5 Days Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara Family Safari

• Visa & entry requirements: Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), applied for online before departure.
• Health & vaccinations: A yellow fever certificate is required only if arriving from a country with risk of transmission. Malaria risk is lower at higher-altitude Lake Nakuru but present in the Masai Mara, so anti-malarial medication and repellent are recommended.
• Currency & payments: The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the local currency; US Dollars are widely accepted at lodges for extras, tips and souvenirs.
• Park entry fees: All Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Reserve entrance fees are included in your package price.
• Road conditions: A mix of tarmac and murram (graded dirt) roads; our vehicles with pop-up roofs are built for these conditions.
• Tipping culture: Not included in the price — a common guideline is $15–20 per person per day for your driver-guide.
• Group size & family travel: This 5 Days Kenya Safari runs as a shared safari for groups of up to 10 people and is a popular choice for families.

• Neutral-coloured clothing in khaki, olive, beige or brown — avoid bright colours and all-black/dark blue.
• Layers — Lake Nakuru sits at a higher altitude and can be noticeably cooler than the Mara, especially in the early morning.
• Wide-brimmed hat and polarised sunglasses for long hours in an open-roof game-viewing vehicle.
• High-SPF sunscreen and insect repellent (with DEET).
• Comfortable closed walking shoes plus sandals for the lodge or camp.
• Binoculars — essential for spotting flamingos, distant wildlife and birds.
• Camera gear with a zoom lens, spare batteries or a power bank, and memory cards.
• A light rain jacket or poncho, particularly in the March–May or November shoulder seasons.
• Personal medication and a basic first-aid kit, including anti-malarial tablets if prescribed.
• Small denomination US Dollars or Kenyan Shillings for tips, drinks and curio shopping.
• A universal travel adapter — Kenya uses UK-style (Type G) three-pin plugs.

Peak season (July–October): The classic dry season and the best time for this Masai Mara safari to coincide with the Great Wildebeest Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River. Early booking is recommended.

Short dry / calving season (late December–February): Dry, sunny weather and predators in hunting mode as calving season further south draws game into the ecosystem. Popular with families over the holidays.

Green / low season (March–May): The long rains bring lush, dramatically green landscapes, fewer tourists and noticeably lower lodge rates — the best time for a budget-friendly Kenya Safari, though some murram roads can get muddy.

Shoulder season (June and November): June offers drying roads and thinning crowds ahead of the July migration rush, while November's short rains bring a similar green, quiet, good-value window before the December peak.

Transport in a safari minivan or land cruiser, full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner), game drives in a vehicle with a pop-up open roof, all Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara National Reserve park entry fees, an English-speaking driver-guide, and government taxes.

International flights and the Kenya eTA/visa fee, a Maasai village visit, the optional hot air balloon safari and any other extra payable activities, travel insurance, and drinks, telephone calls, tips or other incidental charges.

Yes — the 5 Days Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Safari is one of our most popular family itineraries thanks to its manageable pace, comfortable full-board lodges, and a mix of easy wildlife viewing (Lake Nakuru's flamingos and rhino) with the bigger-ticket Masai Mara safari experience. Contact us to discuss family room configurations and any child rates.

Lake Nakuru is best known for its flocks of flamingos and as a rhino sanctuary protecting both black and white rhino, alongside lion, giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck and over 400 recorded bird species.

The Mara River crossings typically occur between July and October, when wildebeest and zebra migrate north from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara in search of fresh grazing — though exact timing varies year to year with rainfall patterns.

Most visitors require a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which should be applied for online before your trip. Requirements vary by nationality, so check current rules well ahead of travel.

A safari minivan or land cruiser with a pop-up roof for unobstructed game viewing and photography, driven by an experienced, English-speaking driver-guide throughout the trip. Game drives are run as shared safaris for groups of up to 10 people.

Yes — we can upgrade to a private vehicle, add extra nights in either park, include a hot air balloon safari or Maasai village visit, or combine the trip with a beach extension on the Kenyan coast. Contact us to tailor your Kenya Safari.

A common guideline is $15–20 per person per day for your driver-guide, with a smaller amount left for lodge staff — tipping is appreciated but always at your discretion.