5 Day Kenya Birding Safari: Naivasha, Nakuru and Masai Mara

This 5 day kenya birding safari takes you with a professional bird guide from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and two nights in the Masai Mara.

Overview

Day by Day

Includes/Excludes

Safari Map

FAQs

Overview

This 5 day kenya birding safari is a private road trip from Nairobi with a professional bird guide. You spend 1 night at Lake Naivasha, 1 night at Lake Nakuru and 2 nights in the Masai Mara, looking for fish eagles, flamingos, pelicans and grassland specialists. It runs all year round, costs from USD 2,435 per adult, and suits casual birders and keen twitchers alike.

The safari uses a 4×4 Land Cruiser with full board at 4-star lodges and camps, and combines guided bird walks with classic game drives, so non-birders in your group will also enjoy it.

Why choose a 5 day kenya birding safari?

Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara hold very different bird habitats within a few hours’ drive. Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake with fish eagles, kingfishers and herons, Lake Nakuru is an alkaline soda lake known for flamingos and pelicans, and the Mara’s grasslands and woodlands add raptors, bustards and Palearctic migrants.

The trip also keeps the big wildlife in view: Rothschild’s giraffes and rhinos at Lake Nakuru, a walk among giraffes and waterbucks on Crescent Island, and the plains game and predators of the Mara. See our Lake Nakuru safari guide for more on the park.

Birders: three habitats and a professional bird guide in five days.
Photographers: raptors, rollers and water birds at close range.
Mixed groups: bird walks plus game drives for the Big Five.

What to expect on the 5 day kenya birding safari

Day 1 starts in Nairobi with a drive to the Great Rift Valley and a guided walk along the shores of Lake Naivasha, looking for African fish eagles, ospreys, African jacanas, Goliath herons and pied, malachite and giant kingfishers. After lunch, a boat takes you to Crescent Island for a walk among giraffes and waterbucks. You stay at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

Day 2 is a game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park for lesser and greater flamingos, pink-backed pelicans, tawny eagles and Rothschild’s giraffes, with a night at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge. On day 3 you cross the Rift Valley to the Masai Mara for an afternoon search for secretary birds, southern ground hornbills and vultures.

Day 4 is a full day in the Masai Mara looking for Jackson’s widowbird, Denham’s bustard, magpie shrike, martial eagle, Schalow’s turaco and, in season, migrants such as white storks and Caspian plovers. You stay 2 nights at PrideInn Mara Camp, and day 5 is your return to Nairobi.

When is the best time for birding in Kenya?

Birding in Kenya is good all year round, which is why this trip runs in every month. From about November to March, Palearctic migrants such as white storks join the resident species, and many birds are in breeding colours during the rains. Read our best time to visit the Masai Mara guide to plan around the Mara’s seasons.

What is included in this Kenya birding safari?

The price includes a meet-and-greet and safari briefing, all transport in a 4WD Land Cruiser, 4 nights of accommodation, all park entry and conservation fees, full board meals, an English or bilingual driver guide, unlimited birdwatching as per the itinerary, drinking water, and a complimentary Lake Naivasha boat ride and Maasai village visit.

Not included are the optional Masai Mara hot air balloon safari (USD 450 per person), travel insurance, visas, international flights, tips (about USD 10 per person per day is suggested), drinks and personal items. See what drives the price in our Kenya safari cost guide.

How much does the 5 day kenya birding safari cost?

From USD 2,435 per adult (regular price USD 2,815). The final price depends on your travel dates, group size and the lodges available, and we confirm every lodge in your written quote.

WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888, email [email protected] or request a free tailor-made quote, and we will reply with dates and availability.

Safari Highlights

Guided bird walk on the shores of Lake Naivasha
Boat ride and walking safari on Crescent Island
Flamingos, pelicans and Rothschild's giraffes at Lake Nakuru
2 nights in the Masai Mara for raptors and grassland specialists
Professional bird guide and full board throughout

Day 01 :

Nairobi - Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, depart Nairobi for a scenic drive to the Great Rift Valley. Arriving by mid-morning, you’ll begin your Kenya birding safari with a guided walk exploring the freshwater shores of Lake Naivasha. This renowned bird sanctuary hosts over 450 species, including African fish eagles and ospreys.

After lunch, enjoy a boat transfer to Crescent Island for a unique "walk with wildlife" experience among giraffes and waterbucks. This segment of your Kenya birding safari offers a spectacular mix of ornithology and scenery under the shadow of Mt. Longonot—dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

Key Avian Targets in the Mara

African Fish Eagle: Naivasha has one of the highest concentrations of these iconic raptors in the world.

African Jacana: Often called "Lily-trotters," seen walking on floating vegetation.

Kingfishers: Look for the Pied, Malachite, and the massive Giant Kingfisher.

Herons & Egrets: Includes the Goliath Heron (the world's largest), Squacco Heron, and the Black Heron (known for its "umbrella" fishing technique).

Great White Pelican: A major breeding colony frequently seen gliding over the water.

Day 02 :

Lake Naivasha - Lake Nakuru National Park

Leaving Naivasha, we journey to Lake Nakuru, a world-renowned ornithological spectacle. This vital stop on your Kenya birding safari is famous for vibrant pink flamingos and diverse pelicans. After a mid-morning game drive and lunch, explore the shores to spot fish eagles, tawny eagles, and rare rhinos.

As a highlight of your Kenya birding safari, you will witness incredible migratory species and the majestic Rothschild giraffe in their natural habitat. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

Top Species to Spot at Lake Nakuru

Bird Category	Notable Species
Water Birds	Lesser & Greater Flamingos, Pink-backed Pelicans
Raptors	African Fish Eagle, Tawny Eagle
Specialists	Green Wood Hoopoes, Cliff Chats

Day 03 :

Lake Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, traverse the Great Rift Valley toward the Maasai Mara, an indispensable destination for any Kenya birding safari. While famous for its mammals, the Mara’s true treasure is its 470 recorded bird species. Spend your afternoon traversing the grassland biomes in search of the Secretary Bird, Ground Hornbill, and various vultures circling above the plains.

This leg of your Kenya birding safari focuses on spotting localized specialties and magnificent raptors perched atop acacia trees as the sun sets over the horizon, providing a perfect backdrop for avian photography. Dinner and overnight at Prideinn Mara Camp.

Key Avian Targets in the Mara

Grassland Specialists: Secretary Bird, Southern Ground Hornbill, and Denham's Bustard.
Raptors: Martial Eagle, Bateleur, and Lappet-faced Vulture.
Colorful Residents: Lilac-breasted Roller and Schalow’s Turaco.

Day 04 :

Full Day Masai Mara National Reserve

Spend a full day exploring the Mara’s vast grasslands, a critical stronghold for the threatened Corncrake and Jackson’s widowbird. This stage of your Kenya birding safari focuses on the reserve's 450 recorded species, including specialized residents like the Rock Cisticola, Denham’s Bustard, and Magpie Shrike.

Traverse the bush and woodlands to identify various birds of prey and unique species such as the Yellow-bellied Hyliota and Green-capped Eremomela. Your Kenya birding safari also provides a chance to observe Palearctic migrants, including Caspian Plovers and White Storks, wintering in these rich habitats. From the rare Rufous-bellied Heron to elusive cisticolas, the avian diversity here is unparalleled.

Dinner and overnight at PrideInn Mara Camp.

Mara Birding Checklist

Habitat	Target Species
Open Grasslands	Jackson’s Widowbird, Denham’s Bustard, Black Coucal
Woodlands	Pale Wren Warbler, Red-tailed Chat, Magpie Shrike
Migrants	Caspian Plover, White Stork, Corncrake

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When is the best time for the 5 day kenya birding safari?

The 5 day kenya birding safari runs all year round, because Kenya’s resident birds are present in every month. From about November to March, Palearctic migrants such as white storks winter in the Masai Mara, which adds species to your list. Flamingo numbers at Lake Nakuru change with water levels, so we check conditions before you travel.

What is included in the 5 day kenya birding safari?

The 5 day kenya birding safari includes a 4WD Land Cruiser with a driver guide, 4 nights on full board, all park and conservation fees, unlimited birdwatching on the itinerary, drinking water, a Lake Naivasha boat ride and a Maasai village visit. Flights, visas, insurance, tips, drinks and the USD 450 balloon safari are extra.

Where do you stay on the Kenya birding safari?

On this Kenya birding safari you stay 1 night at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, 1 night at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge and 2 nights at PrideInn Mara Camp in the Masai Mara, all on full board. We confirm each lodge in your written quote, based on availability for your dates.

Is the 5 day kenya birding safari suitable for beginners and families?

Yes, the 5 day kenya birding safari suits beginners and families as well as keen birders. The guide adapts the pace, the walks at Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island are easy and flat, and game drives keep non-birders busy with giraffes, rhinos and big cats. Tell us the ages in your group and we will plan rooms and seating.

How do I book the 5 day kenya birding safari?

To book the 5 day kenya birding safari, send the enquiry form on this page, WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888 or email [email protected] with your dates, group size and any target species. We reply with a written quote and lodge availability, and can add days for more birding sites.