5-Day Great Rift Valley Camping Safari

Begin your adventure with an early pick-up in Nairobi by your professional Pita Safaris driver-guide. Travel through the Great Rift Valley, stopping for panoramic views of volcanic escarpments and farmlands before continuing via Narok town to the Masai Mara.

In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve. Spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, and gazelles, with chances to encounter lions, cheetahs, or leopards as the sun sets over the savannah.

Tonight, camp at Lenchada Tourist Camp, with dome tents, foam mattresses, and a warm dinner by the campfire under the stars.

Travel Tip: The Mara’s golden hour offers some of the best safari photography in Africa.

Distance: ~280 km | Drive Time: ~5–6 hours

Wake up to birdsong and a hearty breakfast before setting out with packed lunches for a full-day Masai Mara safari. Search for the **Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—**alongside countless antelopes, giraffes, and warthogs.

From July to October, witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, as millions of wildebeest and zebras make dramatic river crossings at the Mara River. Even outside migration season, the park teems with predators and plains game year-round.

Return to camp in the evening for dinner and storytelling by the fire, with the sounds of hyenas echoing in the night.

Photography Tip: Big cats are most active at dawn and dusk—keep your camera ready.

After breakfast, drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its thriving black and white rhino population. Enjoy an afternoon game drive with opportunities to spot Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, and elusive leopards. Seasonal flamingos may also color the lake pink.

Check in at Lanet Matfam Resort, a budget lodge with en-suite rooms and hot showers—a welcome change after two nights of camping.

Optional Extra: Maasai village visit before leaving the Mara—learn about Maasai traditions and culture.

Distance: ~250 km | Drive Time: ~5–6 hours

Head to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater Rift Valley lake surrounded by forests and volcanic hills. Take a boat safari on Lake Naivasha, spotting hippos, pelicans, and African fish eagles.

Continue to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari among giraffes, zebras, and antelopes—a rare opportunity to walk freely alongside wildlife.

Overnight at Chambai Safari Resort, a budget-friendly lakeside lodge offering stunning views and hearty meals.

Travel Tip: Crescent Island is one of Kenya’s most unique experiences—no fences, just you and the wildlife.

Distance: ~80 km | Drive Time: ~2–3 hours

After breakfast, explore Hell’s Gate National Park, known for its towering cliffs, geothermal gorges, and active walking or cycling safaris. Spot zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and baboons in this dramatic landscape.

After a picnic lunch, return to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or the city center.

Unique Safari: Hell’s Gate is one of the only parks in Kenya where walking and cycling safaris are allowed.

Distance: ~95 km | Drive Time: ~2–3 hours