7-Day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Safari | Kenya

Explore Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha on a 7-day Kenya safari with Big Five wildlife, rhinos, boat safaris and Great Rift Valley scenery.

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A Classic Kenya Safari with Big Five Wildlife, Rhinos & Rift Valley Landscapes

Experience three of Kenya’s most distinctive safari destinations on a 7-day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha safari from Nairobi.

This itinerary combines the extensive wildlife-viewing opportunities of Maasai Mara National Reserve, the rhino conservation landscape of Lake Nakuru National Park and the freshwater scenery and boat experiences of Lake Naivasha.

With three nights in the Maasai Mara, the safari provides substantial time for game drives before continuing through Kenya’s Great Rift Valley to Nakuru and Naivasha.

It is particularly suitable for first-time Kenya safari travelers, couples, families, photographers and international visitors who want a combination of wildlife, scenery and optional nature-based activities without rushing between too many destinations.

Safari Highlights

Three nights exploring Maasai Mara
Excellent opportunities for Big Five wildlife viewing
Lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and other plains wildlife
Lake Nakuru’s rhino conservation areas
Seasonal flamingo and waterbird sightings
Scenic Great Rift Valley landscapes
Lake Naivasha boat safari option
Optional Crescent Island walking experience
Optional Hell’s Gate National Park activities
Maasai cultural visit available as an optional experience
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser safari
Nairobi pick-up and drop-off

Detailed 7-Day Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Your safari begins with pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, residence or airport.Travel west toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve, passing through changing landscapes as you leave Nairobi and approach the Great Rift Valley.Depending on your departure time and road conditions, arrive in the Mara around lunchtime.After lunch, head out for your first afternoon game drive.The Maasai Mara provides opportunities to look for:LionsElephantsBuffaloesGiraffesZebrasWildebeestGazellesHyenasCheetahsReturn to your accommodation after the game drive.Overnight: Maasai Mara Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Full-Day Maasai Mara Safari

Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara.An early morning departure gives you time to explore while wildlife is active and allows your guide to cover different areas of the reserve.The day's route can be adapted around recent wildlife sightings.Possible encounters include:Lion pridesCheetahsLeopardsElephantsBuffaloesGiraffesZebrasWildebeestHipposHyenasEnjoy a picnic lunch in the reserve or return to the lodge or camp depending on your preferred safari style.Continue exploring in the afternoon before returning to camp.Overnight: Maasai Mara Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Full-Day Maasai Mara Safari

Enjoy another full day in the Maasai Mara.Having a second full day provides additional opportunities to explore different habitats and spend more time following wildlife behavior.Your guide can focus on your priorities, whether that means predators, elephants, photography, birds or general wildlife viewing.A Maasai village visit can also be arranged as an optional cultural experience, providing an opportunity to learn about local traditions and community life.Migration SeasonIf traveling during the period when wildebeest and zebra are moving through the Mara ecosystem, you may encounter migration-related wildlife activity.The timing varies from year to year, and river crossings are unpredictable, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.Overnight: Maasai Mara Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive as you leave the Maasai Mara.Continue toward Lake Nakuru National Park, traveling through Kenya's Great Rift Valley landscape.Depending on the route and timing, arrive in the Nakuru area in time for an afternoon game drive.Lake Nakuru offers a different safari environment, with woodland, open grassland, rocky areas and lake habitats.Possible wildlife sightings include:Black rhinosWhite rhinosLionsBuffaloesGiraffesZebrasWaterbirdsBaboonsReturn to your accommodation after the game drive.Overnight: Lake Nakuru area Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha

Begin the day with a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.The morning can be particularly useful for wildlife viewing before continuing toward Lake Naivasha.After the game drive, travel to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in Kenya's Great Rift Valley.Depending on your selected accommodation and schedule, enjoy an optional boat safari.Lake Naivasha Boat SafariA boat trip provides a different perspective from traditional game drives.Possible sightings include:HipposAfrican fish eaglesKingfishersOther waterbirdsBoat activities are subject to lake conditions, weather and local operating requirements.Overnight: Lake Naivasha Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Full Day Lake Naivasha

Enjoy a more flexible day around Lake Naivasha.After several days of game drives, this part of the itinerary allows you to choose between relaxation and additional activities.Optional ExperiencesLake Naivasha Boat Safari Explore the lake by boat while looking for hippos and waterbirds.Crescent Island Depending on current operating conditions, take a guided walking experience in an area known for wildlife and scenic views.Hell's Gate National Park Explore one of Kenya's distinctive Rift Valley landscapes, with walking, cycling and other activities available in designated areas and subject to park regulations.You can also choose a slower day at your lodge or camp.Overnight: Lake Naivasha Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and return to Nairobi.The drive provides further views of the Great Rift Valley before the landscape changes as you approach Kenya's capital.Arrive in Nairobi and conclude your 7-day Kenya safari with drop-off at your hotel or airport.If your international flight departs the same day, we recommend allowing sufficient time between the safari transfer and your flight because road traffic can affect journey times.Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Your safari package can include:

Nairobi hotel or airport pick-up and drop-off
Transport in a 4×4 Land Cruiser
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
Accommodation for six nights
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Game drives
Park entrance and applicable conservation fees
Bottled drinking water

What’s Not Included

International flights
Travel insurance
Visa fees
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities
Optional activities
Items not specifically mentioned under inclusions

Can This 7-Day Kenya Safari Be Customized?

Yes. The itinerary can be adapted around your travel dates, accommodation preference, interests and onward travel arrangements.

You can customize:

Budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation
Private safari arrangements
Additional Maasai Mara nights
Fly-in or fly-out options where practical
Maasai cultural experiences
Lake Naivasha boat safari
Crescent Island experience
Hell’s Gate activities
Nairobi excursions
Beach extensions to Diani or Mombasa

For travelers particularly interested in wildlife, we can also adjust the game-drive schedule to provide more time in the Maasai Mara.