6-Day Budget Safari | Masai Mara, Nakuru & Naivasha
Location
Full Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Welcome to Kenya!
Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), you will be greeted by our professional driver-guide who will warmly welcome you to Kenya. After a short briefing about your safari, you will be transferred to your accommodation at Ibis Styles Westlands Nairobi or a similar budget-friendly hotel. If you arrive early in the day, you may choose to rest after your flight or explore some of Nairobi’s attractions at your own pace.
For those interested, optional visits can be arranged to the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre—where you can hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes—or the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where rescued baby elephants are nurtured before being reintroduced into the wild. If time allows, you can also visit Kazuri Beads Women’s Cooperative, where local artisans create beautiful handcrafted jewelry and ceramics.
As the evening sets in, you may choose to dine at your hotel or experience Nairobi’s culinary scene with dinner at a renowned restaurant like Carnivore, known for its exotic meat selection, or Talisman, which offers a fusion of African and international cuisine. Retire for the night and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Nairobi to Masai Mara
After an early breakfast, we depart for the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, with a stop at a viewpoint to admire the panoramic views of the rift’s vast escarpments and lush plains. As we proceed, you will pass through vibrant rural towns and Maasai villages, gaining insight into the local way of life.
Arriving at Masai Mara around midday, you will check into Enkorok Mara Camp or a similar budget tented camp, where a delicious lunch awaits you. After a short rest, you will embark on your first exciting game drive in the reserve, home to an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos—the iconic Big Five. The vast open plains also host herds of zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, and numerous bird species.
As the sun sets, painting the Mara skies in brilliant hues, you will return to camp for a warm and hearty dinner. Gather around the campfire, share stories of the day’s sightings, and enjoy the sounds of the African wilderness before settling into your comfortable tent for the night.
Day 3: Full-Day Safari in Masai Mara
Today is dedicated to a full-day safari in Masai Mara, allowing ample time to explore the reserve’s diverse habitats and wildlife-rich areas. After an early breakfast, you will set out for a game drive when animals are most active. The morning hours provide excellent opportunities to spot predators, such as lions on a hunt or cheetahs sprinting across the plains.
During the Great Migration season (July–October), millions of wildebeests and zebras make the perilous journey across the Mara River, braving hungry crocodiles and swift currents—a spectacle that is one of nature’s greatest dramas.
A picnic lunch will be served in the heart of the reserve, offering stunning views of the landscape and its inhabitants. In the afternoon, you will continue exploring different parts of the reserve, with stops at the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles coexist in a dynamic ecosystem.
For a cultural experience, an optional visit to a Maasai village can be arranged in the late afternoon. This visit allows you to interact with the Maasai people, learn about their traditions, witness their traditional dances, and see their distinctive manyatta homes.
After a rewarding day, return to camp for a delightful dinner and another night immersed in the sounds of the African bush.
Day 4: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
After an early breakfast, we bid farewell to Masai Mara and journey to Lake Nakuru National Park, a haven for birdlife and rhino conservation. The scenic drive takes us past local farms and the rolling hills of the Rift Valley. Upon arrival, we check into Lake Nakuru Lodge or a similar budget-friendly lodge, where a refreshing lunch awaits.
In the afternoon, embark on an exhilarating game drive in the park, known for its resident population of both black and white rhinos. Lake Nakuru was once famous for its vast flocks of flamingos, which still gather seasonally along its shores. Other wildlife includes tree-climbing lions, leopards, buffaloes, baboons, and waterbucks.
As the golden light of sunset bathes the landscape, you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Start the day with an early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru before returning for breakfast at the lodge. Later, we depart for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake famed for its birdlife and scenic beauty. The drive is relatively short, allowing you to arrive before midday.
Upon arrival, check into Lake Naivasha Kongoni Lodge or similar, where you can relax and enjoy lunch with views of the lake. The afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. You may choose to take a boat safari (optional) to observe hippos and a variety of water birds up close. Alternatively, visit Crescent Island, a private sanctuary where you can walk alongside zebras, giraffes, and antelopes in a unique, predator-free setting.
Enjoy a peaceful evening by the lake, listening to the sounds of nature and reflecting on the safari adventures so far.
Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
After breakfast, take a leisurely drive back to Nairobi, arriving by midday. You will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey or dropped off at your preferred location in the city. For those with late flights, optional excursions can be arranged, such as a visit to Nairobi National Museum or a farewell lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.
As your safari adventure comes to an end, you will leave with cherished memories of Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, and warm hospitality. Until next time—karibu tena (welcome again)!
Inclusions:
✔ Airport pick-up and drop-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
✔ Transportation in a comfortable, safari-customized 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for excellent game viewing
✔ Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
✔ Accommodation as per the itinerary (budget-friendly lodges and tented camps)
✔ Meals as specified in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during safari days)
✔ Park entry fees for Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Lake Naivasha
✔ Unlimited game drives in the national parks and reserves
✔ Drinking water during safari game drives
✔ Visit to a viewpoint of the Great Rift Valley
✔ All government taxes and levies
Exclusions:
✘ International flights to and from Kenya
✘ Visa fees and travel insurance
✘ Optional activities such as Maasai village visit, boat safari on Lake Naivasha, or Crescent Island walk
✘ Drinks, tips, and personal expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs)
✘ Dinner on the last day in Nairobi
✘ Any additional accommodation before or after the safari (can be arranged at an extra cost)
✘ Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions
