Big Five encounters, flamingo lakes, boat safaris and a seamless transfer to Kenya’s tropical coast.
Overview
This five-day safari combines Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife reserve, dramatic Rift Valley lakes, and a smooth connection to the Indian Ocean coast. Experience the predator-rich plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, rhinos and flamingos at Lake Nakuru National Park, and a boat safari on Lake Naivasha before travelling by train to the coast.
The safari concludes with drop-off in Mombasa, Diani Beach, Kilifi, Malindi or Watamu.
Trip Highlights
- Big Five potential in the Maasai Mara
- Scenic Great Rift Valley landscapes
- Flamingos and rhinos at Lake Nakuru
- Boat safari among hippos at Lake Naivasha
- Optional Crescent Island walking safari
- Comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle
Detailed Itinerary
2 nights in the Maasai Mara, 1 night in Lake Nakuru, 1 night in Nairobi (transit), including a Lake Naivasha excursion, followed by a full road transfer to Kenya’s coast. This itinerary blends premier wildlife viewing, Rift Valley lake experiences, and a seamless safari-to-beach overland connection.
Distance: Approx. 280 km
Drive Time: 5 – 6 hours
07:30 – 08:00 | Pick-up in Nairobi
Your safari adventure begins with collection from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. After meeting your professional safari guide, you receive a comprehensive briefing before departing westward toward Kenya’s most iconic wildlife reserve.
09:30 – 10:00 | Great Rift Valley Viewpoint
Pause at the escarpment viewpoint where breathtaking panoramic views stretch across the vast floor of the Great Rift Valley. Your guide explains the geological formation of this dramatic landscape while you capture unforgettable photographs.
10:00 – 13:00 | Scenic Drive to the Maasai Mara
Continue through Narok town, the gateway to Maasai country. Watch as the terrain transitions from cultivated highlands to rolling savannah plains dotted with acacia trees. Along the way, you may encounter Maasai herders tending cattle in vibrant traditional attire.
13:00 – 14:00 | Arrival and Lunch at Lodge
Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in time for a freshly prepared lunch. Many properties overlook open plains, and wildlife sightings often begin right from camp — zebras, antelopes, and sometimes elephants grazing nearby.
15:30 – 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Embark on your first thrilling game drive in the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve. The vast open plains offer exceptional wildlife visibility. Search for prides of lions resting under acacias, cheetahs scanning the grasslands, elephants moving in family herds, and towering giraffes browsing treetops. Your guide positions the vehicle strategically for optimal photography and wildlife interpretation.
19:30 – 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp as the African sky turns brilliant shades of orange and purple. After dinner, relax under a canopy of stars while listening to distant lion roars and the rhythmic sounds of the savannah at the accommodation options below.
Option 1: Budget Rhino Tourist Camp | Lenchada Tourist Camp | Mara Ntulele Camp | Enchoro Wildlife Camp | Sunset Camp Masai Mara | Greenwood Safari Camp
Option 2: Standard Jambo Mara Safari Lodge | Aruba Mara Camp | Osero Camp | Enkorok Mara Camp | Simba + Oryx Nature Camp
Option 3: Luxury Mara Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Maasai Mara | AA Lodge | Sekenani Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury Sarova Mara Game Camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | Muthu Keekorok Lodge | Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Mara Simba Lodge | Fig Tree Camp
Optional Activities (At Extra Cost)
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner experience
06:30 – 08:30 | Early Morning Game Drive
Set out at sunrise when wildlife is at its most active. This is prime time to witness predator behavior — lions returning from night hunts, hyenas on patrol, and cheetahs preparing for morning pursuits. The golden morning light offers spectacular photographic opportunities.
08:30 – 09:30 | Breakfast
Return to camp for a relaxed breakfast or enjoy a picnic breakfast in the bush, depending on wildlife movement and your preference.
10:00 – 13:00 | Extended Game Viewing
Explore different sections of the reserve, including riverine habitats where hippos wallow and Nile crocodiles bask along riverbanks. During migration season (typically July–October), vast herds of wildebeest and zebra may be observed traversing the plains in one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch
Enjoy a picnic lunch under a shaded tree or return to the lodge for a hot meal and short rest.
15:30 – 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Continue tracking wildlife in areas not yet explored. The Maasai Mara’s density of predators increases your chances of spotting the Big Five — lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. Your guide shares insights into animal behavior, conservation efforts, and Maasai traditions connected to the land.
19:30 – 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner at the lodge followed by leisure time around the campfire, reflecting on the day’s remarkable sightings at the accommodation options below.
Option 1: Budget Rhino Tourist Camp | Lenchada Tourist Camp | Mara Ntulele Camp | Enchoro Wildlife Camp | Sunset Camp Masai Mara | Greenwood Safari Camp
Option 2: Standard Jambo Mara Safari Lodge | Aruba Mara Camp | Osero Camp | Enkorok Mara Camp | Simba + Oryx Nature Camp
Option 3: Luxury Mara Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Maasai Mara | AA Lodge | Sekenani Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury Sarova Mara Game Camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | Muthu Keekorok Lodge | Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Mara Simba Lodge | Fig Tree Camp
Optional Activities (At Extra Cost)
-Early morning Hot Air Balloon Safari
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner experience
Distance: Approx. 300 km
Drive Time: 5 – 6 hours
07:00 – 08:00 | Breakfast and Departure
After breakfast, depart the Mara and journey north through the Rift Valley.
08:00 – 13:00 | Scenic Drive to Lake Nakuru
The drive offers changing scenery — from open savannah to fertile farmland and dramatic escarpment views.
13:00 – 14:00 | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge near Lake Nakuru National Park and enjoy lunch overlooking wooded landscapes.
15:30 – 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Lake Nakuru is renowned as a rhino sanctuary, offering one of Kenya’s best opportunities to observe both black and white rhinos. You may also encounter Rothschild giraffes, lions resting in yellow-barked acacia trees, leopards in forested sections, and large flocks of flamingos along the alkaline shoreline when conditions allow.
19:30 – 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner and overnight at your lodge, often offering sweeping views of the lake and surrounding hills at the accommodation options below.
Option 1 : Standard | Lake Nakuru Lodge | Flamingo Hill Camp
Option 2 : Luxury | Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge | Sarova Lion Hill
Option 3 : Above Luxury | The Cliff, Nakuru,
Optional Activities (At Extra Cost)
-Guided birdwatching session
-Sundowner overlooking the lake
Distance: 80 km to Naivasha + 95 km to Nairobi
Drive Time: 1.5 hours + 2 hours
07:30 – 08:30 | Breakfast
Breakfast before departing for Lake Naivasha.
08:30 – 10:00 | Drive to Lake Naivasha
Enjoy a short scenic drive through the Rift Valley floor.
10:00 – 12:00 | Boat Safari on Lake Naivasha
Enjoy a guided boat ride on Lake Naivasha. Glide across calm waters dotted with hippos while fish eagles swoop dramatically to catch prey. The lake’s tranquil atmosphere provides a peaceful contrast to savannah game drives.
12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch
Lunch at a lakeside restaurant with beautiful freshwater views.
14:00 – 16:00 | Drive to Nairobi
Return to Nairobi via the highway, enjoying the gradual transition from rural landscapes to urban skyline.
16:30 – 17:30 | Hotel Check-in
Check in to your Nairobi hotel for overnight rest before your coastal journey.
Optional Activities (At Extra Cost)
-Crescent Island walking safari
-Cycling in Hell’s Gate National Park
Distance: Approx. 480–520 km (depending on coastal destination)
Drive Time: 8 – 10 hours
06:00 – 07:00 | Early Breakfast and Departure
After breakfast, depart Nairobi early for the scenic overland journey to Kenya’s coast.
07:00 – 14:00 | Road Transfer via Mombasa Highway
Travel along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, passing through changing ecosystems including semi-arid plains and sections bordering Tsavo landscapes. En route stops are made for refreshments and comfort breaks.
14:00 – 17:00 | Coastal Arrival and Hotel Drop-off
Arrive in Mombasa and continue onward to your selected beach destination - Diani Beach, Kilifi, Malindi or Watamu. Drop-off at your beach resort marks the end of your safari and the beginning of your Indian Ocean relaxation.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Package includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance fees
- 4 nights’ accommodation
- Meals as specified
- Lake Naivasha boat safari
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Full road transfer to the coast
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities (optional but appreciated)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Maasai Mara offers one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and is one of the best places in Kenya to see the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. Rhinos are more reliably seen in Lake Nakuru National Park, which is a designated rhino sanctuary. While wildlife sightings can never be 100% guaranteed due to their natural movements, this itinerary maximizes your chances through extended game drives in prime habitats.
The Great Wildebeest Migration typically occurs between July and October in the Maasai Mara. During this period, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra cross from the Serengeti into Kenya, often resulting in dramatic river crossings. However, the Maasai Mara offers excellent resident wildlife viewing throughout the year, even outside migration season.
Flamingo numbers fluctuate depending on water levels and algae concentration in the lake. Some seasons see large flocks lining the shoreline in pink hues, while in other periods numbers may reduce. Regardless of flamingo presence, Lake Nakuru remains one of Kenya’s best parks for rhino sightings, Rothschild giraffes, lions, and leopards.
The overland transfer from Nairobi to the coast typically takes between 8 and 10 hours, depending on traffic conditions and your final drop-off point (Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Malindi, or Watamu). Comfort stops are scheduled along the way for refreshments and rest breaks. The journey passes through changing landscapes, including semi-arid plains and areas bordering Tsavo ecosystems.
Yes, this itinerary is well-suited for families. The game drives are conducted in private 4×4 safari vehicles, allowing flexibility with timing and rest breaks. Lake Naivasha’s boat safari is generally calm and enjoyable for children. Lodges often offer family rooms or interconnected tents upon request.
This is primarily a vehicle-based safari with minimal physical exertion. Most wildlife viewing occurs from the comfort of the safari vehicle. Optional activities such as Crescent Island walking safari or cycling in Hell’s Gate involve light to moderate activity but are not mandatory.
We recommend neutral-colored clothing (khaki, beige, olive), comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket for cool mornings, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera equipment, and binoculars. Soft-sided luggage is preferable for ease of packing in safari vehicles.
