Confidence Guarantee - Read more
8 days

Safari in Kenya: Rhinos & Masai Mara

Enjoy a taster of Kenya. See rhinoceroses in the Great Rift Valley, go on a cycling tour and get up close to Masai Mara’s amazing animal life. Option of extending the tour with a beach holiday.

Safari in Kenya: Rhinos & Masai Mara
Safari in Kenya: Rhinos & Masai Mara
8 days

Safari in Kenya: Rhinos & Masai Mara

Enjoy a taster of Kenya. See rhinoceroses in the Great Rift Valley, go on a cycling tour and get up close to Masai Mara’s amazing animal life. Option of extending the tour with a beach holiday.

HomeAfricaKenyaSafari in Kenya: Rhinos & Masai Mara
What is included in the price?
This package includes the following
  • Flights from the UK to Nairobi, including transfer
  • Local English-speaking guide/driver
  • 5 nights with full board
  • Boat ride on Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley
  • Hike on Crescent Island – get right up close to the animals
  • Bike ride in Hells Gate National Park
  • Full-day excursion to Lake Nakuru with a good chance of spotting rhinos
  • Masai Mara – the world’s largest concentration of wildlife
  • Transport and safaris in a 4WD Land Cruiser with Wi-Fi and power
  • Drinking water on the safaris
  • Admission and fees to the national parks and wildlife reserves mentioned
  • Flights from Nairobi to the UK including transfers
  • ATOL certificate
  • 24-hour manned emergency telephone throughout the tour
  • Departure guarantee – the tour will take place regardless of the number of participants

THE TOUR IN SHORT

If you fancy a taster of what Kenya has to offer, you should choose this tour. The tour is perfect for you if you have limited time. The experiences can easily be combined with a beach holiday after the safari part, giving you two holidays on the same trip, if there’s time.

The major highlight of the trip is, of course, Masai Mara and its amazing wildlife.

Before getting here, however, you first experience the freshwater lake Lake Naivasha, which is part of the Great Rift Valley. The lake and the surrounding areas offer excellent opportunities for active experiences, and you will go on a boat trip on the lake, on a hike on Crescent Island and on a bike ride in Hells Gate National Park before heading on to Masai Mara.

The days in Masai Mara promise world-class animal experiences. There’s no way of knowing quite what you’ll experience at Masai Mara – that’s the charm of nature. However, we guarantee that no two days are the same here – and that you will return with your camera full of great “shots”.

Why choose this tour

  • Unlike many safaris, you get to enjoy active experiences with water safaris, boat trips and bike rides
  • Nakuru National Park offers some of the best chances of seeing both black and white rhinos in the wild
  • Spending three nights in Masai Mara, you are in with a very good chance of seeing the Big 5
  • You go on safari in TourCompass’ own Landcruiser with power and Wi-Fi

Our prices always include

  • All international and domestic flights
  • All destination transfers
  • All specified excursions and activities
  • All accommodations
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Kenya

Today is departure day, and you fly to Kenya with stopovers on the way.

Day 2: Arrival in Nairobi – drive to the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha

Our driver will be waiting for you at the airport in Nairobi. The tour heads directly for the north-west and the Great Rift Valley, which extends 6,000 km from the Jordan Valley through East Africa to Mozambique. The Great Rift Valley consists of gorges and rifts – some quite narrow, some as much as 100 km wide. The freshwater lake Lake Naivasha is part of the Great Rift Valley and is home to pods of hippos and abundant birdlife.

The first experience of your tour awaits you on your arrival at Lake Naivasha: a boat trip on the lake. Crooked, leafless trees stand like sculptures in the water, forming excellent landing posts for storks, herons, ibis, etc.

You go ashore on the small island, Crescent Island, which is located on the eastern shore of the lake. Herds of zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and antelopes live here. There are no predators on the island, making a walking safari possible. As the animals have no natural enemies, you can get right up close to them and, for example, discover just how tall a giraffe really is.

The last experience of the day is a bike ride in Hells Gate National Park. It is one of the smallest national parks in Kenya and, like on Crescent Island, you can move among the animals in a slightly different way to usual. The trip here includes a bike ride and a short hike in Hells Gate National Park. The park is especially famous for its stunning rock formations and a number of hot springs.

Day 3: Full-day excursion to Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park, located north of Lake Naivasha, is one of the best places on the whole continent to see the endangered rhino. The white rhino is most commonly spotted, but you may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the even more endangered black rhino here. The day today is spent on a full-day safari in Lake Nakuru National Park.

In addition to rhinos, the park is known for its buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and, occasionally, the big cats, too. There are no elephants here, however.

Day 4: Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara

After breakfast, a drive to Masai Mara awaits you. Most of the day is spent on getting there. The traffic in Kenya can be unpredictable, so it’s hard to say exactly how long it will take. It is, on the other hand, an exciting drive through the Kenyan landscapes – interspersed with villages with lively markets, beautiful views and traders peddling their fruit and vegetables to the drivers.

Sit back in your seat, listen to an audio book or some music and enjoy the sight of Kenya passing by outside. Bear in mind that there is Wi-Fi and power in the car, so you can also take the opportunity to make your friends and loved ones at home jealous with a couple of holiday snaps.

The closer you get to Masai Mara, the more men dressed in bright red you will see. You drive through local villages, which are a hive of trading, and in many places, the villagers will wave eagerly to the passengers in the cars. If you wish, you can buy some fruit along the way – just let the driver know.

A short stop is made in Narok, the capital of the Masai, before continuing to Masai Mara. As the villages thin out, the number of wild animals increases.

You also have the option of visiting a Masai village. This should be arranged with the guide on the safari. It costs 25 USD per person (not included in the price of the holiday) and this is paid directly to the Masai people.

Days 5-6: Experiences in Masai Mara

The next couple of days are spent in Masai Mara – the Kenyan part of the vast Serengeti ecosystem and, in the rainy season, home to probably the world’s largest concentration of wildlife.

On the mighty plains, you will encounter large herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, giraffes, gazelles and other herbivorous prey of the hunting lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs.

You will get right up close to a host of animals, which you experience from the protection of the Land Cruiser.

From July to October, you can experience the 1,200 km long migration for water and fresh grass of more than one million wildebeest along with a couple of hundred thousand zebras plus countless Thompson gazelles. It is during this migration that many gazelles fall victim to the huge Nile crocodiles when crossing the Mara River.

Many people believe it is best to visit Masai Mara during the great migration, but there are animals on the grasslands all year round.

The next days are spent on a game drive. How this will take shape depends on the weather, the wildlife and you. You will normally agree on how you wish to spend the day with the guide – if you have any special wishes – and the guide will make use of his extensive experience of the wildlife and the area.

Day 7: Masai Mara – Nairobi – Homeward bound

It’s time to say goodbye to the savannah. On the way through Masai Mara, the last game drive awaits you before you head to Nairobi and the airport.

You can, of course, also choose to extend the tour with a beach holiday – or perhaps a few days in Nairobi and discover what the city has to offer.

Day 8: Arrival in the UK

You land in the UK after a lovely holiday in Kenya.

Combine with
Choose from the options below
Gorilla tracking in Uganda
4 nights

You’ve almost certainly seen pictures of the gentle furry mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

Why not complete your trip to East Africa by extending your holiday to include a tour to Uganda to look for the unique mountain gorillas?

We’ve made it easy for you and added this 5-day extension, when, besides gorilla tracking, you also go on a “walking safari” in Lake Mburo National Park.

It goes without saying that we have included flights, gorilla permits and full board almost everywhere.

It couldn’t be easier!

Please note: This extension only goes ahead when there are at least 2 people travelling.

This extension must be booked at least 70 days before departure.

Beach holiday in Zanzibar
6 nights

Surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar consists of the main islands of Unguja (also called ‘Zanzibar’) and Pemba, as well as a number of smaller islands. The island of Zanzibar is a treasure trove of natural and cultural treats. Brilliant white sandy beaches, azure seas and a truly amazing coral reef. A warm and sunny climate all year round. A dramatic history, liberally sprinkled with Arabian sultans, Portuguese seafarers, unscrupulous slavers and European explorers who have all left their mark on the island. And one of the most fascinating towns in Africa, dotted with fine examples of beautiful Arabian architecture. Not forgetting the delicious Swahili cuisine and the accommodating population …

Beach holiday in Mauritius
5 nights

The tropical island of Mauritius is one of the most exclusive and fascinating islands in the Indian Ocean. With its delightful climate and friendly population, this little slice of paradise is the perfect setting for an exotic holiday. The island is typically associated with relaxation and romance, but it is also ideal for everyone who loves gastronomic treats, water sports and beautiful countryside. Mauritius is ringed with beautiful beaches lined with swaying palm trees, crystal clear water and brightly coloured coral reefs. The landscape features lush forests, fields of sugar cane, tall mountains, roaring waterfalls and dramatic stretches of coast dotted with small lagoons. The capital, Port Louis, is home to a variety of fine shops and fascinating museums.

The days on Mauritius are yours to do with as you wish.

The stay includes half board.

Beach holiday in Mombasa
5 nights

Conclude your tour with a beach holiday in Mombasa.

Here you can relax on chalk-white beaches under the shade of the palm trees, bathe in azure water, and go snorkelling around gorgeous coral reefs. There is also time to go exploring in Mombasa City, which is the second-largest city in Kenya. Here you can look forward to wandering through narrow streets marked by both Swahili and Arabic culture. The city markets hold a treasure trove of local foods and exotic spices.

The days in Mombasa are at your disposal, but you also have the opportunity to purchase additional tours if you would like to go exploring in Mombasa City or areas nearby.

When would you like to travel?
Departure dates
All prices shown are per person
Special offers for groups of 4 or more. Request a quote today for more info.
REVIEWS
Travellers' tales
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Good to know
Africa
Catriona Hodge

Catriona is passionate about helping other people fulfill their travel dreams, as she knows how much travel has only improved her life for the better!

Opening hours
Monday-Thursday 9-15
Friday 9-13
JOIN THE ADVENTURE
Related tours
WHY TRAVEL WITH TOURCOMPASS?
Why people choose us
  • Personal service by travel experts with first-hand knowledge
  • Dedicated booking team ensures a smooth journey
  • 24/7 assistance while on tour
  • Well-planned itineraries with thoughtfully selected highlights
  • All tours include flights, transfers and accommodations
  • Various options available to tailor your tour
  • Accommodation in great locations
  • Carefully selected local guides with comprehensive knowledge
  • Favoured by thousands of guests since 2006
  • All tours tried and quality checked by our own team
  • Long-term relationships with an extensive network of partners
  • We guarantee you the best prices
  • Excellent working relationships with our partners ensure the best quality and prices
  • We optimise our logistics and processes so you only pay for what matters the most
  • ATOL protected
  • Member of ABTA
  • Personal liability insurance
EXPLORE
Check out all our exciting destinations