Mara & The Lakes Safari

Driving time: Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes

We depart Nairobi early in the morning and travel towards the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Kenya’s most renowned wildlife destinations.

The Mara forms part of the larger Serengeti ecosystem and remains an important refuge for large numbers of wild animals. Its open grasslands support abundant resident wildlife and become particularly spectacular during the seasonal movement of wildebeest, zebra and their accompanying predators.

After arriving in the Mara, we have lunch before heading out for our first afternoon game drive.

As we explore the reserve, we begin searching for the animals that make the Mara famous, while enjoying the changing scenery and expansive savannah landscapes.

Later, we return to our campsite or lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight: Campsite or lodge in Maasai Mara

We dedicate the next two days to exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

After breakfast, we set out on a full-day game drive with a packed lunch, allowing us to spend more time in the reserve and explore different wildlife areas without returning to camp for midday.

The Mara is particularly well known for its impressive lion population, including the distinctive dark-maned males found in the region. The reserve also supports large numbers of other wildlife species throughout the year.

With careful game viewing, we may encounter the Big Five, sometimes within a single morning’s drive.

The Mara is also home to an exceptional variety of birds. Almost 500 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, including eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, storks, bustards and sunbirds.

For birdwatchers, the diversity creates plenty of opportunities to look beyond the larger mammals and appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem.

We spend both nights at our selected campsite or lodge, enjoying dinner and the peaceful atmosphere of the Mara after each day in the bush.

Overnight: Campsite or lodge in Maasai Mara

Driving time: Approximately 6 hours

We leave the Maasai Mara early and travel southwards towards Lake Nakuru National Park, crossing the Great Rift Valley landscape along the way.

Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s best-known lakes and has long been associated with its spectacular concentrations of flamingos. The alkaline lake forms part of a dramatic Rift Valley setting and provides an important habitat for numerous bird species.

The park is also recognized as an important rhino sanctuary, supporting populations of both black and white rhinos.

We arrive around lunchtime and settle in before heading out for an afternoon game drive.

During our exploration, we search for rhinos and other wildlife inhabiting the park while also keeping an eye on the lake and surrounding areas for birdlife.

Depending on the conditions and season, the shoreline can offer striking views of flamingos gathered around the water.

After the game drive, we return to our campsite or lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight: Campsite or lodge near Lake Nakuru

Driving time: Approximately 3 hours

After breakfast, we leave Lake Nakuru and continue towards Lake Bogoria National Reserve.

Lake Bogoria is particularly famous for its geothermal features, including hot springs and geysers, as well as the large numbers of flamingos that gather around the lake.

Wildlife is also present across the reserve, although many of the larger animals tend to remain in less accessible areas, particularly around the eastern side of the lake.

Species found in the wider area include buffalo, hyena, klipspringer, impala, dik-dik, zebra, warthog and Grant’s gazelle. Greater kudu can also be encountered in different parts of the reserve.

The western shoreline is especially interesting for birdwatchers. Flamingos are often attracted to the shallow waters around the hot springs, creating an impressive sight against the surrounding landscape.

We may also look for fish eagles, avocets, pelicans and migratory steppe eagles among the bird species found around the lake.

We spend the evening at our selected campsite or lodge.

Overnight: Campsite or lodge near Lake Bogoria

Driving time: Approximately 5 hours

After breakfast, we set out for a morning game drive in Lake Bogoria National Reserve.

This final wildlife experience gives us one more opportunity to explore the reserve and observe its distinctive landscapes, animals and birdlife.

Later in the morning, we begin our journey back to Nairobi, stopping for lunch along the way.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, our six-day Mara and Lakes safari comes to an end.

Safari Highlights

• Explore the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve.
• Enjoy extended game viewing across the Mara’s open savannahs.
• Search for the Big Five and other resident wildlife.
• Experience the seasonal movements associated with the Great Migration.
• Discover the birdlife of the Maasai Mara.
• Visit Lake Nakuru National Park.
• Search for black and white rhinos in an important rhino sanctuary.
• See flamingos around Lake Nakuru when conditions favour their presence.
• Explore Lake Bogoria National Reserve.
• See the lake’s geothermal hot springs and geysers.
• Look for flamingos gathered around the shallow waters.
• Search for greater kudu and other wildlife.
• Enjoy opportunities for birdwatching around the Rift Valley lakes.
• Travel on a private safari route that can be adapted to your preferred dates, pace and accommodation.