8 Day Kenya Safari Meru Nakuru Naivasha Masai Mara

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Meru National Park
Day 2: Explore Meru National Park
Day 3: Meru – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 4: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Lake Naivasha
Day 5: Lake Naivasha – Drive Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 6: Masai Mara National  Reserve
Day 7: Masai Mara National  Reserve
Day 8: Masai Mara – Drive to Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Meru National Park

Depart Nairobi in the morning after breakfast and travel Northwards through the Central Kenya Highlands, viewing the rich agricultural farmlands and the majestic Snow-capped Mount Kenya straddling the Equator.

Stop at Nanyuki for a short rest taking pictures of the stunningly picturesque surroundings and the Mountain, then proceed to Meru National Park, arriving early afternoon for late lunch.

Depart for the afternoon game drive. Meru National Park is home to a large pride of lions, herds of buffalo, and hippos and crocodiles that live in the rivers. The park is noted for its fauna and natural beauty. 

Meru has many swamps and rivers lined with palms, as well as mountains and woodlands, and it is the setting for Joy Adamson’s book “Born Free”, which was later made into a successful film.

Overnight Accommodation: Elsa’s Kopje or Ikweta Safari Camp
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Explore Meru National Park

Meru National Park forms part of a larger wilderness area along the Tana River, including Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves, Kora national park, and Rahole national reserve.

The wetter north-western sector is hilly, with rich volcanic soils. Numerous permanent streams cross the Park, and three large rivers straddle the reserve: the Tana to the south, the Ura to the southwest, and the Rojeweru to the east.

The park was made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson, most noted for her book Born Free, the true story of Elsa, the lioness, and her return into the wild. During the ‘spice’ game drive the wildlife you are likely to in Meru includes: Over 400 bird species have been recorded.

You should see Baboon; Buffalo; Bushbuck; Duiker, Eland; Elephant, Gazelle, Genet, Gerenuk; Giraffe, Hartebeest, and Hippo. Other animals include Hyena, Hyrax, Impala; Jackal, Kudu, Lion; Mongoose, Vervet Monkey, Oribi; Oryx, Steenbok; Suni, Warthog; Waterbuck and Zebra.

You may see wild dogs, aardwolf; bush babies, Caracal; Cheetah; Civet, Dik-dik; Leopard; Otter, Pangolins, Bush Pig, Porcupine, Ratel; Reedbuck, Black and white rhino; Serval; Shrew and Squirrel.

Overnight Accommodation: Elsa’s Kopje or Ikweta Safari Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Meru National Park – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you will leave for Lake Nakuru, and on the way, you can have a stopover at the Thompson waterfalls. Enjoy the views of the Subukia Escarpment View Point.

Nakuru National Park is famous for its millions of pink flamingos and other water birds. Hordes of Hippo and Black and White Rhinos are also in plenty. Other wild animals are also found in plenty except for the Elephant.

Overnight Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Lake Nakuru National Park – Drive to Lake Naivasha National Park

Depart after breakfast to papyrus-fringed Lake Naivasha. With over 400 species of birds, this freshwater lake is a birding Paradise. Along the lake’s fabled waters, we are bound to see some of the area’s more intriguing species—hippos, giraffes, buffalo, and even the arboreal colobus monkey.

Lake Naivasha lies in the Great Rift Valley and the name derives from the local Masai name Nai’posha, meaning “rough water” because of the sudden storms which can arise.

After lunch, we visit Crescent island- a private sanctuary, where you can walk beneath yellow-barked acacias (yellow fever trees) in search of giraffes, wildebeest, impala, dik-diks, Thompson’s and grant’s gazelles, elands, waterbucks, and countless bird species.

Oh, and there are some rather gigantic pythons too! We are allowed to walk with the animals since all were introduced during the filming of Out of Africa. An optional boat ride on the lake reveals many waterbird species and schools of Hippos.

Overnight Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or Naivasha Simba Lodge or similar
Meals: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Days 5: Lake Naivasha National Park – Drive Masai Mara National Reserve

We depart the lodge soon after breakfast and proceed to Masai Mara. This enormous Reserve actually part of the vast Serengeti plains is famously known for its spectacular great wildebeest migration and is a true home of the big five-Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo.

After lunch, explore the Reserve on a late evening ‘Spice’ game drive.

Overnight Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge or Mara Serena Lodge or Siana Springs Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Days 6 & 7: Explore Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara is one of the greatest wildernesses in the world. Morning and afternoon ‘Spice’ game drives are planned. Large mammals are varied, abundant, and easy to see.

Residents among the park’s mammals are; Masai Giraffe, Buffalo, Impala, Zebra, Topi, and both the Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelles.

Optional hot Air Balloon rides are available on this day at an additional cost. On this final day in the Mara, you also have an opportunity to visit an authentic Masai village.

Overnight Accommodation: Mara Sopa Lodge or Mara Serena Lodge or Siana Springs Tented Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Days 8: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Drive to Nairobi

Begin today with an early morning ‘Spice’ game drive followed by a complete English breakfast at your lodge. Mid-morning drive to Nairobi. The balance of the day is at leisurely for last-minute assisted shopping and sightseeing.

Meal Plan {Breakfast}