5 Day Kenya Wildlife Safari: Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara

Enjoy breakfast at camp before departing Ol Pejeta Conservancy for Lake Nakuru National Park, a scenic drive through Kenya’s central highlands and the spectacular Great Rift Valley. Pass fertile farmlands, rural settlements and rolling countryside as the landscape gradually changes on your journey south.

Arrive at Lake Nakuru Lodge or a similar property in time for lunch, followed by a short rest before setting out on an exciting afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Explore its diverse habitats, from open grasslands and acacia woodlands to rocky escarpments and the scenic shores of Lake Nakuru.

The park is renowned for its rhino conservation efforts, offering opportunities to spot endangered black and white rhinos grazing across the plains. Keep watch for Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and, with luck, elusive leopards concealed among the woodland. Bird enthusiasts can look out for pelicans, cormorants, fish eagles and numerous other species. Depending on water levels and food availability, the lake may also attract seasonal gatherings of flamingos.

As the afternoon draws to a close, return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening, reflecting on the day’s wildlife encounters amid the beautiful landscapes of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley.

Approx. 250–280 km · 4.5–5.5 hours driving, excluding stops

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge or similar

After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and journey towards the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. Travel through the Great Rift Valley region, passing scenic escarpments, rural communities and open countryside as the landscape gradually gives way to the rolling grasslands of southwestern Kenya. The journey may include a stop along the way, depending on your schedule and road conditions.

On arrival in the Maasai Mara, proceed to Mara Simba Lodge or a similar property for lunch and check-in. After taking some time to settle in, head out for your first afternoon game drive in this celebrated wildlife reserve.

The Mara's sweeping plains and scattered acacia trees support an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Look for elephants moving across the grasslands, buffalo herds grazing in the distance and giraffes browsing on treetops. Your guide will help you search for predators, including lions resting after a meal, spotted hyenas moving through the savannah and, with luck, leopards or cheetahs. The reserve's wildlife movements change throughout the day, making every drive a different experience.

If travelling during the Great Wildebeest Migration, generally associated with the July–October period in the Mara ecosystem, you may encounter large herds of wildebeest and zebras. River crossings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay, ready for a full day of wildlife exploration tomorrow.

Approx. 300–330 km · 5.5–7 hours driving, depending on the route and stops

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Overnight: Mara Simba Lodge or similar

Wake up in the Maasai Mara, where the sounds of the African bush signal another exciting day. After breakfast, prepare for an extended wildlife adventure across the reserve. Your guide will plan the day's route around recent sightings, wildlife movements and the conditions on the ground.

Spend a full day exploring the spectacular Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations. Venture across its vast golden plains with your experienced driver-guide in search of lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, cheetahs, hyenas and abundant plains game. Enjoy extended wildlife viewing opportunities, with a picnic lunch in a designated area during a full-day game drive or return to the lodge for lunch before heading out again in the afternoon. Your guide will share insights into animal behaviour, predator-prey relationships and the Mara ecosystem's seasonal rhythms. If travelling during the Great Wildebeest Migration season (July–October), you may encounter impressive herds of wildebeest and zebras moving across the reserve.

Optional experiences: For a different perspective on the wilderness, book a sunrise hot-air balloon safari, subject to availability and additional payment. Floating above the plains at dawn offers remarkable views of the landscape before a celebratory breakfast after landing. Alternatively, arrange an optional visit to a Maasai community to learn about local traditions, pastoral life, cultural heritage and the relationship between people and wildlife.

Return to Mara Simba Lodge in the evening for dinner and your final overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.

Game-drive schedule: Full day or split morning and afternoon drives

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Overnight: Mara Simba Lodge or similar

Enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge in the Maasai Mara before checking out and beginning the return journey to Nairobi. This is a long road-travel day, so an early departure is recommended to allow sufficient time for the journey and a lunch stop along the way.

Bid farewell to the Mara's sweeping grasslands and wildlife-rich landscapes as you travel through Kenya's countryside towards the Great Rift Valley region. Enjoy the changing scenery along the route, with a stop for lunch before continuing to the capital.

Arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, with an estimated drop-off between 4:00 and 6:00 PM at your hotel, residence or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, as arranged. Actual arrival time will depend on road conditions, traffic, the departure time and the duration of stops.

As your five-day safari concludes, reflect on the remarkable experiences of the journey, from Ol Pejeta's conservation initiatives and chimpanzee sanctuary to Lake Nakuru's rhinos and birdlife, and the unforgettable wildlife encounters of the Maasai Mara.

Approx. 270–300 km · 5–6.5 hours driving, excluding stops

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation: No accommodation included on the final night