Kenya: Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari
Kenya: Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari
Kenya: Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari
8 Days Starting and ending in Nairobi, Kenya
Visiting: Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Lake Nakuru National park, Masai Mara National Reserve
Tour operator:
Tour code:
KE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 50
Age range:
9-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$4169 (USD) including Flights from the UKTour Overview
Known as the safari capital of the world, Kenya is synonymous with the safari experience, and this holiday delivers just that. Journey to iconic locations, such as the Maasai Mara, home to a diverse ecosystem. Head out on game drives for a chance to see the 'big five' and a host of other wildlife roaming the open grassland or grazing by the lakes. Our expert drivers are filled with anthropological knowledge to enrich your safari experience and will guide you to the best places to spot your favourite animals.
Experience heart-stopping moments such as seeing a lioness feed her cubs or a leopard sleeping in the shade of an acacia tree; you'll come face to face with some of Africa's most iconic animals on our curated tour. This holiday is everything you imagine a safari to be - ideal for wildlife and birdwatching enthusiasts and travellers looking for an authentic safari experience.
Book for July, August or September for a chance to see The Great Wildebeest Migration and consider adding our 4-night extension to the sun-baked region of Buffalo Springs and Samburu Reserves, where elephants cool off in the Ewaso Ngiro River and go in search of the Special Five.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sarova Panafric Hotel
Arriving in Nairobi in the evening, we will transfer to our four-star hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2 : Journey To Lake Nakuru
Location: Lake Nakuru
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The safari adventure begins this morning as we meet our driver guide for the next six days. Travelling in 4x4 land cruisers, all six passengers have their own windows and seats that recline and adjust for leg room. The pop-up roof allows for 360-degree game viewing.Â
Our first stop will be an introduction to the world's largest species of giraffe, the endangered Rothchild Giraffe. Thanks to the work of the Giraffe Centre we visit, there are now over 300 Rothchild Giraffes in various Kenyan National Parks. There are three subspecies of the giraffe; the Rothchild Giraffe in Lake Nakuru National Park; the Masai Giraffe located south of the Equator; and the reticulated giraffe, also known as the Somali Giraffe, native to North Kenya's Samburu region. Â
We’ll arrive at our lodge in Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch and this afternoon, we'll enjoy our first game drive. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to a shallow lake. The lake is located within the Great Rift Valley of Kenya and was created by volcanic activity from nearby Mount Longonot. You may spot a flamboyance of flamingos grazing on the algae that grow here.Â
Designated a national park in 1972, we'll have a chance to spot different species in their natural habitat, including zebra, gazelle, buffalo, waterbuck, Rothchild giraffe, rhinoceros, flamingo and a wealth of other birdlife.
In the evening, you'll be free to relax in the lodge, enjoy dinner and find out what's on the agenda tomorrow with a debrief from your Tour Manager and local guide.
Day 3 : Lake Nakuru National Park & Crescent Island Game Sanctuary
Location: Lake Nakuru National park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you'll have the choice to explore the national park on a morning game drive. Experience the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats ranging from Lake Nakuru to the woodland and bushy grassland surrounding it. And spend the afternoon at leisure, enjoying lunch at the lodge and time to relax.
Signature Experience:
Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on Lake Navaisha with a guided nature walk at Crescent Island Game Park. You're likely to spot interesting species on your nature walk through Crescent Island, as this privately owned game sanctuary boasts more animals per acre than any other Kenyan Park and the shores host abundant birdlife, including pelicans, cormorants and fish-eagles.
Day 4 : Journey To Maasai Mara
Location: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mara Simba Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Journeying through the Great Rift Valley to Maasai Mara Game Reserve, you'll have the opportunity to see more of Kenya's stunning countryside.
We arrive at the award-winning Maasai Mara Game Reserve, where we'll stay for three nights, in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, we commence our game drive of Maasai Mara, home to the 'Big Five': African elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and African buffalo. You may also spot African wild dog and cheetah, completing Africa’s super seven.
Maasai Mara is one of Africa's best wildlife reserves and one of the most well-known. The Maasai Mara and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania form Africa's most diverse ecosystem hosting over 95 animal species. On our game drive, look out for herds of elephant, giraffe, gazelle and buffalo meandering through the savannah plains, hippos and crocodiles cooling off in the brown rivers of the Mara and blue and red-tail monkeys playing in the forest.
An abundance of herbivores makes the Maasai Mara an ideal hunting ground for predators, so look out for lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and jackals on our game drive.
If you visit from late July to October, you may witness The Great Wildebeest Migration in which more than 1.5 million wildebeest migrate to Maasai Mara in search of water and pasture.
Day 7 : Return Flight
Location: Nairobi
Accommodation: Overnight Flight
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we'll leave the savannah and journey back to Nairobi, stopping for lunch en route in the area of Narok. We'll enjoy our last dinner in a local restaurant in Nairobi before your overnight flight home.
Day 8 : Arrive Home
Location: Nairobi
Arrive home.
Day 56 :
With another two full days in Maasai Mara, enjoy your choice of activities. Explore this vast reserve at your own pace with full-day, morning or afternoon game drives. Or relax in the lounge and bar or take a dip in the pool. Situated in the heart of Maasai Mara, there's plenty of wildlife to see at the lodge so look out for the monkeys that wander the grounds or the hippos bathing in the river nearby.
There will also be an included optional visit to the village of the Maasai, a nomadic tribe that populate vast areas of Southern Kenya. They live largely untouched by modern civilisation, and this is a chance to interact with the Maasai. get a glimpse into their culture and see some of their customs and traditions first-hand.
Upgrade your holiday: Consider personalising your holiday with one night stay in a luxury tented safari camp as well as taking a game drive. See in the 'Personalise your Holiday' section, speak to a team member for more information.
Signature Experience
At the end of the afternoon game drive on day five, we park in a poignant location within the reserve and enjoy drinks and nibbles as the sun sets.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Six nights’ accommodation
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Fully Guided
The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager & driver guides
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International Travel
Return flights
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Meals
Daily breakfast, 6 lunches & 6 dinners
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Up to 9 game drives
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Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person
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All local accommodation taxes
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All airport/flight taxes
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Visits to: Giraffe Centre, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Maasai Mara Game Reserve, A Maasai village
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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Tipping and Gratuity
Check out our Q&As
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
We are unable to accommodate children under 9 years old at the date of departure.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Are flights included in this tour?
Return flights
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For almost 40 years
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I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns
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Do I require travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.
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What is my luggage allowance?
You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Sunday - Sunday
Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jan 05, 2025 - Jan 12, 2025Sunday - Sunday
May 04, 2025 - May 11, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.