Naivasha to Mara safari: four-day route
This Naivasha to Mara safari is a private four-day road journey from Nairobi. Spend the first night at Lake Naivasha, with a boat ride and Crescent Island walk included, then stay two nights in the Mara.
Your time in the Maasai Mara
Day three is devoted to game viewing before the return to Nairobi on day four.
Accommodation and private transport
Choose Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation and a private Safari Minivan or Land Cruiser 4×4. The quote specifies the selected accommodation and vehicle; meals follow the daily programme. Wildlife sightings depend on conditions.
Trip Highlights
- Private road safari from Nairobi to Naivasha and the Maasai Mara
- Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk included
- One night at Lake Naivasha and two nights in the Mara
- A full day for Maasai Mara game viewing
- Nairobi start and finish, with no Nairobi attraction visits
- Maasai village visits remain optional and separately arranged
Itinerary
The safari travels directly from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, where the day centres on the included boat ride and Crescent Island walk. The boat outing explores the lake’s open water and papyrus-fringed shoreline, providing a different perspective on its wildlife and birdlife.
The Crescent Island visit continues on foot through the sanctuary’s grassland, with time to observe the animals encountered from the walking route. The guide coordinates the order of the two activities with the local arrangements. The day finishes beside Lake Naivasha for the first overnight of the safari; Nairobi attraction visits are not part of this day.
The route continues from Lake Naivasha through the Rift Valley towards the Maasai Mara. The lake activities were completed on day one, leaving this day for the journey into the Mara landscape and the planned arrival-afternoon game drive.
The first Mara outing explores the reserve’s grassland and woodland habitats with the private guide. The viewing circuit follows current wildlife movements, with time to watch the animals encountered before returning to the safari base for the first of two Mara nights.
A full Maasai Mara day combines morning and afternoon game drives. The guide explores the reserve’s open grasslands and woodland edges, selecting viewing areas according to wildlife activity and authorised access.
The two outings allow time to observe behaviour, follow developing encounters and photograph the changing light across the landscape. Particular species and river crossings are not guaranteed. The day ends with the second overnight in the Mara.
The final day leaves the Maasai Mara for the road journey back to Nairobi. The route retraces the transition from the Mara’s pastoral landscape through Narok and the Rift Valley towards the capital.
There is no separate final-morning game drive in this programme. Arrival in Nairobi completes the four-day route linking the Lake Naivasha activities with the Maasai Mara safari.
Cost Details
What's Included
- Nairobi hotel pick-up and all road transfers
- Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
- All scheduled game drives in a private Safari Minivan or Land Cruiser 4x4, as quoted
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Three nights full board accommodation
- All applicable park and reserve entry fees
- Drinking water during game drives
- Crescent Island walk at Lake Naivasha
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) fees, where applicable
- Travel and medical insurance
- Hot air balloon safari in the Mara
- Optional Maasai village visit
- Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Optional cycling at Hell's Gate National Park
- Personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs
FAQs
The Nairobi to Lake Naivasha drive is on day one, followed by the included boat ride and Crescent Island walk. The transfer time depends on the pickup point, road conditions, traffic and stops. The itinerary does not include a Nairobi attraction tour. For current sanctuary access and arrival instructions, read Crescent Island’s visitor information.
The drive from Lake Naivasha to the Maasai Mara is on day two. The time needed depends on road conditions and the selected Mara accommodation and entry gate. The arrival-day game drive is coordinated around the actual arrival and access arrangements.
This itinerary has two nights in the Maasai Mara and one full game-viewing day on day three. Day two includes the road transfer and an arrival-day game drive subject to timing; day four is breakfast and the return journey. Additional Mara nights can be quoted if you want more game-viewing time.
The migrating wildebeest herds move between the Serengeti and the Mara. The Mara Conservancy describes the Mara season as usually beginning in June or July and continuing into November. Arrival, departure and river crossings vary with the herds; a travel date cannot establish a crossing time.
A private itinerary can be quoted with additional nights, destinations or different services. Changes alter the route, timing and cost and depend on the selected suppliers' availability. The revised written programme identifies what is included; an optional extension is not part of the current booking automatically.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
Nairobi → Lake Naivasha → Maasai Mara → Nairobi
Find your journey on the map.
Tap a stage below to explore the journey.
Location markers are approximate. Connections show the journey sequence, not roads, exact driving distances or live vehicle tracking. The itinerary sets out each stage.
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