Summary of this Exclusive Small Group Camping Safari, Maximum tour group size 7 Travellers
Departs & ends in Nairobi, Kenya
Quick Itinerary Overview
Departing from Nairobi this 4 Day Budget Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari takes you on a scenic journey through the beautiful Great Rift Valley of Kenya.
Explore two of Kenya’s top game parks – Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Parks – on thrilling game viewing drives over 4 adventure-filled days. This Exclusive Budget Camping Safari includes two full days of game viewing drives in the world-famous Masai Mara, home to the spectacular Great Migration of wildebeest, zebra and other grazers.
Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, an important wildlife sanctuary, hosting an abundance of birds and varied wildlife, including both white and black rhinos.
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru – Kenya camping safari
This Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari leaves from Nairobi in the morning, travelling north via the Great Rift Valley. We pass through beautiful scenery in the Rift Valley, as we make our way to Lake Nakuru National Park. After lunch we embark on an afternoon game viewing drive in Lake Nakuru Park, in search of its diverse wildlife and birds.
This Great Rift Valley lake attracts over 400 different bird species, including many water birds. This birding haven hosts species such as the Great White Pelican, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, and Long-crested Eagle. The Lake Nakuru National Park is known as an important wildlife sanctuary for some of Africa’s endangered species, especially black and white rhinos, and Rothschild Giraffes. The game reserve is home to lions, waterbuck, buffalo and baboons, which we keep an eye out for on our game drive.
We have dinner and overnight at a comfortable Lake Nakuru guest house (or similar hotel). Our overnight accommodation overlooks the scenic Lake Nakuru National Park and vast Rift Valley escarpment.
Day 2: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara – Kenya camping safari
Day two of the Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari starts with breakfast at our overnight accommodation near the lake. Then it’s back on the road, as we make our way to our next game viewing destination in Kenya, the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. We travel via the floor of the scenic Great Rift Valley, arriving at the safari camp near Masai Mara in time for lunch. Then we venture into the Masai Mara Reserve on a thrilling afternoon to evening game drive.
After our game drive, we return to the wildlife camp near Masai Mara Game Reserve for dinner and our next overnight stay.
Day 4: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Kenya camping safari
The next two days are set aside for game viewing in Kenya’s finest wildlife park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. Our morning and afternoon game drives take us in search of Africa’s Big Five and the plethora of other wildlife inhabiting this vast Kenyan game reserve. On clear days, the Mara offers fantastic orange-tinged sunsets that make for spectacular photos.
The Mara Reserve covers 1510km² of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodlands, following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers in southwest Kenya. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical open savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.
Wherever you go in the vast Masai Mara Park you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest. Elephants, buffalos, zebras and hippos are also found in great numbers. It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot, but reasonably common.
The ultimate action here is without a doubt the annual wildebeest exodus, the Great Migration, in July and August when millions of these grazers move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October.
Hot-air balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the savannah plains teeming with wildlife. These Masai Mara balloon trips can be arranged at extra cost.
We overnight at the same safari camp in a natural setting near Masai Mara on both nights.
Day 4: Masai Mara to Nairobi – Kenya camping safari
We head off into the bush on an early morning game drive in Masai Mara Reserve, before enjoying breakfast back at camp.
Then we return to bustling Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, arriving in the afternoon. This Budget Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari ends upon arrival in Nairobi.
Masai Mara Tour Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is at one of two safari camps located in natural settings near the Masai Mara Game Reserve. We stay in permanent tents with either twin or double beds. All tents feature en-suite bathroom areas, with flush toilets and hot showers, and are fitted with mosquito nets.
Lake Nakuru Tour Accommodation
Stay at a friendly hotel or guest house near Lake Nakuru, overlooking the national park and Rift Valley scenery. Facilities include a restaurant, hot and cold showers, reception area and wireless internet.
Safari Transport
Custom-made, 8-seater 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs, are used for game viewing drives on this tour. The maximum group size is seven people, to guarantee each person a window seat on game drives.
Optional Extras and Excursions
Cultural Masai tours
Masai Mara balloon rides
Safari price Cost Includes:
– Transport on custom made 7 seater tour van ideal for game viewing and photography.
– Full board accommodation whilst on safari.
– Accommodation in double/triple room.
– All park entrance fees to include government taxes.
– Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide.
– All game drives as detailed in the itinerary.
– Complimentary return airport transfers.
– Bottled water whilst on safari 1 litre per person per day.
– Start and end in Nairobi.
Tour Cost excludes:
– Tips
– Laundry
– Beverages/Drinks/Sodas and other soft drinks.
– International flights and visas.
– Items of a personal nature.
– Any other extras not detailed in hotel
– Optional activities i.e. visit to masai village
– Optional Nairobi dinner cost
– Balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost of US$ 450 per person
– Optional Nairobi city tour and excursion
