5 Days Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari – Short Affordable Kenya Tour

Experience the very best of Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes on this 5-day Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara safari, a perfect blend of adventure, scenery, and affordability. Designed for travelers with limited time yet eager to see Africa’s iconic wildlife, this tour takes you from the flamingo-filled shores of Lake Nakuru National Park to the endless savannahs of the Masai Mara National Reserve, home to the Big Five and the world-famous Great Migration.

This short, affordable Kenya safari offers unforgettable game drives, breathtaking photography moments, and warm cultural encounters — all wrapped into five magical days of discovery.

Safari Highlights

• Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, home to rhinos, flamingos, and leopards.

• Discover the legendary Masai Mara, Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife reserve.

• Spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo).

• Enjoy scenic drives through the Great Rift Valley.

• Stay in comfortable budget or mid-range lodges and camps.

• Optional Maasai village visit and hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

Your safari begins with an early morning departure from Nairobi, heading northwest through the breathtaking Great Rift Valley escarpment. Stop briefly at a viewpoint for panoramic photos before continuing to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s most photogenic parks.

Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge or camp, followed by an afternoon game drive around the lake. The park is famous for its flamingos, white and black rhinos, and tree-climbing lions. Keep an eye out for leopards, waterbucks, and large flocks of pelicans along the lake’s edge.

Dinner and Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge / Flamingo Hill Camp / Ziwa Bush Lodge.

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: Lake Nakuru – Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, enjoy a short morning game drive before departing for the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s crown jewel of wildlife safaris. Travel across the highlands and rolling plains, arriving in the Mara in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in the Mara, where you might spot elephants, giraffes, lions, and herds of wildebeests grazing across the vast plains. As the sun sets, return to your camp for dinner and relaxation under the stars.

Dinner and Overnight: Enchoro Wildlife Camp / Mara Sopa Lodge / Ol Moran Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Full-Day Game Viewing in Masai Mara

Spend the entire day exploring the Masai Mara, Kenya’s ultimate wildlife destination. After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the park.

The Mara is home to the Big Five — lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos — along with cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, and thousands of antelopes. Between July and October, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth.

Visit the Mara River, where crocodiles and hippos dwell, and where wildebeests make their dramatic river crossings. Return to camp in the evening for a warm meal and a night by the campfire.

Dinner and Overnight: Enchoro Wildlife Camp / Mara Sopa Lodge / Ol Moran Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Morning Game Drive & Optional Maasai Village Visit

Rise early for a sunrise game drive, when predators are most active and the golden light creates incredible photo opportunities. Watch the savannah awaken — herds grazing, birds singing, and the Mara glowing in morning colors.

Return for breakfast and spend the rest of the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, you can choose to visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about their culture, dances, and way of life (optional, at an extra cost).

Dinner and Overnight: Same lodge or camp as previous night.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Masai Mara – Return to Nairobi

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning before departing for Nairobi. Arrive in the early afternoon and transfer to your hotel or the airport, marking the end of an unforgettable 5-day safari through Kenya’s wilderness.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch.

End of Safari Tour

Package Inclusions

• Transport in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle or minibus with pop-up roof.

• All park entry fees and government taxes.

• English-speaking professional driver-guide.

• Accommodation in budget or mid-range lodges/camps.

• Three meals per day during the safari.

• Game drives as per itinerary.

• Bottled drinking water while on safari.

Exclusions

• International and domestic flights.

• Visa fees and personal travel insurance.

• Hot air balloon safari (optional, approx. USD 450 per person).

• Maasai village visit (optional, approx. USD 20 per person).

• Tips for guide/driver.

• Drinks and personal expenses.

Best Time to Visit

The safari operates year-round, but the dry seasons (June–October and December–February) offer the best wildlife viewing and easiest road conditions. For those seeking to witness the Great Migration, plan between July and October, when herds cross from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara.

Optional Add-Ons

• Hot Air Balloon Safari over Masai Mara with champagne breakfast.

• Nairobi City Tour before departure (visit Giraffe Centre or Karen Blixen Museum).

• Extension to Lake Naivasha or Amboseli National Park.

Why Choose This Safari

This 5-day Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara safari is the ideal choice for travelers seeking adventure, wildlife, and affordability. It combines Kenya’s most scenic landscapes and iconic wildlife encounters with the comfort of guided travel, all within a short time frame.

From flamingo-filled lakes to golden savannahs dotted with lions, every moment captures the beauty and spirit of Kenya — the land where the safari was born.