Duration
4 NIGHTSBest For
First-time East Africa visitors and wildlife-first travelers.Group Size
2-6 guestsAccommodation
Lodge or tented camp (full-board)Safari Overview
5 days Masai Mara Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha safari from Nairobi
Experience the best of Kenya on a 5-Day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Safari. Enjoy Big Five game drives, flamingos, stunning landscapes and unforgettable African wildlife adventures.
This carefully designed Kenya safari combines spectacular wildlife, scenic landscapes, the Great Rift Valley, birdlife and relaxing lakeside experiences.
This is a sustainable Kenya safari in 5 days! Explore the wildlife-rich plains of the Maasai Mara, discover rhinos and spectacular scenery at Lake Nakuru National Park, and enjoy the peaceful waters and wildlife of Lake Naivasha.
5-Days Kenya Safari holiday is carefully designed. Kenya safari combines unforgettable game drives, breathtaking landscapes and authentic African experiences.
5-Days Kenya Big Five Safari Kenya is also available in a Luxury Kenya Safari option that combines breathtaking wildlife encounters, elegant lodges, scenic landscapes, and unforgettable adventures.
Travel in a comfortable 4x4 Land Cruiser with a professional safari guide as you explore Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, and the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.
This itinerary is perfect for couples, families, honeymooners, photographers, and anyone seeking an exclusive African safari experience.
Kenya is famed for its wildlife, but travellers who stick to only one safari park miss out on the diversity of its flora and fauna. Visit no less than three natural reserves—Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha—during this five-day, small-group journey from Nairobi.
Comfortable lodge accommodation is included, plus round-trip, door-to-door transportation from the capital. This Kenya safari holiday will give you a chance to interact with the Maasai community during a visit to a local village (at an extra cost).
Spot lions, leopards, hippos, elephants, and more during multiple game drives. Explore scenic Lake Naivasha by boat during an all-inclusive ride (at an extra cost) .
Tours include front-door pickup and drop-off in Nairobi by a 4 BY 4 safari land cruiser.
Why Choose This 5-Day Kenya Safari?
This itinerary is ideal for travellers looking for a Kenya safari holiday, a Maasai Mara safari, a Lake Nakuru safari, and a Lake Naivasha tour in one memorable trip. It combines Kenya's iconic wildlife with the beautiful landscapes of the Great Rift Valley while keeping the journey compact and rewarding.
Transfers: Private 4x4 safari vehicle with dedicated guide from Nairobi
Safari Snapshot
5 Days Masai Mara Lake Nakuru & Naivasha Safari – Experience Kenya's iconic wildlife destinations with Big Five game drives, Lake Naivasha boat rides, rhino tracking at Lake Nakuru, and unforgettable Maasai Mara adventures.
Safari Style
Classic Game Drives
Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.
Trip Rhythm
3-6 Nights
Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.
Destinations
Kenya
Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.
Day 1 · Nairobi to Masai Masai Game Reserve
Nairobi to Masai Mara Game reserve
Distance: Approximately 260 km. Driving time: About 5–6 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions. Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Maasai Mara. Your 5-day Kenya safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, residence or airport. Drive through the beautiful Kenyan countryside toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve, stopping along the way at a Great Rift Valley viewpoint for spectacular panoramic views and photographs. Continue toward the Mara, passing through rural communities and scenic landscapes before arriving at your lodge or tented camp for lunch. After lunch and a short rest, head out for your first afternoon game drive. Explore the Mara's open savannah plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas and other wildlife. Depending on the season and animal movements, you may also encounter large herds of wildebeest and other plains game. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Maasai Mara. Main experience: Afternoon game drive.
- Rift Valley viewpoint and Big Five Wildlife Viewing
- Iconic Maasai Mara Game Drive
Day 2 · Masai Mara Game Reserve
Full-Day Masai Mara Exploration
Wake early for breakfast before setting out for a full-day game drive in the Maasai Mara. The morning offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife when temperatures are cooler and many animals are active. Explore different sections of the reserve, following wildlife trails and searching for predators such as lions, cheetahs and leopards. The Mara is also renowned for its large populations of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos and numerous antelope species. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the reserve, surrounded by the beautiful African wilderness. In the afternoon, continue exploring the savannah. Your experienced safari guide will choose areas based on wildlife movements and current sightings. Return to your camp or lodge in the late afternoon or early evening. Dinner and overnight at your Maasai Mara accommodation.Overnight: Maasai Mara. Main experience: Full-day game drive and wildlife photography.
- Dawn predator drive
- optional Balloon ride
- Mara River & Scenic Plains, Photography Paradise & Maasai Cultural Experience
- Over 500 bird species
Day 3 · Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Distance: Approximately 220–250 km. Driving time: About 5–6 hours. Accommodation: Lodge or hotel near Lake Nakuru. Enjoy an early breakfast before departing the Maasai Mara. Drive through the scenic Great Rift Valley region toward Lake Nakuru National Park. Arrive around lunchtime and check in at your lodge or camp. Lake Nakuru is particularly well known for its rhino conservation area and offers opportunities to see both black and white rhinos. Other wildlife may include buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, warthogs, baboons and, with luck, lions or leopards. The park also provides excellent birdwatching opportunities. Explore the lake shores, woodland areas and open grasslands while enjoying views of the Rift Valley landscape. Return to your accommodation in the evening. Overnight: Lake Nakuru.
- Narok town stopover
- Great rift valley
Day 4 · Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Distance: Approximately 80 km. Driving time: About 1.5–2 hours. Accommodation: Lodge or hotel in Naivasha. Start the day with an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Morning is an excellent time for wildlife viewing as animals are generally more active before the day's heat. After the game drive, return to your lodge for breakfast and check out. Continue south toward Lake Naivasha, one of Kenya's beautiful freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley. After lunch, enjoy an optional Lake Naivasha boat safari. Cruise across the lake while looking for hippos, African fish eagles, cormorants and other waterbirds. The peaceful boat ride provides a wonderful contrast to the game drives of the previous days. Boat safaris and walking experiences around Naivasha are commonly included as highlights of this circuit. Depending on time and availability, you may also choose an optional visit to Crescent Island for a guided walking experience among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and antelope. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Lake Naivasha. Main experience: Boat safari and Great Rift Valley scenery.
- Black and white rhinos sighting
- Flamingos & waterbirds
- Lake Naivasha Boat ride
- Beautiful viewpoints
Day 5 · Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
Distance: Approximately 90–100 km. Driving time: About 2–3 hours, depending on traffic and final drop-off location. Enjoy breakfast at your lodge, overlooking the beautiful surroundings of Naivasha. Depending on your departure schedule, you may have some free time for a short walk around the lodge or an optional morning activity. Depart Lake Naivasha and drive back toward Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley. Arrive in Nairobi around midday or early afternoon where your safari ends.
- Scenic return via Rift Valley
- Hell's Gate cycling
- Longonot satellite station en route
Route Map & Safari Points
Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.
- 1
Day 1
Nairobi
Pick-up, briefing, and departure towards the Rift Valley.
- 2
Day 1
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Panoramic stop with views of Mount Longonot and the valley floor.
- 3
Day 1-3
Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve
Big Five country, wildebeest migration corridor, and vast savanna plains.
- 4
Day 3-5
Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha
Big Five country, wildebeest migration corridor, and vast savanna plains.
What's Included
- Transport in a 4WD safari jeep
- Pick up on day one in Nairobi and drop off on the last day in Nairobi
- Park entry fees
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- Drinking water on all days
- Bath towels
- Professional guide
- All activities, unless indicated as optional
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day section
- Taxes and VAT
- Services of a professional tour guide/driver
- Government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fees
Exclusions
- Hot-air balloon ride
- Maasai village visit
- Boat ride
- Tips and gratuities
- Beverages and alcoholic drinks
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Best Travel Window
Seasonality
Jul - OctJan - Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more clarity before you book? Start here.
What makes this different from the 4-day Nakuru-Mara safari?
This route adds a full dedicated day at Lake Nakuru, giving you time for dawn predator drives, the euphorbia forest, and viewpoints like Lion Hill and Baboon Cliff that the shorter itinerary cannot cover in depth.
When is the wildebeest migration in the Mara?
The migration of roughly 1.3 million wildebeests typically passes through the Masai Mara from July to early October. Booking within this window gives you the best chance of witnessing the spectacle.
Can I do a balloon safari on this trip?
Yes. An optional hot-air balloon ride is available on Day 4 at additional cost, offering an aerial view of the reserve and its wildlife at dawn.
Planning Guides for This Route
Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.
Masai Mara Lion Prides: Territories, Coalitions, and Conservation
From Marsh and Rekero to Black Rock, Sand River, Topi, Sopa, Salas, Survey, and Rongai, this in-depth guide breaks down where each pride operates, who controls them, and how coalition turnover, habitat shifts, and migration timing influence lion life across the Mara ecosystem.
Read Guide
Wildlife in the Masai Mara: Beyond the Big Five
The Mara is famous for predators, but the full ecosystem covers Coke's hartebeest and common eland, Kirk's dik-dik and klipspringer, dwarf and slender mongoose, honey badger, pangolin, jackals, hyenas, baboons, and more than 450 bird species — a depth that rewards travellers who slow down beyond the Big Five.
Read Guide
Where to Stay in the Masai Mara: Camps, Lodges, and Conservancy Picks
With more than 100 properties across the reserve and surrounding conservancies, choosing where to stay defines your safari pace, vehicle density, and the depth of your wildlife encounters. This guide walks through how we shortlist camps by zone, season, and traveller profile.
Read GuidePlan Your Kenya Safari
Share your dates, pace and preferred accommodation style. We will tailor this trip to fit your exact vision.
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Genuine stories from travelers who experienced East Africa with Simba Paka Safaris.
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