The 8 Days Kenya Big Five and Great Rift Valley Safari is a comprehensive Kenya wildlife holiday combining spectacular scenery, diverse ecosystems and memorable game drives. Your journey takes you through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, the wildlife-rich plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the scenic Lake Nakuru National Park and the freshwater environment of Lake Naivasha. Kenya’s wildlife destinations provide opportunities to search for the Big Five, namely lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, alongside giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and abundant birdlife. Lake Nakuru is recognised for its rhino conservation and diverse birdlife, while the Maasai Mara is renowned for its expansive savannah and wildlife. The Great Rift Valley adds spectacular escarpments, lakes and viewpoints to the safari experience.
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
Your 8 Days Kenya Big Five Safari begins with collection from your hotel, residence or agreed arrival point in Nairobi. You depart the capital and travel towards the Great Rift Valley, with an opportunity to stop at a scenic viewpoint to appreciate the dramatic escarpments and surrounding countryside. You then continue towards Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s important wildlife and birdwatching destinations. After arrival and lunch, you embark on an afternoon game drive through the park, exploring grasslands, woodland and areas surrounding the lake. Lake Nakuru is particularly recognised for its black and white rhinos, while the wider ecosystem supports buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras and numerous bird species. After your game drive, you return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, you enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, giving you another opportunity to explore the park’s diverse habitats and search for wildlife. You may encounter rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, waterbuck and other species as your guide takes you through suitable wildlife areas. After the game drive, you depart Lake Nakuru and continue through the scenic Great Rift Valley towards Lake Naivasha. The journey provides opportunities to appreciate the distinctive landscapes created by the Rift Valley, including escarpments, open countryside and freshwater lake environments. After lunch and check-in at your accommodation, you can enjoy an optional boat excursion on Lake Naivasha, where you may see hippos and waterbirds. The afternoon offers a more relaxed pace before you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight relaxation.
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Naivasha Simba Lodge, Lake Naivasha Resort
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Lake Naivasha and Great Rift Valley Exploration
Today is dedicated to exploring the Lake Naivasha area and experiencing more of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. After breakfast, you can enjoy a boat excursion on the freshwater lake, depending on the confirmed safari programme, providing an opportunity to observe hippos and a variety of waterbirds. The surrounding landscape features open grasslands, acacia trees and dramatic Rift Valley scenery, making the area particularly appealing for photography and nature observation. You can also visit a nearby attraction such as Hell’s Gate National Park, subject to the agreed itinerary, where the landscape is characterised by cliffs, gorges and volcanic features. After lunch, you continue with your chosen nature experience before returning towards Lake Naivasha. The day provides a useful contrast to traditional game drives by combining scenic exploration, birdwatching and freshwater wildlife experiences.
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, Naivasha Simba Lodge, Lake Naivasha Resort
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Maasai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, you depart Lake Naivasha and travel towards the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes you from the Great Rift Valley towards the open savannah landscapes of the Mara ecosystem. You can enjoy views of rural Kenya and changing vegetation as you travel towards one of the country’s best-known wildlife destinations. After arrival and lunch, you begin your first afternoon game drive in the Maasai Mara. Your safari guide will help you search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other plains game. The reserve is also associated with the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, while wildlife viewing takes place throughout the year. You return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Full-Day Maasai Mara Big Five Safari
You begin the day with an early breakfast before heading into the Maasai Mara for a full-day game drive. The open grasslands and varied habitats provide opportunities to search for the Big Five, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and, in suitable areas, rhinos. You can also look out for cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, topis, hyenas and numerous bird species. Your professional safari guide will select routes based on wildlife activity, road conditions and the interests included in your safari programme. You enjoy a picnic lunch or return to the lodge for lunch depending on the day’s schedule. In the afternoon, you continue exploring the Mara before returning to your accommodation as the day comes to an end. The combination of open savannah, abundant wildlife and dramatic scenery makes the Maasai Mara a central part of your Kenya wildlife safari.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Maasai Mara Wildlife and Cultural Experience
After breakfast, you enjoy another morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, providing additional time to explore the reserve and observe its wildlife. Your guide will take you through selected areas where you can look for elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and other species. After the morning wildlife experience, you return for lunch before participating in an optional Maasai cultural experience, where available and included in your confirmed programme. You can learn about traditional Maasai customs, crafts, music, dance, livestock keeping and community life through a respectful community visit. The cultural experience adds a human dimension to your Kenya safari and complements the wildlife encounters of the previous days. You later return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation, giving you time to enjoy your final evening in the Maasai Mara.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Maasai Mara to Nairobi
You enjoy an early breakfast before departing the Maasai Mara and beginning your journey back to Nairobi. Depending on your confirmed programme and departure time, you may have a short morning game drive before leaving the reserve, giving you one final opportunity to observe wildlife. You then continue through the Kenyan countryside, with the journey providing views of rural communities, farmland and changing landscapes. On reaching Nairobi, you have lunch before checking into your accommodation. Depending on the time available, you can relax at the hotel or enjoy an optional city activity before your final evening. Your guide can also assist with any arrangements needed for your departure the following day. You spend the evening reflecting on your Great Rift Valley scenery, Lake Nakuru wildlife experiences and Maasai Mara game drives.
Accommodation: Eka Hotel, Ole Sereni Hotel, Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Departure
Your final day is reserved for departure, bringing your 8 Days Kenya Big Five and Great Rift Valley Safari to an end. After breakfast, you can enjoy some free time at your hotel depending on your flight schedule. If your departure is later in the day, you may have an opportunity to relax, enjoy a final meal or purchase souvenirs before your airport transfer. Silverback Tour will arrange your transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or another agreed departure point in Nairobi. Your representative will ensure that you arrive in good time for your onward journey. This marks the conclusion of your Kenya safari after exploring the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Maasai Mara. You depart with memories of spectacular landscapes, diverse wildlife, Big Five viewing opportunities and the unique character of Kenya’s Rift Valley safari circuit.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Included in the Safari
- Private safari transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- National park and reserve entry fees as specified
- Game drives as outlined in the itinerary
- Great Rift Valley scenic viewpoints where applicable
- Lake Naivasha boat excursion where included in the confirmed package
- Maasai cultural experience where included in the confirmed programme
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Airport and hotel transfers where applicable
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
- Driver-guide allowances
- Safari planning and assistance from Silverback Tour
Excluded from the Safari
- International flights
- Kenya visa and applicable entry requirements
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Optional activities not included in the confirmed itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Additional meals and drinks outside the stated meal plan
- Photography and video equipment
- Emergency medical expenses or evacuation
- Any increase in park fees, taxes or government charges introduced after confirmation, where applicable
- Any other service not specifically listed under inclusions.