Five days across three landscapes, a rhino conservancy, a Rift Valley lake, and the Mara. This 5 day Masai Mara safari is the trip most people should take if they only take one.
This 5 day Masai Mara safari is the trip most people should take if they only take one. Three landscapes in five days: a rhino conservancy under Mount Kenya, a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley, and two nights on the Mara with a full day inside the reserve.
Why this 5 day Masai Mara safari works
Most short itineraries repeat the same country. This one deliberately does not.
The vibrant equatorial monument bridging hemispheres beneath Nanyuki's bright blue sky.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The largest black rhino population in East Africa, the last two northern white rhinos on earth under armed guard, and a chimpanzee sanctuary at Sweetwaters that takes rescued animals from central Africa.
Lake Naivasha. A freshwater lake among soda lakes: hippo, fish eagles, and a walk on Crescent Island where there are no predators and no vehicle between you and the giraffe.
The Masai Mara. Lion, cheetah and leopard at the densities the reserve is famous for, and the migration herds from July to October.
That is the big five, a walk among game, a boat safari and the Mara, inside one week of holiday.
How the five days run
Day one. North past Mount Kenya to Ol Pejeta, with an afternoon game drive and the endangered species enclosure.
A herd of zebras gathers on a track ahead of a safari cruiser in the vast, golden savanna of the Maasai Mara.
Day two. An early drive, then south down the western wall of the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha and an afternoon on the water.
Day three. Through Narok to the Mara, arriving with time for a first drive before dark.
Lions wrestle in the lush green savanna of the Maasai Mara.
Day four. The full day in the reserve, out at first light with breakfast packed. In season we work the river crossing points.
Day five. A last morning drive, then back to Nairobi by mid-afternoon, which leaves room for an evening flight home.
Where you stay
Thousands of wildebeest charge through the roaring river in the Great Migration's most dramatic spectacle.
Four nights full board: a tented camp at Ol Pejeta, a lodge on Lake Naivasha and two nights near the Mara. Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge and Mara Sopa Lodge or similar. Flying Doctors evacuation cover is included for the whole trip.
When to go
July to October puts the migration in the Mara. January and February are dry and clear across all three areas. April and May are green and much cheaper, and Ol Pejeta and Naivasha are barely affected by the rain. Our best time to visit Kenya guide goes month by month.
What it costs
Mt Longonot crater from the sky
From $1,570 per person sharing, or KES 148,000 for Kenyan residents and citizens. Park and conservancy fees for every park on the route are in the price. Every price on this page includes park entry fees, transport in a pop-top 4x4 with a guaranteed window seat, and a professional driver-guide who stays with you for the whole trip. Our guides are the same people year after year, which is why they know where the cats were yesterday.
Send a booking request with your dates and we will come back with availability, a firm price and an honest view of the month you have picked. Nothing is charged on this website.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the big five on this trip?
You have a genuine chance. Rhino at Ol Pejeta are close to certain, lion and buffalo are seen on most days in the Mara, elephant are resident in both, and leopard are the one that keeps everybody honest.
How much driving is there?
Open grassland running to the Oloololo escarpment
Three transfer days of three to six hours each, broken by game drives and lunch stops, plus a full day in the Mara with no transfer at all.
Is five days enough for a first safari in Kenya?
It is a good length: three ecosystems without living in the vehicle. Add the coast for a fortnight, with Diani after the bush.
Can this trip be run privately?
A guest photographing the pride from the vehicle, out at first light
Yes. Any departure can be run as a private vehicle and guide for your party, which changes the price but not the itinerary.
Day by day
5 days · 4 nights · lunch, dinner, breakfast included
Your guide meets you at your Nairobi hotel at 7am and you head north on the Thika superhighway, crossing the equator at Nanyuki around midday. Ol Pejeta is a working conservancy on the Laikipia plateau with Mount Kenya on one side and the Aberdares on the other. After lunch at camp there is an afternoon game drive, and time at the endangered species enclosure where Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on earth, are kept under armed guard.
Lunch, Dinner
Sweetwaters Serena Camp or similar
2
Day 2 · Lake Naivasha
Ol Pejeta to Lake Naivasha
An early game drive while the light is still low, then breakfast and the road south through Nyahururu and down the western wall of the Rift Valley. Naivasha is a freshwater lake, which is unusual here, and the afternoon is spent on a boat among the hippo and the fish eagles. You can cross to Crescent Island, where there are no predators, so you walk among giraffe and zebra rather than watching them from a seat.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or similar
3
Day 3 · Masai Mara National Reserve
Naivasha to the Masai Mara
After breakfast we continue south through Narok and onto the Mara. The last stretch is rough road and takes longer than the distance suggests, so we break the drive for lunch. You should reach camp by mid-afternoon with time for a first game drive before dark, working the Talek river area where the resident lion prides spend their afternoons.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mara Sopa Lodge or similar
4
Day 4 · Masai Mara National Reserve
A full day in the Masai Mara
The whole day is yours in the reserve, which is what the Mara deserves. We leave at first light with a packed breakfast and stay out, this is how you find cats, by being there when they are still moving rather than lying up in shade. Between July and October we work the Mara river crossing points, though a crossing is never guaranteed, and we would be wary of anyone who says otherwise. Optional balloon safari at dawn, booked in advance.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mara Sopa Lodge or similar
5
Day 5 · Nairobi
Masai Mara to Nairobi
A final morning game drive, then breakfast and the road back to Nairobi via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint at Mai Mahiu. We aim to have you in the city by mid-afternoon, which leaves room for an evening flight out. We take you on to your hotel or to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, whichever suits you.
Breakfast
Masai Mara
Check your dates and your price
Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming. The price below is for your party, not a headline figure, and nothing is confirmed until we have spoken.
The small print, up front
What the price covers
Written out in full so there is nothing waiting at the park gate.
Included
Park and conservancy entry fees for all four parks
Four nights full-board accommodation
Transport in a pop-top 4×4 Land Cruiser with guaranteed window seat
Professional driver-guide throughout
Game drives as set out in the itinerary
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Flying Doctors evacuation cover for the duration
Not included
International and domestic flights
Kenya eTA
Travel and medical insurance
Balloon safari over the Mara (from $450 per person)
