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4-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Adventure

Duration

4 days, 3 nights

Parks

Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru

Travel style

Private, mid-range

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

See the best of Kenya’s wildlife in just four days with this safari. Begin in the Masai Mara, a vast expanse of savannah full of wildlife, including the Big Five. Then continue to Lake Nakuru, known for its flamingos and reliable rhino sightings. The trip combines game drives, great scenery and comfortable mid-range lodges, giving you a thorough introduction to Kenya’s wildlife.

Major Highlights:

Masai Mara: one of Kenya’s most famous wildlife reserves, known for its vast plains and abundant wildlife, including the Big Five.
Lake Nakuru: flamingos and both black and white rhinos at this Rift Valley lake.
Game drives: several drives to watch wildlife and photograph Kenya’s scenery.
Comfortable lodges: well-run mid-range lodges to relax in after each day.
Scenic drives: travel through the Great Rift Valley and see Kenya’s varied landscapes.

Your route

Masai Mara 2 nights · Lake Nakuru 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 safari adventure begins early. We’ll pick you up from your Nairobi hotel at 7:00 am in a well-equipped 4×4 safari vehicle. As we leave the city behind, you’ll watch the scenery change from urban sprawl to rural farmland, and finally to the open savannah.

Around 11:00 am, we’ll stop in the town of Narok for a comfort break and lunch. This is a great chance to stretch your legs and get a taste of local Kenyan cuisine.

We’ll arrive at the Masai Mara around 2:00 pm and head straight out on your first game drive. Your expert guide knows all the best spots to find wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for herds of zebra and wildebeest, families of elephants, and maybe even a pride of lions lounging in the grass.

As the sun starts to set, painting the sky in beautiful oranges and pinks, we’ll make our way to our lodge. You’ll have time to freshen up before dinner. Enjoy your meal while taking in the sounds of the African night.

Overnight at a mid-range lodge like Mara Sopa Lodge or Mara Leisure Camp.

Day 2: Full Day in Masai Mara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rise and shine with the Mara. We’ll start early with a 6:30 am breakfast, then head out for a morning game drive by 7:00 am. This is when the park comes alive: you might see big cats returning from their nightly hunts or hippos returning to the water after grazing.

We’ll spend about 3-4 hours exploring different areas of the park. Your guide will share fascinating facts about the animals and habitats you’re seeing. Around 11:00 am, we’ll return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest.

At 3:30 pm, we’re back in the vehicle for an afternoon game drive. This is a great time to look for elephants coming to the rivers to drink and bathe. We’ll also keep an eye out for giraffes, hyenas, and if we’re lucky, the elusive leopard.

For the adventurous, there’s an optional hot air balloon safari available (at extra cost). You’ll need to be up before dawn, but floating over the Mara as the sun rises is an unforgettable experience.

We’ll return to the lodge around 6:30 pm. After dinner, gather around the campfire (if available) to share stories about the day’s sightings.

Overnight at the same lodge.

Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

6-7 Hour Drive · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early 6:30 am breakfast, we bid farewell to the Masai Mara and set off for Lake Nakuru. It’s a long but scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley.

We’ll stop for lunch en route, arriving at Lake Nakuru National Park around 2:00 pm. After checking into our lodge, we’ll head out for an afternoon game drive.

Lake Nakuru is famous for its flamingos, which often form a stunning pink fringe around the lake’s edge. It’s also one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos. Your guide will take you to the best viewing spots around the lake and in the acacia forests.

Keep your eyes on the trees: Lake Nakuru is known for its tree-climbing lions. We might also spot Rothschild’s giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species.

As the day winds down, we’ll find a good spot to watch the sunset over the lake before returning to our lodge around 6:30 pm for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at a mid-range option like Lake Nakuru Lodge or Flamingo Hill Camp.

Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

4 Hour Drive · Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Let’s make the most of our last morning. We’ll have an early 6:00 am breakfast, then head out by 6:30 am for one final game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. The early morning light is perfect for photography, and we might catch some animals that are more active at dawn.

We’ll spend about 2-3 hours in the park, focusing on any animals we might have missed yesterday. This is also a great time for birdwatching: Lake Nakuru is home to over 400 bird species.

By 10:00 am, we’ll start our journey back to Nairobi. We’ll stop for lunch along the way, perhaps at one of the viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

We should arrive in Nairobi by 3:00 pm. We’ll drop you off at your Nairobi hotel or the airport, where your safari adventure comes to an end.

This safari packs a lot into four days, giving you a taste of two very different Kenyan habitats. From the wide plains of the Masai Mara to the alkaline lakes of the Rift Valley, you’ll see a great variety of scenery and wildlife.

Where you'll stay

“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	$1,560	$1,440	$1,340	$1,260	$1,200
Jul to Dec	$1,860	$1,720	$1,600	$1,500	$1,420

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)

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!