4 Days Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha Safari in Kenya

In this 4 Days Kenya safari we will cover the 2 most popular parks in Kenya - Masai Mara National Reserve (2 nights) & Lake Naivasha (1 night). Masai Mara is home for "Big Five" (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo) & also zebras, antelope, hyenas, giraffes, African lions including black-maned lion. Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake in Kenya which lies just north-west of Nairobi and offers unique activities like boat ride, hiking, etc. You can go on a hike on Crescent Island next to giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles, topi, impalas and waterbucks.

4 Days / 3 Nights

4 Days Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha Safari in Kenya

TRIP OVERVIEW

4 days Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safari is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the incredible wildlife and natural beauty of Kenya. This carefully curated itinerary combines the best of both worlds, allowing you to explore the vast savannahs of Masai Mara and the tranquil waters of Lake Naivasha. With a mix of game drives, boat rides, and guided walks, this 4 days Kenya safari offers a diverse range of experiences that will leave you in awe.

The first two days of the safari are spent in the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve, known for its abundant wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Here, guests will have the chance to spot the famous Big Five - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos - as well as a myriad of other species such as giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. The game drives are led by knowledgeable guides who have an intimate understanding of the park and its inhabitants, ensuring that you have the best chances of encountering rare sightings. The vast open plains of Masai Mara provide a stunning backdrop for these adventures, and witnessing a lioness stalking her prey or a herd of elephants crossing the Mara River is an experience that will stay with you forever.

On the third day, the safari takes a different turn as you head to Lake Naivasha, one of Kenya's most beautiful freshwater lakes. This picturesque oasis is home to an abundance of birdlife, including over 400 different species. A relaxing boat ride on the lake is the perfect opportunity to spot African fish eagles, pelicans, and even hippos bathing in the shallows. For those who prefer a more active experience, guided walks along the lake's shores offer a chance to explore the surrounding forests and encounter other wildlife such as giraffes and antelopes. The peaceful atmosphere of Lake Naivasha provides a welcome respite from the excitement of Masai Mara, allowing you to unwind and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of their surroundings.

Throughout this 4 days Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha Safari, you will be accommodated in comfortable lodges that provide all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. The lodges are strategically located to offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, ensuring that you can enjoy the beauty of Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha even from the comfort of your own rooms. In addition, the lodges provide delicious meals that showcase the flavors of Kenya, allowing you to indulge in local cuisine after a day filled with adventure.

Overall, 4 days Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha Safari is an unforgettable journey that combines thrilling wildlife encounters with serene moments in nature. From witnessing the Great Migration in Masai Mara to exploring the tranquil waters of Lake Naivasha, this safari offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to every traveler's interests. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or simply seeking a peaceful getaway, this 4 days Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safari is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

trip overview
trip overview
trip overview

4 Days safari Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha - Short Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Nairobi to Masai Mara. Afternoon game drives in Masai Mara

  • Day 2 - Full day game drives in Masai Mara

  • Day 3 - Transfer Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha

  • Day 4 - Boat ride to and Walking tour in Crescent Island and transfer to Nairobi

Note 1: In Naivasha, Boat ride to Crescent Island and walking tour in Crescent Island are included. Other activities like bike tour, hiking, horse ride can be opted as add-ons by paying additional amount. Note 2: Effective from 1st November 2023, our 2024 prices have been updated to reflect the revised park fees for Masai Mara (USD 100 from Jan to Jun and USD 200 from Julyy to Dec). Note 3: Morning game drives in Masai Mara can be added on the last morning at the park by paying additional park fees.

4 Days Safari Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha, Ensuite Accommodation Packages

Below are 4 days Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safari packages with a few popular ensuite options for your private safari tour, starting on Nov 13, 2023, in a group of two adults and above. Ensuite hotels are tented camps/lodges that can be inside/close to the national parks. You will have a private room with attached bathroom. Meals are provided by hotels.

Option E1

  • - $776 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $924 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Fisi Camp Masai Mara, Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

  • - Stay at Naivasha Peppercorn Lodge - Standard Room, Lake Naivasha

Option E2

  • - $892 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $1040 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Explore Nature Mara Lodge, Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

  • - Stay at Mwanzo Lodge, Lake Naivasha

Option E3

  • - $1,036 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $1,184 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Mara Simba Lodge, Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

  • - Stay at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Lake Naivasha

Option E4

  • - $1,066 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $1,214 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Olgatuni Camp - Classic Tent, Masai Mara (Within the Park)

  • - Stay at Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort - Lodge Room, Lake Naivasha

Option E5

  • - $1,700 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $1,848 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Mara Bush Camp, Masai Mara (Within the Park)

  • - Stay at Chui Lodge - Standard Room, Lake Naivasha

Option E6

  • - $2,062 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $2,210 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp - Superior Tents, Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

  • - Stay at Chui Lodge - Deluxe Room, Lake Naivasha

Option E7

  • - $2,894 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $3,042 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Bateleur Camp - Tented Suite, Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

  • - Stay at Chui Lodge - Deluxe Room, Lake Naivasha

Option E8

  • - $2,222 per person for safari with Safari Van

  • - $2,334 per person for safari with Land Cruiser

  • - Stay at Bateleur Camp - Tented Suite, Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

Stay Locations

  • Day 1 -Masai Mara (Within the Park) or Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

  • Day 2 -Masai Mara (Within the Park) or Masai Mara (Outside the Park)

  • Day 3 - Lake Naivasha

TRIP ITINERARY

Day

1

Nairobi to Masai Mara

Your tour starts with pick up at 7:30 AM from your Nairobi hotel or Airport and drive to Masai Mara. This drive will take about 5 to 6.5 hours with a scenic stopover at Great Rift Valley. Arrive in Masai Mara shortly after noon and check into your lodge/camp, have hot lunch and then depart for an afternoon game drive.

After the game drive, we head back to lodge/camp to reach by around 5:30 or 6:00 PM, freshen up and enjoy a freshly prepared Dinner. Overnight at your lodge.

Note: The last 1-hour drive to Masai Mara is on the corrugated and bumpy road and may not be comfortable for clients with back problems. Clients with back problems can consider flying directly to (and out of) Masai Mara.

Day

2

Masai Mara

Today's itinerary is flexible and you can discuss with your guide on the previous evening and plan for today's schedule.

You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive (This is the best time to see the animals and a good chance to witness hunt/kill). Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. you will stop at a picnic spot for having packed lunch and later depart on a game drive till the park is closed. Around 6:00 PM return to lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day

3

Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha

After a relaxed breakfast around 10:00 AM checkout and Depart to Lake Naivasha which is about 5 hours drive.
Check-in to your camp/lodge in Naivasha for dinner and overnight stay.

You can either have a relaxed breakfast and depart for full day game drives around 9:00 AM with packed lunch and return back to lodge late afternoon around 6:00 PM. Or you can depart at 6:00 AM on an early morning game drive (This is the best time to see the animals and a good chance to witness hunt/kill). Later return to accommodation for breakfast and relax for a bit and depart on an afternoon game drive with packed lunch. you will stop at a picnic spot for having packed lunch and later depart on a game drive till the park is closed. Around 6:00 PM return to lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Note: A short morning game drives in Masai Mara can be done on day 3 by paying extra USD 85 PP. Note: Depending on your itinerary and next day plan, you might skip these activities on this day and do them next morning before departing from Naivasha.

Day

4

Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

After breakfast, proceed to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride to Crescent Island where you will be doing a nature walk next to zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, waterbucks, antelopes and many types of birds. Return by boat to Naivasha for lunch at your lodge and then proceed to Nairobi.

Distance : 2 Hours.

Transfers

This tour starts from Nairobi. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the nearest international airport and Wilson airport is the nearest domestic airport.

Airport Pickup/Drop

Pickup or drop off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on the day of safari: No extra charge
Pickup or drop off at Wilson Airport on the day of safari: No extra charge

Airport to Hotel transfers

Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi hotel or vice versa: USD 30 per vehicle
Transfer from Wilson Airport to Nairobi hotel or vice versa: USD 30 per vehicle
Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Wilson Airport or vice versa: USD 30 per vehicle

Flights

We do not book International Flights.
We can book local flights based on availability. Below are indicative additional costs for local flights.

This tour starts & ends at Nairobi with road transfers between all locations. Masai Mara is the farthest location you will be visiting in this tour and it is 5 hours from Nairobi, each way. To save drive time, you can directly fly into Masai Mara where your safari vehicle with guide will be waiting to directly start the safari and cover other parks over the next few days making your way to Nairobi by road on the last day. We will reroute the itinerary such that you cover all the parks included in the original itinerary with the same choice of accommodations & same number of nights as included in the original itinerary. This is called a Fly-in Safari.

We can also reroute the itinerary such that you start with driving from Nairobi on day 1 and cover other parks before you drive to Masai Mara. We end the safari tour at Masai Mara on the last day from where you can fly out to Nairobi. We will reroute the itinerary such that you cover all the parks included in the original itinerary with the same choice of accommodations & same number of nights as included in the original itinerary. This is called a Fly-out Safari.

Fly into Masai Mara

From Nairobi to Masai Mara: From USD 240 per person (Morning flight)
From Nairobi to Masai Mara: From USD 185 per person (Afternoon flight)
From Diani/Mombasa to Masai Mara: From USD 320 per person

Fly out of Masai Mara

From Masai Mara to Nairobi: From USD 240 per person (Early Morning flight)

From Masai Mara to Diani/Mombasa: From USD 485 per person (Afternoon flight)

Intercity Flights

From Diani to Nairobi: From USD 200 per person (Morning flight)

Note 1: Rates mentioned above are indicative and subject to change based on airlines and party(group) size Note 2: In the Fly into Masai Mara rates mentioned above, in addition to airfare, above rates also include cost to send the safari Vehicle with guide a day in advance to Masai Mara, in time for your arrival & additional park fees that results due to rerouting of itinerary. Note 3: Flights into Masai Mara land at around 11:00 AM and game drives can start soon after landing and flights out of Masai Mara depart around 08:00 AM.

Note 1: Rates mentioned above are indicative and subject to change based on airlines and party(group) size.

Note 2: In the Fly into Masai Mara rates mentioned above, in addition to airfare, price also includes cost to send the safari Vehicle with guide a day in advance to Masai Mara & transport cost from your Nairobi hotel to Nairobi airport.

Note 3: For afternoon flights In the Fly out of Masai Mara rates mentioned above, in addition to airfare, price also includes an additional Masai Mara park fee.

Note 4: Flights into Masai Mara land at around 11:00 AM and game drives can start soon after landing and Morning flights out of Masai Mara depart around 08:30 AM.

Meals

  • Day 1 - Dinner

  • Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

  • Day 4 - Breakfast & Lunch

Drive Times

  • Day 1 - Nairobi to Masai Mara takes about 5.5 to 6 hours (284 km)

  • Day 3 - Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha takes about 5 to 5.5 hours (250 km)

  • Day 4 - Lake Naivasha to Nairobi takes about 2 to 2.5 hours (105 km)

Note: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.

Inclusions

  • - Park Fees (for Non-Residents).

  • - Daily game drives while on Safari.

  • - A professional driver/guide.

  • - 4x4 Land Cruiser or Safari Van.

  • - All Taxes and VAT.

  • - Meals as per itinerary.

  • - Drinking water while on safari (2 litres per person per day).

Exclusions

  • International flights.

  • Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).

  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).

  • Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).

  • Tips

  • Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.

  • Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.

Tour Booking

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