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

Duration

5 days, 4 nights

Parks

Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara

Travel style

Private, luxury

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 five-day safari works well for travellers with limited time who want to see different habitats. You’ll visit Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos, Lake Naivasha for a boat safari and walking opportunities, then finish in the Masai Mara for classic Big Five viewing.

The route follows a logical progression through the Rift Valley, minimizing backtracking. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s best parks for spotting both black and white rhinos. Lake Naivasha offers a different experience with boat trips among hippos and a walk on Crescent Island where you can get close to grazers without a vehicle. The Mara delivers what most people picture when they think African safari.

This itinerary uses road transport rather than flights, which keeps costs down and lets you see the changing scenery as you travel. The drives are manageable, mostly 3-4 hours between destinations. For Australian travellers on a tighter schedule or budget, it covers Kenya’s highlights efficiently.

Accommodations:

Lake Nakuru: Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Lake Naivasha: Great Rift Valley Lodge
Masai Mara: Governors’ Camp or Ashnil Mara Camp

Your route

Lake Nakuru 1 night · Lake Naivasha 1 night · Masai Mara 2 nights. 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 Lake Nakuru National Park

Drive Time: 3-4 hours · Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Morning pickup from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, usually around 7:30-8:00 AM. Drive northwest through Nairobi’s outskirts, then climb the escarpment with views over the Rift Valley floor. Stop at the viewpoint for photos before descending into the valley.

Arrive at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge around midday. Both sit inside the park, so wildlife moves through the grounds. After check-in and lunch, afternoon game drive around the lake.

Lake Nakuru is compact at 188 square kilometres. The park is fenced, which has helped rhino populations recover. Good chances of seeing both black and white rhinos. Flamingo numbers fluctuate based on the lake’s alkalinity, sometimes thousands, other times just scattered groups. Leopards are present and sightings are fairly regular. Also look for Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbuck, and buffalo.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge.

Day 2: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

Drive Time: 1.5 hours · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru before breakfast, best time for spotting predators. Return to lodge, check out, then short drive to Lake Naivasha arriving late morning.

Great Rift Valley Lodge sits on a hillside overlooking Lake Naivasha with views across the water. After check-in and lunch, afternoon boat safari on the lake. Naivasha is a freshwater lake, different from the alkaline soda lakes in the Rift Valley. Large hippo populations in the water, various water birds including fish eagles, cormorants, and pelicans along the shore.

The boat takes you close to hippos (keeping safe distance) and around the papyrus edges where birds concentrate. Later, optional visit to Crescent Island for a walking safari among zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and antelope. No predators on the island, so you can walk freely with a guide.

Dinner and overnight at Great Rift Valley Lodge.

Day 3: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve

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

Early breakfast, then drive to the Masai Mara. The route takes you through the town of Narok, then onto rougher roads as you approach the reserve. The scenery changes from farmland to open Maasai grazing areas.

Arrive at Governors’ Camp or Ashnil Mara Camp in time for lunch. Governors’ Camp sits on the Mara River in ancient riverine forest. Ashnil Mara Camp is in the Ol Seki Conservancy bordering the main reserve with fewer vehicles and good wildlife.

After lunch and rest, late afternoon game drive. The Mara’s wildlife density is immediately noticeable. Lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and various antelope within the first couple of hours. Your guide knows the area and will position you for good viewing and photos.

Dinner and overnight at Governors’ Camp or Ashnil Mara Camp.

Day 4: Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day exploring the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Early start around 6:30 AM when animals are most active. Lions, often in large prides, are almost guaranteed. Leopards require patience but sightings happen regularly, especially near riverine areas. Cheetahs use the open plains for hunting. Buffalo in massive herds, rhinos less common but present.

If visiting July to October, the wildebeest migration dominates. Over a million animals from the Serengeti, creating dramatic river crossings. Unpredictable timing but guides stay in radio contact. Outside migration season, resident wildlife provides excellent viewing year-round.

Optional Maasai village visit to learn about local culture. Optional hot air balloon safari at extra cost (approximately AUD $650 per person).

Dinner and overnight at Governors’ Camp or Ashnil Mara Camp.

Day 5: Masai Mara to Nairobi, Departure

Drive Time: 5-6 hours · Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Final early morning game drive before breakfast. Last chance for wildlife viewing at dawn when predators are often active. Return to camp for breakfast and check out.

Drive back to Nairobi, arriving mid to late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport depending on your onward plans. Most evening flights to Australia via Dubai, Doha, or Bangkok work well with this timing.

If your international flight departs very late at night, time for last-minute shopping at the Maasai Market, though this depends on your schedule. Day rooms near the airport can be arranged if needed between safari and flight departure.

Where you'll stay

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge in Lake Nakuru — Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru

Rooms in the Great Riftvalley Lodge in Naivasha — The Great Rift Valley Lodge, Lake Naivasha

Governor's Camp — Governors’ Camp, Masai Mara

“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	AUD $2,900	AUD $2,500	AUD $2,300	AUD $2,150	AUD $2,050
Jul to Dec	AUD $3,100	AUD $2,750	AUD $2,550	AUD $2,400	AUD $2,350

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

What's included

Included

Park entry fees
Accommodation (4 nights)
All meals from lunch Day 1 through lunch Day 5
Game drives per itinerary
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or the airport
Transportation in a customised Landcruiser
All government levies and taxes
Crescent Island walking safari
Boat safari on Lake Naivasha

Not included

Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation) and Kenya’s mandatory travel insurance
International flights
Optional activities: Hot air balloon safari (AUD $650 per person), Maasai village visit
Spirits and premium wines (house wine and beer are included at most lodges)
Single room supplement
Tips and personal expenses
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!