4 Days Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Big Five Safari

Rhino sightings are often the hardest part of completing the Big Five in the Masai Mara alone, so this 4-day itinerary adds Lake Nakuru National Park, one of East Africa’s most reliable rhino sanctuaries, to a Masai Mara base. Because this itinerary also depends on Lake Nakuru’s rhino population, both parks can be visited year-round, though the driest months generally make for easier driving between them.

4 Days Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Big Five Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru

A drive through the Great Rift Valley brings you to Lake Nakuru National Park, with an afternoon game drive in search of both black and white rhino grazing near the lakeshore, alongside flamingos and dense plains game.

Day 2: Transfer to Masai Mara

From Lake Nakuru, the road climbs back out of the Rift Valley before descending again toward the Mara, with an afternoon game drive on arrival to make the most of the remaining daylight. This stretch of road passes through several Maasai communities, where livestock herding remains central to daily life alongside the wildlife tourism the region is known for.

Day 3: Full Day Masai Mara Game Drives

A full day of game drives covers the reserve’s plains and river crossing points, tracking lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Because predator sightings can draw multiple vehicles quickly, guides generally rotate viewing position after a few minutes so every vehicle gets a clear look.

Day 4: Morning Game Drive & Return to Nairobi

A last dawn game drive, timed for the cooler early hours when predators are often still active, precedes the return drive to Nairobi. Early morning game drives here tend to catch predators still active from a night hunt, before the heat of the day pushes most cats into shaded cover.

What’s Included

• Airport pickup and drop-off in Nairobi
• Private safari vehicle with pop-up roof and professional driver-guide
• Park, reserve and conservancy entrance fees
• Accommodation as specified, on a full-board basis unless otherwise stated
• Game drives as per the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water during game drives
• All applicable government taxes

What’s Excluded

• International flights
• Kenya visa or eTA fees
• Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Personal travel and medical insurance
• Meals not specified as included in the itinerary
• Items of a personal nature (laundry, souvenirs, phone or internet charges)
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary