4-Day Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha Safari Experience Priced from $2,136
Photo of: A place like no other
Photo of: Lake Naivasha at Mid day
Photo of: Masai Mara National Reserve
Introduction to a 4-day trip starting from the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi to Masai Mara through to Lake Naivasha.
Get ready for an incredible 4-day adventure starting in Nairobi, the lively capital of Kenya, and venturing out to the country's most famous wildlife reserves.
Day 1: Nairobi
Your African safari adventure begins as you arrive in Nairobi, the vibrant capital city of Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel in the city. Settle in and take some time to relax after your long flight, refreshing yourself with a cool drink or dip in the pool.
In the evening, venture out to explore the sights and sounds of Nairobi on your own. Stroll through the bustling streets lined with markets and shops selling colorful textiles, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Visit the Nairobi National Museum where you can learn about Kenya’s heritage including fossils, cultural displays, and Kenya's independence struggle. The museum houses some of the oldest early human fossils ever discovered. Another excellent attraction is the Karen Blixen Museum, the former home of Danish author Karen Blixen of 'Out of Africa' fame. Wander the elegant rooms and magnificent gardens for a glimpse into Kenya's colonial past.
Day 2: Masai Mara National Reserve
Wake up ready for excitement on your first day of safari! After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you will depart Nairobi, driving west through the spectacular Great Rift Valley on your way to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Gaze out the window in awe at the sweeping vistas of hills, escarpments, and grazing lands dotted with Maasai villages. Be sure to stop at the spectacular viewpoint in the Rift Valley town of Narok.
After the breathtaking journey, you will arrive at your safari lodge in time for lunch. Your accommodation is nestled amongst the wilderness and offers excellent views and luxurious comfort between game drives. Spend some time relaxing on your private veranda before setting out on your first game drive in the afternoon.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is world-renowned for its exceptional density and diversity of wildlife. The vast rolling grasslands are home to the Kenyan safari Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and Cape buffalo. You may also spot cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hyena, topi, eland, wildebeest, and many species of gazelles and antelopes. Hundreds of exotic bird species can also be spotted. With some luck, your expert safari guide may even find the elusive leopard resting in a tree or a pride of lions on the hunt. After an exhilarating first game drive in the Mara, return to your lodge just in time to freshen up before enjoying a delicious 3-course dinner and a good night's rest.
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drives in Masai Mara
Rise and shine for a full day of adventure in the Masai Mara! Begin the day with coffee, tea, and a light breakfast at dawn before heading out on a morning game drive. This is a prime time to spot predators seeking their first meal of the day. Marvel at a lioness stealthily stalking prey or a leopard dragging an antelope up into the branches of a tree.
Your driver-guide is extremely knowledgeable about animal behavior and will position your vehicle for the best photographic opportunities. You may see curious giraffes sizing you up or mighty African elephants with their young calves in tow. Colorful birds like rollers, bee-eaters, and eagles soar overhead. Be sure to look out for the Mara River, where immense crocodiles bask along the banks.
After an exciting morning, stop mid-day for a refreshing bush picnic in the heart of the wilderness. Relax under the shade of an acacia tree while enjoying delicious sandwiches, fresh fruits, snacks, and beverages. You are bound to work up an appetite spotting all those incredible animals.
In the afternoon, continue your game viewing on another drive in a different area of the reserve, maximizing your chances of wildlife sightings. You may have an entirely new set of animal encounters in the evening, including nocturnal species emerging like bush babies, jackals, bat-eared foxes, and aardvarks. Watching the sunset over the Mara plains is a magnificent way to end your day before returning to the comforts of your lodge.
Day 4: Lake Naivasha and Departure
On your final morning, depart the Masai Mara after breakfast and make your way to Lake Naivasha in Kenya's Rift Valley. Arriving at this scenic freshwater lake, you will embark on a boat ride to observe hippos wallowing in the water, exotic birdlife like African fish eagles, and Nile crocodiles basking on the shores. More than 400 species of birds frequent Lake Naivasha.
After the boat trip, sit down for a delicious lunch at a restaurant overlooking the picturesque lake. Spend some time strolling along the lake’s edge or take a nature walk on Crescent Island, where you can get up close with grazing zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, and elands. Late in the afternoon, begin your return journey to Nairobi and transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight or onward travels, reminiscing about your incredible 4-day Kenyan safari adventure.