Nairobi & Beyond: 5-Day Maasai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha Tour Review

Thinking about going on safari in Kenya? Perhaps you’re looking at that “Nairobi 5 Days Maasai Mara Nakuru Naivasha Tour” and wondering if it’s, like, worth your time and money. As someone who just got back, I figured I would give you the lowdown. We will be talking about the good stuff, any potential hiccups, and what you might want to know before you book that ticket. In a way, consider this your friendly guide to deciding if this trip is, sort of, right for you.

Is the Maasai Mara Everything They Say It Is?

Oh, the Maasai Mara. That place is pretty much like stepping into a Nat Geo documentary. Seriously, it’s almost unreal. When I went, the sheer number of animals, well that actually blew my mind. We’re talking lions chilling in the shade, elephants strolling along, and zebras just kind of hanging out. It’s actually one thing to see them on TV, but it’s something else completely to be, you know, right there in the middle of it all. It is safe to say that you have not lived until you see a cheetah sprint after its prey; it is genuinely wild.

We spent what seemed like ages driving around, each turn seeming to bring a new amazing sight. Our guide, he really knew his stuff, and he was pointing out all sorts of things we probably would’ve missed. Apparently, he knew where the, almost like, the lions were napping after a big meal! He also seemed to be quite helpful when it came to sharing cool facts about the animals and the Maasai culture. The sunrises and sunsets in the Mara, that I have to say, are something else too. The sky just bursts with colour, and that is something that made the whole experience truly special. Arguably, it is just the perfect backdrop for everything you might do there.

Lake Nakuru: Pretty in Pink, Perhaps?

Lake Nakuru, is that, a totally different story. After the wide-open plains of the Mara, Nakuru kind of offers a smaller, a bit more focused wildlife viewing experience. The lake is, you know, famous for its flamingos, and when they’re there, in great numbers, that really turns the shoreline into this crazy pink spectacle. It’s, like, visually stunning. But, full disclosure, when we visited, the flamingo population was, well, lower than expected because of water level changes. That said, there was still a whole heap of wildlife to see.

Rhinos, both black and white, those actually stole the show at Lake Nakuru, you see. We got super close to them. Of course it was in a safe distance in the jeep but wow! Baboons were, you know, everywhere, always up to something. The park itself is actually gorgeous too, with grasslands and rocky cliffs that give you pretty awesome views of the lake. What really sticks with me is the sheer variety of birds. So it makes me think if you are a birdwatcher, that’s actually your spot. Even if the flamingos aren’t out in full force, Lake Nakuru does kind of give you plenty to look at.

Lake Naivasha: Boats, Birds, and Chilling Out

Lake Naivasha is definitely the most chill part of the tour. That, for one thing, is a nice change of pace after those early morning game drives! Here, so you get to kick back and take a boat ride on the lake. Hippos are everywhere! You can, more or less, see them popping their heads out of the water, which is very cool, as you would imagine.

Birdlife around Lake Naivasha is, so they say, incredible. Seriously, you actually don’t have to be a bird nerd to appreciate it, believe it or not! We saw eagles, kingfishers, and all sorts of other cool birds. You can also go to Crescent Island, which is that wildlife sanctuary you can walk around in. There, it is possible to get pretty close to giraffes and zebras on foot, which actually makes for some great photo opportunities. Naivasha feels way more relaxed, almost as if offering you a chance to, just kind of, breathe and soak everything in before heading back to Nairobi. The whole experience is a bit dream like.

Accommodation and Getting Around: What to Expect

Alright, let’s have a chat about the, just a little bit, less glamorous stuff: places to stay and getting from point A to point B. The accommodation, very much, ranged from pretty basic to quite nice. In the Mara, we stayed in a lodge that was right in the reserve, which was really incredible because you can hear the animals at night! It almost feels like you are, like, one with them.

Lake Nakuru was more of a standard hotel. You get, in general, a comfy bed and a hot shower. By the way, those are definitely welcome after a day out in the bush. The drives between locations were pretty long, and just to keep it frank, a bit bumpy in places, you know. So, if you get carsick easily, packing some medicine, or anything really, is probably a good idea. That being said, the views are worth it. You get to see a bit more of the country as you are driving. Also, that’s usually where I and my group took a bit of a nap and caught up on needed rest.

Is This Tour Right for You, arguably?

This tour is probably really awesome if you’re short on time and wanna see a lot of what Kenya can offer. You get the full experience from, like, the big game viewing in the Mara to the serene landscapes of Naivasha. However, just remember that it’s a pretty packed schedule. It is going to require early mornings and long drives, so that bit is potentially tiring. If you want a super slow-paced vacation, this might be, pretty much, not what you expect. If you’re all about adventure and you have limited time, then you know, go for it!

As someone who has seen that Nairobi & Beyond 5 day safari tour, I hope this review has given you insights. What’s important is weighing out both what you expect and desire. By and large, everyone that I talked to came back completely changed in spirit!