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Journey

South Rift Safari Circuit

Travel from Nairobi into the Great Rift Valley, pause at Naivasha, explore Lake Nakuru's lake-and-rhino landscape, then continue through Narok to the Maasai Mara grasslands.

Origin

Nairobi

Begin at Kenya's principal long-distance gateway for the road west into the Rift Valley.

Car
Travel leg

Nairobi to Naivasha

Timing is variable; use times only as broad guidance.

Typical duration: 120 minutes

Service stop

Naivasha

Use Naivasha as a rest or overnight stage before continuing north toward Nakuru.

Car
Travel leg

Naivasha to Nakuru

Timing is variable; use times only as broad guidance.

Typical duration: 90 minutes

Town / locality

Gilgil

Service stop

Nakuru

Nakuru

Prepare for the nearby national park and the longer southwest road toward Narok.

Car
Travel leg

Nakuru to Lake Nakuru National Park

Timing is variable; use times only as broad guidance.

Typical duration: 20 minutes

Place / visit

Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru Home Base

Enter Lake Nakuru National Park for its rhino sanctuary, birds, woodland, grassland, and lakeshore game drives.

Car
Travel leg

Lake Nakuru to Nakuru

Timing is variable; use times only as broad guidance.

Typical duration: 20 minutes

Service stop

Nakuru

Nakuru

Return to Nakuru before turning southwest toward Narok.

Car
Travel leg

Nakuru to Narok

Timing is variable; use times only as broad guidance.

Typical duration: 165 minutes

Waypoint

Narok

Waypoint

Continue through the regional road junction, pausing only as fuel, timing, or road conditions require.

Car
Travel leg

Narok to Sekenani

Timing is variable; use times only as broad guidance.

Typical duration: 150 minutes

Service stop

Maasai Mara Region

Sekenani

Reach Sekenani for the final reserve-entry and road checks.

Car
Travel leg

Sekenani to Maasai Mara

Timing is variable; use times only as broad guidance.

Typical duration: 15 minutes

Destination

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara Region Home Base

Enter the Maasai Mara for an overnight or multi-day stay in the grassland and river ecosystem.

Destination Place

Now discover Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Journey explains how to reach it. Continue to the Place page for the reason to go, what to expect, local knowledge, photographs, and onward Journeys.

Explore Maasai Mara National Reserve →