5 Days Naivasha Masai Mara Parks
Day 1 Nairobi – Lake Naivasha
Next, we overland to papyrus-fringed Lake Naivasha, a cool and peaceful escape from Nairobi’s big-city bustle. With over 400 species of bird, this freshwater lake is a birding Paradise. Along the lake’s fabled waters, we are bound to see some of the area’s more intriguing species—hippos, giraffes, buffalo and even the arboreal colobus monkey. Lake Naivasha lies in the Great Rift Valley and the name derives from the local Maasai name Nai’posha, meaning “rough water” because of the sudden storms which can arise.
After lunch we visit Crescent island — a private sanctuary, where you can walk beneath yellow-barked acacias (yellow fever trees) in search of giraffes, wildebeest , impala , dikdiks, thompson’s and grant’s gazelles, elands, waterbucks and countless bird species. Oh, and there are some rather gigantic pythons too! We are allowed to walk with the animals since all were introduced during the filming of Out of Africa. An optional boat ride on the lake reveals many water bird species and schools of Hippos.
Overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
Day 2 Lake Naivasha ( Take a Day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park)
After a delicious breakfast, we travel overland to Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day game viewing experience. The spectacular alkaline Lake is famously known as the feeding ground of both lesser and greater flamingos. This National park, which is fenced all round is a sanctuary for birds, Rothschild giraffes and both black and white-rhinos. Other mammals in abundance include Waterbucks, Buffalos, Gazelles, Lions, Baboons and the elusive Leopards sometimes seen sleeping on the horizontal branches of the “Fever trees”. Lunch will be served at one of the lodges located in the game park, offering its own local specialties, served with fresh produce from the region.
Overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
Day 3 Lake Naivasha – Maasai Mara Game Reserve
After a leisure breakfast at Naivasha Sopa Lodge, depart overland to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve-jewel of Kenya’s Game Park. The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s finest and most outstanding wildlife sanctuary where gentle rolling grassland ensures animals are never out of sight. The climate is gentle, rarely too hot and well spread rainfall year round. The sensation of the great wildebeest migration between July and October is unparalleled. The wildlife is far from being confined within the Reserve boundaries and an even larger area extends beyond the game Reserve. Centuries of close association with the wildlife has resulted in an almost symbiotic relationship where wildlife and Maasai people live in peace with one another.
After lunch, explore the Reserve on a late evening ‘Spice’ game drive. No matter how much you have thought about Africa, this is more than you expected—the big five-Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino and Cape buffalo are in abundance.
Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
Day 4 Explore Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Today we will be spending in the vast eco-system of the Mara searching for the big five and much more. You also have an optional balloon safari — Many call it a once in a life time experience, once you are up, you won’t want to come down, and once you land, champagne breakfast awaits you. Game viewing is great from the air with the opportunity for beautiful pictures. The annual wildebeest migration is expected in the Maasai Mara between July and early November. Millions of animals migrate to the Mara from Serengeti in search for fresh green pastures and water. It’s worth noting that every game drive is different from the other, and missing one is missing out on the fun.
Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}
Day 5 Maasai Mara Game Reserve – Nairobi
We enjoy an early breakfast and then we drive to Nairobi. We have lunch at the InterContinental Hotel. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure. You might take this opportunity to visit our local stores in down town Nairobi. The store displays items pertaining to Kenya cultural heritage, and offers unique carvings, artifacts, clothing and gem stones to augment and expand the experiences you’ve had on your visit.
If you are returning home today, you have a day room available for the afternoon and dinner at the Hotel is included. Early in the evening, depart for home. As we leave Africa we know that the old adage is true: you may leave Africa, but Africa will never leave you.
Dayrooms at the InterContinental Hotel or similar
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner}