Which activities are included at Naivasha and Hell’s Gate

The programme includes the Lake Naivasha boat ride, the Crescent Island guided walk and a guided walk on Hell’s Gate National Park’s authorised surface walking routes. Hell’s Gate cycling fees are excluded.

Are there flamingos at Lake Nakuru year-round

Flamingos move between Rift Valley lakes as feeding conditions change. Lake Nakuru's water levels and chemistry influence its food supply, and numbers can change sharply. Year-round large flocks are not a reliable expectation for this park.

Can I cycle through Hell’s Gate

Cycling is a separately paid option and is excluded from this safari’s price. The included Hell’s Gate activity is a guided walk on authorised surface walking routes.

What is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara

Migration viewing and resident-wildlife viewing are different reasons to visit. The Mara Conservancy describes the migration as usually arriving in June or July and continuing into November, with river crossings difficult to predict. The Mara also supports resident wildlife; exact herd movements determine migration encounters.

How long are the drives between destinations

This road safari links Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara. Transfer duration depends on the departure point, lodge location, road conditions and traffic. The daily itinerary sets the order of destinations; allow for the road transfers when planning each travel day.

5 Day Nakuru Naivasha Hells Gate Mara Rift to Mara Safari Kenya

Map

Overview

Travel from Nairobi through Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate before an arrival-afternoon game drive in the Maasai Mara. This private five-day road safari has four nights: two in the Nakuru area, one at Naivasha and one in the Mara. Lake Nakuru’s lakeside and woodland drives contrast with Naivasha’s freshwater boat safari and Crescent Island walk, while Hell’s Gate adds a guided walk on authorised surface routes among the park’s volcanic landscapes.

The Mara visit centres on the scheduled afternoon game drive on day four. Day five returns by road to Nairobi. Your private party can choose a Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan and Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation; the quotation sets out the selected arrangements and their price. Wildlife sightings and flamingo numbers depend on conditions.

Trip Highlights

Arrival-afternoon and full-day game viewing in Lake Nakuru National Park
Baboon Cliff viewpoint above Lake Nakuru
Included boat safari on Lake Naivasha
Included guided Crescent Island walk
Guided walking on authorised surface routes in Hell’s Gate
Arrival-afternoon game drive in the Maasai Mara
Two Nakuru nights, one Naivasha night and one Mara night
Private road safari with scheduled Nairobi pickup and drop-off

Day 01 :

Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park

The safari leaves Nairobi for Lake Nakuru National Park, descending into the Great Rift Valley before the arrival game drive. The afternoon circuit explores the lake margins, open grazing areas and woodland, introducing the different habitats within this compact Rift Valley park.

The guide follows current wildlife activity along the park tracks, looking for rhinos, antelope and birds and taking time over the animals encountered. Lake views provide the setting for the first safari afternoon before the first of two nights in the Nakuru area.

7 hours

Lunch + Dinner

Day 02 :

Full Day Lake Nakuru National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives give a full day to explore Lake Nakuru National Park. The morning circuit follows the lakeside and adjoining woodland, with opportunities to observe waterbirds and the park’s rhino and antelope populations as the guide explains the habitats along the route.

A stop at Baboon Cliff provides a broader view across the lake and surrounding park. The afternoon drive continues through the woodland and open country, allowing time to follow wildlife activity rather than repeat a single short lakeside circuit. Flamingo numbers and other sightings vary with conditions.

12 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 03 :

Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate

The journey continues south from Nakuru to Lake Naivasha. An included boat safari explores the freshwater lake’s wildlife and birdlife, followed by the included guided Crescent Island walk. These two activities provide contrasting views of the lake environment, from the water and on foot.

The Hell’s Gate visit adds a guided walk on the park’s authorised surface walking routes, with its cliffs, rock formations and open valley landscape as the focus. The day’s walking programme follows these approved routes, before the Naivasha overnight.

9 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 04 :

Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara

The road journey leaves Lake Naivasha for the Maasai Mara, travelling through the Rift Valley highlands towards the Mara’s open grassland. Arrival is followed by the scheduled afternoon game drive, introducing the reserve’s savannah habitats and the wildlife encountered along the accessible park tracks.

The private guide follows wildlife activity within the day’s viewing area, allowing time to watch animals and explain their behaviour. This is the safari’s Mara game-viewing afternoon, followed by the itinerary’s single Mara overnight.

7 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 05 :

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

The final day is the road return from the Maasai Mara to Nairobi. After leaving the overnight base, the journey retraces the route through the Mara’s surrounding countryside and the Rift Valley highlands towards the capital.

The landscape changes from the pastoral country around the reserve to the more cultivated highlands on the approach to Nairobi. The safari finishes with the scheduled Nairobi drop-off, completing the five-day circuit through Nakuru, Naivasha, Hell’s Gate and the Maasai Mara.

7 hours

Breakfast