Rhino strongholds, Rift Valley beauty and iconic savannah drama in one unforgettable circuit.
Overview
This 5-day safari connects three of Kenya’s most rewarding wildlife destinations — the conservation-focused plains of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the scenic and rhino-rich Lake Nakuru National Park, and the world-famous savannahs of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ol Pejeta offers exceptional rhino conservation experiences and strong Big Five viewing beneath the backdrop of Mount Kenya. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s premier rhino sanctuaries set within the dramatic Great Rift Valley. The Maasai Mara completes the journey with vast golden plains, predator encounters, and (seasonally) the Great Wildebeest Migration.
This safari is ideal for travellers seeking maximum wildlife diversity, excellent photography, and a balance between conservation experiences and classic African game drives.
Trip Highlights
- Exceptional black and white rhino sightings at Ol Pejeta and Lake Nakuru
- Visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- Multiple extended game drives in Maasai Mara
- Opportunity to witness the Great Migration (seasonal)
- Scenic Great Rift Valley escarpments
- Big Five wildlife viewing opportunities
Itinerary
Begin with one night at Ol Pejeta Conservancy for rhino conservation and Big Five sightings. Continue to Lake Nakuru for additional rhino viewing and Rift Valley scenery. Conclude with two nights in the Maasai Mara for classic savannah game drives before returning to Nairobi.
07:30 a.m. | Pick-Up from Nairobi
Distance: 220 km
Drive Time: 4 – 5 hours
Pick up from your Nairobi accommodation or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and depart north toward Nanyuki town. Drive through the central highlands, passing tea and coffee plantations along the way.
Arrive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in time for lunch.
12:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Check in at your selected lodge or tented camp within or near the conservancy. Enjoy lunch and relax before your afternoon activities.
03:30 p.m. – 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive & Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Begin your afternoon game drive across the conservancy’s open plains. Ol Pejeta is home to lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and various antelope species.
Visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can see rescued chimpanzees in a protected environment. Learn about rehabilitation efforts and conservation programs.
You may also visit the protected enclosure housing the last two remaining northern white rhinos, making this a rare and powerful wildlife experience.
Return to your lodge before sunset.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner and overnight stay at your chosen accommodation as per the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Riverside Villas Nanyuki | The Glacier Hotel
Option 2: Standard | Sarova Maiyan Hotel | Peaks Hotel Nanyuki | Esiankiki Resort | lifestyle Villas Nanyuki
Option 3: Luxury | Sweetwaters Serena Camp | Maisha Sweetwaters Camp | Ol Pejeta House
Option 4: Above Luxury | Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages | Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club | Kicheche Valley Camps | Tambarare Camp
06:30 - 08:30 | Early Morning Game Drive
Set out at sunrise when wildlife is most active. The cool morning hours often provide excellent predator sightings and superb photographic light across the open plains.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast and Check-out
Return to the lodge for breakfast before preparing for departure.
10:00 - 13:30 | Scenic Drive to Lake Nakuru
Travel southwards towards the Great Rift Valley, descending the escarpment with sweeping views across the valley floor.
13:30 - 14:30 | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge near Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch and a short rest.
16:00 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s premier rhino sanctuaries. Both black and white rhinos are commonly sighted. You may also encounter Rothschild giraffes, lions resting in acacia trees, buffalo, zebra, waterbuck and seasonal flocks of flamingos and pelicans along the lakeshore.
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay at your chosen Lake Nakuru accommodation as per the 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,
07:00 - 08:00 | Breakfast at the Lodge
Enjoy breakfast with views across the park before departure.
08:00 - 09:30 | Morning Game Drive
Embark on a short morning game drive within Lake Nakuru, exploring areas not yet covered and enjoying the park’s scenic beauty in the early light.
10:00 - 14:30 | Drive to Maasai Mara
Proceed towards the Maasai Mara National Reserve, travelling across the Rift Valley floor and through rural landscapes that gradually open into vast savannah.
14:30 - 15:30 | Arrival and Lunch at Camp
Arrive at your camp or lodge in time for lunch and relaxation.
16:00 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Head out into the Mara’s expansive plains. Expect sightings of elephants, giraffes, wildebeest and zebra, with strong chances of encountering lions and cheetahs. Leopards are present but more elusive, often found in riverine woodland.
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp for dinner and overnight stay under the African sky 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
06:15 - 09:00 | Sunrise Game Drive
Depart early when predators are most active. The golden morning light enhances wildlife photography opportunities across the open plains.
09:00 - 10:00 | Breakfast at Camp
Return for a relaxed breakfast and short rest.
10:30 - 13:00 | Extended Mid-Morning Game Drive
Continue exploring different sectors of the reserve. Your guide will track wildlife movements and position you for optimal sightings.
13:00 - 14:00 | Picnic Lunch in the Reserve
Enjoy lunch at a scenic location within the park, remaining immersed in the wilderness.
14:00 - 17:30 | Afternoon Game Viewing
Visit the Mara River, home to hippos and crocodiles. Between July and October, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra gather during the Great Migration, occasionally attempting dramatic river crossings. Continue exploring until late afternoon.
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp for dinner and relaxation.
Optional activities (at additional cost) include a sunrise hot air balloon safari followed by a bush breakfast, or a cultural visit to a local Maasai village.
06:30 - 08:30 | Final Morning Game Drive
Enjoy a final early morning safari, capturing last photographs and savouring the sounds of the African bush.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast at Camp
Return for breakfast before departure.
10:00 - 15:00 | Drive Back to Nairobi
Begin the return journey to Nairobi, travelling through the scenic Rift Valley landscapes.
15:00 - 16:30 | Arrival in Nairobi
Drop-off at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara safari experience.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Package includes
- Transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park and conservancy entrance fees
- Four nights’ accommodation
- All meals as per itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Tips and gratuities (optional but appreciated)
Frequently Asked Questions
You have excellent chances of seeing lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hyenas and various antelope species throughout the safari. Rhino sightings are particularly reliable at Ol Pejeta and Lake Nakuru. Cheetahs are common in the Maasai Mara, while leopards are present but more elusive.
Yes. All three destinations host members of the Big Five, with especially strong rhino viewing opportunities at Ol Pejeta and Lake Nakuru.
Absolutely. In five days you experience Kenya’s leading rhino conservancy, a premier Rift Valley national park and the country’s most iconic safari reserve, offering exceptional wildlife diversity and varied landscapes.
The safari operates year-round. The Great Migration typically occurs in the Maasai Mara between July and October, though wildlife viewing is rewarding in every season.
Pack neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early mornings, comfortable closed shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a good camera. Soft-sided luggage is recommended for ease of storage in safari vehicles.
Yes. It provides an excellent introduction to Kenya’s wildlife, conservation efforts and diverse landscapes within a manageable timeframe.
