What is the five-day route and overnight pattern?

Day one combines a morning Nairobi National Park drive with the Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk, overnight in Naivasha. Day two visits Lake Nakuru, overnight in Nakuru. Day three reaches the Mara for an afternoon drive. Day four is a full Mara game-viewing day. Two nights are in the Mara; day five returns to Nairobi without a Mara drive.

Are the Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk included?

Yes. Both the Lake Naivasha boat ride and guided Crescent Island walk are included on day one.

Which vehicle and accommodation options are available?

The private road safari offers a Land Cruiser 4x4 or Safari Minivan, with Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury accommodation options. The selected services, dates and travelling party determine the applicable rate basis; the options are not assumed to have the same price.

How different is the Maasai Mara from the other destinations on this safari

The Maasai Mara supports lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and other plains wildlife. Migration herds are a seasonal addition to the ecosystem.

Can I extend this safari to include more parks

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.

5 Day First Time Kenya Safari Nakuru Naivasha Mara

Map

Overview

This private five-day safari starts with a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park, then continues to Lake Naivasha for the included boat ride and Crescent Island walk. The second day explores Lake Nakuru National Park. The route reaches the Maasai Mara on day three for an afternoon drive, followed by a full game-viewing day on day four and the Nairobi return on day five without a Mara drive.

The four overnight stays are one in Naivasha, one in Nakuru and two in the Maasai Mara. Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury accommodation options are available, with a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan. The selected accommodation, travel dates and party determine the applicable rate basis; the options are not assumed to cost the same.

Trip Highlights

Morning Nairobi National Park game drive
Included Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk
Lake Nakuru National Park wildlife drive
Arrival-afternoon drive and a full game-viewing day in the Maasai Mara
Four nights: Naivasha, Nakuru and two in the Mara
Private vehicle and guide for the travelling party

Day 01 :

Nairobi National Park to Lake Naivasha

The safari begins with a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park. The guide explores the park’s grassland and wooded viewing areas, searching for the wildlife present with the city skyline providing a contrasting setting in parts of the park. The road journey then continues to Lake Naivasha for the included boat ride and Crescent Island walk. The boat outing explores shoreline habitats, while the guided sanctuary walk offers wildlife viewing on foot. The day ends in Naivasha for the first overnight stay.

8 hours

Lunch + Dinner

Day 02 :

Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park

The road journey leaves Naivasha for Lake Nakuru National Park. The day’s game-viewing programme explores the lake margins, woodland and grassland habitats, looking for rhinos, giraffes, buffalo and the birds present. The guide explains the differences between this alkaline lake environment and the previous day’s freshwater lake. Time at sightings allows observation of wildlife behaviour and the changing landscape rather than a promise of particular bird numbers or animal encounters. The second overnight stay is in the Nakuru area.

9 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 03 :

Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara

The private road safari leaves Nakuru for the Maasai Mara. The landscape changes from the Rift Valley lake country towards the Mara’s open savannah. On arrival, the afternoon game drive introduces the reserve’s grassland and riverine habitats. The guide follows current wildlife activity through the permitted viewing areas, with time to observe the animals encountered and explain their behaviour. The programme returns to its Mara base for the first of two nights, ahead of a full exploration day.

9 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 04 :

Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drives

A full day in the Maasai Mara combines morning and afternoon game drives. The guide searches open grassland and riverine vegetation for the wildlife present, using the day’s observations to choose the permitted viewing routes. Time at sightings focuses on animal behaviour and the relationships between the reserve’s habitats and wildlife. The later outing explores additional viewing areas within the programme, offering a second perspective on the Mara before returning to the same base for the fourth and final overnight stay.

8 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 05 :

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

Checkout at the Mara base is followed by the private road return to Nairobi. There is no scheduled Mara game drive on this final day. The journey leaves the reserve area and travels back through the Rift Valley region towards the capital, completing the five-day circuit through Nairobi National Park, Naivasha, Nakuru and the Mara. The day is devoted to the return journey and the agreed Nairobi drop-off, with no additional scheduled wildlife excursion.

7 hours

Breakfast