8-Day Ol Pejeta, Bogoria & Mara
A private lodge safari through central Kenya and the Rift Valley lakes — rhino at Ol Pejeta, flamingos at Nakuru and Bogoria, a night on Lake Naivasha — ending with three nights in the Maasai Mara.
8 days · 7 nights · Year-round · best Jul – Oct (migration in the Mara)
About this experience
This trip takes the long way to the Mara, and that is the point. After a night in Nairobi you head up to Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Mount Kenya, known for its black rhino and the chimpanzee sanctuary, then drop down to the Rift Valley for Lake Nakuru, the hot springs of Lake Bogoria and a night beside Lake Naivasha. The last three nights are at Mara Sopa Lodge, with two full days of game drives in the reserve. You have your own vehicle and guide the whole way.
Best for
- Rhino and chimpanzees
- Rift Valley lakes
- A slower route to the Mara
Trip features
- Private vehicleYour own 4x4 and driver-guide
- Starts any dayPick your own date, 7+ days ahead
- Can be tailoredChange lodges, add days or parks
- Children welcomeAges 3–12 at half price
- Pickup in NairobiAirport or your hotel
- EnglishGuide language
Signature experiences
Optional extras we can add to this trip. Prices are per person and confirmed when you book.
Lift off at dawn over the plains, drift silently above the herds, and land to a champagne bush breakfast. The definitive Mara morning.
Walk in with the conservancy's rhino monitors to approach black or white rhino on foot — a rare, close, conservation-led encounter.
Ride out among plains game that lets a horse far closer than a vehicle — for confident riders, one of the great ways to see the bush.
Spend an hour in a working manyatta — the jumping dance, fire-making, and a look at daily Maasai life, hosted by the community itself.
Day by day
What each day looks like, from pickup in Nairobi to drop-off.
We meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest after the flight, and we can arrange a short excursion in Nairobi if you'd like one.
La Maison Royale, South C
After breakfast you drive north towards Mount Kenya, arriving at Sweetwaters Tented Camp for lunch. The afternoon game drive is on Ol Pejeta, a conservancy with a large black rhino population and the last northern white rhinos, and you also visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which cares for rescued and orphaned chimps.
Sweetwaters Tented Camp
A final morning game drive, then south across the Equator and past Thomson's Falls to Lake Nakuru, arriving for lunch. In the afternoon you drive the park, looking for rhino, buffalo and giraffe, and for the flamingos and waterbirds along the shore.
Lake Nakuru Lodge
After a last morning drive at Nakuru you head north through the Rift Valley to Lake Bogoria, a salty lake known for its hot springs and its large flocks of lesser flamingo. After lunch you continue to Lake Naivasha, where a boat trip to see hippos and waterbirds can be added if you'd like one.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
After breakfast you drive to the Maasai Mara, arriving at Mara Sopa Lodge for lunch. The afternoon is free to settle in, or you can head out on an evening game drive.
Mara Sopa Lodge · Full-board
Early, mid-morning and afternoon game drives in your pop-up roof 4x4, covering the plains and woodland in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and the big herds. You come back to the lodge for meals and the night.
Mara Sopa Lodge · Full-board
Another full day in the reserve, which gives your guide time to go further and return to the places where the animals have been active. Dinner and the night are back at the lodge.
Mara Sopa Lodge · Full-board
An early game drive, then back to the lodge for breakfast and check-out. You drive to Nairobi and we take you straight to the airport for your flight home or onward travel.
Where you'll stay
Lodges we book on this trip. If one is full on your dates, we'll offer a comparable property before you pay anything.
What's included
Included
- Airport pick-up on arrival and airport drop-off on the last day
- One night in a Nairobi hotel and six nights in safari lodges and camps, as listed
- Meals on safari as described in the itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservancy entry fees
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and driver-guide
- Game drives at Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara
- Visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- 24/7 WhatsApp support from the Bookara team
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Kenya eTA (government fee — we help you apply)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Optional extras such as the Lake Naivasha boat ride and excursions in Nairobi
Route & pickup
Where the trip goes, and where we meet you.
- 01 NairobiDay 1 · City
- 02 AberdareDay 2 · Mountain region
- 03 Ol PejetaDay 2 · National park & reserve
- 04 Lake NakuruDay 3 · Lake
- 05 Lake NaivashaDay 4 · Lake
- 06 Maasai MaraDay 5 · National park & reserve
- 07 NairobiDay 8 · City
Good to know
A 30% deposit holds your dates, and the balance is due 45 days before you travel (book closer than that and you pay in full). Cancel 90+ days before departure for a full refund, 60–89 days before for 50% back. Full terms.
Common questions
Will we share the vehicle with anyone?+
No. This is a private safari — the vehicle and driver-guide are yours for the whole trip, and nobody else joins.
Is Lake Bogoria a long day?+
Day 4 covers the most ground, as you visit Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria and Lake Naivasha in one day. If you'd rather take it slower, we can adjust the route or add a night — message us and we'll quote it.
Can I change the lodges?+
Yes. The lodges listed are the ones we plan around, but routes and lodges can be adjusted on request. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll send you a quote.
Book on WhatsApp
Your chat opens with the trip pre-filled — no payment needed now. Our team replies between 7am–10pm EAT.
Request saved
WhatsApp is opening with your details pre-filled — just hit send.
- 1 Send the pre-filled messageYour trip details are already written for you.
- 2 Confirm in chat — or pay the deposit onlineSame reference either way. Our team replies 7am–10pm EAT.
- 3 Instant confirmationWhatsApp message + email receipt the moment your deposit lands.
Your request ref becomes your booking reference once the deposit is paid.
Book direct with the operator
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Licensed & certified
Kenya-registered operator in Nairobi with experienced driver-guides.
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Run from Nairobi
We plan and run your trip ourselves, with driver-guides we know, and stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout.
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Secure payment
Card or Apple Pay through Paystack (USD). Taxes and park fees are in the price you see.
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Flexible cancellation
Full refund up to 90 days before departure; a 30% deposit holds your dates.
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