7-Day Kenya Great Rift Valley Safari
Tour Description
This 7-day safari takes you through Kenya’s most dramatic landscapes from the freshwater shores of Lake Naivasha to the soda-tinged waters of Lake Nakuru and finally into the wildlife capital of East Africa, the Masai Mara. Explore three distinct ecosystems: walk among giraffes on Crescent Island, track rhinos in Nakuru’s sanctuary, and witness the Great Migration’s river crossings (seasonal). This is the ultimate Rift Valley experience lakes, predators, and endless plains.
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha: Rift Valley views & lakeside relaxation
Day 2: Lake Naivasha: Boat safari, hippos & Crescent Island walking safari
Day 3: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru: Rhino tracking & flamingos
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara: Afternoon game drive
Day 5: Full day game drive in Masai Mara
Day 6: Full day game drive Masai Mara
Day 7: Final Morning game drive in Masai Mara to Nairobi for departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha
Depart Nairobi in the morning and descend into the Great Rift Valley. The escarpment unfolds beneath you volcanic craters, distant lakes, and the vast floor of the valley stretching to the horizon. Arrive at Lake Naivasha in time for lunch at your lakeside lodge. The afternoon is yours to relax, or you can head out on an optional boat safari to meet the resident hippos and watch fish eagles dive for their catch.
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Lodge/Camp
Day 2: Lake Naivasha: Boat Safari & Crescent Island Walk
Start your day with a morning boat safari across the freshwater lake. Hippos grunt in the shallows, and the shoreline is alive with birds kingfishers, cormorants, and the iconic African fish eagle. The boat glides past secluded coves and floating islands of papyrus.
In the afternoon, embark on a guided nature walk on Crescent Island. This is one of the few places in Kenya where you can walk among wildlife giraffes, zebras, and antelope graze just metres away. The island’s open landscape allows for intimate, up-close encounters that feel almost prehistoric. Return to your lodge for a relaxed evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Lodge/Camp
Day 3: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, depart Naivasha and drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is a fenced sanctuary for both black and white rhinos, offering one of the best chances in Kenya to see these magnificent creatures.
The afternoon game drive takes you along the lakeshore, where thousands of flamingos often gather (seasonal), painting the water pink. But the real stars are the rhinos you’ll likely spot several white rhinos grazing in the open grasslands and, with luck, the shy black rhino hiding in the bush. Rothschild giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and waterbuck roam the acacia woodlands, and lions lounge in the trees. Climb to Baboon Cliff for a panoramic view of the entire lake basin.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge/Camp
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
Take one final morning game drive in Lake Nakuru a last chance to see rhinos and flamingos in the early light. Return for breakfast, check out, and begin the journey southwest toward the Masai Mara.
The drive takes you through the Great Rift Valley and into Kenya’s fertile highlands, passing through Narok, the last major town before the reserve. Arrive in the Masai Mara in the afternoon, check in, and head straight out for your first game drive. The open plains stretch endlessly, dotted with acacia trees and grazing herds. Lions, elephants, and giraffes welcome you to this legendary landscape.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tented Camp/Lodge in Masai Mara
Day 5: Full-Day Masai Mara Game Drive
A full day dedicated to exploring the Masai Mara. Morning and afternoon game drives cover different regions of the reserve the riverine forests along the Mara River, the open plains of the Serengeti extension, and the kopjes where predators laze in the sun.
This is classic savannah safari. Lions stalk their prey, cheetahs sprint across the grasslands, and elephants lead their families through the acacia trees. If you’re visiting between July and October, the Mara River becomes the stage for one of nature’s greatest spectacles wildebeest and zebra crossing the crocodile-infested waters. A picnic lunch inside the reserve allows uninterrupted wildlife viewing.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tented Camp/Lodge in Masai Mara
Day 6: Full Day Game drive in Masai Mara
Another full day in the Mara your last full day to soak in the savannah. Rise early for a sunrise game drive when the big cats are most active. Watch lion prides return from the hunt, cheetahs scanning from termite mounds, and hyenas on the prowl.
Spend the day exploring sectors of the reserve your guide recommends based on wildlife movements. Each corner of the Mara offers something different: the riverine forests hold leopards and forest birds, the open plains teem with gazelle and wildebeest, and the hills provide panoramic views. Return to camp for a final dinner under the stars, the sounds of the wild surrounding you.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tented Camp/Lodge in Masai Mara
Day 7: Final Morning Game drive in Masai Mara to Nairobi for departure
One last early morning game drive a final farewell to the savannah as dawn breaks. The light is golden, and the wildlife stirs from the night. Capture those last images of lions, elephants, and the endless plains. Return to camp for breakfast, pack up, and depart the reserve.
The drive back to Nairobi takes you through the Rift Valley escarpment, offering one final panoramic view of Kenya’s landscapes. Arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, where your safari ends with a drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Trip Includes
Roundtrip transfers from Nairobi
Full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Lake Naivasha boat safari
Crescent Island guided nature walk
Lake Nakuru park entry fees
Masai Mara park entry fees
Game drives as mentioned in the itinerary
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
Trip Excludes
International flights and visas
Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
Optional activities (hot-air balloon safari, Maasai village visit)
Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, souvenirs)
Accommodation in Nairobi (pre/post safari)
