Spend 5 days and 4 nights on a private Kenya safari through Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha.
Overnight plan: 2 nights 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.
Flights and local road transfers follow the daily programme and the confirmed flight service. Private game-drive arrangements do not establish exclusive use of an aircraft. Flight timings and baggage conditions are confirmed for the booked service.
The Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk are included.
Big Five game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Hippo boat ride on Lake Naivasha with African fish eagle sightings
Walking safari on Crescent Island among giraffe and zebra
Scenic flights connecting Nairobi, Mara, and Naivasha
Over 400 bird species at Lake Naivasha including pelicans and cormorants
Lion prides, cheetah, and elephant herds on the Mara plains
Lush Rift Valley scenery around Kenya's highest freshwater lake
Hell's Gate National Park option for cycling and rock climbing
Itinerary
A five-day safari flying from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara and onward to Lake Naivasha, with Mara game drives, an included lake boat ride and Crescent Island walk, then a road return to Nairobi.
Day 01 :
Nairobi to Maasai Mara by Air
The safari starts with the Nairobi transfer to Wilson Airport and the flight to the Maasai Mara. Your guide meets your party at the bush airstrip, and the afternoon programme introduces the reserve on a game drive.
The drive follows suitable routes through open plains and wooded margins, looking for wildlife and stopping to observe the animals encountered. The first Mara session provides an introduction to the landscape explored during the following full day.
8 hours
Lunch + Dinner
Day 02 :
Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives
Morning and afternoon game drives explore the Mara’s grassland and riverine habitats. Your guide looks for grazing herds and predators, with time to watch wildlife behaviour and photograph the animals in their surroundings.
The programme includes the river environment where access is appropriate for the day’s route, offering opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles and birds. The second session continues across different viewing areas without promising a particular species or river crossing.
12 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 03 :
Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha
The programme leaves the Mara by air for Naivasha, followed by the transfer to the lakeside base. The afternoon provides time to enjoy the lake setting and look for birds around the permitted visitor areas.
A Hell’s Gate cycling excursion is optional and separately arranged, with activity on authorised routes. It is additional to the included Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk scheduled for the next day.
7 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 04 :
Lake Naivasha Boat Safari and Crescent Island
The Lake Naivasha boat safari explores the lake environment, with opportunities to observe hippos and waterbirds from the operator’s route. Boarding and viewing follow the boat crew’s safety arrangements.
The programme continues with the guided Crescent Island walk on the sanctuary’s open paths. Walking through the grazing habitat offers a different perspective from the Mara game drives, with animals observed at a respectful distance and the surrounding lake forming part of the landscape.
8 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 05 :
Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
The final morning brings the lakeside stay to a close before the road return to Nairobi. The journey completes the circuit’s flight into the Mara, savannah game drives and Lake Naivasha boat and walking experiences. The safari ends at the agreed Nairobi drop-off point.
4 hours
Breakfast
Cost Details
What's Included
Flight Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Maasai Mara
Flight Maasai Mara to Naivasha
Road transfer Naivasha to Nairobi
Airport transfers in Nairobi
All game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle in the Mara
Professional English-speaking safari guide
Lake Naivasha boat safari
Crescent Island walking safari
Four nights full board accommodation at safari and lakeside lodges
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 in the Mara
Optional Maasai village visit
Hell's Gate National Park cycling excursion
Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Alcoholic and premium beverages
Personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs
Excess baggage charges under the booked airline and ticket conditions
FAQs
Is the boat safari on Lake Naivasha safe with hippos
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.
What is Crescent Island and why is it special
Crescent Island Game Sanctuary is a walking safari destination at Lake Naivasha, with trails through grassland and lakeside habitat. Its published wildlife list includes giraffe, zebra and waterbuck, as well as spotted hyena and hippo. It is not a predator-free environment; follow the sanctuary team’s visitor instructions.
How do I return from Naivasha to Nairobi
This programme runs for 5 days / 4 nights. Its daily stages are: Day 01: Nairobi to Maasai Mara by Air; Day 02: Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives; Day 03: Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha; Day 04: Lake Naivasha Boat Safari and Crescent Island; Day 05: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi. The included-items list specifies: Flight Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Maasai Mara; Flight Maasai Mara to Naivasha; Road transfer Naivasha to Nairobi; Airport transfers in Nairobi; All game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle in the Mara; Professional English-speaking safari guide; Lake Naivasha boat safari; Crescent Island walking safari; Four nights full board accommodation at safari and lakeside lodges; All applicable park and reserve entry fees; Drinking water during game drives. Optional activities and any changes are identified separately in the written quotation.
Can I visit Hell's Gate National Park on this safari
The programme is 5 days / 4 nights. Its daily stages are: Day 01: Nairobi to Maasai Mara by Air; Day 02: Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives; Day 03: Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha; Day 04: Lake Naivasha Boat Safari and Crescent Island; Day 05: 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 birds can I see 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. Encounters depend on habitat, animal movements and the conditions during your visit.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
5 days4 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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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!…
Fly from Nairobi Wilson to the Maasai Mara for a three-day, two-night stay. Your included game drives use a vehicle and guide reserved exclusively for...
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