Trip Info
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This tour starts and ends in Nairobi
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Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
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Mid-range, private tour
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Can start any day
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Not for solo travelers
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English
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Meals are included
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8
Overview
This 4-day trip includes a boat ride and a nature walk in Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley where one can view Hippos and many types of birds. You will then proceed to Maasai Mara that has vast Savannahs through which you will embark on active game drives in search of the Big Five!
Highlights
- Mid-range tour
- Private tour
- Can start any day
- Can be customized
- Not for solo travelers
- Minimum age of 8 years
Itinerary
Travel to the Great Rift Valley; approximately two hours to the Lake Naivasha –Sopa Resort. The lodge is situated directly on the lake shore, there are gardens around it and animals can be seen in the area including bush bucks, zebras, and giraffes. There is a restaurant outfitted with comfy furniture and seats, and a great lounge/bar area with sofa sets and fireplaces since the temperatures drop in the evenings at Naivasha. The accommodation is Are huge, Swahili-style cottages with either a balcony or a large window that is part of the lounge that is used for relaxation and wildlife watching.
After lunch, depending on where you are situated, you will take a boat safari on the lake, where you may observe hippos and many bird species such as the fish eagles and the pelicans. At the end of your boat safari, you will go for a nature walk at Crescent Island where you are likely to spot plains residents like giraffes and wildebeests.
After the bush walk, you will use the car to go to the lodge where you will take your dinner and observe the hippos coming up from the lake to feed on the vegetation.
Main Destination:
Lake Naivasha (Naivasha)
Accommodation:
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort
- This is a mid-range hotel positioned in the town of Naivasha, specifically on the shores of Lake Naivasha.
Meals & Drinks:
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
All meals included
Following breakfast, be ready to proceed to the flat and vast country of Maasai Mara, which will take you about five hours drive from Naivasha. Boasting of a rich bio diversified vegetation system and a quite reasonable animal comfort bench mark, this saves boast of reasonable game composure. It is one of Kenya’s most popular safari destination together with the Mara being the only place to witness the wildebeest migration and in almost every trip you are guaranteed a sight of all the big five animals.
You will have lunch as you check into Basecamp which is a small-tented camp situated at the edge of the Talek River. Individual facilities in the tents include an enclosed bathroom with a shower that is heated by solar energy, a private balcony facing the river. In the afternoon, you will go for a game drive within the reserve. The next day would be devoted to the full day game drive to enjoy the beauty of the plains of Maasai mara to search for the five big giants.
Main Destination:
Masai Mara National Reserve
The best time to visit the park is from June to October in general and especially from August to October for the wildebeest migration.
High SeasonJune to October and December to March
Best WeatherJune to October (Sunny, but not too hot)
Wildlife in Masai Mara NR
Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest
Accommodation:
Basecamp Masai Mara
- Medium range tented camp to be set up inside the Masai Community land neighboring the Extension Conservation area of the NR.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, we proceed to the great plains of Maasai mara (the drive will take us about 5 hours). This famous reserve boosts of a great concentration of wildlife and is one of the few places where one can witness the wildebeest migration. In addition, it is home to the famous big five.
Lunch at Basecamp, a delightful tented camp on the Talek River, should be possible as we arrive early in the afternoon. Every single tent includes a comfortable bathroom with a shower heated by the solar power, and your own terrace with the magnificent view of the river. In the afternoon, you go for a game drive after lunch. The next day will be set apart for the full day game drive and at the Maasai Mara famous savannah to look for the big five.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The best time to visit the park is from June to October in general and especially from August to October for the wildebeest migration.
High SeasonJune to October and December to March
Best WeatherJune to October (Sunny, but not too hot)
Wildlife in Masai Mara NR
Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest
Accommodation:
Basecamp Masai Mara
- Medium range tented camp to be set up inside the Masai Community land neighboring the Extension Conservation area of the NR.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Following the breakfast you will proceed to Nairobi which is about a 5-hour drive from Basecamp and then lunch en-route. On your arrival in Nairobi, you will be dropped at your preferred destination.
Main Destination:
No major destination visited
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
- Any extra accommodation required can also be provided at an extra cost.
- You will be taken to the airport.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- • Park fees (For non-residents)
- • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- • A professional driver/guide
- • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All Taxes/VAT
- • Roundtrip airport transfer
- • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- • Drinking water (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
FAQs
Our 4 Days Lake Naivasha & Maasai Mara Safari is a blend of stunning views, beautiful bird density and exciting in spirits wild animals hunt. Your trip will begin at Naivasha with its tranquil waters, hippopotamus, and birdlife. Other fun activities may involve taking a boat trip or visit Crescent Island for a walking safari exercise. The adventure then takes you to Maasai Mara where you spend your time on non-protracted game viewing searches for the Big Five and other wildlife such as the wildebeest migratory experience depending on the season.
Lake Naivasha, the first destination, is approximately 2 hours away from Nairobi via road transport. It is approximately 5-6 hours’ drive from Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara, depending on the road and traffic conditions. The journey can be rather long but it is extremely picturesque due to its stunning views of the Great Rift Valley, local people, and beautiful rolling hills until one gets to the browns of Maasai Mara plains savannahs.
Excursion to Lake Naivasha allows you to take a boat ride to view the hippos with maximum proximity and get to view some bird like the fish eagles, cormorants, and kingfishers. Meeting the animals on foot at Crescent Island is one of the highlights of this park through what can be described as a walk through the park with the animals such as zebras, giraffes, and even antelopes.
The game drives give a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with the Big Five namely lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino, cheetah, zebras, wildebeest and many more. Note that if you are in the Maasai Mara during the months of July to October, you will be privileged to watch the yearly migration of the wildebeests cross the wide Mara River.
Depending on your financial capability, there are different types of accommodation that you can take. Lodges and tented camps at Lake Naivasha provide lake side accommodation and description of the natural environment. There are many accommodation options in Maasai Mara ranging from Luxury lodges, mid-range tented camps, budget camps all offering fully furnished en-suit facilities, meals and quality african flavor view of the reserve. There are even luxurious room amenities such as private decks, swimming pools and special personalized Maasai Mara safaris that are offered in some of the finest lodges.
The recommended time to visit Lake Naivasha & Maasai Mara is during the dry season that is from June up to October of every year. This period also coincides with the great migration in the Mara. Nevertheless, it is a year-round destination as it is invariably green with lots of animal wildlife seen even during the short rain season that lasts from November to December and the long rain season that runs from March to May.
Light and loose fitting clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and sun block for the boat ride at Lake Naivasha and a pair of comfortable walking shoes for the walking tours at the lake. A warm jacket suggested during early morning and evening game drive in Maasai Mara. Take binoculars for bird and wildlife watching, camera to document special moments, and insect repellent for comfort. In case the visit is made in the rainy season then it is advisable to carry a rain coat and rubber shoes.
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