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5-Day Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Naivasha Group Joining Safari

Duration

5 days, 4 nights

Parks

Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha

Travel style

Group joining, budget

Vehicle

Shared 4×4 Land Cruiser

Best time

Jul to Oct, Jan to Feb

Overview Route Itinerary Lodges Prices What’s included Reviews FAQ

Trip overview

Kenya’s classic first-timer circuit on a group joining budget: two nights in the Masai Mara, one at Lake Nakuru for rhino, and one by Lake Naivasha before the short drive back to Nairobi. You share a 4×4 Land Cruiser with other travellers and stay in budget camps and hotels.

The Naivasha night breaks up the journey and leaves time for a boat ride among the hippos if you want one. It is the best-value way to see three different parts of the Rift Valley and the Mara in under a week. For the same route with your own vehicle, see our private 5-day budget safari.

Your route

Masai Mara 2 nights · Lake Nakuru 1 night · Lake Naivasha 1 night. Starts and ends on Mama Ngina Street in central Nairobi.

Day 3 is the longest drive, about 5 hours from the Mara to Nakuru. Arriving by air? We can arrange an airport pick-up and drop-off at extra cost.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara

Drive about 5 to 6 hours · Afternoon game drive

Meet your group in the morning on Mama Ngina Street in central Nairobi. The road drops into the Great Rift Valley, where most groups stop at the viewpoint for photos, then runs through Narok town to the Mara.

Check in at your camp, then head into the reserve for an afternoon game drive until late afternoon.

Overnight at your budget tented camp in the Mara.

Day 2: Full day in the Masai Mara

Full day of game drives

A full day in the reserve. Your guide works the open plains and the country towards the Mara River, looking for lions, cheetahs, buffalo, elephants and the big herds of wildebeest and zebra.

From about July to October the migration herds are usually in the Mara. River crossings happen in this window, but they can’t be promised on any given day.

Overnight at your budget tented camp in the Mara.

Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

Morning game drive · Drive about 5 hours

A last early drive in the Mara, then the road north through Narok to Nakuru. You arrive in the late afternoon.

Overnight at your budget hotel in Nakuru.

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

Morning game drive · Drive about 1.5 hours

An early game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is fenced and holds both black and white rhino, and your guide will look for them along with buffalo, waterbuck and Rothschild’s giraffe. Flamingo numbers on the lake change with water levels.

Drive south to Lake Naivasha. The afternoon is free. A boat ride to see hippos and fish eagles can be added at extra cost.

Overnight at your budget hotel in Naivasha.

Day 5: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

Drive about 2 hours

A relaxed morning by the lake, then the drive back up the escarpment to Nairobi. You arrive around midday and are dropped off on Mama Ngina Street. Flying out the same evening? We can arrange the airport transfer at extra cost.

Where you'll stay

Masai Mara · 2 nights

Budget tented camp

Lenchada Camp, Sankale Camp, Rhino Tourist Camp, Goshen Camp or Manyatta Camp

Lake Nakuru · 1 night

Budget hotel

Buraha Zenoni Resort, Lanet Matfam Resort or Nakuru Hillcourt Resort

Lake Naivasha · 1 night

Budget hotel

Chambai Safari Hotel, Dove Nest Lodge or Apex Resort

You stay at one of the properties listed in each area, depending on availability on your dates. We confirm which ones before you travel.

Prices for 2026

Travel dates	Price per person	Park fees in that price
Jan to Jun	$615	$290
Jul to Dec	$830	$490

Prices are per person sharing, in US dollars, and include non-resident park fees for the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru. Mara fees go up from $100 to $200 a day in July, which is most of the seasonal difference. Single room: add $25 per night. Over Easter, Christmas and New Year some camps add about $25 per person. Kenyan citizens and residents pay lower park fees, so ask us for a resident price.

What's included

Included

Park entry fees (non-resident rates)
Accommodation as listed, sharing
Game drives in a shared 4x4 Land Cruiser
Driver guide for the whole trip
Meet-up and drop-off on Mama Ngina Street, Nairobi

Not included

International flights
Airport pick-up and drop-off (can be arranged at extra cost)
Single room supplement
Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Optional extras such as the Naivasha boat ride, a Maasai village visit or a balloon safari
Travel insurance
Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation)

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!