The 6 Days Great Lakes & Masai Mara Safari combines Kenya's Great Rift Valley lakes with the wildlife-rich Masai Mara National Reserve. It is designed for travellers who want more than a standard Masai Mara safari.
Along the way you'll have opportunities to see rhinos, flamingos and other wildlife around Lake Nakuru, experience the hot springs and geothermal landscapes of Lake Bogoria, enjoy a boat ride and walking safari at Lake Naivasha, and finish with two nights of game viewing in the Masai Mara.
The safari starts and ends in Nairobi and is operated as a private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep with a professional English-speaking driver-guide. This itinerary is suitable for couples, families, friends and small private groups who want a varied Kenya safari without joining a shared tour.
The Route Covers
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Lake Bogoria
- Lake Naivasha
- Crescent Island
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Great Rift Valley viewpoints
- Big Five game viewing
- Birdwatching and lake experiences
- Optional Maasai cultural visit
Why Choose This Safari?
- Visit three major Great Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara
- Look for black and white rhinos at Lake Nakuru
- See flamingos and other waterbirds around the Rift Valley lakes
- Explore Lake Bogoria's hot springs and geothermal landscape
- Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Walk among wildlife on Crescent Island with a local guide
- Spend two nights in the Masai Mara
- Enjoy private game drives in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep
- Customize the accommodation and safari pace to suit your budget
- Start and finish in Nairobi
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi – Lake Nakuru National Park
Your safari begins with pickup from your Nairobi hotel, residence or airport in the morning. Drive through the Great Rift Valley, with a stop at the escarpment viewpoint for photographs and views across the valley. Continue towards Lake Nakuru National Park.
After lunch, proceed for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is known for its rhino sanctuary and diverse wildlife. Depending on the season and current water conditions, you may see flamingos and other waterbirds around the lake. The park also supports buffaloes, lions, leopards, Rothschild's giraffes, zebras, waterbucks and other plains wildlife. Dinner and overnight at your selected lodge or tented camp.
Lake Nakuru – Lake Bogoria – Lake Naivasha
Start with breakfast before driving towards Lake Bogoria. Lake Bogoria is known for its alkaline waters, hot springs and geothermal activity. The lake is also an important habitat for flamingos and other bird species.
Explore the lake area and geothermal features before continuing towards Lake Naivasha. The journey takes you through the changing landscapes of Kenya's Rift Valley, with opportunities for scenic stops along the way. Arrive at Lake Naivasha for dinner and overnight.
Lake Naivasha – Crescent Island – Masai Mara
After breakfast, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha. The lake is home to hippos and a wide range of birdlife. The boat trip provides a different perspective from a traditional game drive and is particularly useful for birdwatching and photography.
Continue to Crescent Island for a guided walking experience, where you can see giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks and other herbivores from a safe distance.
After lunch, drive towards the Masai Mara through the Great Rift Valley and Narok. Arrive in the Mara later in the day and, depending on arrival time and park entry arrangements, enjoy an evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at your selected Masai Mara camp or lodge.
Full-Day Masai Mara Safari
Spend the entire day exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve. Depart early for the morning game drive when wildlife is generally active. The Mara offers excellent opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, leopards and many other species.
During the Great Migration season, usually around July to October, the Mara can also offer opportunities to witness large wildebeest and zebra herds moving through the reserve. Migration timing depends on rainfall and animal movements, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the reserve before continuing with afternoon game viewing. Return to your camp or lodge in the evening.
Full-Day Masai Mara Game Drive
Enjoy another full day in the Masai Mara. A second full day allows your guide to explore different sections of the reserve and spend more time looking for wildlife you may not have seen on the previous day. The day can include an early morning game drive, a picnic lunch and an afternoon game drive.
Optional Add-Ons
A Maasai village visit or hot-air balloon safari can both be arranged for this day at an additional cost. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Masai Mara – Nairobi
Wake up early for your final game drive in the Masai Mara. This is another opportunity to look for predators and herbivores before leaving the reserve. Return to the lodge for breakfast before beginning the drive back to Nairobi.
The journey passes through Narok and the Great Rift Valley before continuing to Nairobi. Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon or early evening, depending on road and traffic conditions. You can be dropped off at your Nairobi hotel, residence or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
The following are indicative private safari rates per person sharing in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep. Rates are based on mid-range accommodation and may vary depending on accommodation choice, travel dates, park fees and availability.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May and November
- High SeasonJanuary–March, June and October
- Peak SeasonJuly–September and selected festive dates
Indicative Private Safari Rates Per Person
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $1,450 | $1,250 | $1,150 |
| High Season | $1,750 | $1,550 | $1,450 |
| Peak Season | $2,150 | $1,850 | $1,700 |
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Five nights' accommodation
- Full-board accommodation during the safari
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified
- Game drives as outlined in the itinerary
- Lake Naivasha boat ride
- Crescent Island walking safari
- All applicable park and reserve entry fees included in the confirmed quotation
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Nairobi hotel, residence or airport pickup and drop-off
- All transportation between destinations in the itinerary
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
Excluded
- International flights
- Kenya visa or entry requirements
- Travel insurance
- Personal shopping and expenses
- Alcoholic and other personal beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional Maasai village visit
- Optional hot-air balloon safari in the Masai Mara
- Activities not listed under inclusions
- Accommodation before or after the safari unless specifically requested
- Any additional costs resulting from changes requested after the safari has started
Getting There
The safari starts in Nairobi, which is Kenya's main international arrival point. International travellers normally arrive through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Pickup can be arranged from the airport, a Nairobi hotel or another agreed location within Nairobi.
The first destination is Lake Nakuru, reached by road through the Great Rift Valley. The safari then follows a road circuit through Lake Bogoria and Lake Naivasha before continuing to the Masai Mara. The safari ends with a road transfer from the Masai Mara back to Nairobi.
Route Map
A private Land Cruiser Jeep is used throughout the safari, giving you more flexibility than a shared tour. The vehicle allows your guide to adjust the game-drive schedule and route based on wildlife sightings and road conditions.
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