Wildlife Safaris
5-Day Kenya Safari: Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara
A shorter 5-day, 4-night circuit for travelers with less time to spare - the rhino sanctuary and flamingos of Lake Nakuru, followed by two full days chasing the Big Five across the Masai Mara.
Itinerary
Download Itinerary (PDF)Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Destination | Travel | Key Sightings | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nairobi
Arrival in Nairobi
|
Drive |
-
|
- | B L D |
| 2 |
Lake Nakuru National Park
Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
|
Drive |
White Rhinoceros
Black Rhinoceros
Flamingo
+1
|
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 3 |
Masai Mara National Reserve
Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
|
Drive |
Lion
African Elephant
Topi
|
Mara Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 4 |
Masai Mara National Reserve
Full Day in Masai Mara
|
Drive |
Lion
Cheetah
Leopard
+1
|
Mara Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 5 |
Nairobi
Departure
|
Drive |
Lion
African Elephant
|
- | B L D |
Full Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and transfer to your hotel. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
After breakfast in Nairobi, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, with a game drive on arrival around the rhino sanctuary and lake shore. Overnight on a full-board basis (lunch, dinner and breakfast).
Morning drive to the Masai Mara, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive. Overnight on a full-board basis.
A full day of game drives across the Masai Mara's plains, with the best chance of the trip for lion, cheetah and, in season, the Great Migration. Overnight on a full-board basis.
Final morning game drive, then depart the Masai Mara for Nairobi. Lunch at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant before your transfer to JKIA for departure.
Best Time to Visit
July - October for the Great Migration; dry seasons (Jun-Oct, Jan-Feb) for the clearest game viewing
High Season - Jun-Oct & Jan-Feb
Dry weather makes for the clearest game viewing, with animals gathering at rivers and waterholes. Masai Mara river crossings peak July-October. Expect busier parks and the highest rates of the year.
Low Season - Mar-May & Nov
The "green season" brings lush scenery, dramatic skies and newborn wildlife, with far fewer visitors and the lowest accommodation rates. Expect afternoon showers, muddier roads and a handful of camps closed for maintenance.
What to Expect
This shorter safari still covers two of Kenya's most rewarding destinations, plus the capital that links them:
Nairobi is your arrival and departure point - a modern capital city where you can also enjoy a meal at the Carnivore Restaurant, a Nairobi institution known for its variety of grilled meats, on your way to the airport.
Lake Nakuru National Park is a compact, fenced sanctuary built around its alkaline lake in the Great Rift Valley. Expect a strong chance of seeing both black and white rhino, along with leopard, buffalo and, in good years, dense flocks of flamingos along the shoreline.
The Masai Mara is Kenya's best-known reserve, part of the same ecosystem as Tanzania's Serengeti. Visitors come for the Big Five, resident prides of lion, and - from around July to October - the Great Migration, when huge herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing.
Route Map
Approximate route followed during this safari.
What's Included
- All transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Park entry fees for Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara
- 4 nights' accommodation as per itinerary (bed & breakfast Day 1, full board Days 2-5)
- Lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi, on Day 5
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Travel insurance and visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks and items of a personal nature
Get your free, no-obligation plan
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