The Classic 3 Nights, 4 Days Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari Itinerary

4 Days Masai Mara and lake Nakuru Safari - Lake Nakuru

Our 3 Nights, 4 Days Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari package is the perfect introduction to a magical wildlife safari. It is a dream come true for any traveler from Kerala , Bangalore , Mumbai, or any other part of India. 

The 4-day Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari from Nairobi takes you to Kenya’s two most visited parks, each unique in its own way with lots to offer. Masai Mara is famous all over the world for its annual wildebeest migration

This event brings millions of wildebeest from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of water and pasture. This is no ordinary crossing. As the wildebeest attempt to cross the Mara River, they will encounter crocodiles, lions, and predators. 

Other than the annual migration, you can do several other adventurous things at the Masai Mara. This famous attraction has a high wildlife density; regardless of the time of the year, you will have great game drives.

If you have always been curious about the Maasai people , this is an excellent chance to visit a Maasai homestead to learn more about their culture and traditions. Viewing the Mara atop a hot air balloon can be quite a thrill if you crave a little more excitement.

Lake Nakuru National Park, on the other hand, offers quite a unique experience. The park is home to many black and white rhinos, both endangered species. You’ll also encounter lions, buffaloes, giraffes, and antelopes during your Nairobi-Masai-Mara tour.

The lake itself is a sight to behold and a must-see during your Kenya safari. Millions of flamingos inhabit it, and all you can see is a mass of pink in every direction. Words cannot explain its beauty, and you’ll be glad you brought your camera.

Book Your 4 Days Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari from Nairobi Now

Who are we? We are a team of local tour operators with years of experience providing the best Kenya safari for our clients. You can reach us at +254-748-258-880 to book your 4 Days Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara tour as provided or customize it. 

We are also available through email at james@ajkenyasafaris.com or safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com

The Summarized, 4 Days, 3 Nights Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Package Itinerary

Trip Details Highlights 
Day 1

JKIA Pickup, Transfer to Nakuru, & Game Drives

Overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge

Day 2

Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Masai Mara

Overnight at Sekenani Camp

Day 3

Full-Day Game Drive at Masai Mara with Packed Lunch 

Overnight at Sekenani Camp 

Day 4Morning Game Drive, Maasai Village, & Transfer to Nairobi
Items Included Full-Board Accommodation, 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser, Park Fees, Game Drives, Professional Safari Guide, Bottled Mineral Drinking Water, and More
Items Excluded Visas, Hot Air Balloon, Laundry Service, Money Transfer Fee, Tips & Gratuities, & Flights 
Safari Price Per Person Sharing Based on 2 Pax from USD 1180

The Detailed, 4 Days, 3 Nights L. Nakuru and Masai Mara Tour Itinerary

Without further ado, let us jump right into the 4-Day Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari itinerary.

Day 1: Pickup from JKIA, Transfer to Nakuru, & Game Drives 

The first day of your Kenyan safari starts when you arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Your designated safari guide will be waiting for you at the arrivals lounge.  

This safari package does not include a sleepover in Nairobi, and you will drive straight to lake Nakuru in a safari vehicle and enjoy the best Lake Nakuru National Park activities. The distance from Nakuru to Nairobi is about a 2.5-hour drive and will see you make a stopover at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint. At the Great Rift Valley, you’ll have the chance to see this wonderful site.

Upon arrival in lake Nakuru, you’ll head straight to the game park for game drives. The game viewing safari in the game park will continue until noon, the ideal time (in time for lunch) to head to the hotel for check-in. Your guide will leave you to freshen up and relax, after which he will pick you up for an afternoon game viewing.

Nakuru Tour Packages with the afternoon game drives allow you to see many animals around and about looking for an evening meal. The herbivores will be out grazing and trying to stay alive. The chances of seeing a carnivore in the hunt are high in the afternoon, making it the best time to visit L. Nakuru National Park.

For this afternoon game viewing, you will stay mainly on the game park side, as there will not be much happening by the lake. To experience its sheer beauty is an experience best left for the morning. Later, you’ll head for dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Transfer from Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara

Your safari guide will pick you up in a safari vehicle bright and early morning after breakfast at the camp on day 2 of your 4-day Masai Mara & L. Nakuru safari. You will check out of your room as you’ll drive to  Masai Mara after this morning’s game viewing in a safari land cruiser. This time the tour in Kenya will start from the lake, with a morning drive.

In the morning, millions of lesser and greater flamingos flock to the lake in search of food. The result is a beautiful sea of pink stretching as far as the eye can see. There are more flamingos at the lake when the water is more alkaline. 

This is because more algae are present, providing food for the birds. During the long rains of April to June, the water would be less alkaline, and so there will be fewer birds. It is hard to tear oneself away from the pink beauty, but the flamingos will give cues when they start flying out. 

You will have seen much and taken amazing photos anyway so that you’ll move on to the other side of the game park in search of wild animals. Lake Nakuru National Park features not only a woodland savanna ecosystem but also a forest and swamp. 

The black and white rhinos in the attraction are heavily guarded to prevent the threat of poaching. If you are lucky, you’ll see the elusive leopard, likely perched on top of a tree.

We trust that in the course of the morning game viewing, you will encounter most of the 56 species of wild animals recorded here. After an exciting morning, you’ll drive out of the game park and start the road trip to the Maasai Mara for the second attraction of the Masai-Mara-Lake-Nakuru tour.

Lunch will be at Narok town, and you will arrive at the accommodation early in the evening for your dinner and overnight at the camp.

4 Days Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari - Crocodile
Crocodile Lay at the Beds of Mara River

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive at Masai Mara National Reserve with Packed Lunch

You have heard about it, read about it, and even dreamed about the best game reserve in the world.. Finally, the 4 Days Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari package will see you wake up early for early morning adventure. You might be woken up by various animal sounds and birds chirping. 

The air will be thick with excitement as your safari guide picks you up for a morning game drive after your coffee. Dawn is critical for any game viewing, as the chances of encountering a pride of lions hunting are pretty high at the Masai Mara.

The weather will be cold and crisp at this hour, with the sun dancing by the horizon. Don’t forget to wear a windbreaker, but bring your camera for capturing all that the Maasai Mara offers while on a game viewing safari in Kenya.

All types of animals will be out in the morning, from elephants to giraffes to buffalos and cheetahs. The morning game viewing will last about three hours, and we like to think of it as a highlight of the Maasai Mara, a kind of introduction. 

After three hours, the morning will turn into mid-morning, and soon, the afternoon will clock in. You game experience comes to a hault in time for lunch under a tree.

After lunch, you will board the 4×4 safari land cruiser with pop up roof and continue with the game drive. You’ll venture further than you did in the early morning, exploring the wonders of the Masai Mara. 

By the Mara River, you’ll see many animals drinking, as well as hippos and crocodiles. Expect to see lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant in Masai Mara before head back to your tented camp for drop off and overnight stay. You can opt to end day three of your L. Nakuru and the Masai Mara safari in Kenya with a bush dinner.

Day 4: Morning Game Drive, Maasai Village Visit, & Transfer to JKIA

This is the last day of this Masai Mara safari. After breakfast, you will check out of your room with your luggage. There will be time for one final game viewing before you drive out of the park. Your driver will be alert for any extraordinary happenings around the park. 

You’ll have an excellent chance to take any last-minute photos and videos. You will also be able to visit any areas of the reserve you had not seen yesterday.

After about two hours, you leave the reserve and head for Nairobi with a stopover at the Maasai village. The Maasai live a conventional life, herding cows for a living. You’ll learn how they construct their huts using soil and cow dung and how they put together their beautiful beadwork. 

This is an excellent chance to purchase souvenirs for your loved ones back home. You will start the road trip to the capital, and after a quick lunch stop at Narok, you’ll be driven to the airport for drop off at JKIA and in time for your flight back to India.

Items Included in the 4 Days Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari Price 

  • Airport pick-ups and drop-offs
  • A private, well-versed tour guide, Kenyan and multilingual
  • Round-trip transport to all attractions and destinations as per the itinerary 
  • Masai Mara game reserve entrance fees
  • Lake Nakuru park fee 
  • Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle
  • Full-board accommodation during the safari
  • Game drives at Lake Nakuru National Park on day 1
  • Morning game viewing at L. Nakuru on day 2
  • Lunch at Narok Town on day 2
  • Full-day game viewing at Masai Mara with packed lunch on day 3
  • Morning game drives at Mara on day 4
  • Visit a Maasai village on day 4
  • Lunch at Narok town on day 4
  • Transfer to Nairobi – JKIA on day 4

Items Excluded from the 4 Days Kenya Safari Price

  • Pre-travel expenses (e.g. Passports and visas)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Expenses such as baggage fees, laundry charges, and luxury drinks such as champagne etc
  • Tips and gratuities
  • A visit to Lake Naivasha
  • Money transfer fee
  • Easter, Christmas, and New Year Supplements of USD 50 Per Person Per Night 
  • Hot air balloon safari at USD 450 Per Person

Safari Price Per Person Sharing for the 4 Days Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Based on 2 Pax

Travel Dates/Months Price Per Person Sharing 
2nd Jan – 31st March 2023 USD 1356
1st April – 6th April 2023 USD 1180
7th April – 10th April 2023 USD 1306
11th April – 14th June 2023 USD 1180
15th June – 30th June 2023 USD 1266
1st July – 15th Sept 2023 USD 1740
16th Sept – 31st Oct 2023 USD 1326
1st Nov – 22nd Dec 2023 USD 1202
23rd Dec 2023 – 1st Jan 2024 USD 1863

4 Days Masai Mara and L. Nakuru Tour Guide &  Expert Tips 

This section provides you with more information about L. Nakuru and Masai Mara to enable you to know what you should expect during this safari.

1. When is the best time to visit Masai Mara?

One of the best times to visit the Masai Mara is between July and October, as you will witness the migration. If you cannot travel during these months, there is no need to worry. 

You can visit this fantastic reserve any time and still see many animals.

2. How far is the Masai Mara from Nairobi?

The Nairobi-Masai-Mara distaicne is about 280 km. When going by road, this takes between 5-6 hours. You can also take a flight which is about 45 minutes. 

Each option has its advantages. Flying is much faster but more expensive. Going by road takes much longer and is more affordable.

3. What is the distance from Nairobi to Nakuru?

Nakuru is about 160km from Nairobi. Going by road from Nairobi takes approximately 2 hours.

4. What is the best time to visit Lake Nakuru National Park?

You can visit Lake Nakuru National Park at any time of the year. It has a high density of wild animals, and you’ll have an enjoyable time regardless of when you visit. On the other hand, the flamingos on the lake increase and decrease with the season. 

During the rainy season, the water is less alkaline, and there will be fewer birds.

5. Can I see the big five at Lake Nakuru?

You will be able to see 4 of the big five at Lake Nakuru, except for elephants. All the others, that is, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino, are present.

6. Can I get vegetarian food at Masai Mara?

Yes. Many lodges and camps in Kenya’s parks recognize and cater to different dietary requirements. At the time of your booking, we will also ask about your preferences so that we can advise the hotel in advance.

7. Is the balloon safari a must-do activity?

If your budget allows for it, yes. Seeing the Masai Mara from the air is one of the most exciting things you can do. The vastness of it will awe you, and large herds of animals will look like specs from up there. 

Floating with the wind and coming down to a champagne breakfast will be a great highlight of your safari. You can also try helicopter safaris at Masai Mara.