4-Day Masai Mara & Hell’s Gate Safari

Big-Game Plains + Active Rift Valley Adventure

This 4-day safari is designed for travelers who want the full contrast of Kenya’s wildlife experiences in one seamless journey: three immersive days in the Masai Mara National Reserve—Kenya’s most wildlife-dense savanna—followed by one active, scenic day in Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park, where you trade the safari vehicle for bicycles, walking trails, and volcanic landscapes.

You’ll begin with the classic African safari: lions on the plains, cheetahs scanning the horizon, elephants crossing open grassland, and (in season) the drama of the Great Migration. You’ll then shift gears completely at Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island, Hell’s Gate, and Crater Lake, where the experience becomes active, intimate, and landscape-focused—cycling among giraffes, walking with plains game, and hiking volcanic scenery.

It’s the perfect combination of cinematic wildlife and hands-on nature exploration.

Safari Snapshot

  • Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
  • Destinations: Masai Mara National Reserve (3 days) + Lake Naivasha / Hell’s Gate (1 day)
  • Safari Style: Private or shared 4×4 safari + cycling + walking safaris
  • Accommodation:
    • Masai Mara: Kambu Mara Camp
    • Naivasha: Fisherman’s Camp or Camp Carnelley’s
  • Best For: First-time Kenya visitors, photographers, active travelers, and anyone who wants both big-game safari and active nature experiences in one trip
  • Starts/Ends: Nairobi

Why This Safari Works So Well

  • Three full days in the Masai Mara gives you real depth: not rushed, not a “tick-box” safari.
  • One day in Naivasha & Hell’s Gate adds a completely different safari style—walking, cycling, scenery, and close-range encounters.
  • You experience two faces of Kenya:
    • The vast, wildlife-dense savanna of the Mara
    • The human-scale, active Rift Valley landscapes of Naivasha and Hell’s Gate
  • Ideal for travelers who don’t want to spend their entire trip only sitting in a vehicle—but still want a world-class big-game safari.

Accommodation Details

Masai Mara: Kambu Mara Camp (3 Nights)

Kambu Mara Camp is a comfortable, well-located tented camp near the Masai Mara, ideal for travelers who want excellent value, good access to the Reserve, and a relaxed safari atmosphere.

What to expect:

  • Spacious safari tents with proper beds and en-suite or private facilities (depending on tent type)
  • On-site restaurant serving hearty safari meals
  • Campfire evenings and relaxed social areas
  • Easy access to main Mara game-viewing areas
  • A practical, authentic base focused on great safari time rather than unnecessary luxury

This is a true safari camp experience—comfortable, atmospheric, and designed around game drives and early starts.

Naivasha: Fisherman’s Camp or Camp Carnelley’s (1 Night)

You’ll spend your Rift Valley night at Fisherman’s Camp or Camp Carnelley’s, both classic, characterful lakeside properties on Lake Naivasha.

Why these work perfectly for this itinerary:

  • Direct access to the lake and surrounding nature
  • Relaxed, social, outdoorsy atmosphere
  • Great for unwinding after active days
  • Campfires by the lake in the evening
  • Easy access to Crescent Island, Hell’s Gate, and Crater Lake

This night is about slowing down, enjoying the lake, and soaking in the Rift Valley scenery.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi → Masai Mara | Journey into the Savannah

  • Early morning departure from Nairobi in a 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Drive via the Great Rift Valley with scenic viewpoints and short stops
  • Continue through Narok and into the Masai Mara region
  • Arrive at Kambu Mara Camp in time for lunch or a late lunch
  • Short rest and briefing
  • Afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara:
    • Your first introduction to the plains, herds, and predators
    • Excellent chances of seeing elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and often lions or cheetahs
  • Return to camp before sunset
  • Dinner and overnight at Kambu Mara Camp

Day 2: Masai Mara | Full-Day Big Game Safari

  • Early morning tea/coffee and depart for a morning game drive
  • This is prime time for:
    • Lions returning from hunts
    • Cheetahs scanning the plains
    • Hyenas, jackals, and early movement of herbivores
  • Explore different sectors of the Mara depending on wildlife movements
  • Picnic lunch in the park or return to camp (depending on your plan)
  • Afternoon game drive focusing on:
    • Big cats
    • Large herbivore herds
    • Riverine areas where hippos and crocodiles are found
  • In migration season, this day is often used to target Mara River crossings
  • Return to camp in the evening
  • Dinner and overnight at Kambu Mara Camp

Day 3: Masai Mara → Naivasha | From Big Game to Rift Valley Lakes

  • Early morning breakfast
  • Optional short sunrise game drive (time permitting)
  • Begin the scenic drive to Lake Naivasha
  • Arrive in Naivasha around midday or early afternoon
  • Lunch in Naivasha town or at your camp

Afternoon: Crescent Island Walking Safari

  • Head to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary by boat or vehicle
  • Enjoy a guided walking safari among:
    • Giraffes
    • Zebras
    • Wildebeest
    • Antelope species
  • This is a completely different experience from the Mara:
    • No vehicles
    • No predators
    • You walk at ground level among wildlife with open lake views

Evening: Lakeside Relaxation

  • Check in at Fisherman’s Camp or Camp Carnelley’s
  • Time to relax by the lake
  • Enjoy a campfire evening with views over Lake Naivasha
  • Dinner and overnight at the camp

Day 4: Hell’s Gate → Crater Lake / Optional Olkaria Spa → Nairobi

Morning: Hell’s Gate National Park (Active Safari)

  • Early breakfast and head to Hell’s Gate National Park
  • Rent bicycles and enjoy up to 3 hours of cycling through:
    • Open plains with zebras, giraffes, and gazelles
    • Dramatic cliffs and volcanic formations
  • Optional extension:
    • Add a guided gorge hike into Hell’s Gate’s dramatic canyon system
  • Finish activities by around 11:00 AM

Lunch Break

  • Lunch in Naivasha town or at a nearby lodge/restaurant

Afternoon: Crater Lake Sanctuary (or Olkaria Geothermal Spa)

  • Drive about 40 minutes to Crater Lake Sanctuary
  • Enjoy a guided walking tour in the forested hills overlooking the crater lake:
    • Walk among giraffes, antelope, and plains game
    • Enjoy panoramic views and birdlife
    • A peaceful, scenic contrast to the Mara plains

Alternative option:

  • Instead of Crater Lake, visit the Olkaria Geothermal Spa for a relaxing soak in naturally heated mineral pools.

Return to Nairobi

  • Depart Naivasha around 4:00 PM
  • Drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the evening

What You’ll See & Experience

  • Masai Mara: Lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, antelope, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, and (seasonally) the Great Migration
  • Naivasha & Hell’s Gate: Walking among plains game, cycling with giraffes and zebras, volcanic landscapes, lakeside scenery, forested crater views

Best Time to Do This Safari

  • July–October: Best for migration and classic dry-season game viewing (busiest period)
  • January–February: Excellent wildlife, fewer crowds, greener landscapes
  • March–May: Lush scenery, fewer tourists, but some roads can be challenging
  • November–December: Good balance of wildlife, scenery, and moderate visitor numbers

What’s Included (Typical)

  • Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Professional driver-guide
  • 3 nights accommodation (Kambu Mara Camp + Naivasha camp)
  • All meals as per itinerary
  • Masai Mara game drives
  • Crescent Island walking safari
  • Hell’s Gate cycling experience
  • Crater Lake Sanctuary visit (or Olkaria Spa option)

What’s Not Included (Typical)

  • Park entry fees (Masai Mara, Hell’s Gate, Crescent Island, Crater Lake)
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional activities not specified

Who This Safari Is Perfect For

  • Travelers who want both a classic big-game safari and an active nature experience
  • First-time Kenya visitors who want a balanced, varied itinerary
  • Couples, friends, and small groups who don’t want to sit in a vehicle for 4 straight days
  • Anyone who wants to understand two very different sides of Kenya’s landscapes and wildlife

Final Word: Two Safari Worlds in Four Days

This itinerary is about contrast and completeness.

  • The Masai Mara gives you scale, predators, and the great drama of African wildlife.
  • Naivasha and Hell’s Gate give you movement, scenery, and intimate, on-foot encounters.

Together, they create a safari that is richer, more varied, and more memorable than either experience alone—and perfectly suited to travelers who already appreciate the active, exploratory spirit of Hell’s Gate and want to see how Kenya’s greatest savanna completes the story.

How to Book This 4-Day Masai Mara & Hell’s Gate Safari

Step 1: Send Us Your Travel Details

To check availability and prepare your exact safari quote, we’ll need:

  • Your preferred travel dates
  • Number of people traveling
  • Your pick-up location in Nairobi (hotel, airport, or residence)
  • Any special requests (private vehicle, rooming preferences, dietary needs, etc.)

Once we have these details, we’ll confirm availability at Kambu Mara Camp and either Fisherman’s Camp or Camp Carnelley’s in Naivasha and send you a clear, itemized safari quote.

Step 2: Confirm with a 50% Deposit

To secure the safari booking, we require a 50% deposit.

  • The deposit confirms your vehicle, driver-guide, and accommodations
  • The remaining balance is payable on arrival
  • You can pay the deposit via:
    • Secure online payment link (card)
    • MPesa
    • Bank transfer (on request)

Once your deposit is received, we’ll send you a written booking confirmation with:

  • Your final itinerary
  • Pick-up time and location
  • Accommodation details
  • What’s included and excluded
  • Contact details for coordination before arrival

Step 3: Balance Payment

  • The remaining 50% balance can be paid on arrival at the camp
  • Accepted payment methods:
    • Card
    • MPesa
    • Cash (USD or KES, by prior arrangement)

If you prefer, you’re also welcome to pay 100% in advance using the same payment link.

Private vs Shared Safari Vehicles

  • This itinerary can be arranged as a private safari (your group only) or, subject to availability, as a shared safari to reduce costs.
  • If you book a private safari and later agree to share the vehicle with other guests, we will adjust the final balance accordingly (either as a refund or a reduced amount due on arrival).

What Happens After You Book

After your booking is confirmed, we will:

  • Assign your professional driver-guide
  • Share contact details for easy coordination before arrival
  • Reconfirm pick-up time and location (usually the day before departure)
  • Provide any final travel tips for your safari and Hell’s Gate/Naivasha activities

Cancellations & Changes

Our cancellation policy follows standard Kambu Campers terms:

  • 31+ days before arrival: Full refund
  • 15–30 days before arrival: 50% refund
  • 8–14 days before arrival: 25% refund
  • 7 days or less before arrival: No refund

If you need to change dates rather than cancel, we’ll always try to reschedule your safari subject to availability at the camps.

Ready to Book?

Just send us your dates and group size to our email Bookings@HellsGatePark.org, and we’ll take care of the rest—checking availability, preparing your safari plan, and sending you the payment link to secure your Masai Mara + Hell’s Gate adventure.

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