5 Days Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara

  • 5 days
  • Kenya
  • Luxury
  • Private

Rhinos and flamingos at Lake Nakuru, then three nights in the Mara at Governors’ Camp.

From US$3,102 per person

Request a free quote See the itinerary
Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Route
Starts and ends in Nairobi
Comfort
Luxury lodges
Group
Private, 1 to 6 travellers
Best time
Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb

Overview

This is the most popular Kenya route for a good reason. Lake Nakuru is a small, easy park with black and white rhinos, a soda lake and good birding, and the Mara gives you the big cats and the migration season.

A night at Nakuru breaks the long road to the Mara, and three nights at the Mara mean the game drives are never rushed.

Highlights

  • Black and white rhinos at Lake Nakuru
  • Birdlife on the lake, with flamingos in season
  • Game drives for lion, cheetah and elephant in the Mara
  • Three nights at Governors’ Camp
  • The Great Migration from July to October

Route

UGANDAKENYATANZANIASOUTH SUDANETHIOPIASOMALIALake Turkana 1 · 5 Nairobi 1 Lake Nakuru National Park 2 Masai Mara National Reserve

What to expect

  • Luxury safari

    Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.

  • Private safari

    Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.

  • Made to measure

    Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.

  • Start any day

    Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.

  • Solo travellers welcome

    Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.

  • Pace and fitness

    Balanced, fitness: moderate.

Activities
Birding, Cultural & Community Visits, Game Drives
Getting around
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide

Day by day

Day 1 Nairobi to Lake Nakuru Lake Nakuru National Park

Drive north-west from Nairobi along the Rift Valley and settle in at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge in Lake Nakuru National Park. An afternoon game drive looks for rhinos, buffalo and Rothschild’s giraffe.

  • Travel 3 to 4 hr drive
  • Meals Lunch & dinner
  • Game Drives

Overnight

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

Chalets on a hillside inside Lake Nakuru National Park, looking over the lake.

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Inside the park, eastern slopesSarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Inside the park, eastern slopesSarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Inside the park, eastern slopes
Day 2 Nakuru, then the Mara Masai Mara National Reserve

Take an early game drive to the lake shore for birds, then drive west to the Mara and Governors’ Camp, arriving in the evening.

  • Travel Game drive, then 5 to 6 hr drive
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Game Drives
  • Birding

Overnight

Governors’ Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

Classic canvas tents on the Mara River, in the heart of big-cat territory.

Day 3 A full day of game drives Masai Mara National Reserve

Spend the day exploring the plains with your guide, with an early drive for the big cats and a long lunch break in the middle of the day.

  • Travel Full day in the reserve
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Game Drives

Overnight

Governors’ Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

Classic canvas tents on the Mara River, in the heart of big-cat territory.

Day 4 The river and the people Masai Mara National Reserve

Take a game drive to the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles line the banks, and visit a Maasai village in the afternoon.

  • Travel Game drive and village visit
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Game Drives
  • Cultural & Community Visits

Overnight

Governors’ Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

Classic canvas tents on the Mara River, in the heart of big-cat territory.

Day 5 Drive to Nairobi Masai Mara National Reserve

Take a last early game drive, then return for breakfast and drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon.

  • Travel 5 to 6 hr drive
  • Meals Breakfast & lunch
  • Game Drives

Where you stay

DaysAccommodation & meals
Day 1

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

Chalets on a hillside inside Lake Nakuru National Park, looking over the lake.

Lunch & dinner

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Inside the park, eastern slopesSarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Inside the park, eastern slopesSarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Inside the park, eastern slopes
Days 2 to 4

Governors’ Camp (opens the property’s website in a new tab)

Classic canvas tents on the Mara River, in the heart of big-cat territory.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Rates

Important to know

  • Rates are per person, shown in USD, and do not include international flights to and from your home country.
  • The price per person depends on how many travellers share the vehicle and guide.

Rates per person

Price per person by number of travellers
SeasonSolo2 people3 people4 people5 people6 people7+ people
High season (Jul to Oct, Dec to Feb)US$4,440US$3,760US$3,534US$3,534US$3,534US$3,534Get quote
Low season (Mar to Jun, Nov)US$3,890US$3,300US$3,102US$3,102US$3,102US$3,102Get quote
Deposit to confirm
30%

Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. The migration and the flamingo numbers are natural events and cannot be guaranteed.

  • Rates can change when lodge, permit and park fees are updated, and are confirmed when you enquire.
  • The order and content of the safari can be adjusted to suit you, and a change may affect the price.
  • If a lodge is fully booked, we will offer a comparable one.
  • This safari is subject to our terms and conditions.

Best time to go

Best time for this trip Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb

  1. January: best
  2. February: best
  3. March: possible
  4. April: possible
  5. May: possible
  6. June: best
  7. July: best
  8. August: best
  9. September: best
  10. October: best
  11. November: possible
  12. December: best

What is included

Included

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide
  • Accommodation as listed, on the meal plan shown for each lodge
  • Park entry fees and all activities in the itinerary
  • Bottled water, binoculars and a Kenya field guide in the vehicle
  • Airport meet and greet

Not included

  • International flights and visas
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff
  • Premium drinks and personal spending
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Good to know

Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat, good sunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars are provided in the vehicle, but bring your own if you are a keen birder or photographer.

Made to measure

Make this safari your own

Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.

Request a free quote

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