3D / 2NKilimanjaro views
Maasai Mara National Reserve
3-Day Maasai Mara Safari
The classic Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi: two nights in the reserve, a full day out to the Mara River, full board, park fees and Nairobi pick-up included.
- 3 days · 2 nights
- From Nairobi
Overview
The Maasai Mara is the safari most people picture before they have ever been on one: open, rolling grassland with lions in the long grass, cheetah on the termite mounds and herds stretching to the horizon. It is Kenya's best-known reserve for a reason, and three days gives you a full taste of it.
You travel from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley, pausing at the escarpment viewpoint, and reach the Mara in time for lunch and an afternoon drive. The second day is spent out in the reserve with a picnic lunch, heading for the Mara River, where hippos crowd the pools and crocodiles wait on the banks. In the migration season, usually somewhere between July and October, this is where the wildebeest herds gather to cross.
Who this suits
It's a good first safari and a good short break for anyone based in Nairobi. Mombasa travellers can join easily: take the SGR or a domestic flight to Nairobi the day before, and we will collect you from your hotel in the morning.
- 4x4 Land Cruiser or safari van with pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver-guide
- 2 nights, full board, park fees and drinking water
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or JKIA
A visit to a Maasai village can be added on the second afternoon for a small extra charge.
- Big cats on the open Mara grasslands
- Full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the reserve
- Hippo pools and crocodiles at the Mara River
- Great Rift Valley viewpoint on the way in
- Wildebeest river crossings in season
Day by day
- Day 1
Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Early pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or JKIA at around 07:00. The first stop is the Great Rift Valley viewpoint on the escarpment, then you continue through Narok, the last big town before the reserve. Expect to arrive at your camp or lodge for lunch, roughly five to six hours after leaving Nairobi. After a short rest, your first game drive runs from about 16:00 until the reserve closes at dusk. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 2
Full day in the Mara and the Mara River
Breakfast, then a full day in the reserve with a picnic lunch, so you can follow the wildlife rather than the clock. Your guide heads towards the Mara River to look for hippo and crocodile, and during the migration months for herds gathering at the crossing points. Expect lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and plenty of plains game along the way. On the way back you can stop at a Maasai village (optional, extra). Dinner and overnight.
- Day 3
Maasai Mara → Nairobi
If you'd like, head out at sunrise for an optional early game drive, when the cats are most active, and return for breakfast. Check out at around 09:30 and drive back to Nairobi with a lunch stop on the way. You should arrive in the late afternoon, depending on traffic, and we drop you at your Nairobi hotel or JKIA. Mombasa travellers can connect to an evening flight or the night train.
What's included
Included
- Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser or safari van with pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Maasai Mara National Reserve entry fees
- 2 nights' accommodation on full board
- Unlimited game drives within the scheduled programme
- Drinking water during game drives
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or JKIA
Not included
- Maasai village visit (optional, paid locally or added when booking)
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Travel between Mombasa and Nairobi
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Rates
| Option | Kenya resident (KES) | Non-resident (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget camp, Jan-Jun (low park fees) | 27,500 | 595 |
| Budget camp, Jul-Dec | 32,500 | 795 |
| Mid-range, Jul-Dec | 46,500 | 995 |
| Festive budget (22 Dec-2 Jan) | 36,000 | 850 |
Per person sharing a double or twin room. Mara: 8 and under free; citizen child (9-17) KES 300 Jan-Jun / KES 500 Jul-Dec; non-resident child USD 50. Package: 3-11 sharing with two adults 75%; 12+ adult.
Good to know
- Mombasa guests: take the SGR or a domestic flight to Nairobi the day before. We can book both, plus a Nairobi hotel.
- Reserve fees are charged per person per day and are higher in the peak season. Carry your ID or alien card for citizen or resident rates.
- Mornings and evenings are chilly in the open vehicle. Pack a fleece, a hat and neutral-coloured clothing.
- River crossings depend on the herds and the rain. Nobody can schedule them, but the July to October window gives the best odds.
Questions about this trip
When is the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara?
The wildebeest and zebra herds usually move into the Mara from Tanzania's Serengeti around July and stay until roughly October, though the exact timing shifts with the rains each year. River crossings happen during this window but are never guaranteed. Outside migration season the Mara still offers excellent resident wildlife, including big cats, all year round.
Can I join this safari from Mombasa?
Yes. The safari starts in Nairobi, so Mombasa guests travel up the day before by SGR or domestic flight and stay overnight in Nairobi. We collect you from your hotel the next morning. On the way back you arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, which allows an evening flight or the night train home.
Should I choose a Land Cruiser or a safari van?
Both have pop-up roofs for standing and photographing. A 4x4 Land Cruiser rides better on rough or wet tracks and is the more comfortable option in the rainy months. A 4x4 van is a capable, budget-friendly choice for most of the year. Tell us your preference when you book and we will confirm availability.
Is the Maasai village visit worth it?
For many guests it's a highlight: you are welcomed into a homestead, see traditional dances, learn how houses are built and hear about Maasai life from the people who live it. It is optional and charged separately. If you plan to buy beadwork, carry some cash, and always ask before taking photographs of people.
3-Day Maasai Mara Safari
Request to book
Tell us when and who's travelling. We check availability, then send a written quote with the total, the deposit and the due dates. Nothing to pay until you're happy with it.
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