice game drives. We went to Samburu, Oj Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. The lodges were great, good value for money and we were upgraded in 2 places. Thank you Majestick, and al your staff. We highly recommend you.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sam G 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Safari Experience!
Just got back from an amazing 7-day safari with Majestic Kenya Safaris! Our guide Samuel was fantastic - incredible wildlife knowledge and spotted animals from miles away. We saw the Big Five, including a pride of lions with cubs in the Maasai Mara. Everything was perfectly organized from airport transfers to accommodations. The mix of lodges and tented camps was great, and falling asleep to African bush sounds was magical. Vehicle was comfortable for the longer drives between parks. One activity got cancelled due to weather, but they quickly arranged something even better. Would definitely recommend to anyone planning a Kenya safari - unforgettable experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tejl Kercova 
 
 
 
 Verified Best Safari experience!
Majestic Kenya Safaris in Nairobi exceeded all my expectations! From the moment we booked, their team was incredibly professional and attentive, ensuring every detail was taken care of. The safari itself was breathtaking—our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and knew the best spots for wildlife viewing. We saw the Big Five up close, along with stunning landscapes that felt like something out of a dream. The accommodations were luxurious yet blended seamlessly with nature. What stood out most was their genuine passion for conservation and community support. I highly recommend Majestic Kenya Safaris for an unforgettable, world-class experience in Kenya!