The Best Big 5 Safari in Kenya? 8 Top-Selling Budget Safaris

April 27, 2025
ABS, Africa travel

The Best Big 5 Safari in Kenya – 8 Unforgettable Budget Adventures

big five Kenya safaris

Kenya is undoubtedly one of the top 3 best countries to see the Big 5 in Africa, alongside South Africa and Tanzania. A Big 5 safari in Kenya offers an incredible opportunity to witness rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos — all in their natural habitats. However, compared to South Africa and Tanzania, spotting all five Big 5 animals in Kenya requires a bit more strategy and, of course, a touch of safari luck.

Many of Kenya’s famous parks have few or no rhinos, and leopards remain elusive, even in prime reserves. But with the right Big Five safari package (or careful independent planning), you can certainly tick all five off your bucket list.

Big 5 Safari Kenya Strategy: Masai Mara Plus 1 or 2 Other Parks

If you are planning a Big 5 safari in Kenya, your best bet for seeing all five animals is to combine the Masai Mara with one or two other parks where rhino sightings are more frequent. Rhinos are the rarest of the Big 5 to spot in the Masai Mara, and leopards also remain a challenge. Adding parks known for rhino and leopard sightings drastically improves your chances of completing the list.

To make your dream a reality, we’ve hand-picked the top budget-friendly Big 5 Kenya safaris that maximize your odds of seeing these iconic animals — all in one trip.

1) 5-Day Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari in Kenya

Price: Approximately $1,770 (low season) to $2,377 (high season) per person sharing
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 6 guests), starting and ending in Nairobi

This budget-friendly Big 5 safari in Kenya offers a perfect blend of lodge stays and tented camping, traveling in a custom 4×4 Land Cruiser for excellent wildlife viewing.

Masai Mara National Reserve & Masai Mara Conservancy: Expect excellent sightings of lions, buffalos, and elephants, with a chance to see elusive leopards and, more rarely, rhinos.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Famous for its thriving white rhino population, buffalos, and potential lion and leopard sightings.

View 5-Day Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari in Kenya

2) 5-Day Fly-in Kenya Safari to Masai Mara Conservancies

Price: Approximately $3,089 (low season) to $5,777 (high season) per person sharing
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 9 guests), fly-in from Nairobi

This exclusive fly-in safari allows you to maximize your time in the Masai Mara Conservancies while enjoying night game drives and guided bush walks led by skilled Maasai guides.

Ol Kinyei Conservancy: Sightings of lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos.
Olare Motorogi Conservancy: Excellent chances of seeing lions, elephants, and occasional leopards and rhinos.
Naboisho Conservancy: Predominantly known for lion and elephant encounters.

Optional add-on: Full-day safari in Masai Mara National Reserve (extra cost).

View 5-Day Kenya Safari Flying to Masai Mara Conservancies

3) 6-Day Best of Kenya Safari

Price: Approximately $2,208 (low season) to $2,610 (high season) per person sharing
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 6 guests)

One of the best value Big 5 safaris in Kenya, this package includes private guides and comfortable lodges.

Masai Mara National Reserve: Great sightings of lions, buffalos, and elephants, with the possibility of leopards and rare rhino encounters.
Lake Naivasha: Primarily known for buffalos.
Amboseli National Park: Renowned for its elephant herds and chances to spot buffalos and, sometimes, lions and leopards.

View 6-Day Best of Kenya Safari

4) 8-Day Masai Mara & Kenya National Parks Safari

Price: Approximately $2,976 (low season) to $3,810 (high season) per person sharing
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 6 guests)

This luxury camping safari covers an exciting mix of national parks, offering diverse landscapes and superb Big 5 encounters.

Tsavo West National Park: Excellent sightings of elephants, buffalos, occasional black rhinos, and lions.
Amboseli National Park: Famous for its elephant herds with views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Home to white rhinos, buffalos, and occasional lion and leopard sightings.
Masai Mara National Reserve and Conservancies: Rich in lions, elephants, and buffalos, with chances for leopards and rhinos.

View 8-Day Masai Mara & Kenya National Parks Safari

5) 8-Day Kenya Lodge Safari to Masai Mara & Best Parks

Price: Approximately $2,790 (low season) to $3,890 (high season) per person sharing
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 7 guests)

Perfect for those wanting a combination of safari and beach, this trip ends in Mombasa rather than Nairobi.

Masai Mara National Reserve: Incredible lion, buffalo, and elephant sightings, with a rare chance to spot leopards and rhinos.
Amboseli National Park: Dominated by elephants and buffalos, with occasional lions.
Tsavo West National Park: Offers sightings of black rhinos, lions, and elephants.
Lake Naivasha: Spot buffalos while enjoying the lake scenery.

View Kenya Lodge Safari to Masai Mara & Best Parks

6) 8-Day Kenya Family Safari to Masai Mara Lodge & More

Price: Approximately $2,364 (low season) to $3,468 (high season) per adult sharing (family of 4)
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 6 guests)

Designed with families in mind, this family-friendly Big 5 safari features minimal driving distances and stays at child-friendly lodges and luxury camps.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Best place to see black rhinos, lions, elephants, and sometimes leopards. Also home to a chimpanzee sanctuary.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Known for white rhinos, buffalos, and potential lion and leopard sightings.
Hell’s Gate National Park: Encounter buffalos.
Lake Naivasha: Spot buffalos while enjoying scenic boat trips.
Masai Mara National Reserve: Superb for lions, buffalos, elephants, and possibly leopards and rhinos.

View 8-Day Kenya Family Safari to Masai Mara Lodge & More

7) 10-Day Kenya Safari to Masai Mara, Ol Pejeta & Lake Naivasha

Price: Approximately $2,910 (low season) to $3,928 (high season) per person sharing
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 6 guests)

This adventure-packed Big 5 safari is full of activities and unique destinations, plus a 5% discount for travel before December 31, 2025!

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Elephant Orphanage): Meet rescued baby elephants.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Home to black rhinos, lions, elephants, and rare leopards.
Lake Naivasha: Watch for buffalos near the lake shores.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Exceptional white rhino and buffalo sightings, with possible lion and leopard encounters.
Masai Mara National Reserve: The ultimate Big 5 territory.

View the 10-Day Kenya Safari to Masai Mara, Ol Pejeta & Lake Naivasha

8) 12-Day Kenya Wildlife Safari: Masai Mara & Kenya Game Parks

Price: Approximately $4,626 (low season) to $5,639 (high season) per person sharing
Tour Style: Small group safari (maximum 6 guests)

Our most extensive Big 5 Kenya safari! Explore a wide variety of parks with luxury camping accommodations.

Tsavo West National Park: Spot elephants, buffalos, and sometimes black rhinos and lions.
Amboseli National Park: Famed for elephant herds and stunning scenery.
Sweetwaters Game Park (Ol Pejeta Conservancy): A stronghold for black rhinos.
Samburu National Reserve: Spot elephants, lions, and occasionally buffalos and leopards.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Rich in white rhinos, buffalos, and predator sightings.
Masai Mara National Reserve and Conservancies: Classic Big 5 action at its best.

View our 12-Day Kenya Wildlife Safari: Masai Mara & Kenya Game Parks

Top Big 5 Safari Kenya Tips

Add a night or two in Nairobi before or after your safari to visit Nairobi National Park, home to white rhinos, buffalos, and sometimes lions.
Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy or Lake Nakuru National Park to boost your chances of seeing rhinos.
Visit Samburu National Reserve or specific parts of the Masai Mara Conservancies for the best chance of spotting leopards (ask our safari experts for the best advice).

For even more inspiration about Big 5 safaris in Africa, check out:

Get free expert tips and help planning your affordable African safari, whether it’s a Kenya Big 5 Safari or another unforgettable adventure — contact Adventure in the Wild Safaris.