Spend three nights at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge and one night at Lake Naivasha Resort on this five-day Kenya family safari from Nairobi. Enjoy two full days in the Masai Mara, with time for game drives and breaks at the lodge, before spending your final night by Lake Naivasha.
For January–June departures in both 2027 and 2028, prices start at USD 1,630 per adult sharing or USD 4,440 total for two adults and two children aged 3–11, subject to family-room availability.
Family Safari Quick Facts
| Safari detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 days and 4 nights |
| Country | Kenya |
| Route | Nairobi → Masai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi |
| Day 1 pickup | Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) |
| Day 5 drop-off | Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) |
| Masai Mara stay | 3 nights at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge |
| Lake Naivasha stay | 1 night at Lake Naivasha Resort |
| Room arrangement | Family rooms at both properties, subject to availability |
| Safari transport | Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, reserved exclusively for your family. |
| Time in the Masai Mara | Two full days for game drives |
| Swimming pools | Available at both properties |
| Rate validity | January–December 2027 and 2028, with seasonal rates |
Safari Overview & Highlights
Your five-day Kenya family safari begins with pickup from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), followed by the drive to Masai Mara Sopa Lodge.
This five-day Kenya family safari suits families who want time to watch wildlife without changing lodges every night. After travelling from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, you’ll stay at the same lodge for three nights. That gives you two full days for game drives, with time to watch a herd of elephants, look for lions resting in the grass or let the children see what happens when a group of zebras approaches a waterhole. Between drives, you can unwind at the lodge and make time for a swim.
On Day 4, the route shifts from the Mara plains to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. The final night gives the family a quieter afternoon at the resort and a leisurely breakfast before the return to Nairobi. With just one change of accommodation, there’s less time spent packing and more time to settle in.
After breakfast at Lake Naivasha Resort on Day 5, return to Nairobi for drop-off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Safari Highlights
- Two full days in the Masai Mara to explore different areas and spend longer at wildlife sightings.
- Three nights at the same safari lodge so children can settle into a familiar room and routine.
- Family rooms at both properties, with availability confirmed for your travel dates.
- Pool time at both stays, between Mara game drives or after arriving in Naivasha.
- A lakeside final night before the drive back to Nairobi
Detailed 5-Day Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha Family Safari Itinerary
Day 1 — Nairobi to Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Your family safari begins with pickup from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Leave the city behind and travel through the Great Rift Valley towards the Masai Mara. The drive is a chance for children to watch the landscape change from busy streets to farmland and open country. On arrival at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, check into your family room and take time to settle in after the journey. If you arrive early enough, head out for an afternoon game drive and look for zebras, giraffes and antelope on the plains. Families arriving later can spend the rest of the day at the lodge before dinner.
Meals — Lunch and dinner
Overnight — Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, family room
Day 2 — A Full Day of Wildlife in the Masai Mara
After breakfast, head into the Masai Mara National Reserve for your first full day of wildlife viewing. Your guide will look for elephants, giraffes, buffalo and plains game, while keeping an eye out for lions resting in the grass or cheetahs scanning the plains. Give children something to look for along the way, from the first giraffe above the trees to the smallest bird they can spot from the vehicle. You can spend longer at an active sighting and ask your guide about what the animals are doing. The day can be paced around your children’s ages, with a break at the lodge between drives if the route and schedule allow.
Meals — Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight — Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, family room
Day 3 — Explore a Different Side of the Masai Mara
With another full day in the Masai Mara, you can explore a different part of the reserve or revisit an area where you saw interesting wildlife the day before. Your guide will choose the route around recent sightings, road conditions and what your family wants to see. Pause to watch how elephants move together, how giraffes browse or how zebras keep track of one another as they graze. During the migration season, your guide may look for wildebeest and zebra herds if they are in the areas you can reach that day. Back at the lodge, children can enjoy some pool time during opening hours while the family winds down before dinner.
Meals — Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight — Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, family room
Day 4 — Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha Resort
After breakfast, leave the Masai Mara and drive to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. Arrive at Lake Naivasha Resort, check into your family room and spend the afternoon at a slower pace after two days of game drives. You can relax by the pool or, if arranged in advance and conditions allow, take a Lake Naivasha boat ride. From the water, children can look for waterbirds along the shore and may spot hippos from a distance. The boat ride works best when your arrival time leaves enough daylight to enjoy it without rushing. Families who prefer a quiet afternoon can settle in at the resort before dinner.
Meals — Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight — Lake Naivasha Resort, family room
Day 5 — Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
Have breakfast at Lake Naivasha Resort before checking out for the drive back to Nairobi. If your departure time allows, enjoy a quiet morning at the resort while the children have breakfast and get ready for the journey. Your guide will plan the pickup time around your onward arrangements. For families flying out the same day, share your flight details when booking so the return can account for Nairobi traffic and airport check-in. If you are staying in the city, share your hotel name so the guide can plan the drop-off. Your family safari ends at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Meals — Breakfast
Overnight — Safari ends
Family Rooms & Swimming Pools
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge — 3 Nights
Spend three nights in family-room accommodation, giving the children a familiar place to return to after each game drive. We’ll confirm the bed layout and maximum occupancy for your family based on the number of adults and the children’s ages. The lodge has a swimming pool for downtime between drives. Pool opening hours and staff supervision arrangements will be confirmed with the lodge for your stay.
Lake Naivasha Resort — 1 Night
Your final night is in family-room accommodation at Lake Naivasha Resort. We’ll confirm the available bed configuration and how many adults and children the room can accommodate before you book. The resort has a swimming pool, so you can plan a swim after check-in if time allows. We’ll confirm pool opening hours and staff supervision arrangements with the resort.
Before publishing — The meal lines use a proposed schedule of lunch and dinner on Day 1, three meals daily on Days 2–4 and breakfast on Day 5. Confirm that schedule and whether the Lake Naivasha boat ride is included or available at an extra charge.
Family Safari Prices 2027–2028
Prices for the 5-Day Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha Family Safari are in US dollars and apply in both 2027 and 2028. Rates are based on two adults sharing and travelling with children, subject to family-room availability at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge and Lake Naivasha Resort.
| Traveller | January–June 2027-2028 | July–December 2027 – 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Adult sharing | From USD 1,630 | From USD 2,140 |
| Child aged 3–11 | USD 590 | USD 690 |
| Child aged 12–17 | USD 850 | USD 1,060 |
| Child under 3 | Free | Free |
Sample Family Safari Totals
| Family travelling together | January–June 2027-2028 | July–December 2027- 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 adults + 2 children aged 3–11 | From USD 4,440 | From USD 5,660 |
| 2 adults + 1 child aged 3–11 + 1 child aged 12–17 | From USD 4,700 | From USD 6,030 |
| 2 adults + 2 children aged 12–17 | From USD 4,960 | From USD 6,400 |
Share your travel dates and each child’s age at the time of travel so we can confirm your family-room availability and total price.
Safari Price Includes & Excludes
The advertised 2027–2028 family safari rates include a private 4×4 Land Cruiser, all park entry fees, meals as listed in the itinerary, a Lake Naivasha boat ride, and pickup and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Safari Price Includes
- Exclusive use of a private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser for road transfers and game drives.
- All Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees for adults and children on the scheduled visits.
- Three nights at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge and one night at Lake Naivasha Resort in family-room accommodation, subject to availability.
- All meals listed in the five-day itinerary.
- A Lake Naivasha boat ride.
- Day 1 pickup and Day 5 drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
- bottled water in the safari vehicle
Safari Price Excludes
- International flights to and from Kenya.
- Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) fees, where applicable.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Tips and gratuities for your safari guide and lodge staff.
- Drinks and personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs.
- Optional activities outside the itinerary, such as a hot-air balloon safari or a Maasai village visit.
- Extra nights in Nairobi before or after the safari and any additional transfers arranged for those stays.
Optional Activities on Your Family Safari
Add either of these experiences during your three-night stay in the Masai Mara. Both are available at an additional cost and can be requested when you enquire.
Masai Mara Hot-Air Balloon Safari
See the Mara plains from above on an early-morning balloon flight. It’s an option for families with older children who are comfortable with a pre-dawn start. Share your children’s ages so we can check the balloon operator’s minimum age, availability and price for your dates.
Maasai Village Visit
Arrange a guided visit to a local Maasai village to learn about community life and traditions. Children can ask questions and hear directly from their hosts. The visit can be scheduled around your game drives and lodge time.
The Lake Naivasha boat ride is included in your safari price.
January–June offers the lower family rate and good opportunities to see resident wildlife in the Masai Mara. Lions, elephants, giraffes and zebras can be seen throughout the year. April and May are typically wetter, so allow some flexibility in your game-drive schedule if rain affects road conditions.
July–October is the usual window for families hoping to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. Herd movements vary from year to year, and river crossings are unpredictable. If you’re travelling during school holidays, enquire early for a family room at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge. November and December fall in the July–December pricing band and still offer opportunities to watch resident wildlife.
Plan the Day Around Your Children’s Ages
- Toddlers and younger children often do better with shorter game drives, a break around their usual nap time and an afternoon swim if the schedule allows.
- School-age children can help spot animals and birds. Ask your guide to leave time at sightings so they can watch what the animals do.
- Older children and teens may enjoy a longer game drive or time for wildlife photography. On Day 4, keep the Lake Naivasha afternoon flexible so the family can choose between pool time and a boat ride if arranged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can stay in a family room on this safari?
Family-room accommodation is planned for three nights at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge and one night at Lake Naivasha Resort. When you enquire, share the number of adults and each child’s age so we can confirm the bed layout, maximum occupancy and room availability at both properties.
What are the child rates for the 2027–2028 family safari?
Children aged 3–11 pay USD 590 from January to June or USD 690 from July to December. Children aged 12–17 pay USD 850 from January to June or USD 1,060 from July to December. Children under 3 travel free, and the adult rate starts on the traveller’s 18th birthday. These rates are based on two adults sharing and travelling with children, subject to family-room availability.
Will our family have its own safari vehicle?
Yes. Your family has exclusive use of a private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for road transfers and game drives.
How long are the Masai Mara game drives?
You have two full days in the Masai Mara, and your guide can adapt the length of each drive to your children’s ages and interests. Families with younger children can plan shorter outings with a lodge break, while older children may enjoy spending longer in the reserve. Timing also depends on the route and wildlife sightings.
Do both properties have swimming pools?
Yes. Masai Mara Sopa Lodge and Lake Naivasha Resort both have swimming pools. We’ll confirm opening hours and staff supervision arrangements with each property for your stay.
Is the Lake Naivasha boat ride included?
Yes. The Lake Naivasha boat ride is included in the family safari price and is planned for Day 4, subject to weather and lake conditions.
Are Nairobi hotel and airport transfers included?
Yes. Day 1 pickup and Day 5 drop-off are included at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Share your flight details when booking so we can plan your pickup and return around your flights.
Family Reviews of African Paradise Safaris
Families who have travelled with African Paradise Safaris share their experiences on Tripadvisor. These reviews describe other Kenya safaris we’ve organised and give you a sense of how our team plans and guides trips for families with children. Private Tour
Suheda E — A safari for three generations
Travelling with a family of ten in February 2026, Suheda highlighted the flexibility of the itinerary and the patience of guides John and Ken. The group included grandparents and grandchildren.
dewinw2024 — A pace that worked for the children
This family travelled in December 2025 and appreciated having time to enjoy each day without feeling rushed. The reviewer also praised the comfortable safari vehicle and the guide’s knowledge.
Read African Paradise Safaris guest reviews on Tripadvisor
Related Kenya Family Safaris
8-Day Kenya Family Guided Safari
If you have three more days, this route adds Amboseli National Park to Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara. It’s an option for families who want to visit a third wildlife destination while keeping lodge time and a Lake Naivasha boat ride in the itinerary. See the 8-day itinerary in our guided Kenya safari collection.
Explore More Kenya Safaris
Compare routes, trip lengths and destinations if you’re still deciding how much time to spend on safari. Browse our Kenya safari collection.
How to Book Your Kenya Family Safari
To check availability for the 5-Day Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha Family Safari in 2027 or 2028, send us your preferred travel dates, the number of adults and each child’s age when the safari begins. Let us know if your dates are flexible, if you need a baby cot or a specific bed arrangement, and whether you prefer pickup and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
We’ll check family-room availability at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge and Lake Naivasha Resort, then send a written quote with the room arrangements, total family price and package inclusions. Your booking terms will set out the deposit, balance due dates, and cancellation or date-change conditions before you pay. Private Tour
About the Author
Written by John Peter | Senior East Africa Safari Specialist & Operations Manager
Based in Nairobi, John Peter has more than 16 years of experience planning East African safaris. He helps families choose routes, room arrangements and game-drive schedules that suit their children’s ages and interests.
Request a Family Safari Quote
Send us your dates and family details, and we’ll check availability and confirm the total for your private safari.
