5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha Maasai Mara from Nairobi

This 5-Day/ 4-Night Kenya Safari starts in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and takes you to the Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Naivasha, widely considered two of Kenya’s most famous safari destinations.

Accommodation is at comfortable, well-known Kenya safari lodges in prime locations: inside the Masai Mara National Reserve and on the shores of Lake Naivasha.

The affordable Kenya Safari offers an impressive variety of wildlife experiences over just 5 days, including a Masai Mara Safari, and the rich birdlife of Lake Naivasha – a world-class birding destination in Kenya’s Rift Valley, hosting over 400 species.

This 5-day itinerary splits perfectly between Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara. You’ll spend 1 night at Naivasha and 3 nights in the Mara to maximize wildlife viewing, traveling by 4×4 Land Cruiser or a tour van. Expect roughly 5.5 to 6.5 hours of driving to reach the Mara from Nairobi.

5-Day/ 4-Night Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara Kenya Safari Highlights

Lake Naivasha (Days 1 & 2)

✓ Crescent Island Walking Safari: This predator-free, guided walking safari lets you walk right next to free-roaming giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, and gazelles
✓ Boat Safari: Take a peaceful boat ride across the papyrus-fringed lake to spot massive pods of hippos and a massive variety of birdlife, including the majestic African fish eagle
✓ Hell’s Gate National Park: Often included as an optional excursion, this park allows you to cycle or walk between towering volcanic cliffs, geothermal steam vents, and grazing wildlife.

Masai Mara National Reserve (Days 3 to 5)

✓ Big Cat Actions: Look out for hunting cheetahs, prides of lions resting in the acacia shade, or leopards draped over tree branches
✓ The “Big Five”: The Mara is legendary for its wildlife density. You will have multiple opportunities to spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and critically endangered black rhinos
✓ The Great Migration (July–October): If you travel during these months, you’ll witness hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras migrating between the Serengeti and the Mara, including dramatic river crossings
✓ Maasai Cultural Village: Many safaris offer an optional visit to a traditional Manyatta (village) to learn about the semi-nomadic Maasai culture, their livestock-reliant way of life, and their famous jumping dance

5-Day/ 4-Night Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara Kenya Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha

0800 Hours: Depart your Nairobi hotel for the scenic drive descending the Great Rift Valley
1100 Hours: Quick photo stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint
1230 Hours: Arrive in Naivasha, check into your lodge, and enjoy a hot lunch
1530 Hours: Take a boat ride to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Enjoy a unique, predator-free walking safari among giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests
1830 Hours: Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara

0700 Hours: Breakfast and check out
0800 Hours: Begin the 5 to 6-hour drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, passing through the town of Narok.
1330 Hours: Arrive at your Masai Mara camp or lodge, check in, and eat lunch.
1400 Hours: Head out for your first afternoon game drive to spot the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant)
1830 Hours: Return to camp for dinner and the night

Day 3: Masai Mara (Full Day)

0630 Hours: Depart for a full-day game drive with packed picnic lunch boxes (or choose morning and late-afternoon drives with a midday break)
1230 Hours: Stop at a designated picnic site or hippo pool for lunch
1330 Hours: Continue exploring the vast savannah to find predators and the Great Migration (best experienced between July and October)
1830 Hours: Return to camp, relax, have dinner, and stay overnight

Day 4: Masai Mara (Full Day or Balloon Safari)

0600 Hours: Early morning game drive (the best time to witness predators hunting). (Optional: Book a dawn hot-air balloon safari followed by a champagne breakfast).
0900 Hours: Return to your accommodation for a full breakfast and rest
1330 Hours: Afternoon game drive to explore different sectors of the reserve or visit a local Maasai Village
1830 Hours: Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 5: Masai Mara to Nairobi

0630 Hours: Early morning pre-breakfast game drive for a final chance at animal spotting
0830 Hours: Return to camp for breakfast and check out
0930 Hours: Depart for your return drive to Nairobi (roughly 5.5 to 6 hours)
1400 Hours: Arrive back in Nairobi (hotel or airport)

This is an action-packed 5-day safari to Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the famous Masai Mara National Reserve for some of the best game viewing available.

5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha & Maasai Mara Highlights

✓ Lake Nakuru National Park: Enjoy a full-day excursion to Lake Nakuru National Park. renowned as a premier sanctuary for endangered black and white rhinos, Nakuru Rhino Sanctuary in Lake Nakuru National Park
✓ Masai Mara National Reserve: Embark on thrilling game drives to spot the legendary ‘Big Five’ Maasai Mara National Reserve Kenya and take the opportunity to visit the local Maasai people Maasai Mara village for deep cultural immersion Maasai Mara National Reserve
✓ Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island: Experience a relaxing boat ride on the freshwater lake to observe hippos and prolific birdlife, followed by a walking safari on Crescent Island Game Sanctuary to walk freely amongst giraffes, waterbucks, wildebeest, and gazelles. Lake Naivasha Boat Ride & Crescent Island Tour

Beginning and ending in Nairobi, this popular road safari takes you to Lake Naivasha, located in the Great Rift Valley, and is only about 110 km (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes) by road from Nairobi.

While at Lake Naivasha, you can visit Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned as a bird sanctuary with over 400 bird species, including large flocks of flamingos and many other water birds.

With over 450 bird species, Lake Naivasha is a world-class destination for bird watchers. Another optional tour while at Lake Naivasha is a visit to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary to spot animals on foot, such as impalas, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, and waterbucks.

Take a guided boat safari out on the calm waters of Lake Naivasha to see animals such as hippos or visit Hell’s Gate National Park. The park is situated on the edge of Lake Naivasha. Activities at Hell’s Gate include hiking/ walking, bicycling, horse riding, rock climbing, bird watching, photography, and wildlife Viewing.

After 2 nights at Lake Naivasha, we travel to our next destination – the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Masai Mara is the best place to see the “Big Five” animals (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo) together.

The famous wildebeest migration also takes place at the Mara. Also known as the Masai Mara or the Mara, it is home to the greatest concentration and diversity of wildlife in Kenya. Animals include zebras, antelope, Gnus, Oribis, Hyenas, Giraffes, Warthogs, Gazelles, Hartebeests, Hippos, Crocodiles, etc.

The park has the largest concentration of African lions, including the black-maned lion. After 2 nights in the Masai Mara, we travel back to Nairobi, where our trip comes to a close.

5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha Maasai Mara Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Lake Naivasha

0800 Hours: After breakfast at our hotel, we depart by road for Lake Naivasha. Our accommodations are located right by Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake.

1000 Hours: We visit Elsamere – the former home of the late Joy Adamson, who, together with her husband George, became world-famous for their pioneering conservation work and relationship with the Lioness Elsa, as told in her best-selling book and subsequent film: Born Free.

1230 Hours: Lunch at our lodge/ camp.

1400 Hours: We take a boat ride to Crescent Island. Many different types of animals are found on the Island as we take a walk with the expert resident naturalist. giraffes, waterbucks, wildebeest, gazelles, Impala, Dik disks can be seen during the walk.

1800 Hours: We retire back at our cozy accommodations in Naivasha

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Enashipia Resort, Muthu Kiboko Luxury Camp Lake Naivasha
Mid-Range Accommodation: Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Naivasha Simba Lodge, Sawela Lodge, Naivasha
Budget Accommodation: Cray Fish Camp, Camp Carnellys, Fisherman’s Camp Naivasha

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Lake Naivasha – Day Trip Tour to Lake Nakuru or Hellsgate National Parks

0800 Hours: After a delicious breakfast, we travel overland to Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day game viewing experience.

Lake Nakuru National Park also offers sanctuary to large numbers of native African animals, including waterbucks, warthogs, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes, elands, endangered black rhinos, white rhinos, and occasionally leopards.

A large herd of hippos has a territory in the northern part of the lake, making for interesting game viewing.

1230 Hours: Lunch will be served at one of the lodges in the game park, featuring local specialties and fresh produce from the region.

Alternatively, you can visit Hell’s Gate National Park, where you can walk, run, or cycle alongside Giraffe, Zebra, Gazelles, and other wildlife, or you could also climb Fischer’s Tower, located in the park.

Day 3: Lake Naivasha – Drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve

0800 Hours: This morning, we depart the hotel after breakfast and drive through the dramatic Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

This enormous reserve is part of the vast Serengeti plains, famously known for its spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration, and is home to the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, and Rhino.

1300 Hours: Lunch at our Lodge and relax before departing for the afternoon game drive.

1530 Hours: The Mara Game Reserve is one of the greatest wildernesses in the world. Large mammals are varied and easy to see.

Residents among the Park’s are Masai Giraffe, Buffalo, Eland, and thousands of plains game, including Impala, Zebra, Topi, both Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelles.

1830 Hours: Return to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Olare Mara Kempinski, Mahali Mzuri Safari Camp, Olonana Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Muthu Keekorok Lodge, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Sentrim Mara Camp
Budget Accommodation: Rhino Tourist Tented Camp or Mara Sweet Acacia Lodge, Mara Springs Camp

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Full Day in the Masai Mara Game Reserve

Our full day in the Masai Mara Game Reserve will be spent searching for the big cats of the Masai Mara and the spectacular view of the famous migration.

All of the “Big Five” animals (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo) can be spotted here. Herds of plains zebras are found throughout the park. Other animals include giraffes, jackals, gnus, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, Topi antelope, hippos, and crocodiles in the Mara River.

For bird lovers, the Mara birds come in every color and size. More than 400 bird species have already been recorded, including birds of prey.

You can enjoy a colorful view of birds such as vultures, ostriches, long-crested eagles, pygmy falcons, secretary birds, marabous, red-winged Schalow’s turacos, and many others.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Olare Mara Kempinski, Mahali Mzuri Safari Camp, Olonana Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Sentrim Mara Camp
Budget Accommodation: Rhino Tourist Tented Camp or Mara Acacia Camp, Mara Springs Camp

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Drive to Nairobi

0600 Hours: If you are not participating in the hot air balloon, you can enjoy morning tea/ coffee, or hot chocolate, followed by a morning game drive. On the plains are enormous herds of grazing animals, plus the elusive Cheetah and leopard hiding amidst acacia trees.

0930 Hours: Return to the lodge/ camp for breakfast.

1000 Hours: Optional visit to an authentic Masai village (at an extra cost) to witness the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals.

1100 Hours: Depart the Mara by road back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon.

Meal Plan {Breakfast}

5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha & Maasai Mara from Nairobi Prices

5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha Maasai Mara Rates Include

✓ Multiple Game drives
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓ Multi-lingual Professional Safari Guide/ Driver
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Choice of accommodation in Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara Game Reserve
✓ Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara Game Reserve

Dates From	Dates To	Price Per Person	Children Aged 8 to 12 Years
1st January 2026	31st December 2026	Request for rates	Request for rates

Notes

* Transportation is in a customized open-top safari mini-van for ease of game viewing & wildlife photography. Customized open-top 4 x 4 Land Cruisers are available at an extra cost

5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha Maasai Mara Rates Exclude

✗ International Airfare
✗ A visit to a Masai Village
✗ Accommodations in Nairobi
✗ Cost of obtaining a passport and visas
✗ Gratuity for your professional driver guide
✗ Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
✗ Gratuity for porters/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✗ Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (a supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
✗ Personal expenses such as traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include, including laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls, beverages, including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

Booking & Reservations 5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha Maasai Mara Contact

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com

5 Days 4 Nights Kenya Safari Lake Naivasha Maasai Mara

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