Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari – Big Five & Rift Valley

The Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari is the classic four-day Kenya route, combining the country’s two most famous game reserves in a perfectly coordinated trip. This tour takes you from Nairobi through the spectacular Rift Valley to the world-famous Masai Mara, home to Africa’s largest populations of big cats and the scene of the annual wildebeest migration. Two full days in the Mara guarantee intense Big Five encounters, followed by a visit to Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its rhinos, leopards and seasonal millions of flamingos. This safari combines the vast savannah plains of the Mara with the dense acacia forests and dramatic Rift Valley views of Nakuru – a perfect introduction to Kenya’s extraordinary wildlife.

Region, landscape, atmosphere in Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru

The Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru trip begins with a drive through the Great Rift Valley, one of the most spectacular geological formations on earth. The steep walls of the rift rise over 600 metres, and on clear days, the Longonot and Suswa volcanoes are visible in the distance. The first stop at the Rift Valley Viewpoint offers panoramic views of this tectonic fault line, which stretches from Ethiopia to Mozambique. The journey continues down into the valley, past Masai villages where herders drive their cattle across vast grasslands.

The Masai Mara lies at an altitude of around 1,500 metres and covers 1,510 square kilometres of open savannah. The landscape is characterised by golden grass plains stretching to the horizon, criss-crossed by winding rivers – the Mara River and the Talek River – with acacia and fig trees providing shade on their banks. The atmosphere is expansive and wild: herds of zebras and wildebeests roam, giraffes graze among acacia trees, and in the distance rise the hills of the Tanzanian Serengeti. In the morning, fog often lies over the plains, while in the evening the sun bathes the savannah in golden light. The sounds are unforgettable: the roar of lions at night, the laughter of hyenas, the trumpeting of elephants.

Lake Nakuru National Park lies at 1,750 metres in the heart of the Rift Valley and offers a completely different backdrop. The alkaline lake is framed by dense fever acacia forests where leopards rest and baboons play. The steep walls of the Rift Valley form a dramatic backdrop. The atmosphere is more intimate and compact than in the Mara – the park is smaller, which means that rhinos, giraffes and buffalo can often be seen at close range. Seasonally, millions of flamingos turn the lake pink, one of the most iconic images of Africa.

Lodge experiences & accommodation

Accommodation in the Masai Mara ranges from authentic tented camps to comfortable lodges, all strategically located for optimal game viewing. Typical Mara camps offer spacious safari tents with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and verandas overlooking the plains. In the morning, you will be awakened by birdsong and occasionally the roar of lions. In the evenings, guests gather around the campfire under the starry sky while guides tell stories about life in the savannah. Many camps are located directly on riverbanks, where hippos grunt at night and doze in the water during the day. The cuisine is international with African influences, served as a buffet or multi-course menus.

Lake Nakuru Lodge is located in the middle of the park, surrounded by yellow fever acacia forests and overlooking the lake. The rooms are classically furnished with wooden furniture, warm blankets and balconies where baboons visit in the morning. The lodge has a historic charm and has been hosting safari guests for decades. The restaurant serves buffet meals, and in the evenings, fireplaces crackle in the lounge. The garden attracts birds: superb starlings, weaver birds and occasionally crowned cranes. The location in the middle of the park means that safari trips start right outside the door – no long transfers necessary.

Tips & advice for Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru

The best time to visit Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari depends on your priorities. July to October is ideal for the wildebeest migration in Masai Mara – during these months, millions of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River in spectacular river crossings. However, the parks are busier and prices are higher during this period. January to March is also excellent: fewer visitors, green landscapes after the short rains, and many young animals among the big cats and antelopes. April to June is the long rainy season – the landscapes are lush and green, the birdlife is active, but the roads can be muddy. November is the short rainy season with similar conditions.

Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari depends on your priorities. July to October is ideal for the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara – during these months, millions of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River in spectacular river crossings. However, the parks are busier and prices are higher during this period. January to March is also excellent: fewer visitors, green landscapes after the short rains, and many young wildcats and antelopes. April to June is the long rainy season – the landscapes are lush and green, the birdlife is active, but the trails can be muddy. November is the short rainy season with similar conditions.

Clothing should be neutral and practical: khaki, beige, olive green and brown are ideal. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers protect against the sun and insects. It can get cool in the mornings and evenings, especially in Nakuru at 1,750 metres – a fleece jacket is advisable. Sturdy footwear is important. A hat, sunglasses and sun cream with a high sun protection factor are essential. It can get dusty in the Mara – a scarf or buff protects against dust.

Photographers should bring a telephoto lens with at least 300 mm – 400 to 600 mm is ideal for big cats and river crossings. A wide-angle lens is suitable for landscape shots of the endless Mara plains and the Rift Valley Escarpments. Binoculars are essential. Spare batteries and plenty of memory cards are important – the Mara offers countless photo opportunities. A dust cover for cameras is particularly important in the Mara.

Why this experience is exceptional

The Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari is exceptional because it combines Kenya’s two most diverse and spectacular ecosystems in just four days. The Masai Mara is world-famous as the site of the largest animal migration on earth – from July to October, around two million wildebeest, 300,000 zebras and 400,000 Thomson’s gazelles cross the Mara River on their migration from the Serengeti. The river crossings are dramatic: wildebeests plunge into raging currents while crocodiles lurk in the water. Even outside of migration season, the Mara is extraordinary – the density of big cats is one of the highest in Africa, with numerous lion prides, leopards in acacia forests and cheetahs on open plains.

The Mara is one of the few areas in Kenya where all of the Big Five are regularly sighted: lions (over 250 individuals), leopards (often in riverside forests), elephants (large herds), buffalo (huge herds) and rhinos (small population of white rhinos, about 30 to 40 animals). The open plains allow for spectacular sightings: cheetahs hunting, prides of lions chasing buffalo, families of elephants crossing rivers. Masai culture is also present – traditional bomas are located on the edge of the reserve, and optional village visits offer insights into the lives of Masai herders.

Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its rhinos – over 100 black and white rhinos live here, one of the highest densities in Kenya. The park also has one of the highest leopard densities in the country – the fever acacia forests provide perfect hiding places, and with patience, leopards can be seen resting in the trees. Rothschild’s giraffes, one of the rarest giraffe subspecies, have been successfully reintroduced here. Seasonally, millions of flamingos rest at the lake – lesser and greater flamingos colour the shore pink, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife spectacles.

Key highlights in Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru

Masai Mara – Paradise for big cats: Masai Mara has one of the highest densities of big cats in Africa. Over 250 lions live in numerous prides, leopards are frequently seen in riverside forests, and cheetahs hunt on the open plains. Two full days guarantee multiple sightings, often with spectacular hunting scenes.

Wildebeest migration (July–October): The largest animal migration on earth – two million wildebeests, 300,000 zebras and hundreds of thousands of gazelles cross the Mara River. The river crossings are dramatic, chaotic and unforgettable, with crocodiles lurking in the water.

Big Five in the Mara: All of the Big Five can be seen regularly in the Mara: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and white rhinos. The open plains allow for spectacular sightings without dense vegetation.

Lake Nakuru – Rhinos & Leopards: Over 100 rhinos (black and white rhinos) and one of the highest densities of leopards in Kenya. Baboon Cliff Viewpoint offers spectacular views over the lake and the Rift Valley.

Flamingos at Lake Nakuru: Seasonally, millions of flamingos rest at the lake – lesser and greater flamingos colour the shore pink. Pelicans, cormorants and African fish eagles are also numerous.

Rift Valley Viewpoint: The stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint offers panoramic views of one of the most spectacular geological formations on earth – steep walls dropping 600 metres, volcanoes in the distance and the vastness of the Kenyan plateau.

Species by Region

Masai Mara National Reserve: lions (over 250, several prides), leopards (frequent in riverine forests and acacia forests), cheetahs (open plains), elephants (large herds), buffalo (huge herds, often thousands), white rhinos (small population, approx. 30-40 animals), spotted hyenas (large clans), zebras (hundreds of thousands), wildebeests (millions during migration July-October), Thomson’s gazelles, Grant’s gazelles, impalas, topis, hartebeests (Coke’s hartebeest), giraffes (Masai giraffes), waterbucks, hippos (in Mara and Talek Rivers), Nile crocodiles (especially on the Mara River), over 450 bird species including secretary birds, Kori bustards, martial eagles, African fish eagles, various vulture species, and marabou storks.

Lake Nakuru National Park: Black rhinos (approx. 70), white rhinos (approx. 30), Rothschild’s giraffes (large population, successfully reintroduced), leopards (very high density, often resting in fever trees), buffalo (large herds), zebras, waterbucks, impalas, baboons (large groups, especially on the lake shore), Flamingos (seasonally thousands to millions, lesser and greater flamingos), pelicans (large colonies), over 450 bird species including African fish eagle, goliath heron, various kingfishers, marabou stork, various vulture species, crowned crane.

Book the Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari now and experience Kenya’s most famous game reserves – the Big Five in the Mara, the spectacular wildebeest migration from July to October, rhinos and leopards in Nakuru, and the dramatic landscapes of the Rift Valley.