A 5-day Kenya Rift Valley safari with three nights in the Maasai Mara - famous for its lions and the great migration - plus Lake Nakuru's flamingos and rhinos, in a private 4x4 with a professional driver-guide.
This 5-day Kenya Rift Valley safari pairs three nights in the world-famous Maasai Mara with the flamingos and rhinos of Lake Nakuru. It is a Kenyan safari (not Tanzania), travelling privately in a 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide, with comfortable mid-range camps and lodges on a full-board basis.
The heart of the trip is the Maasai Mara National Reserve, an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem renowned for its black-maned lions and, in season, the great migration – when well over a million wildebeest cross the Mara River in one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles. Three unhurried nights allow time to search for all of the Big Five, with an optional early-morning hot-air balloon safari over the plains.
The safari then descends the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for the shimmering pink flocks of flamingos along its shores, one of the world’s greatest concentrations of black and white rhino, and the rare Rothschild giraffe – a fitting finale before the return to Nairobi.
Depart Nairobi and drive to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s greatest wildlife areas. Arrive in time for lunch at camp, relax through the heat of the day, then head out on an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp.
Spend a full day exploring the reserve in search of the Big Five, with a picnic lunch in the bush to make the most of the day. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives across the Mara, an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem, known for its black-maned lions and, in season, the great migration with wildebeest crossing the Mara River. An optional early-morning hot-air balloon safari and an optional visit to a Maasai community are available at extra cost. Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp.
After breakfast, drive across the scenic Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its flamingos and for one of the world’s greatest concentrations of black and white rhino, as well as the rare Rothschild giraffe. Check in for lunch and a rest, then head out on an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.
After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru with a game drive en route to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon. After lunch at a local restaurant, you are dropped at the airport for your onward flight home. This marks the end of the safari services.
Every day of this itinerary is tailor-made and can be shaped around your dates, pace and budget. When you are ready, our team handles every detail - you simply arrive and enjoy.
Yes – unless stated otherwise, our safaris are private departures for your party only, with your own driver-guide and 4×4 vehicle. You set the pace and can adjust game-drive times with your guide each day.
Your quote covers park and conservation fees, accommodation on the stated board basis, a professional English-speaking driver-guide, a private safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, game drives per the itinerary, and drinking water in the vehicle. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal expenses are excluded.
Tanzania is a year-round destination. June to October offers classic dry-season game viewing; the green season (November to May) brings lush scenery, newborn animals and fewer crowds. The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti all year – tell us your dates and we will advise where the herds are likely to be.
Absolutely. Every itinerary is a starting point – we tailor the parks, pace, lodges and length to your interests and budget. Just let us know what you have in mind and we will build it around you.
Once you are happy with the plan we confirm availability and send a booking form and invoice. A deposit secures your dates, with the balance due before travel. We confirm exact amounts and payment options when you enquire.
Most visitors need a tourist visa for Tanzania (available online or on arrival) and a yellow-fever certificate if arriving from a risk country. We recommend consulting a travel clinic about malaria prevention and routine vaccinations well before departure.
Tell us your dates and what matters most - our team designs every journey by hand and replies within 24 hours, seven days a week.
Ashnil Mara Camp is a tented camp beside a hippo-populated stretch of the Mara River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, close to a main migration crossing point. Its riverside position makes it a prime base during the wildebeest migration.
The en-suite canvas tents sit on raised decks with private sun decks facing the river. Verified facilities include a swimming pool, an on-site spa, a restaurant and cocktail bar, and free Wi-Fi.
Stays are full-board. Note that children under four are not taken on the camp’s guided walking safaris – a safety point worth flagging for families.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge is set on a ridge overlooking the grasslands of Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, a park well known for its birdlife and rhino. Its elevated position makes it a comfortable base for game drives around the lake.
The lodge has interleading family rooms and wide public terraces. Verified facilities include an infinity swimming pool with a poolside bar, a gift shop and free Wi-Fi in the public areas.
Dining is full-board, with buffet and a-la-carte options. It is a large, group-friendly lodge suited to families and tour groups rather than a quiet boutique stay.