5 Day Serena Hotels Safari Lake Elementaita Mara Serena

Get a taste of Africa’s best wildlife experiences on this 5-Day/ 4-Night Lake Elmenteita & Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi. Explore Lake Elementaita – a serene, UNESCO-recognized soda lake in the Great Rift Valley located just 120 km northwest of Nairobi (a 2–2.5 hour drive). 

Lake Elmenteita lies between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru and is famous for its shimmering pink flocks of flamingos, natural hot springs, and the surrounding Soysambu Conservancy, which offers exclusive walking safaris away from the crowds.

Finish off at Kenya’s jewel, the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Renowned for the Great Migration, the Masai Mara boasts a high concentration of predators and superb game-viewing opportunities year-round.

Stay in comfortable Serene safari lodges at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp, which offers luxury under canvas, and at the iconic Mara Serena Safari Lodge, with an authentic savannah experience.

Your private driver-guide will share their knowledge and love of the African bush to ensure you have the best Kenya safari adventure.

A 5-Day/ 4-Night Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp & Mara Serena Safari Lodge Safari highlights

✓ Soysambu Conservancy: Exclusive night game drives and walking safaris away from the crowds.
✓ Avian Paradise: Watching thousands of pink flamingos and pelicans on the shores of Lake Elmenteita
✓ Serena Signature Dining: Unforgettable bush breakfasts by the hippo pool and sundowners on Lookout Hill
✓ The Mara Triangle: Staying in the only lodge located inside this highly exclusive, wildlife-rich sector of the Masai Mara
✓ Ringside Seats to the Migration: Front-row views of the dramatic Mara River wildebeest crossings (seasonal, July–October)

5 Days/ 4 Nights Lake Elementeita & Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Elmenteita

Morning: Depart Nairobi city by road, driving down the Great Rift Valley (approx. 2.5 hours)
1230 Hours: Arrive at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp in time for a warm lunch
1400 Hours: Head out for an afternoon game drive and birdwatching around the soda shores of Lake Elmenteita and the Soysambu Conservancy
1830 Hours: Return to camp for sundowners, dinner, and a peaceful overnight stay

Day 2: Full Day at Lake Elmenteita/ Lake Nakuru

0630 Hours: Early morning breakfast followed by a morning drive, or depart for a half-day trip to nearby Lake Nakuru National Park (approx. 1 hour away) to spot Rhinos and flamingo flocks.
1300 Hours: Return to the camp for lunch
1600 Hours: Relax by the pool or take an optional guided nature walk and evening game drive in Soysambu Conservancy
1900 Hours: Dinner and overnight at the camp

Day 3: Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve

0800 Hours: After an early breakfast, check out and begin the scenic drive to the Masai Mara via Narok Town. (Approx. 5–6 hours of driving)
1230 Hours: Arrive at Mara Serena Safari Lodge in the early afternoon, ideally catching game viewing on your way into the reserve. Check in and enjoy lunch
1530 Hours: Embark on an afternoon game drive across the rolling savannahs to search for the “Big Five” (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, and Buffalo).
1830 Hours: Return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening

Day 4: Full Day in the Masai Mara

0630 Hours: Start your day with an early morning game drive (optimal for predator activity). Alternatively, opt for an early morning Hot Air Balloon safari
0930 Hours: Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, or enjoy a unique “Bush Breakfast” by the Mara River Hippo Pools
1230 Hours: Lunch at the lodge, followed by a few hours of downtime to swim or view wildlife from the lodge’s terrace
1600 Hours: Head out for your evening game drive to explore different sectors of the reserve
1830 Hours: Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 5: Masai Mara to Nairobi

0630 Hours: Enjoy a final early morning game drive as the sun rises over the Mara
0930 Hours: Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out
1100 Hours: Depart the Masai Mara by road back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon (approx. 5–6 hours)
Late Afternoon: Arrive in Nairobi in time for drop-off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departing flight

This 5-day holiday safari package combines 2 nights at the Serena luxury tented camp at Elementaita and 2 Nights at Mara Serena Safari Lodge located in Africa’s most exciting destination – the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Our safari begins with a visit to the Soysambu Conservancy, located on Lake Elementaita, just 2.5 hours from Nairobi, off the main Nairobi-Nakuru road.

Soysambu is the perfect place to spend a few days soaking up the area’s beauty and history. Activities that you may enjoy include game drives, walks, Hikes, Nature walks, Horseback riding,  cycling, and night game drives.

The area is dominated by grazing animals such as zebras, buffalo, giraffes, Colobus monkeys, Waterbuck, Gazelles, Impalas, and Eland.  There are also has Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Warthogs, Aardvark, and mongoose.  Porcupines can also sometimes be seen, a mass of black-and-white quills that shiver in the moonlight.

Soysambu Conservancy is located within a key bird region. There are over 450 recorded bird species in the Conservancy alone. Bird species include Cormorants, Storks, Geese, Herons, Plovers, Hammerkops, and Egrets, etc.

We also take a day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for flamingos and an important sanctuary for rhinos. Both Black and White Rhino are found here, and are often seen resting under acacias by the Lake shore.

Lake Nakuru abounds with game. There are large herds of waterbuck, zebras, and buffalo, as well as the endangered Rothschild giraffe and more. This is one of your best chances of seeing a leopard in Kenya, and there are several large prides of Lion.

Our next destination is the Masai Mara Game Reserve – approximately 305 kilometers from Lake Elementaita Soyambu Conservancy. Driving will take you about 5 Hours.

Masai Mara National Reserve, also known as Masai Mara or the Mara, is situated within the Great Rift Valley in southern Kenya. Measuring approximately 1,510 square kilometers, this unfenced Savannah grassland is home to the “Big Five” animals (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo).

The famous wildebeest migration also takes place at the Mara. Other animals include zebras, antelope, gnus, Oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos, crocodiles, and others.

The park has the largest concentration of African lions, including the black-maned lion. Birdlife is as plentiful as the wildlife in the Masai Mara, which boasts over 400 bird species.

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Soysambu Conservancy, Lake Elementaita

0900 Hours: Depart from Nairobi and drive via the Great Rift Valley Escarpment with a Photo stop en route at View Point. Drive on to Soysambu Wildlife Conservancy to arrive at Lake Elementaita Serena Camp in time for lunch.

1200 Hours: Check-in and lunch follow. After lunch, you can swim in the pool or enjoy Massage Services before the afternoon game drive

1600 Hours: Our afternoon game drive in Soysambu Conservancy offers peace and privacy, with chances to see zebras, gazelles, elands, waterbucks, and buffaloes, as well as family groups of black-backed jackals, warthogs, dik-diks, and baboons.

Soysambu protects flourishing breeding herds of endangered Rothschild giraffes and nationally threatened colobus monkeys. Less common species include the bushbuck, bushpig, steinbok, reedbuck, duiker, caracal, golden, and side-striped jackals.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Lake Elementaita Serena Camp

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Soysambu Conservancy, Lake Elementaita – Lake Nakuru National Park

0800 Hours: After breakfast, depart for a morning excursion to the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park for game viewing drives. The park, colored a shimmering flamingo pink by thousands of beautiful birds lining its shores, is popular with visitors and locals alike.

Lake Nakuru is home to the Rothschild’s giraffe, Waterbuck, Baboon, impala, buffalo, monkeys, warthog, reedbuck, and eland. However, the main attractions are the rhinos.

A designated rhino sanctuary, the park is one of the best places in Kenya to observe these endangered species. Both black and white Rhinos thrive here.

Besides the greater and lesser flamingos, the park is home to many other species, including Grebes, Pelicans, Cormorants, Darters, Geese, Herons, Fish Eagles, Marabou Storks, Sacred Ibis, and Hadada Ibis.

1200 Hours: Drive back to the Camp for lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure to enjoy the Camp facilities or opt for one of the Camp’s optional activities.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Lake Elementaita Serena Camp

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Soysambu Conservancy Lake Elementaita – Drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve

0800 Hours: This morning, after breakfast, we depart the hotel 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 of the reserve include 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: Mara Serena Lodge
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: Mara Serena Lodge
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-Day Serena Hotels Safari Lake Elementaita Mara Serena Rates Include

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

Notes

* Departs daily and upon request

5-Day Serena Hotels Safari Lake Elementaita Mara Serena 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 (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

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