(No availability) 8 Day Big Five Mt. Kenya, Great Rift Valley, Maasai Mara Safari in Kenya
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Safari Journey through Kenya, the Pulsing Heart of East African Wildlife
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime, a safari beyond imagination by My Kenya Travel and curated especially for the Big Five bucket listers. Begin your safari adventure at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary, which is home to the last two northern white rhinos, and Kenya’s only
chimpanzee sanctuary set in the plains below the rugged peaks of Mt Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa.
Key information
- Group safari
- Minimum group size: 6
- Children policy: Children of seven years and above are recommended to join
- Commences and concludes in Nairobi
- English-speaking driver-guide
- All park / conservancy entrance fees and all taxes included
Meet the guides
Read more
Highlights
- Guided game drives
- Explore Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru, and Maasai Mara National Park
- See the last remaining northern white rhinos, the tree-climbing lions at Lake Nakuru, and more
- Chance to see the Great Migration in Maasai Mara
- All ground transportation in a safari land cruiser with driver-guide over the eight days
- All game drives provided in a safari land cruiser with window seats / pop-up roof
- 7 nights accommodation with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- All park / conservancy entrance fees and all taxes included
Styles
Accommodation
Four Points by Sheraton Airport (1 night)
Convenient location
Just five minutes from the airport terminal, Four Points by Sheraton Airport in Nairobi is ideal for both business and leisure travelers.
Relaxation and dining
Enjoy the Tazama rooftop bar and grill, with stunning views of the national park, or dine at the all-day Marketplace restaurant with a 24-hour menu for travelers on the go.
Modern amenities
The 172-room hotel features spacious rooms, signature Four Points beds, rain showers, and 42" LED TVs for a comfortable stay.
Rooftop pool and fitness room
Guests can relax at the rooftop pool or stay active in the fully-equipped fitness room.
Additional conveniences
The Lobby Bar offers quick snacks, pastries, and coffee for those needing a quick pick-me-up, adding to the hotel's guest friendly services.
Facilities:
- Sustainability
- Free Wi-Fi
- Restaurant
- Outdoor pool
- Fitness center
- Spa
- Meeting space
- Dry cleaning service
- Laundry
- Room service
- Wake up calls
- 24-hour room service
- Daily housekeeping
- Turndown service
- Mobile key
- Service request
Serena Sweetwaters Safari Camp (2 nights)
Sweetwaters Safari Camp, located within the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, offers a unique safari experience with views of Mt Kenya. The camp features luxurious tented accommodations with ensuite bathrooms and private balconies.
Guests can enjoy various activities, including game drives, lion tracking, bird walks, and cultural performances. The camp also boasts facilities like a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, conference room, and wellness services. Ideal for both leisure and events, Sweetwaters Serena Camp ensures a memorable stay amidst stunning wildlife and natural beauty.
Sweetwaters' waterhole, illuminated at night, is central to the camp. Surrounded by a semi-circle of tents, the waterhole attracts various wildlife, including impala, waterbuck, zebras, and occasionally, white rhinos.
A discreet electric fence ensures visitor safety while allowing close wildlife encounters. Nocturnal creatures are also visible under floodlights, adding to the experience.
- Accommodation level: Luxury
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Extensive grounds
- Private waterhole and night viewing bar
- Conference room
- Wedding planning and honeymoon venue
- Gift shop, business center, and Wi-Fi
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (1 night)
Prime location with scenic views
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is situated along Lion Hill, offering stunning views of the flamingo-pink rimmed Lake Nakuru and the picturesque Lake Nakuru National Park.
Accessible from Nairobi
The lodge is a favorite among both residents and visitors to Kenya, located just a three-hour drive from Nairobi.
Unique layout and landscaping
The lodge is designed to provide most rooms and sitting areas with breathtaking views of the lake and park. The landscaping features tall acacia trees, winding walkways, and greens dotted with bird feeders.
Relaxing atmosphere and amenities
The lodge's cozy atmosphere, complete with a dining area and relaxing spa, provides immediate relaxation for guests.
Comfortable chalet-style accommodations
The 120 bedrooms are chalets with patios that offer panoramic views of the lake. Each room includes a private shower and water closet, mosquito nets, hair dryer, and tea /coffee making facilities.
Ideal Great Rift Valley lodge
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is considered to be one of the best lodges in the Great Rift Valley, making it an excellent base for exploring the region.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge (3 nights)
Prime location in the Mara Triangle
Mara Serena Safari Lodge is centrally located in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, offering unmatched views of the savannah and the Mara River, home to hippos and the iconic wildebeest migration.
Traditional Maasai design
The lodge is styled to resemble a Maasai manyatta with its circular motif, seamlessly blending international sophistication with raw African beauty.
Individual rooms with private balconies
Each room is housed in a stand-alone unit, featuring a private balcony, a spacious seating area, and uninterrupted views of the Mara River. All rooms are non-smoking.
Luxury facilities and amenities
The lodge offers a central dining room, internal and external bars, a rock-surround swimming pool, a gift shop, a business center, a conference center, and free Wi-Fi in communal areas.
Unique safari experiences
Guests can enjoy a variety of safari experiences, including balloon safaris, bush dinners, breakfast by the hippo pool, and sundowners in the wilderness. The new Maisha Safari Spa and Gym provides relaxation and reinvigoration after a day in the bush.
Additional services and activities
The lodge offers a complete wedding planning service, 24-hour on-call medical services, babysitting, special dietary accommodations with advance notice, board games, and a library of Africana books.
Spectacular views and dining
The central bar and dining areas provide stunning views of the savannah, while the rock-enclosed swimming pool adds a unique touch to the lodge's charm. Guests can enjoy breathtaking sights while indulging in exquisite meals and drinks.
Facilities
- Swimming pool and sundeck
- Spa and gym and extensive range of safari spa treatments
- Gift shop and business center
- Satellite television in communal areas
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24-hour on-call medical services
- Conference center and under-canvas events facilities
- Extensive incentives portfolio
- Baby-sitting, family rooms, children's dining, Christmas Eve children’s activities
- Board games and library of Africana books
- Special dietary needs catered for with advance notification
- Complete wedding planning service and honeymoon portfolio
- Unforgettable bush experiences
Program
Journey through Mt Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and the Great Rift Valley, where you'll be treated to the sight of flamingos in all their pinkish colorful glory. You’ll also get special access to see the famous tree-climbing lions of Lake Nakuru, along with guaranteed sightings of the rare black rhino.
Finally, cap off your adventure with the Great Migration at the legendary Maasai Mara. It's often called the eighth wonder of the modern world, and you'll soon see why as you witness this epic spectacle of wildlife on the move.
It’ll be a trip filled with unforgettable moments, and My Kenya Travel can’t wait to share them with you. Ready to pack your bags and hit the safari trail? Go!
What to expect:
Unforgettable adventure
This adventure promises a series of unforgettable moments in some of Africa's most iconic locations.
Laikipia Rhino experience
Set under the rolling plains in the shadows of Mt Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers unique benefits and attractions, including being the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and it is home to the last two northern white rhinos.
Great Rift Valley journey
Travel through the Great Rift Valley, home to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant wildlife, including the iconic flamingos.
Tree-climbing lions at Lake Nakuru
Get special access to Lake Nakuru, where you can witness the rare spectacle of tree-climbing lions and guaranteed sightings of black rhinos.
The Great Migration at Maasai Mara
Experience the Great Migration at the Maasai Mara, known as the eighth wonder of the modern world, and watch thousands of wildebeest and zebras on the move.
Itinerary
Day 1
- Layover - Nairobi
Days 2 - 3: Mt Kenya, the rare white rhino, and lion tracking
Positioned west of Nanyuki on the equator, Ol Pejeta lies amidst the Aberdares foothills and Mt Kenya. Learn about their conservation efforts, including the 2013 milestone of the 100th black rhino birth, earning the conservancy a "Key 1" status by the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group.
Start your adventure by spotting all members of the "Big Five" - lion, cape buffalo, African bush elephant, African leopard, and rhinoceros. Search for the endangered African wild dog. Discover oryx, Jackson’s hartebeest, Grevy’s zebra, serval, cheetah, and bat-eared fox. Also engage in birdwatching to spot some of the over 300 bird species that inhabit the conservancy.
Explore the specially designed game corridors that allow animals to move freely in and out of the conservancy. Learn how knee-high posts restrict rhino movement to protect them from poaching, while allowing other wildlife to pass.
Enjoy a comprehensive and immersive wildlife experience at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Africa's rich biodiversity.
Day 4: Great Rift Valley (flamingos, black rhino, and tree-climbing lions)
Journey through the Great Rift Valley, a geological marvel that stretches thousands of kilometers across East Africa. Be awed at the breathtaking vistas of this ancient landscape, where steep escarpments and verdant valleys create a dramatic tableau of natural beauty.
Arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park, a haven for both birdlife and big game. Delight in the sight of fuchsia-hued flamingos wading in the shallows of the lake, their delicate forms creating a striking contrast against the surrounding greenery.
Keep your binoculars handy as you venture into the park's lush forests and open grasslands in search of the elusive tree-climbing lions that call this area home. It’ll also be guaranteed to sight the black rhino there.
Days 5 - 7: Maasai Mara National Reserve (Eighth wonder - The Great Migration)
Prepare to witness one of the greatest spectacles on Earth as you journey to the Maasai Mara National Reserve during the peak of the annual wildebeest migration. Watch in awe as millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle traverse the savannah in search of greener pastures, pursued by hungry predators in a dramatic display of survival of the fittest.
Experience heart-pounding moments as you witness river crossings teeming with crocodiles and hippos, and marvel at the sheer abundance of wildlife that fills the plains as far as the eye can see.
Throughout your safari, you'll be accompanied by expert guides who will share their knowledge and passion for the natural world, ensuring that every moment is filled with excitement and wonder.
From the towering peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro to the endless plains of the Maasai Mara, this journey promises to be an adventure of a lifetime, leaving you with memories that will last forever.
Day 8
- Final game drive then departure
Daily schedule
Day 1
- Your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi (flight details to be confirmed)
- My Kenya Travel will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel
On arrival, you will be met by one of My Kenya Travel's friendly safari assistants and driven directly to your hotel (less than 10 minutes away)
Day 2: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
You'll spend the next couple of days in the Central Highlands in the foothills of Mt Kenya, Africa's second highest peak.
- Pick up and depart for Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- After breakfast, you will be picked up by My Kenya Travel's experienced safari guide
- Drive from your hotel via a scenic route to Ol Pejeta Conservancy through the Central Highlands of Kenya. (4.5 hrs / 221 km)
- Pass through the Earth's equator point, watching the magnetic poles in action with local vendors
- After your arrival at the camp, enjoy lunch, relax a few hours, and take in your surroundings with the wildlife at water hole
- Afternoon tea will be served around mid-afternoon
- Take a two to three-hour game drive with an experienced guide in a safari land cruiser with a customized game viewing pop-up roof hatch
- Return to the camp and enjoy a relaxed evening of drinks, dinner, and sharing your stories
- Have a restful sleep, and relish the night sounds of the African wild from the safety and comfort of your room
Day 3: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- At the crack of dawn, begin your one to two-hour morning game drive
- Return to the camp for a sumptuous breakfast
- After a delicious buffet lunch, you can simply relax or take a dip in the swimming pool, or lounge away at the various spots along the watering hole and take in the equatorial sun
- After your afternoon tea, it'll be time to head out for yet another game drive
- Enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner buffet at the lodge
Day 4: Lake Nakuru National Park
- Amboseli to Lake Nakuru National Park (4.30 hrs / 210 km)
- Drive into the Great Rift Valley to the shores of Lake Nakuru
- A scenic view point and lunch stop are included at no cost
- Check in, time for lunch, followed by a rest in your quaint cottage, or relax on the rustic patio
- Enjoy the panoramic vista of the lake or perhaps take a dip in the swimming pool with a cocktail
You can choose to go on an afternoon game drive, returning to the lodge in time for a shower followed by a sundowner 'round the campfire, where you can exchange stories of the day with the other guests.
Day 5: Famous Maasai Mara
After your early breakfast, it'll be time to take the off-the-beaten track to the Maasai Mara, the highlight of your safari, passing via Mt. Longonot, an extinct volcano, and the wheat fields near Narok.
- Check out and depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Arrive at Maasai (6.5 to 7 hrs - last 1.5 hrs will be a game drive at the national park / 339 km)
- After your arrival, enjoy lunch, relax a few hours, and take in your surroundings - you'll be at the Eighth Wonder of the World
- Laze around the swimming pool, enjoying one of the most panoramic and spectacular views of the Maasai Mara
- Afternoon tea will be served around mid-afternoon
- Take a two to three-hour game drive with your guide
- Return to the lodge and enjoy a relaxed evening of drinks, dinner, and sharing your stories around the campfire
- Have a restful sleep and relish the night sounds of the African wild from the safety and comfort of your tent
Days 6 - 7: Famous Maasai Mara
- At the crack of dawn, begin your one to two-hour morning game drive
- Return to the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast and spend time at the viewing deck
- After a delicious buffet lunch, you can simply relax or take a dip in the swimming pool
- This is the perfect place to just relax and laze around in the calm afternoons with spectacular views of Maasai Mara
- After your afternoon tea, it'll be time to head out for yet another game drive - see if you can spot a leopard in the tree
The guide will talk to you at length about the Big Five of Africa and some of the 450 species of birds that thrive in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Afterwards, you can enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner buffet at the lodge.
Day 8: Back to Nairobi and then home
- Driving time / distance - 6 hrs / 280.0 km
After breakfast, you can say goodbye to your hosts and head back to Nairobi.
Every ounce of your being will want to stay and little will really want to return home, but it’ll be time. You will pack your bags, grasp onto final memories and images of the Mara, and head back to Nairobi.
Your memories will already be flooding your mind, you can’t wait to get home and share your experiences (along with all those pictures and videos) with family and friends, and you’ll be counting the days until you can do this all over again.
Kwaheri Ya Kuonana (Goodbye, until we meet again)!
Guides
Gurmukh Singh
With his family having settled in East Africa since the late 1800s, Gurmukh has deep roots in Kenya - attending local schools, making lasting friendships, embracing local culture, and feeling at ease among street vendors, rural communities, and nomadic tribes. His early years were spent on classic safari style camping, near the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro that cemented his passion for the wilderness. Prior to founding My Kenya Travel, he worked in various roles within the safari industry. His expertise in all things safari is unmatched, making him a trusted guide and expert advisor.
Location
Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi is the capital and the largest city of Kenya. The name comes from the Maasai phrase 'Enkare Nyrobi,' which translates to "cool water," a reference to the Nairobi River, which flows through the city.
The city proper has a population of 4,397,073 in the 2019 census, while the metropolitan area has a population of 9,354,580. The city is popularly referred to as the "Green City in the Sun."
Gateway to East Africa's attractions
Nairobi is the perfect starting point for exploring Kenya's iconic tourist destinations, such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Mount Kenya, as well as neighboring East African countries.
It serves as a key hub for international flights, with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) being the primary gateway to East Africa. It connects the region to major global cities, supporting business, tourism, and transit. Nairobi's airport plays a crucial role in regional connectivity and is a strategic point for airlines with routes to Africa and beyond.
Amboseli National Park
Overview:
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located in Central Kenya’s Laikipia County on the foothills of Africa’s second highest peak, Mt Kenya. It is a remarkable wildlife sanctuary. The conservancy boasts high predator densities, making it an exciting destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
'Ol Pejeta' means “place of burning.” Hundreds of years ago, the pastoralist communities named it that because they used the area to kill ticks by burning the grass.
Beyond conservation efforts, the conservancy manages a successful livestock program. Ol Pejeta is committed to supporting local communities by improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure. It’s a unique blend of conservation and community development, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers!
Best known for:
Ol Pejeta Conservancy serves as the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, playing a vital role in protecting these endangered animals. Additionally, Ol Pejeta is home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos, which are critically endangered.
The conservancy also hosts a chimpanzee sanctuary, the only one in Kenya. There, rescued chimpanzees find a safe haven after being rescued from the black market.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Overview:
Lake Nakuru National Park lies south of the town of Nakuru, in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. The park protects Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift Valley's soda lakes.
Best known for:
The lake is world-famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth - myriads of fuchsia pink flamingos whose numbers are often more than a million, or even two million. They feed on the abundant algae that thrive in the warm waters. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink.
The number of flamingos on the lake varies with water and food conditions, and the best vantage point is from Baboon Cliff. Also of interest is an area of 188 km (116 mi) around the lake, fenced off as a sanctuary to protect giraffes as well as both black and white rhinos.
Maasai (Masai) Mara National Reserve
Overview:
The Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) covers some 1,510 sq km (583 sq mi) in south-western Kenya. It is the northernmost section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which covers some 25,000 sq km (9,700 sq mi) in Tanzania and Kenya.
Best known for:
The Mara (as locals call it) has an exceptional population of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. However, it is globally famous for the annual migration (known as the Great Migration) of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles to and from the Serengeti every year from July to October.
All members of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo, and rhinoceros) can be found there, including 95 species of mammals and over 570 recorded species of birds.
Food
The following meals are included in your safari experience:
- Breakfast at Four Points Shereton
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Serena Sweetwaters Safari Camp
- Breakfast, lunch enroute, and dinner at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Serena Mara Lodge
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Organic
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
- Bush walks
- Bush lunches and dinners
- Balloon safaris
- Cultural visit to local Maasai model settlements
- Sundowners
What's included
- Flexible guided morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli
- Flexible guided afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
- Flexible guided morning and afternoon game drives in the Mara
- Nairobi City - 1.5 days disposal as required
- English-speaking driver-guide
- 1 night of accommodation at Four Points Shereton in Nairobi
- 2 nights of accommodation at Serena Sweetwaters Safari Camp in Amboseli
- 1 night of accommodation at Sarova Lion Hill in Lake Nakuru
- 3 nights of accommodation at Serena Mara Lodge in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Meet / greet / assistance services
- All airport transfers
- All ground transportation in a safari land cruiser with driver-guide over the eight days
- All game drives provided on a safari land cruiser with window seats / pop-up roof
- All park / conservancy entrance fees
- All taxes
- Some meals
What's not included
- Roundtrip international airfare to Nairobi
- Electronic Travel Authorization (30 USD per person) - to be obtained online
- All meals and drinks unless specified
- Customary tips for drivers, guides, hotel staff, etc.
- All optional tours mentioned on the day by day itinerary provided
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
2 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Transfers from and to this airport are included in the price.
- Major international airport: Nairobi serves as a major hub for multiple international airlines, providing direct connections to and from key destinations worldwide.
- Strategic location: As the largest city in East Africa, Nairobi's central location makes it a convenient transit point for travelers visiting the region or connecting to other parts of Africa.
- Diverse flight options: Nairobi's airport offers a wide range of flight options, from budget carriers to premium airlines, catering to a variety of travel preferences and budgets.
- Comprehensive airport services: Nairobi's airports feature modern amenities, including lounges, duty-free shopping, dining options, and car rental services, ensuring a comfortable experience for travelers.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
