Unmatched Expeditions · Kenya
5-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary
1 – Lake Naivasha • 1 – Lake Nakuru National Park • 2 – Masai Mara National Reserve
Safari Overview
| Company | Unmatched Expeditions |
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
| Cost pps | $2,586 |
| Start | Nairobi, Kenya |
| End | Nairobi, Kenya (JKIA) |
| Parks Visited | Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara |
| Best Season | Year-round — Great Migration (July–Oct) in Masai Mara |
| Vehicle | 4WD Safari Land Cruiser / Land Rover |
| Included | Accommodation, stated meals, park entry fees, game drives |
| Excluded | International flights, visas, tips/gratuities, hot air balloon safari, personal expenses, travel insurance |
Day 1
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha
| Transfer | Nairobi to Lake Naivasha: ~120 km (approx. 2.5 hours) |
| Stay | The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Hippos in Lake Naivasha; African fish eagle, pelican, cormorant, waterbuck, giraffe (on Crescent Island) |
Daily Programme
- Scenic drive through Nairobi and up into the Great Rift Valley
- Stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint for panoramic photos
- Check in at the Great Rift Valley Lodge perched on the Eburru escarpment
- Afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha — spot hippos, fish eagles, and a variety of water birds
- Visit Crescent Island Game Sanctuary (walking with wildlife)
Day 2
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
| Transfer | Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru: ~80 km (approx. 2 hours) |
| Stay | Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at lodge |
| Wildlife | Flamingo (lesser & greater), white rhino, black rhino, lion, leopard, Rothschild’s giraffe, hippo, pelican |
Daily Programme
- Morning departure from Lake Naivasha; arrive at Lake Nakuru by mid-morning
- Afternoon game drive around the lake shore — famous for flamingos and white rhino
- Spot Rothschild’s giraffe, one of the world’s rarest giraffe subspecies
- Visit Makalia Falls and the baboon cliff viewpoints
Day 3
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
| Transfer | Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara: ~260 km (approx. 5 hours via Narok) |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Mara |
| Meals | Lunch & Dinner at camp |
| Wildlife | Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo (Big Five), cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, topi, hyena |
Daily Programme
- Scenic drive south through Narok town and the vast Mara ecosystem
- Arrive at Masai Mara by early afternoon
- Afternoon game drive across the world’s most famous wildlife reserve
- Look out for the Big Five on your first Mara evening game drive
Day 4
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
| Transfer | Full day in reserve — no transfer |
| Stay | Sopa Lodge Mara |
| Meals | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at camp |
| Wildlife | Cheetah, wild dog, bat-eared fox, grey-crowned crane, Secretary bird, Masai giraffe |
Daily Programme
- Full day Big Five game drives in the Masai Mara
- Visit the Mara River — famous crossing site of the Great Migration (July–October)
- Optional hot air balloon safari at dawn over the Mara plains (additional cost)
- Afternoon visit to a Maasai manyatta (village) for cultural interaction (optional at own cost)
Day 5
Return to Nairobi
Return to Nairobi
| Transfer | Masai Mara to Nairobi: ~260 km (approx. 6 hours via Narok) |
| Stay | Departure day |
| Meals | Breakfast. Lunch en route at own cost |
Daily Programme
- Depart Masai Mara after breakfast
- Drive back to Nairobi — arrive early afternoon
- Optional: lunch at a Nairobi restaurant, city tour, or Giraffe Centre (own cost)
- Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for onward flights
Important Notes
Road Conditions & Travel Times
- All distances and travel times are approximate and may vary due to road conditions, weather, and stops
- Kenya’s roads range from tarmac (highways) to murram (gravel/dirt) tracks within the parks — a 4WD vehicle is essential
- The Mara–Nairobi return leg can optionally be done by scheduled charter flight (approx. 45 minutes) to save time
Health & Safety
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from an endemic country
- Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all safari destinations listed
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is required
Packing Essentials
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown) — avoid white, blue and black which attract insects
- Warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives, sunscreen, sunhat, bug repellent
- Binoculars, camera, extra memory cards and batteries
- Soft-sided bags recommended as bush planes have strict weight limits (typically 15 kg)