The Big 5 Bonanza in Masai Mara & Laikipia!
A Customizable Trip to Kenya — 9 Days / 8 Nights
Highlights
• Explore Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the Big Five, endangered rhinos and the Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
• Experience an exciting night game drive in Ol Pejeta, offering a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife.
• Discover the scenic Great Rift Valley, with flamingos, Rothschild’s giraffes and spectacular sundowners at Lake Elmenteita.
• Enjoy a leisurely boat ride on Lake Naivasha, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
• Spend three nights exploring the iconic Masai Mara, renowned for its abundant wildlife, big cats and endless plains.
• Savour a memorable Hippo Pool bush breakfast in the heart of the Masai Mara.
• Spot three different giraffe species, two zebra species and two ostrich species, including the rare Blue-necked Somali Ostrich.
• Witness magical African sunrises and sunsets, with an optional hot-air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains.
About this Safari
The journey begins at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, renowned for hosting chimpanzees and the last two northern white rhinos in the world. The conservancy is also home to the iconic Big Five – lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos – and is enriched by scenic locations such as the Ewaso Nyiro River, providing a stunning backdrop for wildlife sightings and spectacular sunrise and sunset views.
The next destination is Lake Elmenteita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where flamingos and pelicans gather on the waters, while zebras, gazelles and giraffes roam the surrounding acacia-dotted plains. Evenings offer the opportunity to enjoy a sundowner at the Lake Elmenteita viewpoint, followed the next day by a serene boat ride on nearby Lake Naivasha, with opportunities for close encounters with hippos and a wide variety of birdlife.
No Kenyan safari is complete without a visit to the Masai Mara, often described as the world’s greatest wildlife theatre. Experience the authentic African wilderness across open savannahs, lush riverine forests and swamps inhabited by multiple lion prides. The Mara River, home to hippos and Nile crocodiles, is central to this thriving ecosystem. A unique breakfast experience at the hippo pool adds a memorable touch to the wilderness adventure.
The safari concludes in Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital, where guests can unwind in luxurious hotels and explore optional highlights such as the Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Total number of days – 9 days/8 nights
Total cost of tour – USD 5050$
Rates
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 → Welcome to Kenya → The Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our Airport representative who will fast track you through Immigration and assist you with your luggage.
Depart through the lush green Kenyan Highlands for Ol Pejeta Conservancy with an enroute stop at the Equator.
Check in at Sweetwaters Serena Camp followed by lunch.
After lunch a short siesta followed by your first game drive in the Conservancy where you will see abundant wildlife. Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Black and White Rhino, Grevy and Burchells Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe and many other plains game.
Return back in the evening after your game drive.
Refresh, dinner and overnight at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.
Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving Time: 4 Hours from Nairobi
Day 2 → Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Mid morning visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and meet Baraka the blind black rhino. Relaxed lunch and a short siesta. Evening Game Drive followed by dinner at Sweetwaters Serena Camp. Thereafter you will proceed to embark on a night game drive, which will elevate your game drives to another level by allowing you to see more wildlife, as its much more cooler and they are actively looking for food. Overnight at Sweetwaters Serena Camp.
Day 3 – Ol Pejeta → The Great Rift Valley
Early morning game drive in Ol Pejeta or late rise as you please. Refresh, Breakfast and thereafter departure for Lake Elmenteita. Enjoy magnificent views of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment enroute to your camp. Check in at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp for lunch and a siesta. Evening Game Drive to enjoy Flamingo, Rothschild Giraffe and other game in the Sanctuary with a sundowner at the view point. Relaxed Dinner and overnight at this magical camp.
Day 4 → The Great Rift Valley
Sleep in today, A Late Rise and a Hearty Breakfast. Thereafter we depart for Lake Naivasha enjoying a lovely Boat Ride and some shopping in this area where there were some local weavers and artisans. Return followed by lunch. Afternoon to enjoy some Spa or Swimming or a Siesta.
A Lovely Dinner and a relaxed overnight.
Day 5 → Great Rift Valley → Masai Mara
After a hearty breakfast you will depart for Masai Mara National Reserve which is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains. Arrive in time for lunch at Mara Serena Safari Lodge with an enroute game drive. Check in and lunch followed by a short siesta. Depart for an afternoon game drive. Refresh, dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Day 6 and 7 – Masai Mara National Reserve
Two full days in the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives and one Hippo Pool breakfast in one of the two days. The reserve is a paradise, with abundant elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah alongside the migratory wildebeest and zebra. Leopards are frequently encountered, endangered black rhinos hide in the dense thickets and large rafts of hippo and enormous crocodiles are found in the Mara River. The park is also home to over 450 bird species. All meals and overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Day 8 – Masai Mara – Nairobi
Rise and shine, followed by breakfast, thereafter you will depart for Nairobi. Upon arrival into Nairobi enjoy an Ethiopian Lunch Experience followed by check in to the Nairobi Serena Hotel. You may opt to choose some optional excursions or just relax at hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 9 – Homebound
After a hearty breakfast, you will be transferred to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight back home.
Inclusions & Notes
Optional Tours in Nairobi
- Karura Forest Walk
- Giraffe Centre Visit
- Nairobi National Park Visit with Picnic Breakfast, Daphne Sheldricks and Giraffe Center
- Nairobi City Walking Tour
- Nairobi Slum Tour at Mukuru Ruben Slum
- Carnivore Dinner inc transportation
- Extra meals at Nairobi Serena Hotel Lunch or Dinner
- Flights to Masai Mara as Add on to this itinerary: One way from Masai Mara, Roundtrip from Naivasha
Inclusions and Exculsions
Inclusions –
- Arrival meet and assist and all airport transfers
- Complimentary welcome breakfast for all arrivals until 10.00 am if going straight on to Safari
- Accommodation on Full board throughout your safari including an Ethiopian lunch experience and dinner at your hotel in Nairobi. After breakfast the next day no meals are included.
- Transportation in a 4X4 Safari Landcruiser with pop up roof ideal for game viewing with a window seat for every person
- Services of an English speaking Safari Driver guide
- All the Activities as listed in the itinerary
- All Park Entrance Fees
- All Conservation Fees
- Complimentary drinking water and snack hamper in all our vehicles
- Safari Cap, Water Bottle and Tote Bag for everyone
- Comprehensive tour documents and Wildlife Checklist
Exclusions –
- Any items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, mineral water, laundry, telephones, extra meals etc.
- Personal Travel or Trip cancellation insurance.
- International Airfare.
- Eta or Visa fees
Tour Accommodation
Map
Best Months to Visit
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