4 Day Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari
4 days · Kenya · Nairobi to Nairobi
Tour overview
This four-day safari takes you through two of Kenya's most iconic wildlife destinations: Lake Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve.
It is the shortest route we run and the one we suggest to anyone with limited time who still wants a proper safari rather than a day trip. You get a full day in the Mara, which is the part most people come for, and Nakuru's flamingos and rhinos on the way.
- Flamingos and rhinos at Lake Nakuru
- A full day in the Masai Mara
- Big cats on the Mara plains
- Rift Valley scenery
Day by day
You will be picked up from your Nairobi hotel or the airport and depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, a drive of two to three hours. En route, keep an eye out for giraffes, zebras and antelopes as you pass through the Kenyan countryside. Arrive at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon you can relax at the lodge or take a short game drive in the park before dinner and your overnight stay.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
- 1nLake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
- 2nZebra Plains Mara Camp
Where the route goes
Pins mark each park in driving order. Distances are rough; your driver-guide sets the pace on the day.
- 1Nairobi
- 2Lake Nakuru National Park
- 3Masai Mara National Reserve
- 4Nairobi
Parks on this route
Lake Nakuru National Park
Famous for its flamingo population and rich birdlife, the park is also a sanctuary for black and white rhinos, as well as Rothschild's giraffes, buffalo and lions, with the Great Rift Valley escarpments as a backdrop.
Destination guide
Masai Mara National Reserve
Renowned worldwide, the Mara is home to the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebras and other plains game move across the savannah in search of fresh grazing. Big cats, elephants and giraffes are seen year round.
Destination guideWhat's included
What's included
- Complimentary airport transfers to and from the airport
- Accommodation as per the itinerary, or similar
- Meals on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- National park and game reserve entrance fees
- Unlimited drinking water on safari
- Unlimited game drives
- Transport in a safari vehicle as per the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal items and travel insurance
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris and Maasai village visits
Good to know
Can the Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara be customised?
Yes. Add nights, swap a park, upgrade a lodge or combine it with another route. Tell us what you want and we quote for that.
What lodges are used?
The itinerary names the properties we normally use: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Zebra Plains Mara Camp. Where a lodge is full we book a similar one and tell you before you confirm.
When is the best time for a Kenya safari?
June to October is the dry season and the migration is in the Masai Mara, which makes it the most popular window. January and February are also dry, clear and good for game viewing with fewer vehicles. The long rains in April and May are the quietest and cheapest months, and the parks are green.
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before you fly. For the cross-border routes into Tanzania you will also need a Tanzanian visa, which most nationalities can get on arrival at the Isebania border or online in advance. We send a checklist with your booking confirmation.
Can you change the itinerary?
Yes. Every route on this site is a starting point. Swap a park, add nights, change lodges or combine two routes: tell us what you want and we quote for that.
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Ready for the Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara?
Send your dates and a rough idea of what you want to see. We come back with a day-by-day route and a quote, usually within one working day.