7 days
Overview
The Great Rift Valley Lakes and Maasai Mara Safari traces a sweeping arc through the most dramatic geological feature on the African continent, the Great Rift Valley, visiting three of its most spectacular lake destinations before culminating in the unparalleled game viewing of the Maasai Mara. The Great Rift Valley is a 6,000 kilometre chain of geological rifts, lakes, volcanoes and escarpments stretching from the Afar Triangle in Ethiopia to Mozambique, and nowhere is it more accessible and diverse than in Kenya where a single journey of six days can reveal freshwater lakes, soda lakes, flamingo spectacles, geothermal geysers, hippo pools and open plains game viewing within a single continuous itinerary. Lake Naivasha at 1,884 metres is the highest lake in Kenya and one of the most ecologically diverse, edged by papyrus beds sheltering vast hippo populations and surrounded by acacia woodland harbouring giraffe, zebra, buffalo and over 400 bird species. The adjacent Hells Gate National Park is unique in allowing walking and cycling safaris among wildlife in a landscape of volcanic gorges, geothermal steam vents and towering cliff faces. Lake Nakuru in the central Rift delivers the flamingo spectacle and rhino sanctuary before the safari descends to the warm lowlands of the Maasai Mara for two nights of intensive Big Five game viewing on the most famous wildlife stage in Africa.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Nairobi to Lake Naivasha
A morning departure from Nairobi takes the scenic Naivasha road northwest with a descent into the Great Rift Valley past the famous viewpoint where the full scale of the geological rift is revealed. Lake Naivasha is reached in approximately 90 minutes and the afternoon is spent on a boat safari across the lake, the most productive way to encounter the enormous hippo pods and extraordinary diversity of water birds at close range. African fish eagle, African darter, malachite kingfisher, grey heron and numerous species of ibis and egret are reliably encountered on the lake surface.
Nairobi to Naivasha road transfer, Rift Valley viewpoint stop, afternoon hippo boat safari, lake bird watching, African fish eagle viewing, papyrus bed exploration
Day 2
Hells Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha
Hells Gate National Park adjacent to Lake Naivasha is unlike any other national park in Kenya, permitting visitors to walk and cycle freely through the wildlife in a landscape of towering basalt cliffs, volcanic gorges and geothermal steam vents. A morning guided walk or cycling safari through the main gorge encounters giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog and baboon at close range on foot, a thrilling and very different kind of safari experience. The afternoon returns to Lake Naivasha for a guided walk in the yellow fever acacia woodland where Rothschild giraffe, impala and abundant birdlife create a peaceful contrast to the volcanic drama of Hells Gate.
Hells Gate National Park walking or cycling safari, Fischer Tower and main gorge exploration, geothermal steam vents, giraffe and zebra on foot, afternoon Lake Naivasha woodland walk, Rothschild giraffe encounter
Day 3
Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park
A morning game drive at the lakeshore before departing north along the Rift Valley floor to Lake Nakuru, a journey of approximately 90 minutes. The park entry in the early afternoon allows for a full circuit of the lake shore during the most productive wildlife hours. The iconic pink band of flamingos along the alkaline shore is the first and most memorable visual impression, followed by the first sightings of white and black rhino that make Nakuru one of the most important rhino sanctuaries in Kenya.
Morning Naivasha lakeshore drive, road transfer to Nakuru, afternoon flamingo lake shore circuit, first rhino sightings, lion and leopard in lake shore woodland, Baboon Cliff viewpoint
Day 4
Full Day Lake Nakuru National Park
A dawn departure from camp along the western flamingo shore is the finest way to experience Nakurus extraordinary birdlife. Lesser and greater flamingo congregations shift and swirl above the alkaline water in the early morning light, and the lake is surrounded by yellow fever woodland that consistently produces leopard, lion, Rothschild giraffe and waterbuck. The dedicated rhino sanctuary track within the park is navigated with a ranger escort for the highest chance of close rhino encounters, and the Makalia Falls in the southern section of the park provides a beautiful natural setting for a bush picnic lunch.
Sunrise flamingo shore walk, full day lake circuit, leopard tracking in yellow fever woodland, rhino sanctuary ranger escort, Makalia Falls picnic lunch, Rothschild giraffe woodland drive
Day 5
Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara
Departing Lake Nakuru after breakfast the road southwest descends from the highland Rift Valley through the Mara ecosystem to the borders of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The four to five hour journey passes through rolling Maasai grassland and the transition from highland forest to open savanna is a visual reminder of the ecological diversity of the Kenyan landscape. An afternoon entry into the Maasai Mara delivers the first encounter with the extraordinary density of wildlife that defines this iconic reserve.
Morning Nakuru final game drive, road transfer to Maasai Mara through Rift Valley, Maasai Mara afternoon entry, first Mara Big Five, wide open plains circuit, river hippo viewing
Day 6
Full Day Maasai Mara and Return to Nairobi
A full final day in the Maasai Mara from sunrise to late afternoon maximises wildlife encounters before departing for Nairobi by road or light aircraft depending on your booking preference. The Mara River circuit, central plains game drive and Mara North Conservancy are all visited in sequence to deliver the most complete Maasai Mara experience within a single day before the return journey to Nairobi.
Full day final Maasai Mara game drive, Mara River circuit, central plains Big Five, afternoon departure to Nairobi by road or light aircraft, private transfer to hotel or airport
What's Included
Included
- Return airport transfers in a private safari vehicle
- All game drives in a customised 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop up roof
- Full board accommodation throughout (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional English speaking Kenya Wildlife Service certified safari guide
- All national park and conservation area entry fees
- Bottled mineral water throughout the safari
- Flight between destinations where indicated in the itinerary
- Complimentary airport meet and greet service
- All government taxes and levies
Not Included
- International flights to and from Nairobi
- Visa fees (available on arrival for most nationalities at USD 51 per adult)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Optional hot air balloon safari at the Maasai Mara (USD 480 per adult)
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages beyond water
- Personal shopping and laundry
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Any activities not specified in the itinerary
- Single supplement surcharge where applicable
You May Also Like
7 days
7 days
Kenya Classic Safari Circuit
6 days