What is the usual route for a Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha safari?

A typical itinerary follows Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi. The exact route can vary depending on your safari operator, accommodation and included activities.

Can I fly to the Masai Mara and travel to Lake Naivasha by road?

Yes. Some itineraries fly from Nairobi to a Mara airstrip, followed by a road transfer from the Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha. This can reduce the longer road journey between Nairobi and the Mara.

How do I travel from the Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha?

The connection between the two destinations is generally made by road in a safari vehicle. Travel time depends on the route, road conditions, and the location of your camp or lodge.

What wildlife can I see on a Masai Mara safari?

The Masai Mara is known for wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, wildebeest and zebra. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the animals you see depend on the season and conditions during your game drives.

Can I see the Great Migration on a Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safari?

You can visit the Mara during the July to October migration period, when the wider Mara ecosystem receives large numbers of wildebeest and other migrating animals. The timing and location of the herds vary, so specific sightings and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Are park entrance fees included in Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha safaris?

Park fees are included in some safari packages, but inclusions vary by operator and itinerary. Check the individual ticket details to confirm whether Masai Mara and other applicable park or conservation fees are covered.

Is a Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha safari suitable for families?

It can be, particularly for families who want to combine traditional game drives with activities around Lake Naivasha. Check the individual itinerary for age requirements, activity restrictions, and accommodation arrangements before booking.

What is the best time to visit Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha?

The best time depends on what you want to see and do. July to October is the main migration period in the Mara, while Lake Naivasha can be included year-round. Weather, wildlife activity, and crowd levels vary throughout the year.

Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safaris

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Safari

From Nairobi: 7-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari to Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha & Amboseli with Stays and Entry Fees

7-day safari with game drives across four of Kenya's top parks, ideal for travelers ticking off Kenya's classics.

Trip to: Masai Mara (2 nights), Lake Nakuru (1 night), Lake Naivasha (1 night), and Amboseli (2 nights) from Nairobi, with round-trip transport by 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
You'll get: KPSGA Silver- or Gold-certified driver-guide, 7 game drives, a Hell's Gate National Park visit, 6 nights' stays (as per option selected), full-board meals with dietary preferences catered for, park fees, and drinking water.
Masai Mara National Reserve: Explore 1,510 sq km of open savannah, home to some of the world's most-studied lion prides, elephant herds, and the Great Migration from July to October.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Visit a fenced rhino sanctuary where black and white rhinos roam, with flamingo-lined shores in season.
Lake Naivasha: Spot hippo pods and rich birdlife on the lake, with Hell's Gate National Park nearby, where you can walk among zebra and giraffe.
Amboseli National Park: See big-tusker elephant herds crossing the plains with Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit behind them.
Add-ons: Masai village visit, sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara, bush breakfast, sundowners, Lake Naivasha boat ride, Crescent Island walking safari, and cycling in Hell's Gate, available at an extra cost.
Upgrades: Choose private or shared tours and budget, comfort, or luxury stays.

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Free cancellation

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7 days

Transfers available

Pickup available

Meals included

Safari

From Nairobi: 5-Day Masai Mara, Nakuru, and Naivasha Safari with Stays, and Entry Fees

5-day safari with game drives in the Masai Mara and both Rift Valley lakes, ideal for first-time visitors to Kenya.

Trip to: Masai Mara (2 nights), Lake Nakuru (1 night), and Lake Naivasha (1 night) from Nairobi, with round-trip transport by 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof.
You'll get: KPSGA Silver- or Gold-certified driver-guide, 4 game drives, a Hell's Gate National Park visit, 4 nights' stays (as per option selected), full-board meals with dietary preferences catered for, park fees, and drinking water.
Masai Mara National Reserve: Explore 1,510 sq km of open savannah, home to some of the world's most-studied lion prides, elephant herds, and the Great Migration (July to October).
Lake Nakuru National Park: Visit a fenced rhino sanctuary where black and white rhinos roam, with flamingo-lined shores in season.
Lake Naivasha: Spot hippo pods and rich birdlife on the lake, with Hell's Gate National Park nearby, where you can walk among zebra and giraffe.
Add-ons: Masai Village visit, sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara, bush breakfast, and sundowners, Lake Naivasha boat ride, Crescent Island walking safari, and cycling in Hell's Gate, available at an extra cost.
Upgrades: Choose private or shared tours and budget, comfort, or luxury stays.

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4 days - 5 days

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Safari

From Nairobi: 6-Day Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli Safari with Stays and Entry Fees

6-day safari with game drives in the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli, ideal for nature lovers after big landscapes.

Trip to: Masai Mara (2 nights), Lake Naivasha (1 night), and Amboseli (2 nights) from Nairobi, with round-trip transport by 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof.
You'll get: KPSGA Silver- or Gold-certified driver-guide, 6 game drives, a Hell's Gate National Park visit, 5 nights' stays (as per option selected), full-board meals with dietary preferences catered for, park fees, and drinking water.
Masai Mara National Reserve: Explore 1,510 sq km of open savannah, home to some of the world's most-studied lion prides, elephant herds, and the Great Migration (July to October).
Lake Naivasha: Spot hippo pods and rich birdlife on the lake, with Hell's Gate National Park nearby, where you can walk among zebra and giraffe.
Amboseli National Park: See big-tusker elephant herds crossing the plains with Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit behind them.
Add-ons: Masai Village visit, sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara, bush breakfast, sundowners, Lake Naivasha boat ride, Crescent Island walking safari, and cycling in Hell's Gate, available at an extra cost.
Upgrades: Choose private or shared tours and budget, comfort, or luxury stays.

‌

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6 days

Guided tour

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Pickup available

Safari

From Nairobi: 4-Day Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha Safari With Stays, and Entry Fees

4-day safari with game drives in the Masai Mara and a lakeside stop at Naivasha, ideal for birders and nature lovers.

Trip to: Masai Mara (2 nights) and Lake Naivasha (1 night) from Nairobi, with round-trip transport by 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
You'll get: KPSGA Silver- or Gold-certified driver-guide, 3 game drives, a Hell's Gate National Park visit, 3 nights' stays (as per option selected), full-board meals with dietary preferences catered for, park fees, and drinking water.
Masai Mara National Reserve: Explore 1,510 sq km of open savannah, home to some of the world's most-studied lion prides, elephant herds, and the Great Migration (July to October).
Lake Naivasha: Spot hippo pods and rich birdlife on the lake, with Hell's Gate National Park nearby, where you can walk among zebra and giraffe.
Add-ons: Masai Village visit, sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara, bush breakfast, sundowners, Lake Naivasha boat ride, Crescent Island walking safari, and cycling in Hell's Gate can be purchased post-booking.
Upgrades: Choose a private or shared tour with budget, comfort, or luxury stays.

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4 days

Guided tour

Transfers available

Pickup available

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Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safari in 30 seconds

What it is: A multi-day Kenya safari combining Masai Mara National Reserve game drives with Lake Naivasha's hippos, birdlife and optional lake activities.
When to go: Safaris run year-round. July to October overlaps with the Great Migration season in the Mara, though river crossings are never guaranteed.
How long: Choose a 4- or 5-day safari for a shorter trip, or a 6-day itinerary that combines the Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli.
How it works: Road-based safaris typically start and end in Nairobi, visiting the Masai Mara first before continuing to Lake Naivasha. Selected longer itineraries add Amboseli.
Cost: Prices depend on trip length, season, accommodation, transport and inclusions. Check your selected package for current rates.
Planning tip: Boat rides on Lake Naivasha and visits to Crescent Island or Hell's Gate

Where is Lake Naivasha located?

Location: Nakuru County, Kenya, in the Great Rift Valley
Nearest town: Naivasha
Address: Lake Naivasha, Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya
From Masai Mara: Around 3–5 hours by road, depending on your camp, route and road conditions
Typical route: Masai Mara → Narok → Lake Naivasha
Transport: Safari vehicle/private 4x4, usually as part of your overland safari itinerary
By air: Not typically used for the Masai Mara–Naivasha leg; road transfer is the standard option

Why you should add Lake Naivasha to your itinerary

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Spot hippos and waterbirds

Look for hippos in the water and spot pelicans, fish eagles, and other birdlife around the lake.

Take a boat ride

See Lake Naivasha from the water on a boat ride, available as an optional activity on selected safari packages.

Explore Hell's Gate National Park

Add a visit to Hell's Gate for its rocky landscapes, cliffs and gorges, with walking and cycling options in designated areas.

Walk among wildlife at Crescent Island

Join a guided walk among free-roaming wildlife, including giraffes, zebras and antelopes, on an optional visit to Crescent Island.

Experience a different landscape

Trade the Masai Mara's open grasslands for a freshwater lake surrounded by acacia woodland, grassy shores and hills.

Add variety to your Kenya safari

Combine Lake Naivasha with the Masai Mara on a multi-day trip, or choose a longer itinerary that also includes Amboseli National Park.

Why combine Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha?

Combining Masai Mara National Reserve with Lake Naivasha lets you experience two different sides of Kenya, from classic game drives to freshwater wildlife and outdoor activities.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve comes first with game drives across open grasslands, where you may spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeest and zebra. Depending on the season, you may also see the Great Migration in the wider Mara ecosystem.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha offers a change of pace with its freshwater lake, boat experiences and nearby wildlife activities. Depending on your itinerary, you may take a boat ride, visit Crescent Island or explore Hell’s Gate National Park on foot or by bicycle where permitted.

The route typically works as Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi, making it easy to combine big-game viewing with a quieter lake-based stop.

Together, the route gives you: classic safari game drives in the Mara, followed by lake-based activities, walking or cycling opportunities around Naivasha.

Choose your safari duration based on your itinerary

Start with game drives in the Masai Mara before heading to Lake Naivasha for a change of pace and optional lake activities.

Typical route: Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi

Day 1: Travel from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Day 2: Spend the day on game drives in the Masai Mara.
Day 3: Enjoy a morning game drive before travelling to Lake Naivasha.
Day 4: Take an optional boat ride or enjoy another included activity before returning to Nairobi.

Best for: Travellers who want to combine Mara game drives with a lake visit in a shorter itinerary.

Book 4-day Masai Mara + Lake Naivasha Safari

Spend two nights exploring the Masai Mara before continuing to Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. This 5-day safari combines wildlife viewing in three destinations with a visit to Hell's Gate National Park.

Typical route: Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi

Day 1: Travel from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Day 2: Spend the day on game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Day 3: Enjoy a game drive before travelling to Lake Nakuru National Park.
Day 4: Explore Lake Nakuru before continuing to Lake Naivasha. Visit Hell's Gate National Park as scheduled in your itinerary.
Day 5: Enjoy any scheduled morning activity at Lake Naivasha before returning to Nairobi.

Best for: Travellers who want to combine the Masai Mara with Lake Nakuru's rhino habitat and Lake Naivasha's lake and outdoor experiences.

5-day Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru + Lake Naivasha Safari

Extend your safari beyond the Mara and Naivasha to include Amboseli National Park, known for its elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro when the weather permits.

Typical route: Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Amboseli → Nairobi

Day 1: Travel from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Day 2: Spend the day on game drives in the Masai Mara.
Day 3: Travel to Lake Naivasha after your scheduled morning activity.
Day 4: Enjoy a lake activity or visit Hell's Gate if included, then continue according to your itinerary.
Day 5: Travel to Amboseli and enjoy a game drive if time permits.
Day 6: Go on a morning game drive before returning to Nairobi, as scheduled.

Best for: Travellers who want to combine the Mara's wildlife, Naivasha's lake activities and Amboseli's elephants in one longer trip.

Book 6-day Masai Mara + Lake Naivasha + Amboseli Safari

Explore four destinations on a longer Kenya safari, combining the Masai Mara's wildlife with Lake Nakuru's rhinos, Lake Naivasha's birdlife and Amboseli's elephants.

Typical route: Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → Amboseli → Nairobi

Day 1: Travel from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Day 2: Spend the day on game drives in the Masai Mara.
Day 3: Continue wildlife viewing before travelling to Lake Nakuru, as scheduled.
Day 4: Enjoy a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park before continuing to Lake Naivasha.
Day 5: Explore Lake Naivasha, with a boat ride or a visit to Hell's Gate if included.
Day 6: Travel to Amboseli National Park and enjoy a game drive if time permits.
Day 7: Go on a morning game drive before returning to Nairobi, as scheduled.

Best for: Travellers who want a broader Kenya safari with four parks and different wildlife habitats.

Book 7-day Masai Mara + Lake Naivasha + Amboseli + Lake Nakuru Safari

Route & logistics

Recommended route

Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi

Starting with the Masai Mara puts the main game-viewing portion of the safari first, followed by Lake Naivasha for a change of pace with lake-based and outdoor activities.

Nairobi → Masai Mara

The journey from Nairobi to the Masai Mara typically takes around 5–6 hours by road, depending on traffic, road conditions, and your exact lodge or camp.

Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha

Continue from the Mara towards Lake Naivasha. Travel time varies depending on your route, road conditions, and the location of your accommodation in the Mara and Naivasha.

Lake Naivasha → Nairobi

The journey from Lake Naivasha to Nairobi typically takes around 2–3 hours by road, depending on traffic and your exact departure point.

Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safaris inclusions and exclusions

What's included

Depending on your selected safari, the package may include:

Accommodation

Daily meals

Shared or private safari vehicle

Professional safari guide

Flight from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, where specified

Masai Mara game drives

Lake Naivasha visit

Boat ride, where specified

Hell's Gate visit, where specified

Park entrance fees

Transfers between the Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha

Nairobi pick-up and drop-off, where specified

What's usually not included

International flights

Kenya eTA

Travel insurance

Tips

Alcoholic drinks

Personal expenses

Optional activities

Activities not listed in the itinerary

Flights or transfers not specifically mentioned in the itinerary

Accommodation options

Comfort level	Lake Naivasha	Masai Mara
Budget	Simple lodge or camp	Simple tented camp or lodge
Mid-range	Comfortable lodge or camp	Mid-range lodge or tented camp
Luxury	Luxury lodge or resort	Luxury tented camp or lodge

Best time for a Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safari

The best time depends on how you want to balance lake activities at Naivasha with wildlife viewing in the Mara.

Migration season in the Mara

This period overlaps with the main Great Migration season in the Masai Mara. You may see wildebeest moving through the reserve alongside zebra and other grazing animals.

Naivasha provides a change of pace before or after the Mara, with lake-based activities and access to nearby wildlife areas.

Best for: Travellers who want migration-season wildlife in the Mara combined with a varied itinerary around Naivasha.

Migration timing varies each year, and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

Generally drier conditions

These months can offer relatively dry conditions for road travel and game drives. Lake activities can still form part of the itinerary, while the Mara is outside its main migration period.

Best for: Travellers looking for a two-destination safari outside the main migration months.

Wetter months

Rain can affect road conditions and some outdoor activities. Lake and walking or cycling plans may also be affected by weather.

Best for: Travellers who are comfortable with wetter conditions and are considering lower-season travel.

Important: Water conditions, wildlife sightings and weather-dependent activities cannot be guaranteed.

Wildlife you can see at Lake Naivasha

Hippopotamuses

Look for hippos resting in the water during the day. You may spot them from a boat, but keep a safe distance from the shoreline and follow your guide's instructions.

Who is this safari best for?

Other multi-park safari combinations

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Masai Mara + Amboseli

Pair the Mara's big cats and migration-season wildlife with Amboseli's large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

→ Explore Masai Mara + Amboseli safaris

Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru

Add Lake Nakuru for rhino sightings, birdlife, and another wildlife-focused stop between Nairobi and the Mara.

→ Know more about Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru safaris

Multi-park Kenya safaris

Go beyond a two-park itinerary and combine several of Kenya's major wildlife destinations in one longer safari.

→ Book 7-day multi-park Kenya safaris

Frequently asked questions about Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safaris

A 4-day safari offers a compact combination of the two destinations, while a 5-day safari gives you more time for game drives in the Mara and activities around Lake Naivasha.

Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safaris

From Nairobi: 7-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari to Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha & Amboseli with Stays and Entry Fees

From Nairobi: 5-Day Masai Mara, Nakuru, and Naivasha Safari with Stays, and Entry Fees

From Nairobi: 6-Day Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli Safari with Stays and Entry Fees

From Nairobi: 4-Day Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha Safari With Stays, and Entry Fees

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Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha safari in 30 seconds

Where is Lake Naivasha located?

Why you should add Lake Naivasha to your itinerary

Spot hippos and waterbirds

Take a boat ride

Explore Hell's Gate National Park

Walk among wildlife at Crescent Island

Experience a different landscape

Add variety to your Kenya safari