Spend 4 days and 3 nights on a private Kenya safari through Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha.
Overnight plan: 1 night in Maasai Mara, 2 nights in Lake Naivasha. The daily itinerary below sets out the travel stages and scheduled activities.
Your safari arrangements are private to your party. The selected accommodation, vehicle, travel dates and party determine the applicable offer. Wildlife sightings and any migration crossings depend on natural conditions; they cannot be guaranteed.
The Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk are included.
New Year's Eve celebration under the African stars in the Maasai Mara
Special NYE dinner and midnight bonfire experience at the lodge
New Year's Day game drives with Big Five wildlife in the Mara
Boat safari on Lake Naivasha among hippo pods and water birds
Crescent Island walking safari with giraffe and zebra
Expert guides in both the Mara and Naivasha ecosystems
Spectacular Rift Valley escarpment views on the scenic drive
Birdwatching across two of Kenya's premier wildlife ecosystems
Itinerary
A four-day New Year safari beginning in the Maasai Mara on New Year’s Eve, with a lodge midnight celebration and New Year’s Day game drive, followed by Lake Naivasha’s boat ride and Crescent Island walk.
Day 01 :
Nairobi to Maasai Mara on New Year's Eve
The New Year’s Eve programme travels from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara, followed by an afternoon game drive through the reserve. Your guide looks for wildlife across the open grassland and wooded margins, pausing at sightings before the evening return.
The lodge hosts the included midnight celebration to welcome the New Year. The evening event follows the afternoon wildlife programme, keeping the celebration and the next morning’s game drive as distinct parts of the stay.
8 hours
Lunch + Dinner
Day 02 :
New Year's Day Morning Game Drive then Drive to Naivasha
New Year’s Day begins with a morning game drive in the Maasai Mara. Your guide explores suitable viewing routes, looking for predators and grazing herds and allowing time to observe wildlife in the early light.
After the morning programme, the safari leaves the Mara and continues to Lake Naivasha. The remainder of the day introduces the lakeside setting before the full lake programme that follows.
10 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 03 :
Full Day Lake Naivasha Activities
The Lake Naivasha boat ride explores the freshwater lake, with opportunities to observe hippos and waterbirds from the boat operator’s route. The programme also includes the Crescent Island walk, following open sanctuary paths through the grazing habitat beside the lake.
The afternoon allows time at the lakeside base. Cycling or a guided birdwatching walk is optional and separately arranged, while guests may instead spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
10 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 04 :
Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
The final morning concludes the Lake Naivasha stay before the return to Nairobi. The safari ends at the agreed drop-off point after the New Year celebration, Mara game viewing and lake boat and walking programme.
3 hours
Breakfast
Cost Details
What's Included
Return road transport Nairobi to Maasai Mara in a 4x4 safari vehicle
Road transfer Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha
Road transfer Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
All game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
Crescent Island walking safari entrance fee
Professional English-speaking safari guides at each destination
Special New Year's Eve dinner and midnight celebration at the lodge
Three nights full board accommodation
All applicable park and reserve entry fees
Drinking water during game drives
What's Not Included
International flights
Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) fees, where applicable
Travel and medical insurance
Hot air balloon safari
Optional Maasai village visit
Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Alcoholic and premium beverages beyond the NYE celebration package
Optional activities such as cycling at Lake Naivasha
Personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs
FAQs
What is the New Year's Eve celebration like in the Mara
A private safari can be planned around an anniversary, honeymoon or other occasion. Dinners, room arrangements and other extras depend on the booked property and service. The written quotation specifies any included celebration arrangements; a trip's name does not establish champagne, private dining or decorations.
Is wildlife viewing good during December and January
The programme is 4 days / 3 nights. Its daily stages are: Day 01: Nairobi to Maasai Mara on New Year's Eve; Day 02: New Year's Day Morning Game Drive then Drive to Naivasha; Day 03: Full Day Lake Naivasha Activities; Day 04: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi. Included activities and optional services are identified separately; travel time and scheduled activities determine the time available at each stop.
What activities are available at Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha provides a freshwater-lake setting for waterbirds and hippo viewing. Boat excursions and Crescent Island walks have separate operator and access arrangements. A boat ride, Crescent Island visit and Hell's Gate activity are distinct services; inclusion and access must be stated individually.
Can I see hippos on the Lake Naivasha boat safari
Hippos are wild animals and can be dangerous. A Lake Naivasha boat excursion depends on the boat operator, equipment, weather and wildlife conditions. Follow the crew's briefing and keep clear of animals; an excursion is not permission to approach or crowd hippos.
Do I need to book New Year safari packages far in advance
Begin booking once your New Year dates and party are settled. Camp rooms, family rooms, flights and activities each require supplier confirmation; no fixed lead time guarantees space. A quotation is separate from a confirmed reservation.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
4 days3 nightsKenya
Nairobi → Maasai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi
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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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$2,800/ Adult
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4.9
Based on 664 reviews
Erica Anderson
What an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us andWhat an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us and he made our experience unforgettable. Could not have asked for a better introduction to Kenya!…
Laura H
Very knowledgeable and friendly
michael graham
Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable,Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable, patient and great fun. Rustic Nature Tours are well organised and quick to respond from my very first enquiry. You won’t be disappointed.…
Peter M
Great experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommendGreat experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommend asking for Kelvin as your guide.…
Ruth
My husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking atMy husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Michael G
Rustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someoneRustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someone says they had a better guide than Kelvin, they are making it up! He’s the MAN. We had a blast.…
Fernando Estaragues
It was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was reallyIt was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was really good with a lot of personalized service.The guide was the best one, fully recommended our guide, Kelvin Ndolo, he drive through all the safari to let us catch some good pictures, the service is really good with him, he was a nice person with a lot of experience, telling you about everything in Kenya in general, nice time with him, helping, giving advices, experienced man.He is el chingon!!In general we can say that we wouldn't be in a better tour and guide for the first experience in Kenya!…
Nicole S
We had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from ourWe had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from our hotel and a comfortable ride to each site.Our driver/guide, Denish, was fantastic! extremely safe, knowledgeable, and always ready to answer any questions we had. Every guide we met at the individual stops was equally kind and full of insights.Highlights of our day included a delicious lunch, visiting local community shops for souvenirs, and especially the museum and Kobe Tough! It was the perfect blend of culture, history, and city highlights. If you have a day in Nairobi, we highly recommend booking this tour!…
Marc-Antoine Ladouceur
I booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted toI booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted to my preferences, at a price that really surprised me, in a good way. My guide was fantastic, not just knowledgeable about wildlife but also about the socialBiophysical environmental, geomorphology and human stories behind the places we visited. Everything just flowed. I couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend them to anyone looking for an authentic Kenyan adventure…
FarAway57601419658
Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake,Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Katie Richards-Schuster
Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The tripsKelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The trips were completely seamless. We had terrific communication beforehand in preparation for the experiences, and we felt that all aspects were accounted for. Kelvin was absolutely exceptional as a guide. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, the local history, and the elements of the safari experience. His ability to navigate us to exactly the spots where we could see the most, be the closest, and truly experience all that Kenya has to offer.For the first-day experience, we traveled to Amboseli. People in our group really wanted to see elephants. And elephants we saw! Kelvin helped position the Land Cruiser so that we had multiple herds of elephants (including babies) walk in front of the vehicle, less than 10 feet away!! It was a memorable sight. We also saw lions, zebras, wildebeests, birds (of all kinds), giraffes, and so much more. Kelvin has a college degree in wildlife management, and he is both extraordinarily knowledgeable and professional in the trip. He answered our questions, provided information, and helped us experience the wildlife in the safest manner possible. I would definitely recommend taking the Land Cruiser over the Safari van. The roads in the park are bumpy, and the Land Cruiser ensured a safe, comfortable ride while also getting us into the perfect spot to see the animals. After 4 hours or so in the park, we headed to a beautiful lodge to eat. The food and experience at the lodge were wonderful. After that, we did another drive before leaving to head back to Nairobi. A long but unbelievable day!For the second experience, we headed to Nairobi National Park, then the Sheldrick Elephant Trust, Kobe Beads, lunch, and the Giraffe Center. Again, Kelvin was a masterful guide. In the park, he got us close to hippos, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and even a crocodile- among many other animals. He found the perfect spots and maneuvered the vehicle just right (and sometimes even off the beaten path) to make sure we saw the best views of the animals (again, we recommend the Land Cruiser for the best experience!). After talking with others who took different trips to Nairobi National Park, we realized how special our visit was. Many of them didn’t have Kelvin guiding them and, as a result, missed seeing all that we saw. We can’t emphasize enough how amazing Kelvin is. From there, Kelvin got us to the Elephant Sanctuary. He had the tickets already set, so all we needed to do was walk in, and then he got us to the perfect spot where we could be feet away from baby elephants, a baby rhino, and a baby zebra. Truly spectacular! After that, we visited a local bead factory that is a microenterprise supporting local women. We had a tour, learned about the beading process, and then had the opportunity to visit their shop (no hassling or pressure to buy- but we did get some beautiful items!). Then to a hidden garden for lunch at a local restaurant, and then finally to the giraffes. By the time we got to the giraffes, it was very busy, but again, Kelvin worked his magic to get us through the line quickly (we felt like VIPs!) and to the perfect spot to feed them. He clearly knows the staff, as he was able to get us pictures and even additional food to feed the animals. After a long day, he masterfully navigated traffic (which is no joke) to return us to the hotel.All in all, our time in Kenya would not have been the same without Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours. We can’t recommend their tours any higher. You will not be disappointed!!!…
Brianna D
Our amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to theOur amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to the elephant orphanage where Faith knew the whole system and was able to get us up close spots in the “splash zone.” Next up was the giraffe center where we got up close to hand feed giraffes. Faith knew all of the giraffes by name and personality and even took photos on our camera for us. Afterwards we stopped for traditional Kenyan lunch (at your own expense) and we elected to do the Karen Blixen museum for the entrance fee as well. Since it was just me and my husband, Faith even drove us to the local mall before taking us back to the hotel. Overall it was a day well spent with memories to last a lifetime!…
Venture deep into Kenya's mesmerizing landscapes, where nature's wonders unfold at every turn. This 8-day safari, starting from the vibrant city of Nairobi, offers a...
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