6 Days Sweetwaters, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara Private Safari

A private 6-day Kenya safari from Nairobi covering Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Sweetwaters), Lake Nakuru National Park, and the Masai Mara National Reserve. Your dedicated vehicle and guide for all six days. Ol Pejeta is the only Kenya conservancy where you can see the world's last northern white rhinos and the only place in Kenya with a chimpanzee sanctuary.

Tour at a Glance

Who Is This Safari For?

Ideal for: Travellers who want to see the last two northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta
Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts wanting the Big Five plus chimpanzee sanctuary in one trip
Ideal for: Families, couples, and groups wanting a private vehicle throughout
Ideal for: Those combining conservation experiences with iconic Masai Mara game viewing
Not ideal: those primarily seeking the Great Migration; the Mara gets only 2 nights on this route
Not ideal: those on a tight budget; private safari has a higher per-person cost than group joining

Why This Safari

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is Kenya's most celebrated private conservation success story. It is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, home to the last two surviving northern white rhinos on the planet, and the only place in Kenya where you can visit a chimpanzee sanctuary run in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute. Add the full Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, and Ol Pejeta delivers a wildlife experience that no national park can replicate in exactly the same way.

The route then moves south to Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos, and ends at the Masai Mara for the iconic open savannah game viewing that defines Kenya's reputation as a safari destination. Three completely different ecosystems in six days, each with its own character and its own wildlife stories.

Katulu advantage: Our guides know Ol Pejeta's road network and the rhino sanctuary timing. The northern white rhino enclosure requires a guide who knows the access protocols and the animals' movement patterns. This is not generic wildlife driving; it is conservation-specific game viewing that our guides manage consistently.

Tour Description

Ol Pejeta Conservancy covers 110,000 acres of wildlife land north of the equator in central Kenya. The drive from Nairobi via the Thika highway takes approximately three and a half to four hours. The conservancy is entered at the main gate where a conservation fee is paid. Unlike national parks, Ol Pejeta also permits limited off-road driving in certain zones, which improves access to wildlife in dense vegetation areas.

Lake Nakuru follows on day 3, giving a contrasting Rift Valley lake ecosystem. The conservancy and the park together deliver reliable rhino sightings in two very different settings. The Masai Mara closes the safari with two nights of open savannah game driving.

Tipping Guide (per person): Guide: USD 10-20/day x 5 days = approx. USD 50-100 total
Camp and lodge staff (shared): USD 5-10/day x 5 days = approx. USD 25-50 total
Suggested total tip budget per person: USD 75-150
Tips are discretionary and appreciated, not mandatory.

Medical and health note: General guidance only. This is not medical advice. Consult a travel health clinic before departure.
Kenya is a malarial zone throughout all parks on this itinerary. Antimalarial medication and DEET-based repellent are recommended.
Travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation cover is required as a condition of booking with us.
Emergency medical evacuation services operate across East Africa.

Best Time to Visit

How to Book

Common Safari Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not asking to visit the northern white rhino enclosure specifically

Fix: The northern white rhino visit is included but must be confirmed with your guide in advance. The enclosure has specific visiting protocols and timing. Confirm it as a priority for your day 2 in Ol Pejeta.

Mistake 2: Not building buffer time for the Nairobi to Ol Pejeta drive

Fix: The drive is approximately three and a half to four hours in good traffic but can be longer through Nairobi's northern suburbs during morning rush hour. Departure before 07:00 from Nairobi avoids peak traffic.

Mistake 3: Treating Ol Pejeta as preparation for the Masai Mara rather than as an equal destination

Fix: Guests who come with this expectation miss the depth of the Ol Pejeta experience. Two nights in Ol Pejeta delivers more than most guests expect. The conservation story here is unique in Africa and the wildlife density is exceptional.

Mistake 4: Arriving at the chimpanzee sanctuary without understanding its purpose

Fix: The sanctuary is not a performance or entertainment venue. It is a rescue and rehabilitation facility. Go with genuine curiosity about chimpanzee conservation and the visit is extraordinary. Arrive with entertainment expectations and it will disappoint.