5-Day Kenya Big Five Mara & Rift Lakes Safari Tour

5-Days
Kenya
From: $1,066
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5-Day Kenya Big Five Mara & Rift Lakes Safari Tour
Tour Overview
Itinerary
Tour Cost
Inclusions
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This 5-day Kenya safari offers a well-rounded journey through the country’s most iconic wildlife and scenic destinations.

Starting in Nairobi, you’ll travel to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, where vast savannahs and abundant wildlife create the ultimate Big 5 safari experience.

With shared game drives, you’ll explore this world-famous reserve guided by experts who maximize your chances of unforgettable sightings.

The adventure continues through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its rhino sanctuary and birdlife, and then to the tranquil shores of Lake Naivasha.

This group sharing safari blends wildlife, landscapes, and relaxation, making it ideal for travelers seeking variety and value in one seamless itinerary.

Who This Safari Is Ideal For

  • First-time visitors seeking a complete Kenya safari experience

  • Budget-conscious travelers wanting a group sharing safari

  • Wildlife lovers looking to see the Big 5 and rhinos

  • Travelers who enjoy diverse landscapes and lakeside relaxation

 

Why This Safari Best

  • Combines Masai Mara with two Rift Valley lakes

  • High chances of seeing the Big 5 and endangered rhinos

  • Shared safari lowers costs while maintaining quality

  • Scenic and diverse itinerary across Kenya’s top regions

  • Balanced pace between adventure and relaxation

Tour Highlights

Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve

Rhino and bird viewing in Lake Nakuru National Park

Boat safari option at Lake Naivasha

Scenic Great Rift Valley landscapes

Shared pop-up roof 4x4 and minivan safari experience

Expert-guided wildlife adventures

Tour Map

Tour Features

Budget tour

This budget tour uses tented camps and hotels.

Shared tour

On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 8 people per vehicle.

Can be customized

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Suitable for single travelers

Single travelers can join this group tour.

Can start any day

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Suitable for all ages

This tour is suitable for children of all ages.

Day 1

Nairobi → Masai Mara – Scenic Journey & Game Drive

Depart Nairobi early in the morning and travel through the Great Rift Valley with a stop at a scenic viewpoint.

Continue to Masai Mara, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge or camp.

In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive across the reserve’s vast plains, spotting wildlife such as lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Road transfer Nairobi → Masai Mara (~5–6 hours, ~270 km) in pop-up roof minivan/4x4 + game drive

Accommodation

AA Lodge Masai Mara

Day 2

Masai Mara – Full Day Game Drives

Spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives.

This reserve is renowned for its dense wildlife population and excellent predator sightings.

You may opt for a full-day game drive with a packed lunch to maximize your time in the park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Shared pop-up roof 4x4/minivan game drives

Accommodation

AA Lodge Masai Mara

Day 3

Masai Mara → Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, traveling through the scenic Rift Valley.

Arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive.

Lake Nakuru is famous for its rhinos, flamingos, and diverse birdlife, offering a unique contrast to the Mara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (~5–6 hours, ~300 km) + game drive in pop-up roof vehicle

Accommodation

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Day 4

Lake Nakuru → Lake Naivasha – Lakeside Relaxation

After breakfast, enjoy a short drive to Lake Naivasha.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy lunch overlooking the lake.

In the afternoon, you may opt for a boat ride or a guided walk on Crescent Island, where you can get close to giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Road transfer (~2–3 hours, ~80 km) in pop-up roof vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel Chambai Safari

Day 5

Lake Naivasha → Nairobi – Departure

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and return to Nairobi.

Enjoy scenic views along the way, arriving in the city in the late morning or early afternoon.

This marks the end of your unforgettable Kenya safari.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Road transfer Lake Naivasha → Nairobi (~2 hours, ~90 km) in pop-up roof vehicle

Accommodation

No Accomodations ( End of the Tour )

Important to know

The prices below are per person (based on two adults travelling together) and please note that the prices are approximate for 2026.

Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday.

There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.

Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.

Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.

Rates Per Person

Landcruiser rates per Person
Month/SeasonSingle2 People3 People4 People5 People6 People
January - June$2,429$1,546$1,361$1,186$1,147$1,066
July - October$2,982$2,008$1,854$1,649$1,628$1,529
November - December 20th$2,647$1,746$1,567$1,387$1,351$1,267
21st December - January 1st$2,785$1,361$1,357$1,002$1,071$822
Tour Van rates per Person
Month/SeasonSingle2 people3 people4 people5 people6 people
January - June$2,026$1,344$1,227$1,086$1,067$999
July - October$2,579$1,807$1,720$1,548$1,548$1,462
November - December 20th$2,245$1,545$1,433$1,286$1,271$1,200
21st December - January 1st$2,383$1,160$1,222$901$990$815

Included

Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excluded

International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Meal Plan

breakfast
lunch
dinner
drinking-water

Check Tour Availability

Check Availability

We Are Highly Recommended

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HerciliaAC profile picture
HerciliaAC
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Incredible I had an absolutely incredible one-day tour in Nairobi. From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized and seamless, making the whole experience truly enjoyable and stress-free. What really made this tour stand out were Morris and Blessing. They are simply amazing. Both of them went above and beyond to make sure I felt comfortable, safe, and fully immersed in the experience. Their knowledge, warmth, and genuine passion for what they do made every moment even more special. You can tell they truly care about their guests and want you to have the best possible experience. In just one day, I was able to see and experience so much of Nairobi, and it left me with unforgettable memories. I felt very well taken care of the entire time, and everything was done with such professionalism and kindness. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Nairobi. If you have the chance to go with Morris and Blessing, don’t think twice. They will make your experience truly exceptional.
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MPLovesKenya
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The Perfect sun sea and safari break in Kenya The Benuki team crafted our holiday to absolute perfection. We were lucky to enjoy beautiful weather, but even beyond that, the combination of sun, sea and safari exceeded every expectation. The accommodation was exceptional—excellent value, superb service, and truly outstanding cuisine. Nomad Hotel, in particular, was a dream; the perfect haven for complete rest and relaxation. Chui is simply an extraordinary guide—calm, insightful and wonderfully knowledgeable. Even with a short safari, we experienced some truly memorable amazing and magical moments . They say Africa changes you, and we truly felt that. The passion, care and dedication of the Benuki team played a big part in making this experience unforgettable. Thank you
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lillian k profile picture
lillian k
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Fantastic ​Our 3-day group joining safari to Maasai Mara with Benuki Safaris was absolutely incredible! From the moment we were picked up in Nairobi, our guide was knowledgeable, professional, and went above and beyond to make sure we had the best experience possible. The group was a great mix of people, and the shared 4x4 made the journey fun and comfortable. We saw so many animals—the sheer number of wildebeest and zebras was mind-blowing, and we were lucky enough to spot lions, cheetahs, and even a leopard! The accommodation was comfortable and clean, with delicious food and friendly staff. This trip was an exceptional value for money and a truly unforgettable adventure. Highly, highly recommend Benuki Safaris for anyone looking to experience the magic of the Mara!
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Peretz B
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Amazing safari experience with steven Amazing safari experience with Steven Excellent experience overall. Our skilled driver Steven was great, he answered all our questions , made sure he positioned the car with the best angle for us to see and photograph the wild animals, very punctual. Totally recommend.
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LEAH K
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Amazing The trip was interesting ❤️❤️❤️ and we really enjoyed the view and we are looking forward to come back again as soon as we can I can recommend any other person who is willing
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irene u profile picture
irene u
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Wanna talk of a moment that you want to re-live? Professionalism at its best,the scenes were amazing. Ideal for any person who is adventurous ,definitely a place to choose over and over.
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master V profile picture
master V
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One in a million indeed good memories last and something nice leaves a mark what a day The scenery were wow very appealing it left a mark that one will wish to attend now and then due to the remarkable moments .
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james M
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Higly Recommended Excellent and always on time.If you’re looking for a company that combines professionalism with a personal touch, Benuki Safaris should be at the top of your list.
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Awino S
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Unforgettable Views: Serene Waters, Dramatic Cliffs, and Magical Sunsets The views at this destination are absolutely breathtaking! Crystal-clear waters meet dramatic cliffs, and the sunsets are nothing short of magical. A perfect mix of serenity and adventure, it’s an unforgettable escape from reality.
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Lynne C
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Excellent Safari Company We booked our trip with Benuki Safaris and did not really know what to expect, but hoped for the best. Amazing trip is all we can say to friends that ask! First of all, we looked at several companies but found that Morris with Benuki responded quickly to all of our queries, worked with us to find the most optimal itinerary to meet our needs, and displayed the utmost professionalism right from the start. We arrived in Nairobi and we were met by a staff member that somehow managed to get us priority treatment all the way through to the van where we met Morris. We were escorted to our hotel for rest until we left on Safari. Steven was our guide and driver and he was awesome. He explained things well, knowledgable about wildlife, history, people, and culture. He was funny, prompt and amenable to our requests while on safari. They gave us the warning that we may not see animals, because it is the wilderness. We live in a wilderness area so understand the warning. However, Steven communicated with other drivers, park officials, rangers and just about anyone that gave us inside information as to where animals were hanging out. In our very first trip to Lake Nakuru we saw Lions, Leopards, White Rhinos, a Python, and so much more. Steven was polite to other drivers but still managed to get us as close as possible to animals. Masai Mara was amazing and Steven knew the area well. We added Elephants, Cheetahs, Hippos, Giraffes, Zebras, Wart Hogs, Monkeys, Baboons, and the list goes on. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Steven to all of the parks. Our last day he drove us to the border, where he introduced us to our Tanzanian guide, Pius, and Chef DVD,(Africa Miles) all arranged ahead by Morris. *Note to make sure you have your yellow fever vaccination on a yellow international vaccination card or they will charge you $50 US to have them write it on a card. We argued, unsuccessfully that we did not need the vaccine (same price) but just the card. Still had to pay to enter the country. We switched over our gear and began our camping adventure. Pius and DVD took excellent care of us, going to Northern Serengeti, Lobos. What an incredible campsite we had, and we were very pleasantly surprised by the amazing food prepared by DVD! They both took great care to ensure we enjoyed our experience. Camping was so fun, feeling like we were immersed in the circle of life, but yet oddly safe! We awoke to zebras and buffalo nearby in a field, baboons and vervet monkeys eyeing the cookhouse, and a gorgeous sunrise. We moved to middle Serengeti, Seronera after a few days. Again, so many animals, different landscape, and slightly different adventures but all incredible. One evening there was a hippo blocking access to the men's bathroom, but adjustments were made in camp and we all got along! From there we went to Ngorongoro Crater which was truly an experience unlike the others. Wildebeests, zebras, rhinos, lions etc. Animals as far as the eye could see at one point in the journey. At the very end of our trip Pius took us to a park at Lake Manyara. This was nice scenery, and we saw a few elephants, but a letdown after seeing the amazing parks we had been through. We would recommend skipping Lake Manyara and spending additional time at Ngorongoro crater or heading to Arusha early to explore more of that town. We were escorted to our hotel, and they arranged for a ride to the airport the following day because we had booked a side adventure on our own to Zanzibar. Everyone we came into contact with was professional, friendly, and accommodating. Overall, we had an incredibly fantastic safari with Benuki! Thank you again to Morris, Steven, Pius, DVD and all the other staff that made our trip so memorable. Asante Sana!!!
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