What is the route for a Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari?

The itinerary typically follows **Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Nakuru → Nairobi**. You start with game drives in the Mara, then travel by road to Lake Nakuru before returning to Nairobi.

Can I fly from Nairobi to the Masai Mara?

Yes. Some safari itineraries include a **flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to a Masai Mara airstrip**. The specific airstrip depends on the location of your camp or lodge.

Can I fly from the Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru?

The fly-in itineraries described here do **not** use a flight between the two parks. After your stay in the Masai Mara, you generally travel **by road to Lake Nakuru** before returning to Nairobi.

What wildlife can I see in the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru?

The Masai Mara is known for **lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeest and zebra**, while Lake Nakuru is particularly known for **black and white rhinos and birdlife**. Other wildlife sightings vary by season and conditions.

Can I see the Great Migration on this safari?

You can visit the Masai Mara during the main migration period, generally **July to October**. Wildebeest and other migratory animals may move through the Mara during this period, but the timing of the migration and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.

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

**July to October** is particularly suitable if you want to combine the Mara with migration-season wildlife. **January to March** can offer generally drier conditions, while April and May are typically wetter. Lake Nakuru offers wildlife-viewing opportunities throughout the year.

What is included in a Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari?

Depending on the itinerary, inclusions can cover **accommodation, meals, game drives, a safari vehicle, a professional guide, park fees, and Nairobi transfers**. Fly-in packages may also include the flight to the Mara. Always check the individual safari for the complete list of inclusions.

Is a Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari suitable for a short trip?

Yes. The **4-day itinerary** is designed for travellers who want to experience both destinations in a shorter trip. The 5-day option gives you more time for game drives, particularly in the Masai Mara.

Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safaris

Q: How many days do I need for a Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari?

You can choose between **4-day and 5-day itineraries**. A 4-day safari offers a compact visit to both parks, while a 5-day option gives you more time for game drives in the Masai Mara.

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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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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 Nakuru, and Amboseli Safari With Stays and Entry Fees

6-day safari with game drives in the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli, ideal for keen wildlife photographers.

Trip to: Masai Mara (2 nights), Lake Nakuru (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, 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 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.
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, and sundowners, 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

Transfers available

Pickup available

Safari

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

4-day safari with game drives in the Masai Mara and a rhino sanctuary visit at Lake Nakuru, ideal for wildlife fans chasing the Big Five.

Trip to: Masai Mara (2 nights) and Lake Nakuru (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, 4 game drives, 3 nights' accommodation, 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.
Add-ons: Masai Village visit, sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Masai Mara, bush breakfast, and sundowners, available at an extra cost.
Upgrades: Choose private or shared tours and budget, comfort, or luxury stays.

‌

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Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

4 days

Guided tour

Transfers available

Pickup available

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Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari in 30 seconds

What it is: A multi-day Kenya safari combining Lake Nakuru National Park's rhinos and birdlife with the Masai Mara National Reserve's big cats and open plains.
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-day safari for a shorter trip, a 5-day itinerary to add Lake Naivasha, or a 6- or 7-day safari to combine the Mara and Nakuru with other parks.
How it works: Road-based safaris typically start and end in Nairobi, visiting the Masai Mara first before continuing to Lake Nakuru and, on selected itineraries, other destinations.
Cost: Prices vary by trip length, season, accommodation, group size, and inclusions. Check your selected package for current rates.
Planning tip: Compare how much time each itinerary allows for game drives, as longer trips can include additional parks without rushing between destinations.

Where is Lake Nakuru National Park located?

Location: Nakuru County, Kenya, in the Great Rift Valley
Nearest town: Nakuru
Address: Lake Nakuru National Park, Nakuru County, Kenya
From Masai Mara: Around 4–6 hours by road, depending on your camp, route and road conditions
Typical route: Masai Mara → Narok → Mau Narok area → Lake Nakuru National Park
Transport: Safari vehicle or private 4x4, usually as part of your overland safari itinerary
By air: Road transfers are standard for the Masai Mara–Lake Nakuru leg on most safari itineraries

Why you should add Lake Nakuru to your Masai Mara safari

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Rhino country

Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s best places to see both black and white rhinos. The park is fenced and heavily protected, so sightings are some of the most reliable in East Africa.

Flamingo spectacle

When conditions are right, thousands of flamingos gather along the soda lake’s edge. Numbers shift with water levels, so ask your guide what’s happening on the shore before you go.

Wildlife in a compact park

At under 200 km², the park packs in lions, leopards, buffalo, waterbucks, and Rothschild’s giraffes. Short drives between sightings mean less time in the vehicle and more time watching.

Birdwatcher’s paradise

Pelicans, fish eagles, kingfishers, and migratory visitors make this a standout stop for birders. Even casual travellers will find the birdlife hard to ignore.

Views worth the climb

Stop at Baboon Cliff for a sweeping view across the lake and the Rift Valley. Golden light and a shoreline dotted with wildlife make it a favourite for photographers.

Easy to fit in your schedule

It’s about 3 to 4 hours from Nairobi and pairs well with Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, or an onward trip to the Maasai Mara. It works as a one-night stop or a long day trip.

Why combine Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru?

Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru bring together two distinct wildlife experiences, with the Mara first and Nakuru as the second stop.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve starts the safari with classic game drives across open plains, where you may see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeest and zebra. If you travel during the migration season, you may also witness wildebeest and other migratory wildlife in the Mara ecosystem.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park adds a different wildlife experience, particularly known for its rhinos and birdlife. You may also spot lions, leopards, buffaloes and other wildlife around the park and lake.

Together, the route gives you: big-cat and plains-wildlife viewing in the Mara, followed by rhino sightings, birdlife and Rift Valley landscapes at Lake Nakuru.

Choose your safari duration based on your itinerary

A compact itinerary that combines game drives in the Masai Mara with a visit to Lake Nakuru National Park.

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

Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara → afternoon game drive
Day 2: Full-day Masai Mara game drives
Day 3: Morning game drive → Lake Nakuru → game drive
Day 4: Lake Nakuru game drive → Nairobi

Best for: Travellers with limited time who want to combine the Masai Mara with Lake Nakuru.

Book 4-day Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru Safari

Add both parks to your Mara safari, with time for game drives and a visit to Hell's Gate National Park.

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

Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara → afternoon game drive
Day 2: Full-day Masai Mara game drives
Day 3: Morning game drive → Lake Nakuru → game drive
Day 4: Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → visit to Hell's Gate National Park
Day 5: Scheduled Lake Naivasha activities → Nairobi

Best for: First-time visitors who want to combine the Mara with Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in one trip.

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

Combine the Masai Mara with Lake Nakuru and Amboseli for a longer safari across three destinations.

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

Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara → afternoon game drive
Day 2: Full-day Masai Mara game drives
Day 3: Morning game drive → Lake Nakuru → game drive
Day 4: Lake Nakuru → Amboseli → afternoon or evening game drive
Day 5: Full-day Amboseli game drives
Day 6: Morning Amboseli game drive → Nairobi

Best for: Travellers who want to combine the Mara's wildlife with Lake Nakuru and Amboseli's elephant-rich landscapes.

Book 6-Day Masai Mara + Lake Nakuru + Amboseli Safari

Take the full circuit, combining four of Kenya's major safari destinations in one longer itinerary.

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

Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara → afternoon game drive
Day 2: Full-day Masai Mara game drives
Day 3: Morning game drive → Lake Nakuru → game drive
Day 4: Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha → visit to Hell's Gate National Park
Day 5: Lake Naivasha activities → Amboseli
Day 6: Full-day Amboseli game drives
Day 7: Morning Amboseli game drive → Nairobi

Best for: Travellers with more time who want to combine the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli in one safari.

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

Route & logistics

Recommended route

Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Nakuru → Nairobi

Your safari starts with the Masai Mara's open plains and wildlife, then continues to Lake Nakuru National Park for rhino sightings and birdwatching before returning to Nairobi. Longer itineraries may add Lake Naivasha or Amboseli, depending on the package.

Nairobi to Masai Mara

By road: The journey typically takes around 5–6 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions and your camp's location.
By air: Fly from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to an airstrip serving the Masai Mara. The flight usually takes around 45–60 minutes, followed by a transfer to your camp or lodge.

Check your selected package to confirm whether it includes road transfers or domestic flights.

Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

This leg is generally covered by road.
Travel time depends on road conditions, your departure point in the Masai Mara and your accommodation in Lake Nakuru.
Allow time for the transfer when planning your game drives.

Lake Nakuru to Nairobi

The drive from Lake Nakuru to Nairobi typically takes around 3 hours, depending on traffic and your exact departure point.
Your return time will also depend on whether your itinerary includes a morning game drive.

Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari inclusions and exclusions

What's included

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 Nakuru game drives

Park entrance fees

Transfers between the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru

Nairobi pick-up and drop-off, where specified

Great Rift Valley viewpoint stop, 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	Masai Mara	Lake Nakuru
Budget	Simple tented camp or lodge	Simple lodge or tented camp
Mid-range	Mid-range lodge or tented camp	Comfortable lodge or tented camp
Luxury	Luxury tented camp or lodge	Luxury lodge or tented camp

Best time for a Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari

The best time depends on what you want to see. The Masai Mara is particularly popular during the July to October migration period, while Lake Nakuru offers year-round opportunities for rhino, birdlife and other wildlife.

Migration season in the Mara

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

After your time in the Mara, continue to Lake Nakuru for opportunities to see rhinos, birdlife and other wildlife.

Best for: Travellers who want to combine the Mara's migration season with Lake Nakuru's rhino and birdlife viewing.

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

Generally drier conditions

These months can offer relatively dry conditions for game drives in both destinations. The Mara is outside its main migration period, while Lake Nakuru continues to offer opportunities for rhino, birdlife and other wildlife sightings.

Best for: Travellers looking for a two-park safari outside the main migration season.

Wetter months

Rain can affect road conditions and game-drive plans, particularly on the overland journey between the Mara and Nakuru. Wet conditions can also make some areas of the parks harder to access.

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

Wildlife sightings, migration activity and specific bird or rhino sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Wildlife you can see at Lake Nakuru National Park

Black rhino

Lake Nakuru is an important sanctuary for endangered black rhinos. Look for them grazing in the grasslands or moving through areas of woodland.

Who is this safari best for?

🦁 First-time Kenya visitors

Combine the Masai Mara's classic game drives with Lake Nakuru's rhinos, birdlife, and other wildlife in one two-park safari.

🦏 Wildlife enthusiasts

Start with big cats and plains wildlife in the Mara, then look for rhinos and birdlife at Lake Nakuru.

⏱️ Short-trip travellers

Choose a 4-day itinerary to experience two major wildlife destinations without committing to a longer multi-park safari.

📸 Photographers

Get opportunities to photograph big cats, herds and open plains in the Mara, followed by rhinos, birds and Rift Valley landscapes in Nakuru.

Other multi-park safari combinations

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Masai Mara + Amboseli

Combine the Mara's predators and migration-season wildlife with Amboseli's elephant herds and Mount Kilimanjaro views.

→ Know more about Masai Mara + Amboseli safaris

Masai Mara + Lake Naivasha

Add Lake Naivasha for boat rides, Hell's Gate activities, and a different landscape between Nairobi and the Mara.

→ Know more about Masai Mara + Lake Naivasha Safaris

Multi-park Kenya safaris

Build a longer itinerary combining several of Kenya's wildlife destinations.

→ Explore 7-Day Kenya Safari

Frequently asked questions about Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safaris

You can choose between 4-day and 5-day itineraries. A 4-day safari offers a compact visit to both parks, while a 5-day option gives you more time for game drives in the Masai Mara.

Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru 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 Nakuru, and Amboseli Safari With Stays and Entry Fees

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

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Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari in 30 seconds

Where is Lake Nakuru National Park located?

Why you should add Lake Nakuru to your Masai Mara safari

Rhino country

Flamingo spectacle

Wildlife in a compact park

Birdwatcher’s paradise

Views worth the climb

Easy to fit in your schedule