Mara, Laikipia and Great Rift Valley
Kenya’s wildlife hotspots
Fly into Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and spend a day exploring its museums, cafes and bars. Take a three-hour car journey to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, where you can try everything from wine-tasting to thermal spas. However, make sure to travel to Lake Nakuru to spot pink flamingos, giraffes and rhinos. From here, fly north to the high plains of Laikipia, a conservation area known for its populations of black rhinos and elephants. Visit the chimpanzee sanctuary at Ol Pejeta and enjoy the landscapes, from jagged hills to deep gorges. Fly onto the world-famous Masai Mara National Park for some of the best wildlife watching in Africa. Here, you can search for the Big Five, experience a night safari, learn more about Masai communities or simply relax in your lodge. End your adventure back in Nairobi with a flight home.
Key information
| Destinations | Masai Mara National Park, Nairobi, The Great Rift Valley, Laikipia |
|---|---|
| Activity | Safari, Luxury, Nature & Wildlife |
| Physical Level | Easy |
 Season |
January - December |
Suggested itinerary
Traverse the Great Rift Valley
Day 1–2 in The Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley stretches across Africa from Mozambique into Lebanon in the Middle East. Dissecting Kenya in two, it’s a great place to see several lakes supporting more than 500 bird species and crocodiles.
Don't miss
Lake Nakuru safari
Go on a Rift Valley safari at one of Kenya’s smallest but best-kept reserves. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife including the rare Rothschild giraffe, endangered rhinos and, when conditions are right, the amazing spectacle of hundreds of thousands of pink flamingoes feeding at Lake Nakuru, the park’s focal point.
Wine tasting in Naivasha
Sample some of East-Africa’s fastest-growing wines with a tasting tour at the Leleshwa vineyard. The winery, best known for its light, summery sauvignon blanc, is based in Naivasha, 47 miles north of Nairobi in the heart of the Rift Valley.
See a conservation success story at Laikipia
Day 3–4 in Laikipia
The high plains of Laikipia offer an excellent alternative safari experience to the better-known Maasai Mara. Here, adventurers can spot elephants, black rhino and zebra while staying at one of the many conservancies that protect the wildlife.
Big five safaris in the Masai Mara
Day 5–7 in Masai Mara National Park
The world-famous Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most popular destinations, with safari-goers flocking to the reserve to glimpse lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo and elephant. Come between June and October to see the great migration – when more than a million wildebeest and zebra enter the park from the neighbouring Serengeti.
Don't miss
See the famed Mara River crossing
Head to the Kenyan side of the Mara River between July and August to witness the great migration’s premier spectacle – the crossing of the Mara River. All it takes is one wildebeest taking the plunge to spark a frenzy – but beware of the lurking crocodiles.
See dawn over the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon
Take to the skies over the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon and you’ll see the sun rising over the plains, the Mara River glistening and animals on the move.
Where to stay
Deluxe
Governors’ Camp
Created in 1972, this luxury tented camp is nestled in the forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, its waters teeming with bird-life, hippo and crocodile, in the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
Governors’ Camp was the first permanent tented camp in the Masai Mara and it occupies the best wildlife viewing location in the National Park. The location of the camp was considered so good that during colonial times it was reserved for the colonial Governors of Kenya, hence the name Governors’ Camp. Today the camp enjoys the same prime location and is perfect for couples, families and friends wanting to experience the best of what a safari in the Masai Mara has to offer.
Deluxe
Little Governors’ Camp
Located on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, each of the 17 luxury en-suite tents have wooden decks with large verandahs for guests to enjoy the constant game activity that takes place around the large watering hole in front of camp.
Breakfast and lunch are served in the open air, and the resident family of warthogs frequently wander amongst the tables. Since all Governors’ properties are unfenced, animals are frequent visitors to camp — guests may need to make way for elephants which sometimes visit the camp at lunchtime! In the evening, a warming log fire burns in front of the bar tent, and dinner is served in the nearby dining tent.
Deluxe
Il Moran Camp
The camp for those who want that extra bit of luxury — Governors’ Il Moran is small, peaceful and intimate, with added touches that place this camp at the top of the safari accommodation range. Widely regarded as the premiere camp in the Masai Mara, with the best game viewing right on your doorstep.
Hidden under ancient trees deep in the forest, are just ten tents which line the winding banks of the Mara River. Dark chunky wooden tables contrast with oversized blue couches and a central, colourfully beaded chandelier, while tribal portraits and African artefacts are dotted around. Meals are served on the raised wooden decking of the main mess and dining tent which offers a birds-eye view of the snorting hippos below. The main feature is a sunken fire pit which is lit in the evenings — the perfect spot to sit back with a cocktail of your choice.
Deluxe
Mugie House
Set in a 40,000 acre private wildlife conservancy, Mugie House offers a myriad of activities by which to explore and enjoy its vast open landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Perched on a hill are nine individual stone cottages, each with sweeping views of the Laikipia landscape. A large main house with open log fires will host guests for relaxing cocktails and scrumptious meals, prepared from a creative menu with ingredients sourced from their own vegetable garden. An infinity pool offers shaded areas and a casual alfresco dining area, while a large waterhole set in front of Mugie House attracts a variety of wildlife.
Deluxe
Loldia House
Built during WW2 by Italian Prisoners of War, Loldia House is an original Kenyan home set on an old farm on the shores of Lake Naivasha. Here, guests can experience the heritage of Kenya’s early settlers — with its gentle pace of life, one can drive, walk or horse ride among the herds of plains game which live alongside farm animals on the ranch.
Offering a choice of accommodation either in the old family house or in cottages in the grounds, Loldia House is surrounded by pretty gardens, with an outdoor pool and and incredible views across the lake to the extinct volcano, Mount Longonot.
Book this itinerary
This route booked with one of our specialist tour operators may cost between $4,024 and $5,547pp. Pricing varies by accommodation class, and can be tailored to suit your budget.
Pricing is typically inclusive of hotels, transfers, meals, and all guided excursions and activities.
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Speak to Governors' Camp Collection for expert advice
