How do you feel about spending your vacation among lions, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, flamingos, and a bunch of other African wild animals? These are the some of the highlights of this 5-day safari that starts in Nairobi. We'll visit the Masai Mara Reserve, Lake Nakuru, and Aberdare National Park.
5-Day Safari in Kenya
Day 1: Nairobi - Aberdare National Park
At 8 am we'll pick you up at your hotel in Nairobi and leave the capital of Kenya for Aberdare National Park. We'll begin our safari in this nature reserve famous for its immense and lush landscape located at an altitude of more than 4000 meters (13,125 feet) above sea level.
During the tour, we'll try to spot the lions, leopards, buffaloes, and baboons that are local to the Aberdare National Park. We'll reveal a lot of fun facts about the animals we see and, with a bit of luck, we'll even spot rarer species, such as the African golden cat or the bongo antelope.
After the safari, we'll head to the hotel where you'll have the rest of the day free to eat and rest. From the comfort of the lodge, you can look out onto a swampy area where it's very common to see elephants!
Day 2: Aberdare National Park - Lake Nakuru
After enjoying breakfast at the lodge, we'll set off towards the Great Rift Valley to visit Lake Nakuru. After a four-hour drive, we'll arrive at the lodge to drop off our luggage and have lunch.
Once we're all refueled, we'll visit Lake Nakuru, which is full of flamingos and pelicans. Fun fact - these birds flock to this area because they're attracted by the algae that grow in the water. This is also one of the places in Kenya where it's common to see white and black rhinos, both endangered species. Get your camera ready!
We'll end the day by returning to the hotel to eat dinner and rest until the next day.
Day 3: Lake Nakuru - Maasai Mara
On this third day of the safari, we'll have breakfast at the lodge in Lake Nakuru before heading out to the Masai Mara National Reserve. During the minibus ride, we'll be able to see the breathtaking Mount Longonot volcano, all 2776 meters (9,100 feet) of it!
We'll arrive at the camp where we'll stay on this third night and have lunch before returning to the vehicle for our rendevous with the wild flora and fauna of these lands. If we're lucky, we'll see giraffes, elephants, monkeys, leopards, lions, and gazelles in their natural habitat. Wildlife watching in the Maasai Mara is excellent all year round thanks to the diverse population of native animals.
In the evening, we'll have dinner at the camp - what adventures await us tomorrow?
Day 4: Maasai Mara
On the fourth day, you'll have the morning free. If you wish, we highly recommend that you book a hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara, surely an unforgettable experience.
If you choose not to fly in the balloon, we'll take you on a safari to continue exploring the Maasai Mara from the ground. We'll see zebras, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, and other animals on the banks of the Mara River. We'll also learn about the tribe that inhabits this region and how they have adapted to modern society. There will be a delicious picnic lunch to enjoy during the excursion.
On the last day, we'll have dinner and sleep at the Maasai Mara camp.
Day 5: Maasai Mara - Nairobi
We've reached the last day of this exciting safari! After breakfast at the lodge, we'll depart Maasai Mara and head towards Nairobi. You'll be dropped off at your accommodation or at the airport, whichever you prefer, at approximately 2 pm.
Accommodation
The safari includes 4 nights of accommodation in the following places:
- Aberdare National Park: 5-star Ark Lodge or similar
- Lake Nakuru: 3-star Lanet Matfam Resort or similar
- Masai Mara: 3-star Mara Springs Camp or similar
Hot-air balloon ride over Maasai Mara
If you want to live an especially incredible experience during the fourth day of the safari, we highly recommend a hot air balloon ride over Maasai Mara. You'll watch the sun rise over this natural reserve full of wild grassland animals that are just waking up.
