5-Day Private Naivasha and Maasai Mara Safari

Overview

Travel from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara on a private five-day road safari, with two Naivasha nights and two Mara nights. Road transport and the safari guide are private to your party; the included Lake Naivasha boat ride may be shared with other visitors.

Day two includes the morning boat ride, boat access to Crescent Island, sanctuary admission and guided walk. Two lake nights give these activities a full day between the Nairobi arrival and the onward road transfer. The Mara programme includes an arrival-afternoon game drive on day three and a full wildlife day on day four, followed by breakfast and the road return to Nairobi on day five.

Choose Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation and a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan. The quote confirms the camps or lodges, rooms, vehicle and price for the travel dates and party. The listed meals and applicable entry fees for the scheduled programme are included. Wildlife sightings vary; Maasai village visits and balloon safaris are optional and charged separately.

Trip Highlights

Five days and four nights: two in Naivasha and two in the Mara
Included Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island admission with guided walk
One full Mara wildlife day plus the arrival-afternoon game drive
Private road transport in a Land Cruiser 4x4 or Safari Minivan
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation confirmed for your dates
Professional English-speaking safari guide; wildlife sightings vary

Day 01 :

Nairobi to Lake Naivasha

Your private safari begins with collection in Nairobi and the journey through the Great Rift Valley to the Lake Naivasha area. The afternoon is at leisure, providing a slower start before the following day’s lake activities. This first day introduces the freshwater-lake setting without adding a scheduled excursion. The stay begins with the first of two Naivasha nights.

4 hours

Lunch + Dinner

Day 02 :

Lake Naivasha Boat Ride and Crescent Island Walk

The morning includes the Lake Naivasha boat ride and guided Crescent Island walk. The boat outing explores the freshwater lake, with opportunities to look for hippos and waterbirds, before the walking experience introduces the sanctuary’s grassland and lakeside habitats. Road transport and the safari guide are private to your party; the included boat ride may be shared with other visitors. Boat and walking routes follow the lake and sanctuary access arrangements. The afternoon is at leisure before the second Naivasha night.

8 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 03 :

Naivasha to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Your party leaves Naivasha for the Maasai Mara, continuing by private vehicle towards the safari’s wildlife-viewing destination. An afternoon game drive introduces the reserve’s grasslands and accessible wildlife habitats after arrival. Your professional safari guide searches for resident animals and gives time to watch activity encountered along the route. The outing establishes the Mara setting before the full day of wildlife exploration that follows.

9 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 04 :

Full Day Maasai Mara Game Drive

Morning and afternoon private game drives provide a full wildlife day in the Maasai Mara. Your guide explores suitable grassland and riverine habitats, following current animal movements and allowing time for patient observation. Predators, grazing herds and other resident wildlife encountered form part of the day’s viewing. A break separates the two outings before the afternoon drive continues the exploration and returns to the Mara base for the evening.

12 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 05 :

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

Your party checks out and leaves the Maasai Mara for the private return journey to Nairobi. The route passes through Narok and the Great Rift Valley, completing the journey from the lake setting to the Mara plains and back to the capital. There is no separate departure-morning game drive in this programme. The safari ends with the agreed Nairobi drop-off.

5 hours

Breakfast

FAQs

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How are the five days and four nights arranged?

Day one is the Nairobi-to-Naivasha road transfer with lunch, dinner and the first lake night. Day two includes the boat ride, guided Crescent Island walk and second lake night. Day three is the transfer to the Mara with an afternoon game drive and the first Mara night. Day four is the full Mara wildlife day, with morning and afternoon drives and the second Mara night. Day five includes breakfast and the road return to Nairobi, with no separate final morning game drive.

Why are there two nights at Lake Naivasha?

The first night follows the Nairobi transfer and allows the boat ride and guided Crescent Island walk to take place on a full day at the lake. The second night follows those activities, before the next morning road transfer to the Maasai Mara. There is one full wildlife day in the Mara plus the arrival-afternoon game drive.

Are the boat ride and Crescent Island walk included?

Yes. The Lake Naivasha morning boat ride, boat access for the Crescent Island visit, sanctuary admission and guided walk are included on day two. The sanctuary and boat operators are separate services. The boat excursion does not replace sanctuary admission or the guided-walk arrangements.

Is the entire safari private?

Road transport and the safari guide are private to your party; the included Lake Naivasha boat ride may be shared with other visitors. The Crescent Island visit takes place in a sanctuary open to other visitors; this booking does not provide exclusive use of the sanctuary.

Which accommodation and vehicle options are available?

Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury accommodation are available, with a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan. The quote confirms the selected camps or lodges, room arrangements, vehicle and price for the travel dates and party. A particular lake-view room or identical pricing across all options is not promised.

Which meals, fees and optional activities are covered?

Lunch and dinner on day one; breakfast, lunch and dinner on days two, three and four; and breakfast on day five are included. The scheduled Mara game drives, applicable park and sanctuary entry fees, the Naivasha boat ride, Crescent Island admission and guided walk, water during drives and binoculars for use during drives are included. Balloon safaris, Maasai village visits, Hell’s Gate entry and cycling are excluded. Additional activities require a separate arrangement that fits the programme and access conditions.

Are wildlife sightings or boat departures guaranteed?

No particular animal, bird, hunt or close encounter is guaranteed. Boat and walking activities depend on lake conditions, safe operation and sanctuary access. Wildlife viewing follows the applicable guide, operator and reserve rules.

What should families know about the activities?

Eligibility depends on each child’s age, the boat and walking operator’s rules, and the selected accommodation and room arrangements. The confirmed programme identifies suitable activities and any agreed adaptations. The package age bands alone do not establish eligibility for every activity.

How long are the road journeys?

Transfer times depend on the pickup point, confirmed camps or lodges, entry gates, route, stops, roads and traffic. The standard itinerary provides two Naivasha nights, two Mara nights and a separate final road-return day. Any timed onward connection is confirmed against the agreed departure and transfer arrangements.