Kenya: Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari

Kenya: Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari

heart_plus
tourhub | Riviera Travel | Kenya: Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari  | KE
223 Views
8 Days From

$4169

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:

Riviera Travel

Tour code:

KE

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

0 - 50

Age range:

9-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

Safari Tours

Activities:

4WD, Walking

From:
$4169 (USD) including Flights from the UK

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour 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

  • Happy by day two or we'll bring you home with a full refund

  • Explore Maasai Mara Game Reserve, home to the 'Big Five': African elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and African buffalo

  • See a variety of native species in their natural habitat in Lake Nakuru National Park, including zebra, gazelle, buffalo, waterbuck, flamingo and a wealth of other birdlife

  • Learn about the Rothchild giraffe on a visit to a giraffe environmental conservation centre

  • Gain insight into the lives of the Maasai people, a nomadic warrior tribe largely untouched by modern civilisation

Itinerary

Expand All

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. 



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.  



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. 



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

  • Accommodation

    Six nights’ accommodation

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

  • Fully Guided

    The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager & driver guides

  • International Travel

    Return flights

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast, 6 lunches & 6 dinners

  • Up to 9 game drives

  • Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person

  • All local accommodation taxes

  • All airport/flight taxes

  • 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

  • Insurance

  • Tipping and Gratuity

Check out our Q&As

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    We are unable to accommodate children under 9 years old at the date of departure.

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    Return flights

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For almost 40 years

  • 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

  • Do I require travel insurance?

    It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.

  • 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

David Clarke (Google Reviewer)  

This review is for the...

08-Aug-2023

This review is for the italian Lake Como trip Aug 1-8 Wow what a trip. Riviera from start to finish were excellent the booking and help line answering questions were very good and clear. The travel booklet you get is laid out that it is simple to read and follow with step by step info from booking in to flights to meeting the guides. Our guide Matt Purse was just the best guide and real credit to Riviera with his knowledge and straight forward approach to running the trips. Matt kept us informed and told us all the sort of info you want to know without going over the top....This chap should teach other reps ..thank you so much. The coaches they use are all clean and well equipped with usb chargers and have aircon. The places chosen to visit were well researched even down to where coaches park or drop you off. The Bernina Express was the highlight for our family and matts photo tip was welcomed. The only down point was the hotel,a little dated and evening meal in main restuarant was a bit of a let down. I think we were lucky with our room on level 7 and with balcony as the walls are very thin and noise travels. We would book again with riviera

Barbara Shillaker (Google Reviewer)  

I have been on three...

11-Jan-2024

I have been on three trips with Riviera Travel so far, with two more booked during 2024. Highly recommended. Excellent tour guides. Great program of visits. Great hotels used.

Valerie Pascoe  

We would go again in a heartbeat

22-Jan-2022

Oh my goodness, what a relief it was to actually get away! Full marks to all at Riviera for keeping us up to date before our trip and for the help so cheerfully and patiently given with the extra admin that Covid brought our way. We felt totally safe with the measures taken on board, thank you very much for this. Without exception, Staff were fantastic and our every need was attended to. The additional Covid testing ran smoothly, organised by our Riviera Reps. The guided tours were most interesting: the guides very knowledgeable and more importantly, interesting to listen to. We loved this trip and would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you again Riviera, you were FAB!

Chris Wilson (Google Reviewer)  

Second escorted tour with this...

25-Jul-2022

Second escorted tour with this company. Did 5 days in Iceland tour. Everything went smoothly, excellent tour guide, Per. Extremely knowledgeable and interesting guy. Very friendly too. Highly recommend. Just let down by the room given at the hotel, but I guess the travel company doesn't have control over this.

Kathryn Jurin, GB  

Riviera South Africa tour - awesome

21-May-2021

Riviera have amazing holidays and tours to choose from. The one we chose was South Africa and wow! It turned out to be our best trip ever - incredible memories we will never forget. We’ve been all over the world which was because of all our experiences, this one was awesome. The organisation of the holiday, the guide and the travel was e cells that. The choice of hotels, meals, restaurants, trips was absolutely fantastic - very good quality and character - nothing bland or boring! The Riviera guide was permanently with us along with a South Africa guide and they were both extremely friendly, professional, informative and you could ask any questions you want! I would massively recommend this holiday/trip and when you’ve experienced it, you realise how reasonable the price is. We reflect on this trip a lot and thank you Riviera for giving us such a wonderful experience.

Trustpilot
Barry, GB  

Rhine Christmas markets cruise

09-Dec-2019

Just completed a 5 day trip on the Rhine. Our first river cruise and a tester for future cruises. The boat was well appointed and the cabin and public areas were spotlessly clean. The staff were attentive and contributed to the very relaxed atmosphere on the boat. The quality of the food surpassed that which we have experiened on sea cruises in recent years. I have written little because it was a faultless experience. We have booked a further cruise (in France) on the basis of our experience.

Trustpilot
Nigel Stewart (Google Reviewer)  

Cruise ship William Wordsworth: A...

15-Apr-2024

Cruise ship William Wordsworth: A cruise ship of excellence, very well appointed, comfortable & indulgent. We departed Budapest and cruised the Blue Danube heading to Vienna. The top deck offers sun loungers, a heated pool, golf and a place to just sit & relax. The cabins have everything you could want for but above all incredible comfortable. The staff are professional, courteous, and attentive and do everything to make your stay a pure pleasure. This is an experience you will remember for many years.

Christine Hardy (Google Reviewer)  

Although most people seem to...

10-Mar-2024

Although most people seem to book and pay for their holidays online, because we live close by we prefer to make a personal visit. In my opinion if they are offering this as an option they should be better equipped to accommodate visits in person. We have not been on our river cruise yet, so can't comment on that yet.

Rob Steele (Google Reviewer)  

My 3rd Riviera trip within...

16-Feb-2024

My 3rd Riviera trip within a year and I wasn't disappointed 😁 This time it was https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/escorted-tours/southern-india-coastal-route-solo-travellers This trip, although not cheap, it really offers exceptional value for money as you see a lot of Tamil Nadu and Kerela, stay in fantastic hotels, excellent breakfasts every day as well as some lunches and dinners also included. George Bareham, our "Tour Manager" was brilliant, very professional, but also friendly and diligent. Satheeshan, our local guide was helpful and picked me up antibiotics when I got ill, he was a nice chap, if (for my taste) went on a bit and used 20 words when 1 would suffice. Mr Sweeny, our coach driver was fantastic,really professional and an exceptionally good driver. His assistant, Murgon wad a delight, always smiling and attentive. This is a full on trip, early morning starts and quite a packed itinerary, but still leaving time to laze around some brilliant hotel swimming pools. Only a couple of suggestions to improve the holiday. More shopping time in Cochin and change carriers from Etihad who, unfortunately aren't the excellent airline they used to be. But, will I use Riviera Travel again - Yes 😁

Barbara Parkes (Google Reviewer)  

Presently in Croatia staying at...

22-Sep-2023

Presently in Croatia staying at Arauana Hotel, supposedly a 4 star property, but wouldn't give it any star rating. Rooms are small and dirty. Wallpaper blistering. Meals served in a shed like lean-to. Food like warm, greasy and always self service. Second holiday with Riviera this year and neither at standard advertised. Have travelled with them previously and everything was fine, but standards have really dropped. Have booked a holiday with them next year and now dreading it. Certainly don't provide the standard advertised. We have never stayed in such a hovel and have visited youngsters in back packers accommodation which was far better than this supposedly 4 star accommodation. There are no indoor bars or lounges only a shed as a so called restaurant. Absolutely disgusting. Won't be boking with them again

Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Sunday

Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
$5306 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Sunday

Jan 05, 2025 - Jan 12, 2025
$4548 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Sunday

May 04, 2025 - May 11, 2025
$4169 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Sunday

Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025
$5180 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

Similar Tours