Lake Elementeita & Masai Mara

Duration
9 days
Price from
£4,014 pp.
Location
Kenya, Africa
Lake Nakuru National Park

Trip Highlights

  • Learn about life in the Kenyan wilderness
  • Get to know Nairobi
  • See the Big 5 in the Masai Mara

What's Included

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • All transfers, guides, and park fees
  • Activities where specifed

Lakes, Lions and Vast Horizons

A varied and vibrant journey through Kenya, where tranquil lakeside moments meet close-up wildlife encounters and the raw drama of the Masai Mara.

This trip blends laid-back discovery with immersive wildlife and a genuine sense of place. From Nairobi’s leafy suburbs to the quiet shores of Lake Naivasha, and on to the iconic plains of the Masai Mara, there’s a natural rhythm to the journey, with time to relax, time to explore, and time to be completely in the moment.

Our Kenya specialist, Ottie, says:
“This is such a well-rounded trip and there’s plenty of time to really take it all in. I love the combination of peaceful lakeside days at Loldia and epic wildlife experiences at Governors Camp. It’s a good one for couples looking for a mix of discovery and downtime, or those on their first safari who want variety without compromising on comfort.”

You’ll begin in Nairobi’s green and peaceful Karen district, an ideal base for easing into Kenyan life. With your private guide, you’ll explore the city at your own pace – from the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to the Giraffe Centre and Nairobi’s colourful markets. You'll also have plenty of time to visit the Karen Blixen Museum, set in the farmhouse where the Danish author of Out of Africa once lived. It offers a thoughtful, evocative insight into colonial history, storytelling, and the region’s landscape – well worth a visit, even if you’ve never read the book.

Next, you’ll travel west to the Great Rift Valley and the welcoming Loldia House, a charming lakeside retreat on a working farm. From here, you’ll explore Lake Nakuru National Park, home to rhino, flamingos, and rich birdlife, as well as neighbouring Lake Elementeita within the private Soysambu Conservancy. A boat safari on Lake Naivasha offers another perspective, drifting past hippos and bird-filled reeds. Afternoons are for unwinding – think tea on the veranda, slow walks, and storytelling by the fire.

A scenic flight south then brings you to Governors Camp in the iconic Masai Mara, where classic safari tents sit along the riverbank and wildlife roams freely just beyond. Game drives take you deep into one of Africa’s most rewarding wildlife reserves. Whether you’re hoping to see the Big Five or simply soak up the drama of the savannah, this is where the wild truly comes into its own.

After a final morning game drive, you’ll return to Nairobi for one last night at Karen Gables, with time for any missed museums, markets, or final cups of Kenyan coffee before heading home.

Thoughtfully paced and rich in contrast, this trip is about comfort, connection, and those quietly powerful moments that stay with you long after the journey ends.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Kenya

Staying at Karen Gables

Upon arrival at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be greeted by a Far & Wild Travel representative, who will also be your private driver and guide throughout your time in Nairobi. You will then be transferred to Karen Gables, located in the leafy suburbs - perfect for exploring the city's highlights.

Settle into your Junior Suite, where you will spend the next two nights, with breakfast included.

Day 2 Discover Nairobi

Day 3 Into the Great Rift Valley

Staying at Loldia House

After breakfast and check-out from Karen Gables, your journey continues as you travel with your private driver to Loldia House, located on the stunning shores of Lake Naivasha.

You will stay here for three nights in a comfortable double room with all meals and house drinks included.

Day 4-5 Wildlife, Water & Birding

Day 6-8 Safari in the Masai Mara

Staying at Governors Camp

After a final morning activity and breakfast at Loldia, you will board a light aircraft for a breath-taking flight over the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Don't nap - this scenic flight is unforgettable!

Arriving at Governor's Camp, you will settle into your luxury tent where you will be staying for the next three nights, with all meals and drinks included.

Enjoy thrilling game drives each day in one of the most wildlife-rich areas in Africa. Expect sightings of lion, leopards, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, and an incredible variety of birds.

Day 9 Farewell Kenya

Trips in Kenya

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When to go to Kenya

Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.

February

February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.

March

Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.

April

April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.

May

The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.

June

June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.

July

July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.

August

The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.

September

Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.

October

October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.

November

November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.

December

The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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