Masai Mara National Reserve is located in south west Kenya and is a vast scenic expanse of gently rolling African savannah plains measuring 1510 square kilometers in area and bordering the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the south. Masai Mara is a unique wildlife conservation haven famous for its spectacular natural diversity of wildlife and is the premier Kenya Safari location in East Africa, offering visitors numerous reasons to visit this animal paradise
Lake Nakuru National Park
“A beautiful wildlife haven”
On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, lies the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking,picnic and game drives.
Crescent Island
A True Sanctuary
A small paradise in the middle of Lake Naivasha. The Island is situated on the Eastern side of Lake Naivasha and forms part of the rim of an extinct volcano protruding out of the lake. With panoramic views from the top of the hill to open plains and thickets of trees by the shores, this island truly is nature at her best. (The island has oscillated between being an island and a peninsula over the years, depending on the lake levels.)
ITINERARY
DAY 1: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, MARA SERENA LODGE, MEAL PLAN IS FULL BOARD
You would be picked up from your hotel at 08:30 to be taken to Wilson Airport to catch up for flight at 10:00 to Masai Mara National Reserve where you would arrive at 11:00. You would be met and start this day game viewing drive being transferred to the Mara Serena Safari Lodge for check in formalities.
Thereafter from 13:00 there would be lunch followed by a relaxation in the lodge until time for game viewing drive from 15:30 to 18:00 time for refreshments in the camp then at 19:00 dinner would start.
DAY 2: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, MARA SERANA LODGE, MEAL PLAN IS FULL BOARD
Balloon flight day;
This day you would have to wake up very early in the morning to be transferred to the balloon flight starting point in the heart on Masai Mara National Reserve where you would realize there’s nothing more spectacular than launching at sunrise and floating effortlessly in a hot air balloon over the Masai Mara Game reserve.
The balloon crew will assist as you climb into your balloon basket for take-off just before sunrise, at about 06:30. As you rise the Maasai Mara plains opens up before your eyes to feast on the golden sunrise, enchanting sceneries, plains-game below as the winds gently blows the basket deeper into the reserve. The pilot is at hand pointing out at the wildlife below with plenty of photographic opportunities unfolding. Soar silently with 360 degrees of spectacular savannah lasting approximately one hour, depending on wind conditions.
Upon landing between 7:15 and 7:30 AM, observe the complete deflation of the balloon envelope as our vehicles wait for you for a short drive to your morning hearty meal point.
Our breakfast is set up on the picturesque savannah plains of the Mara, typically under the shade of a single balanite tree. Sit down to a full bush breakfast in the Kenyan style, complete with eggs-to-order, sausages, fresh juices, fruits, cereals and, of course, sparkling wine.
During breakfast, you can also peruse the photos your pilot has taken during the flight, and decide whether you would like to purchase the photos. The finale is balloon flight certificate signed by your pilot as a memoir.
After breakfast, continue enjoying a leisurely game drive back to your lodge to arrive by around 12:30 already reliving the memories of the morning’s flight.
Lunch would follow then relaxation until at 15:30 for another game viewing drive until at 18:00 time for refreshments in the lodge then from 19:30 dinner and overnight.
Inclusions for the balloon flight are;
Transfer from Lodge
Tea, coffee and toilet at launch site
Approximately 1 hour flight
Binoculars on board
Champagne celebration
Choice of sumptuous breakfasts in the wild
Wifi at breakfast
Flight Certificate and folder
Complementary photography
Transfer to rendezvous with your own vehicle /guide
DAY 3. MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, MARA SERANA LODGE, MEAL PLAN IS FULL BOARD
This day you would have tea or a coffee and a snack at 06:00 then at 06:30 depart for early morning game viewing drive which facilities spotting nocturnal animals like the leopard, aardvark, porcupine and civet, mongoose and many others including of course all the resident animals.
Such animals are active during the night or at very early in the morning and can easily be see during this early morning game viewing drive. You would return in the lodge for breakfast at around 08:30 then rest in the lodge until at 10:00 time for another game viewing drive until time for lunch in the lodge at 12:30.
In the afternoon from 15:30 there shall be another game viewing drive until at 18:00 time for refreshments in the lodge then from 19:30 dinner would start followed by overnight in the lodge.
Night game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve;
Night game drives in Masai Mara are quite a thrill and provide a wonderful opportunity to spot the nocturnal animals which are more active at night than during the day. Some of these nocturnal wildlife that you are likely to see include: Aardvark, Leopards, Hippos, Bat Eared Fox, Silver backed jackal, Honeybadger, Striped Hyena, Banded Mongoose as well as Bush Baby, Bush Pig, Caracal, Genet Cat, Cape Hares, Porcupines, Civet cats, Aardwolf and Owl.
As to what time or when these night game drives take place, the typical timing is from 19:00 to 21:00 (to start the game drive), with a typical duration of 2 hours. The 21:00 night safari would therefore occur after dinner while the 19:00 one takes place before dinner.
DAY 4. MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, MARA SERANA LODGE, MEAL PLAN IS FULL BOARD
This day you would have tea or a coffee and a snack at 06:00 then at 06:30 depart for early morning game viewing drive which facilities spotting nocturnal animals like the leopard, aardvark, porcupine and civet, mongoose and many others including of course other resident animals. Such animals are active during the night or at dawn. And can easily be see during this early morning game viewing drive. You would return in the lodge for breakfast at around 08:30 then rest in the lodge until time at 10:00 time for another mid-morning game viewing drive until time for lunch in the lodge at 12:30.
In the afternoon from 15:30 there shall be another game viewing drive until at 18:30 time for refreshments in the lodge then from 19:30 dinner would start followed by overnight in the lodge.
Masai Village visit;
During this afternoon game viewing drive you would visit Masai Village in Masai Mara National Reserve where you will meet a Masai family, predominantly consisting of women who sell ornaments and curios.
They will also demonstrate their deep affection for their homestead, known as a Boma, which comprises round huts made of sticks, mud, and cow dung. Children will be joyfully singing with their mothers, expressing their natural hospitality to visitors.
Despite the current mandatory school attendance, some Masai children may be reluctant to attend due to strong cultural beliefs. These beliefs include the importance of cattle as a measure of wealth and the tradition of marrying at a young age, often when they have just entered their teenage years.
Later you would go back to the lodge for refreshment at 18:30 then dinner and would start followed by a night game viewing driver from 09:00 to 10:30 then go back to the lodge for overnight this busy day in the wilderness.
DAY 5. LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, THE CLIFF CAMP, MEAL PLAN IS FULL BOARD
This day there shall not be any morning activities in Masai Mara National reserve of game viewing drive since you would be supposed to be at the reserve gate at 10:00.
You would wake up for breakfast then our 4WD land cruiser would pick you as usual and depart to proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park where you would arrive in the afternoon at time for enroute game viewing drive The Cliff Camp for lunch.
After a rest you would leave for evening game viewing drive at 15:30 until time for refreshments in the lodge from 18:30 then dinner and overnight in the camp.
From 15:30 there would be a game viewing drive until time for time for refreshment in the lodge at 18:30 then dinner and overnight in the lodge.
DAY 6. 3. 10. 2025, NAIROBI CITY, MEAL PLAN IS LUNCH ONLY
This day you would have tea or a coffee and a snack at 06:00 then at 06:30 depart for early morning game viewing drive in Lake Nakuru National Park which facilities spotting nocturnal animals like the leopard, aardvark, porcupine and civet, mongoose and many others including of course all the resident animals.
Such animals are active during the night or very early in the morning and can easily be see during this early morning game viewing drive. You would return to the lodge for breakfast at around 08:30. Thereafter at 10:00 depart to Lake Naivasha for a tour of the lake by motorised boat to see the resident aquatic animals like the hippopotamus, fishes like the tilapia, resident birds and you proceed to the tour Crescent Island touring by foot guided by armed game rangers. This island is a home of home animals like major antelopes, common zebras, masai giraffes and many more then proceed to Blooming Suites for your sumptuous vegetarian lunch.
Later you would depart to Nairobi City where you would be dropped off at your booked Nairobi City hotel or at the airport in Nairobi City to proceed to the next destination.
End of the safari
INCLUSIONS
All Park fees
Flight from Nairobi City to Masai Mara National Reserve one way
Exclusive transport in a tourist fully converted 4WD Land Cruiser with a pop up roof
2 litre of water per person per day
Balloon flight in Masai Mara National Reserve on 1. 10. 2025
Masai Village tour in Masai Mara National Reserve 1. 10. 2025
Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk tour and lunch in Blooming Suites in Lake Naivasha
All our transport has insurance
EXCLUSIONS
Drinks
Gratuities for the service
Yellow fever vaccination
Visa
Things of personal use
EASTER SURCHARGE AND CHRISTMAS SURCHARGE
A surcharge would be charged per person per night on Good Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Easter Monday and on 24th 25th, 26th, 31st December and 1st January.
THE SUPPLEMENT WOULD BE CONFIRMED AT THE TIME OF BOOKING FOR CLARITY REASONS.
PLEASE YOU ARE ADVISED FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT AND COMFORT TO CARRY THE FOLLOWING ITEMS.
All weather firm shoe pair, short and dress to use during the day, trouser for use in the evenings with long sleeved shirt, sweater or jacket, hat, swimming costume, sun glass, camera, binocular, sun protection cream and insect repellent spray or cream.
RESERVATION, MODE OF PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY FOR ALL OUR TOP AFRICA SAFARIS SERVICES
You will be invoiced upon making a reservation confirmation which may be done by either sending a confirmation voucher or by sending a confirmation email and then payment becomes due.
Leave a Reply