5 Days Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari – Kenya Self-Drive
5 days are amazingly the perfect way to spend a holiday in Kenya. This particular 5 Days Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari ushers you deep into the wilderness of Maasai Mara National Reserve to witness the Great Migration and all the big 5 game in a single habitat; Lake Nakuru National Park to watch millions of colorfully beautiful pink flamingos. This memorable wildlife and birding excursion includes game drive/viewing and boat ride.
Maasai Mara Reserve is Kenya’s finest and also one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations offering refuge to both wildebeest and big five game. The popular animals in Masai Mara besides wildebeests include African bush elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, buffaloes, rhinos, zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, black-backed jackals, bat eared fox, spotted hyenas, and more than 470 species of birds.
Lake Nakuru National Park, a wildlife haven, lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and surrounding it, is a scenic bushy grassland. Iconic wildlife species to encounter in this protected area include zebras, leopards, waterbucks, impalas, cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, lions, waterbucks, gazelles, and pink flamingos.
Detailed Itinerary for 5 Days Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari
Day 1: Pick up, travel to Maasai Mara from Nairobi city
At 7:00am, meet your professional Kenyan driver guide at the hotel for briefing and pick up. Start your journey to Maasai Mara early enough, expecting to spend up to 5 -6 hours driving on the road. En-route, keep eyes on the spectacularly scenic Great Rift Valley and on arrival at the reserve, settle for a leisurely lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you will start your wildlife excursion in the vast savanna wilderness as you look out for some of the amazing species at Masai Mara using a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof. The rest of the evening will include leisurely dinner and overnight stay at the pre-booked lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Little Governors Camp/Angama Mara
- Midrange: Mara Serena Safari Lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge
- Budget: Fig Tree Camp/Mara River Lodge
Day 2: Full day guided wildlife expedition at Masai Mara Kenya
Embark on a combined morning and afternoon game viewing experience in Maasai Mara. Set off as earlier as 6:00am to catch up with early risers and other species that freely roam within this reserve. If this trip happens to be around June to September, be ready to enjoy the mesmerizing wildebeest migration experience.
Today’s wildlife excursion includes sighting the big 5 game, giraffes, zebras, elands, topis, and many birds. The long-day excursion includes a picnic lunch and later, you get back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Little Governors Camp/Angama Mara
- Midrange: Mara Serena Safari Lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge
- Budget: Fig Tree Camp/Mara River Lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Naivasha –for an enriching birding
Depart from Maasai Mara for Lake Naivasha, a treasured birding destination. Get to Naivasha early and settle for lunch, then set off for a boat ride/excursion to enjoy sight of birds and other aquatic species like hippos.
Some of the birds to identify on boat cruise tour on Lake Naivasha include hadada ibis, grey crowned cranes, black smith lapwing, African jacanas, helmeted guinea fowl, African spoonbill, and long toed lapwings, and others.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort
- Midrange: Naivasha Kongoni Lodge
- Budget: Sweet Lake Resort
Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park
After a delicious breakfast, set off to Lake Nakuru NP a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and also Bird and Rhino Sanctuary. Arrive early and you will be served lunch at the pre-booked accommodation then later continue with afternoon activity preferably a game drive.
Amazing animals in Lake Nakuru N/Park include Rothschild giraffes, impalas, buffaloes, rhinos, hyenas and several of flamingos.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
- Midrange: Ziwa Bush Lodge/Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
- Budget: Punda Milias Nakuru Camp
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy an early morning game drive through Lake Nakuru NP and after, begin your journey back to Nairobi city. Drive while enjoying the spectacular rift valley escarpment in the countryside and within 3 hours you will be at Nairobi, drop off at the hotel or airport.
End of safari
Inclusions – 5 Days Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari
- Transport
- Accommodation
- 4×4 safari vehicle
- Park entry fees
- An English-speaking guide (certified by Kenyan authorities)
- All trip activities on this Kenya safari excluding optional ones
Exclusions – 5 Days Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari
- Tips
- Laundry
- International flights/airfares
- Optional activities
- Insurance and other expenses of personal nature