5-Day Masai Mara Big 5 Safari
The 5-Day Masai Mara Big 5 Safari is an exciting Kenya safari tour designed for travelers seeking the perfect combination of Big Five wildlife encounters, scenic Rift Valley landscapes, outdoor adventure, and unforgettable safari experiences. Starting and ending in Nairobi, this safari combines the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, the rhino-rich landscapes of Lake Nakuru National Park, the peaceful freshwater ecosystem of Lake Naivasha, and the dramatic scenery of Hell’s Gate National Park.
Perfect for couples, families, photographers, adventure seekers, and first-time safari travelers, this tailor-made safari offers thrilling wildlife game drives alongside outdoor experiences and scenic beauty. Encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs in Masai Mara, track endangered rhinos in Lake Nakuru, enjoy optional boat rides at Lake Naivasha, and explore the dramatic cliffs and cycling trails of Hell’s Gate National Park. Travel is provided in either a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or pop-up roof safari minivan, ensuring excellent wildlife viewing and comfort throughout your journey.
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
This safari is ideal for:
- Couples seeking a scenic wildlife and adventure safari in Kenya
- Families wanting a balance of safari game drives and outdoor activities
- First-time safari travelers exploring Kenya’s iconic destinations
- Wildlife photographers seeking Big Five encounters and scenic landscapes
- Adventure travelers interested in cycling, walking, and nature experiences
- Nature lovers seeking diverse wildlife and freshwater lake ecosystems
- Travelers looking for a privately guided safari Kenya experience
Why This Safari Is Best
- Combines Big Five wildlife, freshwater lakes, and outdoor adventure in one trip
- Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities in Masai Mara National Reserve
- Rhino tracking and flamingo sightings at Lake Nakuru National Park
- Optional boat ride and Crescent Island walking safari at Lake Naivasha
- Outdoor adventure at Hell’s Gate National Park including cycling and hiking
- Scenic Great Rift Valley viewpoints and photography opportunities
- Comfortable travel in a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or safari minivan
- Privately guided safari with flexible pacing and personalized experiences
Tour Highlights
Scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley to Masai Mara National Reserve
Afternoon and full-day Big Five game drives in Masai Mara
Rhino sanctuary wildlife experience in Lake Nakuru National Park
Optional Lake Naivasha boat safari and Crescent Island walk
Cycling and nature exploration at Hell’s Gate National Park
Opportunity to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs
Spectacular Rift Valley scenery and photography opportunities
Convenient return to Nairobi
Tour Map
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Minimum age of 3 years
The minimum age for this tour is 3 years.
Day 1
Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve – Scenic Drive & Afternoon Game Drive
Your 5-Day Masai Mara Big 5 Wildlife Safari begins with pickup from your Nairobi hotel or airport by our professional driver-guide before departing toward the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve.
Travel through the spectacular Great Rift Valley with a scenic stop at a viewpoint to admire dramatic escarpments and photograph breathtaking landscapes before continuing through rural countryside toward Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife reserve.
Arrive at your safari lodge or camp in time for lunch and check-in before relaxing ahead of your first game-viewing adventure.
Later in the afternoon, depart for an exciting game drive across the wildlife-rich plains of Masai Mara National Reserve, home to abundant predators and exceptional Big Five encounters.
Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, and antelope species while enjoying spectacular sunset views before returning to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Nairobi → Masai Mara National Reserve (Approx. 5–6 hours, ~280 km) in a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or pop-up roof safari minivan
Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 2
Full Day Masai Mara National Reserve – Big Five Wildlife Experience
After breakfast, spend a full day exploring the remarkable Masai Mara National Reserve, famous for exceptional predator sightings, vast savannah plains, and incredible biodiversity.
Morning and afternoon game drives or a full-day safari with picnic lunch allow maximum wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the reserve.
Search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, crocodiles, zebras, wildebeests, and other plains game species while exploring different wildlife-rich sections of the reserve.
Depending on the season, you may witness dramatic scenes of the Great Migration before returning to your accommodation in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Extensive game drives inside Masai Mara National Reserve in a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or safari minivan
Zebra Plains Mara Camp
Day 3
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park – Rhino Sanctuary Safari
After breakfast, depart Masai Mara and drive through scenic Rift Valley landscapes toward Lake Nakuru National Park.
Arrive at your safari lodge in time for lunch and check-in before embarking on an afternoon wildlife game drive in one of Kenya’s most scenic parks.
Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for endangered black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, flamingos, lions, leopards, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and abundant birdlife.
Explore acacia forests, rocky escarpments, and lake viewpoints while enjoying rewarding wildlife photography opportunities before returning to your lodge at sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Masai Mara National Reserve → Lake Nakuru National Park (Approx. 5–6 hours, ~300 km) in a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or safari minivan
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Day 4
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha – Freshwater Lake Adventure
After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru National Park for a scenic drive to Lake Naivasha, a beautiful freshwater lake known for its birdlife, hippos, and scenic surroundings.
Arrive in time for lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying optional activities that highlight the natural beauty of the lake region.
Optional experiences include a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to observe hippos and aquatic birdlife or a guided walking safari on Crescent Island where giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and antelope roam freely.
Relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Lake Nakuru National Park → Lake Naivasha (Approx. 1.5–2 hours, ~80 km) in a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or safari minivan
Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
Day 5
Hell’s Gate National Park – Outdoor Adventure & Return to Nairobi
After breakfast, head to the nearby Hell’s Gate National Park for an exciting outdoor adventure in one of Kenya’s most unique parks famous for dramatic cliffs, volcanic landscapes, geothermal features, and wildlife roaming freely among visitors.
Enjoy optional cycling, guided walking safaris, hiking, and scenic exploration while observing zebras, giraffes, gazelles, buffaloes, and other wildlife.
After enjoying the breathtaking scenery and memorable outdoor activities, have lunch before beginning your return drive to Nairobi.
Arrive later in the afternoon or early evening for drop-off at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your unforgettable safari adventure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Transport: Lake Naivasha → Hell’s Gate National Park → Nairobi (Approx. 3–4 hours total drive time, ~110 km to Nairobi) in a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or safari minivan
End of tour ( No accommodation )
Important to know
The prices below are per person (based on two adults travelling together) and please note that the prices are approximate for 2026.
Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday.
There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.
Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.
Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.
Rates Per Person
| Month/Season | Solo -1 Room | 2 people- 1 Room | 3 people- 2 Rooms | 4 people -2 Rooms | 5 people -3 Rooms | 6 people -3 Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 | $2,370 | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* | |
| Jul 1, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026 | $3,373 | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* | |
| Nov 1, 2026 - Dec 22, 2026 | $2,650 | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* | |
| Dec 23, 2026 - Jan 4, 2027 | $3,591 | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* | n/a* |