5-Day Great Rift Valley and Masai Mara Game Safari

The 5-Day Great Rift Valley and Masai Mara Game Safari starts from $2,000 per person sharing. The net cost is the final amount you pay after your accommodation level, travel dates, and group size are confirmed. The price covers private 4×4 safari transport with an experienced driver-guide, game drives, park and reserve entrance fees, meals and accommodation as listed in the itinerary, bottled drinking water, and government taxes. International flights, visas or travel authorisations, travel insurance, tips, drinks, souvenirs, and optional activities such as the hot air balloon ride, the Lake Naivasha boat ride, and the Maasai cultural visit are not included. Travelling solo adds a single supplement, and peak-season dates cost more, so your final quotation confirms exactly what applies to you.

Yes. The 5-day itinerary is a starting point, and we can adjust it to suit your plans. You can upgrade or change your lodges or camps, add extra nights in the Mara or by the lakes, combine it with other Kenyan destinations such as Amboseli or the coast, or choose between a road transfer and a flight to the Mara. We can also arrange private departures, family-friendly schedules, and special occasions such as honeymoons. Tell us your dates, interests, and budget, and we will prepare a tailored quotation.

You can travel as a solo traveller, a couple, a family, or a group, as the safari runs as a private tour in your own vehicle. Each 4×4 safari vehicle seats up to five guests with a guaranteed window seat, which keeps game viewing and photography comfortable. Larger groups travel in several vehicles, each with its own driver-guide, so everyone enjoys the same experience. Please share your group size when you enquire so we can confirm the right vehicles and rooms.

The Great Rift Valley section adds scenery and variety before the Masai Mara. You cross dramatic escarpment views, visit lakes such as Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha, and look for rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and a wide range of birdlife, including flamingos when conditions are right. Optional activities include a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to see hippos, and guided walks or cycling in places where these are allowed. Flamingo numbers change with lake levels, so we cannot promise large flocks on any given day.

The drive from Nairobi to the Rift Valley lakes takes roughly two to three hours, depending on traffic and stops. The journey from the lakes to the Masai Mara is the longest leg and usually takes about five to six hours, with a rough, bumpy stretch near the reserve. On the final day, the road back to Nairobi also takes several hours, so we plan your last game drive for the morning. Your driver-guide makes comfort stops along the way and times each leg around your flight schedule.

No operator can guarantee this, because the animals are wild and free to roam. The Masai Mara is one of the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards, and sightings of these are very good. Rhinos are the hardest of the five to find in the Mara, but adding a Rift Valley lake park improves your chances, as rhinos are often seen in the lake parks. Our driver-guides work closely with other guides to track animals, and the extra days give you the best practical chance of a rewarding sighting.

The wildebeest and zebra herds are usually in the Masai Mara from July to October, with dramatic Mara River crossings often seen between August and September. Exact timing changes every year with the rains and the movement of the herds, so no date can be promised. The Mara is rewarding at other times as well, because resident wildlife and big cats remain on view all year round, and the Rift Valley lakes can be enjoyed in any season. Migration season is also peak season, so book your lodges several months ahead.

Yes, both are optional extras and neither is included in the starting price. The hot air balloon ride takes place at sunrise, floats over the Mara plains, and usually ends with a champagne breakfast in the bush. It needs to be booked in advance because spaces are limited. The Maasai cultural visit lets you meet community members, see traditional dances, and learn about village life, and it usually fits into a free afternoon in the Mara. Let us know which you would like and we will add them to your quotation.

Follow your driver-guide’s instructions at all times. Stay seated in the vehicle, keep your voice low, and never get out of the vehicle unless your guide says it is safe. Do not feed or touch any animal, and do not litter. Vehicles must stay on designated tracks, and your guide keeps a respectful distance so the animals are not disturbed. Please also do not use drones, as they are restricted in Kenya’s parks and reserves.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check the current rules before you travel. Most visitors need to apply online for a Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before departure, while some nationalities are exempt. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months, and ask your doctor about recommended vaccinations, malaria prevention, and any yellow fever certificate requirements for your route. We can guide you through the process.

You stay in a lodge or camp by the Rift Valley lakes and in a lodge or tented camp in or near the Masai Mara, chosen to match your budget. Options range from comfortable mid-range properties to luxury lodges with private verandas and views over the lake or plains. Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking, and we may suggest comparable alternatives if your first choice is full. Your final quotation lists the confirmed lodges before you pay, so you always know where you will sleep.

Pack lightweight clothing in neutral colours such as beige, khaki, or olive, along with a warm layer, as the lake region and the Mara can be cool in the early mornings and evenings. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, and a camera with spare batteries. Use a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase, since space in the vehicle is limited. Kenya has banned single-use plastic bags, so do not pack them in your luggage, as officials may confiscate them at the airport.

Tips are not included in the safari price, but they are a customary way to thank the people who look after you. Many travellers tip their driver-guide at the end of the trip and leave a shared tip for lodge or camp staff. There is no fixed amount, so tip according to the service you receive and what feels comfortable.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and interruption. Carry some US dollars in recent, undamaged notes, and bring a card for lodge extras where accepted. Kenyan shillings are useful for small purchases such as souvenirs and tips, and mobile money is widely used locally.

Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation level. We first check lodge and vehicle availability, then prepare a detailed quotation with your lodges, inclusions, and total cost. Once you approve the itinerary and agree the payment terms, we confirm your lodge and transport reservations. Booking several months ahead is wise, especially for the migration season from July to October and for holiday periods.