IV
The Days
Detailed 5-Day Kenya Safari Day-by-Day Itinerary
5 days, 3 parks and reserves — every day private, with your own guide and 4×4.
Home / Safari Packages / 5-Day Kenya Safari
5-Day Kenya Safari: Lake Nakuru Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Naivasha Boat Cruise & Masai Mara Tour
Private 5-day safari · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island · Masai Mara
NBO 01°19′S 36°56′ELAKE 00°22′S 36°05′E
★★★★★5.0(based on 9 reviews)
IOverview
5-Day Kenya Safari Overview & Tour Highlights
This 5-Day Kenya Safari brings together Lake Nakuru’s protected black and white rhinos, Lake Naivasha motorized boat safari with Crescent Island walking tour among giraffes and zebras, full-day big cat tracking in the Masai Mara, and the Mara River.
Every day is private — your own safari guide and 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. The route starts in Nairobi and ends in Nairobi, and you choose budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation.
Trip Highlights & Details
Tour Length
5 Days / 4 Nights
Country
Kenya
Start / End
Nairobi → Nairobi
Accommodation
Budget, Mid-range or Luxury
Tour Type
Private Safari
Group Size
1–6 Guests
Meal Plan
Full board on safari
Best Travel Period
July – October & January – March
Activity Level
Moderate
Major Attractions — 3
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island
- Masai Mara National Reserve
IIThe Map
5-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary Highlights
Day 1Nairobi – Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 2Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
Day 3Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 4Full Day Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 5Full Day Masai Mara Safari & Return Transfer – Nairobi
Safari Route Map – 5-Day Kenya Safari
IIIRates
5-Day Kenya Safari Cost & Price Breakdown (2026 / 2027)
Includes game drives, park fees, accommodation, transport and professional guiding. Per person, no booking fees.
Mid-rangeGreat comfort and value
LuxuryPremium experience with top-tier lodges and service
Important information
All prices are per person and do not include international flights. Final rates may vary based on travel dates, seasonal park fee adjustments, and lodge availability.
Budget 5-Day Kenya Safari: Lake Nakuru Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Naivasha Boat Cruise & Masai Mara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $140 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $1,630 | $1,120 | $1,040 | $960 | $930 | $890 | $850 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Mid-range 5-Day Kenya Safari: Lake Nakuru Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Naivasha Boat Cruise & Masai Mara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $280 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $2,390 | $1,650 | $1,530 | $1,420 | $1,370 | $1,300 | $1,250 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Luxury 5-Day Kenya Safari: Lake Nakuru Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Naivasha Boat Cruise & Masai Mara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $640 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $4,430 | $3,050 | $2,840 | $2,630 | $2,530 | $2,410 | $2,320 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
High-end 5-Day Kenya Safari: Lake Nakuru Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Naivasha Boat Cruise & Masai Mara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $1,000 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $7,180 | $4,950 | $4,600 | $4,260 | $4,110 | $3,910 | $3,760 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Child Policy
Children are welcome on safari. Discounts apply for children aged 3–11 years when sharing with adults. Children aged 12 years and above are charged as adults. Please contact us for exact child rates based on accommodation and room configuration.
Not sure which option suits you best? Contact us and we’ll help you choose the perfect safari based on your budget and travel style.
Ready to plan your safari? Send us your request and get a customized quote within 24 hours.
Start of Tour
Pre-safari accommodation can be arranged upon request for an additional fee. Please note that it is not included in the package.
Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel prior to the start of the tour. This airport transfer is included in your package.
01
00°22′S 36°05′E
Day 1
Nairobi → Lake Nakuru
Your 5-day Kenyan classic safari begins with a morning pickup from your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive descending the breathtaking Great Rift Valley escarpment, stopping at panoramic viewpoints for photos of the rift valley floor and extinct volcanoes before continuing to Lake Nakuru National Park.
Arrive in time for lunch and check into your safari lodge. In the mid-afternoon, embark on an exciting game drive around the alkaline lake shores.
Renowned as a premier UNESCO-listed wildlife sanctuary, Lake Nakuru offers exceptional opportunities to spot both endangered white and black rhinos under strict government protection, rare Rothschild’s giraffes, tree-climbing lions, waterbucks, and thousands of pink flamingos and pelicans feeding along the shallow bays. Return to your lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight rest.
Highlights: White and black rhinos, endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, pink flamingos, lions, leopards
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
3 to 3.5 hrs
Route
165 km
Meals
L · D
Night
Lake Nakuru National Park
02
00°46′S 36°21′E
Day 2
Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, take a leisurely 1.5-hour drive south along the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, the highest elevation lake in the rift system. Check into your lakefront lodge and enjoy lunch surrounded by yellow-barked acacia fever trees.
In the afternoon, board a motorized boat for a scenic boat safari across Lake Naivasha’s calm freshwater expanses. Glide past hundreds of submerged hippos and look for fish eagles swooping down from dead acacia snags.
Land on Crescent Island Game Sanctuary for a guided walking safari: because there are no predators on the peninsula, you can safely walk on foot within arm’s reach of wild giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and waterbucks. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon to relax on manicured lawns where resident colobus monkeys and antelopes often graze at dusk.
Highlights: Motorized lake boat safari, hippo watching, guided on-foot wildlife walking tour on Crescent Island
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
1.5 to 2 hrs
Route
80 km
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Lake Naivasha
03
01°29′S 35°08′E
Day 3
Lake Naivasha → Masai Mara
Depart Lake Naivasha after an early breakfast and journey southwest across the Great Rift Valley plains, passing through the colorful Maasai commercial hub of Narok. Ascend into the rolling golden savannas of the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, arriving in time for check-in and a hot lunch at your safari camp.
In the mid-afternoon, set out on your first game drive across the Mara’s predator-dense grasslands. Track large prides of lions lounging in the shade of croton bushes, cheetahs surveying the open plains from termite mounds, herds of elephants, topis, and zebras.
Return to camp at sunset for sundowner drinks and a hearty dinner around the campfire.
Highlights: First sightings of the Mara big cats, elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
4.5 to 5 hrs
Route
220 km
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Masai Mara National Reserve
04
01°29′S 35°08′E
Day 4
Full Day Masai Mara
Spend an entire day immersed in the legendary Masai Mara, home to Africa’s highest concentration of big cats. Start with a dawn game drive when predators are actively hunting in the cool morning air (optional sunrise hot air balloon flight with champagne bush breakfast available).
Journey south toward the banks of the Mara River, where giant Nile crocodiles and pods of hippos inhabit the waters. During the peak migration season (July–October), watch for gathering herds of wildebeests preparing for dramatic river crossings.
Savor an acacia-shaded bush picnic lunch in the wild. Continue your afternoon safari tracking leopards in riverine thickets, towering elephant herds, and black rhinos before returning to camp at dusk for dinner.
Highlights: Mara River crossings, Nile crocodiles, lion ambushes, cheetah sprints, elephants
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Bush Picnic Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
Full day in park
Route
Game drives
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Masai Mara National Reserve
05
01°17′S 36°49′E
Day 5
Full Day Masai Mara Safari & Return Transfer → Nairobi
Maximize your final day in the wild with an extended early morning game drive across the Mara savannas to catch predators during the golden dawn light. Return to camp for a hearty breakfast and pack your bags before beginning your return journey across the Great Rift Valley toward Nairobi.
Enjoy an en-route lunch as you ascend the dramatic escarpment walls. Arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon.
Your driver-guide will transfer you to your hotel or directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for your evening departure flight home, concluding an unforgettable 5-day Kenyan wildlife and lakes safari.
Highlights: Early dawn big cat tracking, scenic Great Rift Valley return drive, airport connection
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast & En-Route Lunch.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
5 to 6 hrs
Route
250 km
Meals
B · L
Night
End of tour — Nairobi City Hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
VThe Fine Print
What’s in the price — and what isn’t.
What is Included
- National park & reserve entrance fees (Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara 2 nights)
- Lake Naivasha boat safari & Crescent Island sanctuary fees
- 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up photography roof
- Certified professional safari guide
- All meals on safari
- Bottled drinking water
What is Not Included
- International flights to Nairobi
- Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips/gratuities
- Optional sunrise balloon safari
- Alcoholic beverages
Interested in This Tour?
VI
Camps
Accommodation Options for this 5-Day Safari
This itinerary is available with budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation. The camps and lodges for your chosen tier are listed below.
Typical choices — Budget: Lake Nakuru Public Campsite, Camp Carnelley’s Naivasha, Miti Mingi Eco Camp Masai Mara · Mid-range: Lake Nakuru Lodge, Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Mara Sopa Lodge, Zebra Plains Mara Camp · Luxury: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge Nakuru, Enashipai Resort & Spa Naivasha, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Governors’ Camp.
Mid-range Accommodations During Safari
Luxury Accommodations During Safari
VIIAdd-Ons
Optional Safari Add-Ons – 5-Day Kenya Safari
Not included in the standard price — arranged on request.
Final day
Masai Mara to Nairobi Flight
Skip the 5–6 hour drive back: a 45-minute scheduled flight from the Mara airstrips to Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
Rates on request
Masai Mara · at dawn
Hot Air Balloon Safari
A sunrise balloon flight over the Masai Mara, followed by a champagne bush breakfast before the day’s game drive.
USD 450–590 per person
On the route
Maasai Village Cultural Visit
Visit a traditional Maasai community to learn about local culture, traditions and daily life.
USD 30–50 per person
Before the safari
Extra Night in Nairobi
Arrive a day early to rest after your international flight before the Day 1 departure. Luxury hotels from USD 350+ per room.
Mid-range USD 150–250 / room
Tip: The most requested add-ons on this route are the Masai Mara to Nairobi Flight and the Hot Air Balloon Safari. Ask us to build them into your dates.
VIIIThe Ground
Where the 5-Day Kenya Safari Takes You
3 destinations, one private route.
01
Lake Nakuru National Park
A Rift Valley soda lake and fenced rhino sanctuary, with black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes and flamingos along the shore.
02
Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island
A freshwater Rift Valley lake with hippo pods and boat safaris, and guided walks among giraffes and zebras on Crescent Island.
03
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya’s best-known reserve: rolling grassland with some of Africa’s highest lion and cheetah densities, and the Mara River crossings from July to October.
01°S · 35°E — Mara / Serengeti ecosystemThe big question
Can You See the Great Migration and Mara River Crossings on the 5-Day Kenya Safari?
Each year more than 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. From July to October the herds reach the Mara River — the most dramatic hour in the bush.
River crossings cannot be guaranteed: herds gather on the banks, sometimes for hours or days, and cross when they choose. Travelling in season with time at the river gives you the best possible odds, with excellent wildlife viewing either way.
1.5M+Wildebeest, zebra & gazelle on the move
Jul–OctPeak Mara River crossing window
3Parks & reserves in 5 days
IXSeason
Best Time of Year to Book this 5-Day Kenya Safari
A year-round route — but the season changes everything.
July – October (Great Migration)
The wildebeest herds are in the Masai Mara, with river crossings, busy predators and excellent dry-season game viewing.
January – March (Dry & Sunny)
Warm, dry days and newborn wildlife.
April – May (Long Rains)
April and May bring the long rains. Some roads become muddy and slow and a few remote camps close, but the landscapes are green and quieter.
XFlights
Flight Recommendation – 5-Day Kenya Safari
Recommended Arrival Flight
Jomo Kenyatta International, Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi the day before the safari begins, so you are rested and ready for the early Day 1 departure.
Recommended Departure Flight
Jomo Kenyatta International, Nairobi
The safari ends back in Nairobi. Book international departures from Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) after 8:00 PM to allow for highway traffic.
XIExtras
Supplementary (not included) costs
Below are the optional or personal expenses not included in your safari package. They are arranged in order of importance and impact on your trip.
Kenya requires every traveller to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before arrival.
- Cost: approximately USD 30–50 per person
- Validity: up to 90 days
- Passports should be valid for at least six months
A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
Highly recommended. Choose cover that includes medical evacuation from remote parks.
Safari packages exclude international airfare. Book your arrival and departure around the start and end points shown in the Flights section.
Tipping is customary but always your choice. Our recommended guidelines:
- $15–$25 per vehicle per day for your driver-guide
- $5–$10 for your Lake Naivasha boat captain/Crescent Island guide,
- $5–$10 per day in shared lodge tip boxes
Guide tips are per vehicle per day, not per person.
- Soft drinks: USD $3 – $5
- Local beer: USD $4 – $6
- Wine/spirits: USD $7 – $20
Drinking water is provided in the vehicle during your safari; sodas, alcoholic beverages and specialty coffees are charged separately at the lodges.
Souvenirs, snacks, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent and other personal items are not included. Costs depend on your own needs and shopping choices.
XIIWhy Us
Why Book With Us
True local ownership and operation
As a safari company rooted in local ownership, we eliminate unnecessary costs associated with intermediary sales agents, providing you with direct savings.
Best Price Guaranteed
Crafting a safari that delivers unparalleled experiences, from exceptional wildlife viewing to luxurious lodgings and unforgettable moments. We strive to minimize your expenses, eliminating unnecessary costs.
24/7 Customer Service
We excel in providing personalized customer concierge services, ensuring your safari needs are taken care of from the moment you plan your trip until you board your homeward flight.
Expert Safari Guides
Our guides are very knowledgeable and experts in the field. They will be your moving encyclopedias for all the information that you may want while on safari.
5.0 from 9 reviews
Customer Reviews
★★★★★
Amazing Trip around Kenya and Tanzania
My wife and I did a 7-day safari with Active Wonders last August, visiting both Kenya and Tanzania, and honestly, we couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out. We got super lucky with our drivers and guides — Patrick in Kenya and Six in Tanzania were awesome. They really know their stuff, driving like pros without even needing GPS, and they were amazing at spotting animals and finding the best views.
D
Daniel BravoSpain 🇪🇸
★★★★★
Great 8-day safari in northern Tanzania
Overall, I had a great 8-day safari experience with Active Wonders Safari. Communication before and after the booking was always prompt and effective. The lodges during our trip ranged from decent to good, and the food was mostly good — sometimes even excellent.
M
Martin WGermany 🇩🇪
★★★★★
Fantastic Safari Experience in Tanzania
We booked our East Africa trip through Imara Africa Safaris, and the Tanzania portion was organized by their partner, Active Wonders Safaris. It was an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, incredible wildlife, and genuine hospitality. Our guide, Amiri (goes by the name Cheena), was absolutely exceptional — knowledgeable, patient, and passionate.
J
Jay TrivediUnited States 🇺🇸
★★★★★
An adventure beyond my expectations. Brilliant
This was such an amazing trip that covered the Ngorongoro crater area with all its wildlife roaming freely, the Serengeti and the migration of the wildebeest crossing over into Kenya. Wonderful varied accommodation from well equipped tents with all amenities to hotels and lodges. Zebras, lions with cubs, bathing hippos, leopards during the night safari and numerous birds. Elephants and giraffes were everywhere — all in all a fabulous tour.
C
ColleenAustralia 🇦🇺
★★★★★
Who could ask for more?
Being river crossing time of year our anticipation of this safari to begin our visit to Tanzania was high and was realised. We departed Arusha and headed for Tarangire National Park. As expected the elephants were prolific and backed up with many other wildlife to keep us happy as well. We stayed at Elephant Lodge which is constructed from old shipping containers. It was terrific — nice accommodation, food and lovely staff.
T
Truddy WaltonAustralia 🇦🇺
★★★★★
Allano was fun, prepared, and accommodating
If you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, look no further than Active Wonders Safari! Our adventure in Tanzania and Kenya was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the impeccable planning and guidance from Allano himself. From the moment we arrived, Allano took care of every detail, ensuring that our safaris, travel, lodging, and meals were perfectly coordinated.
L
Lindsey RobertsonGermany 🇩🇪
★★★★★
A dream come true for us, amazing safari trip!
We booked direct with Active Wonders (Allano) and from the very beginning, the communication has been great and he has been very transparent as well. We booked 5-nights Luxury Safari covering all parts of Serengeti all the way to the north. Thank you so much for accommodating our group since we kept adding people — we ended up with a group of 9! During the trip we got 2 cars and 2 drivers (Amini and Mariki), and Allano also came along.
J
JohannesIndonesia 🇮🇩
★★★★★
Safari with Wonderful Team
We had an amazing 10-day safari in Tanzania with our wonderful guide, Baraka. We learned so much from him about the country, its people, and the incredible wildlife. He was also a pleasure to be around! A special thanks to Active Wonders Safaris for organizing such a memorable trip. Everything was perfectly arranged.
B
Benoit RSpain 🇪🇸
★★★★★
We are definitely going back with them
If you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, look no further than Active Wonders Safari! Our adventure in Tanzania and Kenya was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the impeccable planning and guidance from Allano himself. His knowledge and passion for wildlife were evident throughout the journey.
W
Repeat guestUnited States 🇺🇸
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions – 5-Day Kenya Safari
Everything travellers ask us about this route. Can’t find it here? We reply within hours.
The price depends on your group size, accommodation tier and travel dates. The rates table above shows the per-person price for every group size; send us your dates for an exact, all-inclusive quote with no booking fees.
Crescent Island has no apex predators (lions, leopards, hyenas), making it entirely safe for guided on-foot walking among wild giraffes, zebras, and gazelles.
No sighting is ever guaranteed, but lake Nakuru is a heavily protected national sanctuary where both white and black rhinos thrive, delivering near-certain rhino sightings.
During July to October, vast migration herds concentrate in the Masai Mara, offering prime opportunities to witness river crossings on Days 3, 4, and 5.
We recommend booking international departures from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) after 8:00 PM to accommodate the afternoon drive.
XIIIYour Trip
Request Your Personalized Safari Proposal
Tell us how you like to travel and we will put together a personalised proposal for this route – dates, camps and a firm price per person. No payment is required at this stage.
No payment is required at this stage. We reply by email and WhatsApp, usually within a few hours.
