7 Days · Road Drive · Nairobi → Naivasha → Nakuru → Maasai Mara → Nairobi

Flamingos, the
Big Five &
the Great Migration

Seven days immersed in Kenya's most celebrated wildlife circuit — from Lake Naivasha's hippo shores and Nakuru's flamingo-pink waters to four full nights in the legendary Maasai Mara.

Plan My Safari View Itinerary
Explore © Mara Elatia Camp · Wildspace Safaris
Overview Itinerary Accommodation Pricing Add-Ons Enquire
Nairobi
Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru NP
Maasai Mara (4 nights)
Nairobi
7Days of Kenya
3Iconic destinations
4Nights in the Mara
Big 5Wildlife encounters
3Accommodation tiers
Entim Private Camp — Maasai Mara
© Entim Private Camp / Wilder Group · Wildspace Safaris
Why This Safari

Kenya's classic
circuit — four nights
in the Mara.

This safari is Kenya distilled to its essence. More time in the Mara means you don't rush: you find the morning leopard, you sit with the lion pride at dusk, you watch the wildebeest gather at the river and wait. Four nights gives you this.


Wildspace has direct contracts with camps across every tier — from the intimate Olkinyei Mara steps from Talek Gate and the luxury Wilder Group tented camps, to the storied lodges of Heritage Hotels, Sarova, Sopa and Elewana. Dancan will match you to the right camp for your budget, style and dates.

Flamingo shores — Nakuru White & black rhino 4 nights Big Five Mara Great Migration (Jul–Oct) Balloon safari option Maasai culture immersion Nakuru boat safari Private 4×4 throughout
Day-by-Day

Seven days.
Three wild places.

All travel in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof. Optional charter flight available for the Mara leg to save road time. Your guide Dancan is with you throughout.

Day Location Highlights Accommodation
1
Nairobi
Arrival & welcome
 Airport welcome transfer Welcome dinner & briefing Optional: Giraffe Centre ($15 pp) Optional: Karen Blixen Museum ($14 pp) Overnight Nairobi city hotel
Wildspace Nairobi Partners
B&B · Heritage, Sarova or equiv.
Also arranged for guests with late departure flights
2
Nairobi → Naivasha → Nakuru
Rift Valley · ~3.5 hrs driving
 Great Rift Valley viewpoint stop Lake Naivasha boat ride Hippo & fish eagle spotting Evening game drive — Nakuru NP Flamingos, white rhino & leopard Optional: Cliff Boat Safari ($155 pp)
Lake Nakuru National Park
Full board · inside the park
3
Lake Nakuru → Maasai Mara
Transit · ~5–6 hrs road drive
 Scenic Rift Valley escarpment drive Roadside lunch stop Camp arrival & orientation First Mara sundowner Optional: charter flight Nairobi–Mara First glimpse of the Mara plains at dusk
Maasai Mara Camp
Full board · your chosen tier
4
Maasai Mara
Full Big Five day
 Morning Big Five game drive Bush picnic lunch on the plains Afternoon leopard & cheetah search Optional: Maasai village visit ($26–39 pp) Optional: nature walk ($13–65 pp)
Maasai Mara Camp
Full board · same camp
5
Maasai Mara
Great Migration · seasonal Jul–Oct
 Pre-dawn balloon launch (optional) Mara River crossing viewing Wildebeest & zebra herds Champagne bush breakfast Hot Air Balloon Safari $585–660 pp Year-round: resident lion, elephant & leopard
Maasai Mara Camp
Full board · same camp
6
Maasai Mara
Conservation & culture day
 Mara Elephant Project visit Maa Trust beading workshop Guided nature walk Night game drive (Olerai/conservancy camps) Farewell campfire dinner Maasai warrior storytelling & dances
Maasai Mara Camp
Full board · same camp
7
Maasai Mara → Nairobi
Departure day · ~5–6 hrs
 Optional dawn game drive Rift Valley viewpoint photo stop Road return to Nairobi Airport transfer Late-flight guests: Wildspace Nairobi partner hotel
Nairobi (if needed)
B&B · Wildspace partner hotel
Where You'll Stay

Camps & lodges
across the circuit

Wildspace holds direct contracts at every tier across all three destinations. All rates shown include our 30% margin. Park and conservancy fees are additional unless stated. Browse by season.

Green Season (Apr–Jun & Nov–Dec) — Lush landscapes, vivid skies, superb resident wildlife. Best rates of the year — 25–40% below peak. Ideal for photographers and those who prefer uncrowded safari.

Nairobi — Night 1 & Return Night

Heritage Hotels
The Tribe Hotel
Boutique · Gigiri / Village Market
$235–$285
per person / night sharing
B&B · Wildspace preferred
Design-forward Heritage property near UNEP. Rooftop pool, eclectic art collection. Closest Heritage hotel to Wilson Airport — ideal the night before a Mara charter flight.
Heritage Hotels
Ole-Sereni
Nairobi National Park views · Mombasa Rd
$210–$260
per person / night sharing
B&B · 5 min from JKIA
Game viewing from your room — overlooks Nairobi NP directly. Best for guests with early-morning JKIA departures or late international arrivals.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Stanley
Colonial landmark · Nairobi CBD · since 1902
$195–$245
per person / night sharing
B&B · Green Season
Hemingway, Roosevelt and countless safari legends slept here. Rooftop pool, multiple restaurants, central for Nairobi exploration. Timeless atmosphere.

Lake Nakuru National Park

The Cliff aerial view, Lake Nakuru © Wilder Group · Wildspace Safaris
Wilder Group · Luxury
The Cliff
Full Board · Inside Nakuru NP · Clifftop
$665
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Green Season · all meals
The finest property inside Nakuru NP — clifftop position overlooking the lake. Private pool, spa, Cliff Boat Safari on the lake. Children 12+ only. Min 2 nights.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Full Board · Crater Wall · Inside the Park
$235–$300
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Green Season
67 rooms with sweeping lake and flamingo views. Pool, WiFi, curio shop. Twice-daily game drives. Strong family credentials. Wildspace preferred mid-range Nakuru option.
Sopa Lodges
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Full Board · Inside the Park
$180–$235
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Green Season
Reliable value inside the park. Private terraces, pool, restaurant. Good for single-night stopovers on the circuit. Consistent Sopa quality at the most accessible price point.

Maasai Mara (4 nights)

Talek Olkinyei Camp at night, Maasai Mara © Olkinyei Mara · Wildspace Safaris
Wildspace Contract
Olkinyei Mara Tented Camp
Full Board · 100m from Talek Gate · Best Value
$155–$235
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Green Season · all meals, WiFi & taxes
Comfort, Deluxe & Premium tents 100m from Talek Gate — instant reserve access. All meals, WiFi and all taxes included. Children 6–11 at 50%. Under-6 free. Exceptional circuit value.
Luxury tent interior, Mara Elatia Camp © Mara Elatia Camp · Wildspace Safaris
Wilder Group · Luxury
Entim Main Camp
Ground Package · Mara Reserve Edge
$830
per person / night sharing
Ground Package · Green Season · incl. drives, drinks, laundry
Eight tents in riverine forest on the Mara's edge. All house drinks, shared game drives, airstrip transfers and Wilder Group inter-camp transfers included. Min 2 nights.
Heritage Hotels
Mara Intrepids Camp
Game Package · Talek River · Reserve
$495–$570
per person / night sharing
Game Package · 3 drives + morning walk + airstrip
Talek River frontage inside the reserve. Three daily game drives, guided nature walks, Children's Adventurers Club. Wildspace preferred Heritage Mara property for families.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Mara Game Camp
Full Board · Inside the Reserve
$260–$340
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Green Season · pool & spa
Pool, spa, WiFi inside the reserve. Twice-daily game drives. Strong family credentials — children's menus, babysitting available. Green season excellent for photography — lush colours.
Sopa Lodges
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Full Board · Inside Reserve · 74 Rooms
$350–$420
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Green Season · all meals
74-room lodge with year-round reliable game viewing inside the reserve. Pool, daily game drives, spacious rooms. Strong mid-range choice. Book 2 months ahead even in green season.
Elewana Collection
Elephant Pepper Camp
All-Inclusive · Mara North Conservancy · 8 Tents
$805–$975
per person / night sharing
All-inclusive Game Package · night drives, walking, off-road
Only 8 tents in private Mara North Conservancy. Night drives, off-road and walking safaris included. No crowds. Elewana's most intimate Mara experience. Conservancy fee additional.
Green Season tip: Four nights in the Mara during green season (Nov–Dec especially) gives extraordinary sightings — short rains bring newborn prey, which concentrates predators. You'll share the reserve with a fraction of the peak-season vehicles. Rates are 25–40% below July–October.

Mid / Shoulder Season (Jan–Mar, Jun, Oct) — Excellent game viewing, drying landscapes, good availability. Jan–March offers some of Nakuru's best flamingo concentrations.

Nairobi

Heritage Hotels
The Tribe Hotel
Boutique · Gigiri
$260–$310
per person / night sharing
B&B
Wildspace preferred. Rooftop pool, Village Market proximity. Perfect for a pre-safari city evening and same-day departure.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Stanley
Colonial landmark · CBD
$220–$275
per person / night sharing
B&B · Mid Season
Nairobi's most storied address. Jan–March is a lovely time to be in the city — clear weather, cool mornings, open air dining.
Heritage Hotels
Ole-Sereni
Park views · near JKIA
$235–$285
per person / night sharing
B&B · Mid Season
Overlooks Nairobi National Park. Mid-season park is dry and teeming — game viewing from your hotel room on arrival day.

Lake Nakuru NP

The Cliff, Lake Nakuru© Wilder Group · Wildspace Safaris
Wilder Group · Luxury
The Cliff
Full Board · Off-Peak
$810
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Off-Peak rate · all meals
Clifftop lake views, spa, pool, boat safaris. Jan–March sees some of the best flamingo concentrations of the year. Wildspace preferred Nakuru luxury stay.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Full Board · Inside Nakuru NP
$275–$350
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Mid Season
Crater wall lodge. Twice-daily drives. Mid-season Nakuru is excellent — drying lakeshore concentrates flamingos and water birds into spectacular density.
Sopa Lodges
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Full Board · Inside the Park
$210–$260
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Mid Season
Reliable value. Good for single-night Nakuru stopovers. Pool, private terraces. Consistent quality at the most accessible Nakuru price point.

Maasai Mara (4 nights)

Talek Olkinyei Camp at night© Olkinyei Mara · Wildspace Safaris
Wildspace Contract
Olkinyei Mara Tented Camp
Full Board · Mid Season · Nett Contract
$180–$235
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Mid Season · meals, WiFi, taxes
Best circuit value in mid-season. Jan–March Mara is superb — short grass, concentrated wildlife. Exclusive vehicle available at $365/day. 100m from Talek Gate.
Wilder Group · Boutique
Ilkeliani Camp
Ground Package · Deluxe Tent · Off-Peak
$550–$620
per person / night sharing
Ground Package · Off-Peak · drives, airstrip, laundry
Family-friendly from age 5. Guided nature walk included. Morning & afternoon shared game drives, airstrip transfers. Premium tent +$65 pp. Under-5s free.
Heritage Hotels
Mara Intrepids Camp
Game Package · Reserve · Mid Season
$610
per person / night sharing
3 drives + morning walk + airstrip transfer
Three daily game drives. Reserve Talek River frontage. June is spectacular as grass dries and predators concentrate. Children's programme running year-round.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Mara Game Camp
Full Board · Inside Reserve
$310–$390
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Mid Season
Pool, spa, WiFi inside the reserve. Short dry-season grass makes for superb photography. Family-friendly. Good value for a 4-night Mara stay at this tier.
Sopa Lodges
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Full Board · Inside Reserve
$405–$495
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Mid Season
Reliable 74-room lodge. Mid-season game viewing is excellent — reserve to book 6–8 weeks ahead for this tier during mid-season. Pool, daily drives.
Elewana Collection
Sand River Masai Mara
All-Inclusive · 15 Tents · Sand River
$1,350
per person / night sharing
All-inclusive Game Package · twice-daily drives
Historic camp beside the Sand River. Twice-daily game drives, sundowners, bush picnics. Balloon safari bookable. Elewana's flagship Mara property. 4 nights here is transformative.
Mid-season tip: January and February are among the finest months in the Mara — dry grass, concentrated animals, clear light. Four nights means you have time to find everything. June brings the first wildebeest advance parties before the main migration flood. Book 2–3 months ahead for this season.

Peak / High Season (Jul–Oct) — Great Migration river crossings, maximum wildlife density, maximum atmosphere. Book 6–9 months ahead. Four nights in the Mara during peak is unforgettable.

Nairobi

Heritage Hotels
The Tribe Hotel
Boutique · Gigiri · Peak
$285–$365
per person / night sharing
B&B · Peak Season
Wildspace preferred. Peak season arrival night before a Mara charter is seamless from here — Jomo Kenyatta to Wilson Airport is 20 minutes.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Stanley
Colonial landmark · CBD
$245–$310
per person / night sharing
B&B · Peak Season
Steady rates during peak. Central Nairobi, rooftop pool, multiple restaurants. Good holding option for guests transiting through Nairobi.

Lake Nakuru NP — Peak

The Cliff Lake Nakuru aerial view© Wilder Group · Wildspace Safaris
Wilder Group · Luxury
The Cliff
Full Board · Peak Rate
$950
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Peak · park fees additional
Best secured alongside Mara bookings at time of enquiry — fills for July–October. The only property of this calibre inside Nakuru NP. A powerful one-night stopover before the Mara.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Full Board · Peak · Inside Park
$325–$415
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Peak Season
Book 3–4 months ahead for peak. Crater wall lake views. Nakuru in peak season still has excellent game — rhino are year-round residents unaffected by the migration.
Sopa Lodges
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Full Board · Peak Season
$230–$285
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Peak
Best-value Nakuru option in peak season. Pool, private terraces, twice-daily drives. A smart 1-night stopover before the major Mara investment.

Maasai Mara (4 nights) — Peak Season

Talek Olkinyei Camp at night, Maasai Mara© Olkinyei Mara · Wildspace Safaris
Wildspace Contract
Olkinyei Mara Tented Camp
Full Board · High Season · Best Value
$210–$275
per person / night sharing
Full Board · High Season · all meals, WiFi, taxes
The circuit's outstanding peak-season value — all meals, WiFi and taxes at 100m from Talek Gate. Exclusive vehicle $365/day. Fills for August — book 4+ months ahead with Dancan.
Luxury tent interior, Mara Elatia Camp© Mara Elatia Camp · Wildspace Safaris
Wilder Group · Luxury
Entim Main Camp
Ground Package · Peak · Reserve Edge
$1,295
per person / night sharing
Ground Package · Peak · all drinks, drives, laundry
Front-row migration access. All house drinks, shared game drives and airstrip transfers included. Four nights here during August is the definitive Mara experience. Book 6 months ahead.
Heritage Hotels
Mara Intrepids Camp
Game Package · Reserve · Peak
$1,210
per person / night sharing
3 game drives + morning walk + airstrip transfer
Three daily game drives for river crossing access. Reserve frontage. Four nights at Intrepids during August gives you the best odds of witnessing multiple crossings. Book 5+ months ahead.
Sarova Hotels
Sarova Mara Game Camp
Full Board · Inside Reserve · Peak
$415–$520
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Peak Season
Best full-service value inside the reserve during peak. Pool, spa, WiFi. Twice-daily game drives. Best-value 4-night option inside the reserve at this season.
Sopa Lodges
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Full Board · Peak Season · 74 Rooms
$685
per person / night sharing
Full Board · Peak · all meals
74-room lodge. Reliable peak-season choice. Book 4 months ahead. Good game position inside the reserve with daily drives. Solid 4-night base for migration viewing.
Elewana Collection
Little Elephant Pepper Camp
Ultra-Luxury · 3 Suites · Private Pools · Peak
$2,070
per person / night sharing
All-inclusive · night drives, walking, off-road, private plunge pools
Just 3 suites each with a private plunge pool. Off-road, night drives, walking safaris all included in Mara North Conservancy. The definitive peak-season splurge. Four nights here is extraordinary.
Peak season — four nights makes all the difference. River crossings don't run to a schedule. Many guests on 2-night stays miss them entirely. With four nights in the Mara you have five mornings and four afternoons to find the action. Tell Dancan your target dates and he'll lock availability before the best camps sell out.
Rate transparency: All rates shown are Wildspace Safaris sell prices (nett contracted rates + 30% margin), per person per night sharing in USD, inclusive of applicable VAT and levies unless stated. Park entrance fees — Nakuru NP ($60/adult/night), Maasai Mara Reserve ($130–260/adult/day by season) — are additional. Wilder Group rates from 2025 non-resident rack rates; Olkinyei Mara from 2026 contract; Heritage, Sarova, Sopa and Elewana from 2026 estimates. All rates subject to confirmation at time of booking. Contact Dancan for a locked quote for your exact dates.
What's Covered

Included & excluded

Safari Includes ✓
  • ✓Accommodation throughout as per chosen tier (7 nights)
  • ✓All meals — breakfast, lunch & dinner — as per each property
  • ✓Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof throughout
  • ✓Professional English-speaking driver/guide (Dancan or colleague)
  • ✓Park entrance fees — Nakuru NP and Maasai Mara Reserve
  • ✓Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
  • ✓Morning and afternoon game drives in Nakuru and Mara
  • ✓Cultural experiences and conservation visits as listed
  • ✓Nairobi hotel on arrival night and final night when flights require
  • ✓All airport and inter-property road transfers
  • ✓Great Rift Valley viewpoint stops (Days 2 and 7)
Not Included ✗
  • ✗International flights to / from Nairobi
  • ✗Kenya eVisa ($52 — apply online at evisa.go.ke)
  • ✗Personal travel & medical insurance (strongly recommended)
  • ✗Hot air balloon safari (optional add-on, $585–660 pp)
  • ✗Cliff Boat Safari at Nakuru (optional, $155 pp)
  • ✗Premium brands, champagne and wines beyond house selection
  • ✗Gratuities for guide, camp staff and lodge team
  • ✗Vaccinations and personal medications
  • ✗Optional activities: village visits, walking safaris, photography vehicle
  • ✗Anything of a personal nature
Optional Extras

Elevate your Mara.

Every one of these is bookable through Wildspace — just mention it to Dancan when you enquire.

Hot Air Balloon — Mara
$585–$655 per person

Float silently over the Mara at dawn. One-hour flight, champagne bush breakfast, post-landing game drive. Pre-dawn pickup from your camp. Min age 4. A once-in-a-lifetime morning — especially during the migration.

Cliff Boat Safari — Nakuru
$155 per adult · $85 per child

Exclusive pontoon on Lake Nakuru with a resident naturalist guide. Morning: breakfast on board. Afternoon: sundowners and lunch. Flamingos, pelicans and fish eagles at water level. Max 8 pax.

Maasai Village Visit
$25–$50 per person

Genuine manyatta visit with elder-led cultural programme. Warrior rituals, daily life participation, community beadwork market. Available from most Mara camps — Dancan will arrange.

Photography Safari Vehicle
$585–$650 per day

Photo-adapted 4×4 with roof hatches, beanbag rests, iMac with Photoshop and lens hire available. Skilled guide positions you for the shot. Prior booking essential. Based at Entim, Mara.

Night Game Drive
Included at Olerai / Lerai

Night drives are banned inside the reserve but permitted in Olerai Conservancy (Lerai Safari Camp). Spot pangolin, spring hare, porcupine, and bush babies. Available nightly — ask Dancan about Lerai.

Bush Dinner / Sundowner
$65–$80 per person

Full setup in the wild — table, candles, bar. Minimum 4 pax. Bush dinners available at Entim, Ilkeliani, and Lerai. Sundowners can be arranged almost anywhere in the Mara ecosystem.

Honeymoon / Celebration Package
$65–$85 flat

Bush romantic dinner, flowers, wine or champagne, and special camp decoration. Available at Olkinyei, The Cliff and Entim Private on request. Tell Dancan the occasion at enquiry.

Giraffe Centre — Nairobi
$20 per person

Hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes on Day 1. Pairs perfectly with the Karen Blixen Museum next door ($18 pp). A gentle, joyful introduction to Kenyan conservation for first-time visitors and children.

Investment

Safari pricing
at a glance

Estimated 7-night per-person rates excluding international flights. Final pricing depends on season, camp tier, group size and selected extras. All rates include 30% Wildspace margin.

Value
From approximately
$2,340
per person · shared accommodation
  • Olkinyei Mara (Mara) + Sopa / Sarova (Nakuru)
  • All meals throughout
  • Shared game drives
  • Road transfers throughout
  • Park fees included
Mid-Range · Most Popular
From approximately
$3,900
per person · premium camps
  • Heritage Intrepids or Sarova Mara + The Cliff Nakuru
  • All meals, game drives, laundry
  • Airstrip transfers available
  • Cultural visits and conservation included
  • Park fees included
Luxury
From approximately
$5,850
per person · exclusive properties
  • Entim Main / Ilkeliani + The Cliff Nakuru luxury
  • All drinks, game drives, laundry included
  • Private or semi-private activities
  • Airstrip charter options
  • Full Wildspace concierge support
Ultra-Luxury
From approximately
$9,100
per person · expedition-class camps
  • Elewana Elephant Pepper / Sand River or Little Elephant
  • All-inclusive: drives, night drives, walking, off-road
  • Private vehicle and guide
  • Charter flights, private bush dinners
  • The definitive four-night Mara experience
Guest Voices

What our travellers say

★★★★★

"Four nights in the Mara was the right call. We saw crossings on Day 3 and Day 5 — if we'd done the typical two nights we would have missed both. Dancan knew exactly which part of the river to watch."

PB
Peter B.
Amsterdam · Couple · August 2025
★★★★★

"We stayed at Olkinyei and were genuinely amazed by the value. Every morning we drove straight into the reserve, no fuss. The flamingos at Nakuru the day before were spectacular — pink for miles."

AM
Amara M.
New York · Solo · January 2026
★★★★★

"The Cliff at Nakuru was a revelation — we nearly skipped it to go straight to the Mara. Don't. Watching the sun rise over the lake from our room with flamingos below is one of my favourite travel memories."

KT
Keiko T.
Tokyo · Family of 4 · October 2025
Ecotourism Kenya Certified
KATO Member
Secure Booking
5.0 TripAdvisor
Direct Lodge Contracts
Nairobi-based · locally owned
Start Your Journey

Let's build your
perfect Mara
adventure.

Share your dates, group size and preferred tier with Dancan. He'll reply within 24 hours with a tailored proposal — camp by camp, night by night, with confirmed availability and locked pricing. No payment required to start.

DL
Dancan Leitato
Safari Expert & Lead Guide · Wildspace Safaris
Average response: under 2 hours
Languages: English · Swahili · basic Maa (Maasai)

"I've driven every road on this circuit more times than I can count. I know which section of the Mara River produces the most crossings in August, where the big leopard territories are, and exactly how long to spend at Nakuru so you arrive in the Mara before dark. Let me put that to work for you."

Start your enquiry
No payment now · Personalised proposal within 24 hours

Secure enquiry · No spam · No payment required to start