This 4 day, 3 night safari covers two of Kenya's most visited parks: Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park. You start in Nairobi, spend two full days in the Mara tracking the Big Five, then close the trip at Lake Nakuru for rhinos and birdlife.
It's a compact, well-paced route, good for first-time visitors and travellers with limited time. This is a private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, running year-round from Nairobi. If you'd rather stay in the Mara the whole time, our 3-Day Masai Mara Safari keeps it single-park and simpler.
Route
Activities & Transportation
- Activities: game drives in two parks, optional balloon safari and Maasai village visit
- Vehicle: private 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Route: Nairobi – Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru – Nairobi
- Hotel and JKIA pickup/drop-off included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or JKIA between 6:30 and 7:30 AM. Drive southwest through the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, roughly 5 to 6 hours with a lunch stop en route.
Arrive at your Masai Mara lodge or camp by early afternoon. Afternoon game drive in the reserve. Dinner and overnight in the Mara.
Masai Mara Full Day
Full day in the reserve with an early morning and late afternoon game drive, picnic lunch in the park. Target species: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino, plus cheetah, giraffe, and large wildebeest and zebra herds.
Optional Add-Ons
A hot air balloon safari at dawn, or a visit to a Maasai village, can both be arranged for this day. Overnight in the Mara.
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Morning game drive before checkout, then a scenic 4 to 5 hour drive to Lake Nakuru National Park via Narok and Njoro. Lunch on arrival.
Afternoon game drive inside the park to spot flamingos, black and white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, and buffalo. Overnight near or inside Lake Nakuru.
Lake Nakuru to Nairobi
Early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Breakfast, then depart for Nairobi, arriving by early evening.
Drop-off at your hotel or JKIA.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Prices are per person sharing, based on mid-range lodges and camps, for a private safari in an exclusive 4x4 Land Cruiser.
Season Dates
- Low SeasonJanuary to June
- High SeasonJuly to October, plus November to 19 December
- Peak Season20 December to 5 January (Christmas & New Year)
Tour Cost (Private 4x4 Land Cruiser, Per Person Sharing)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $1,050 | $890 | $800 |
| High Season | $1,250 | $1,050 | $940 |
| Peak Season | $1,450 | $1,220 | $1,080 |
Per-person cost drops as group size grows because vehicle and guide fees are shared. Park fees, meals, and accommodation stay per-person. Single travellers pay a single supplement. Exact quote depends on lodge category, travel dates, and children's ages.
Get a Live Quote for Your Dates ›What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private transport in a safari-equipped 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- 3 nights' accommodation, full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All game drives per itinerary
- Park entry fees for Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi
Excluded
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver-guide and camp staff
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Optional activities: hot air balloon safari, Maasai village visit
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Laundry services
Getting There
The safari starts and ends in Nairobi. If flying in, land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO); pick-up is included from the airport or any Nairobi hotel.
No internal flight is required for this route since it's fully road-based. Travellers connecting onward can request a Mara airstrip fly-out add-on — see our Fly-In Kenya Safaris page — or arrange drop-off at Nairobi's Wilson Airport instead of JKIA.
