Wildlife Safaris
3-Day Masai Mara Safari
A quick 3-day, 2-night escape to the Masai Mara - Kenya's most famous reserve, home to the Big Five and, in season, the Great Migration - ideal for travelers short on time.
Itinerary
Download Itinerary (PDF)Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Destination | Travel | Key Sightings | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Masai Mara National Reserve
Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
|
Drive |
African Lion
African Elephant
Cape Buffalo
+3
|
Mara Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 2 |
Masai Mara National Reserve
Full Day in Masai Mara National Reserve
|
Drive |
African Lion
African Leopard
Cheetah
+4
|
Mara Sopa Lodge | B L D |
| 3 |
Nairobi
Final Game Drive & Return to Nairobi
|
Drive |
-
|
- | B L D |
Full Day-by-Day Itinerary
Depart Nairobi for the drive west across the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara (roughly 5-6 hours), the northernmost extension of the Serengeti ecosystem. Check in at your lodge in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive across the Mara's plains. Overnight on a full-board basis.
A full day of morning and afternoon game drives across the Mara's plains, with the best chance of the trip for lion, leopard, cheetah and, in season, the Great Migration. An optional sunrise hot air balloon safari or Maasai manyatta visit can be arranged locally. Overnight on a full-board basis.
Final morning game drive, then depart the Masai Mara for Nairobi. Lunch at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant before your transfer to your onward destination.
Best Time to Visit
July - October for the Great Migration; dry seasons (Jun-Oct, Jan-Feb) for the clearest game viewing
High Season - Jun-Oct & Jan-Feb
Dry weather makes for the clearest game viewing, with animals gathering at rivers and waterholes. Masai Mara river crossings peak July-October. Expect busier parks and the highest rates of the year.
Low Season - Mar-May & Nov
The "green season" brings lush scenery, dramatic skies and newborn wildlife, with far fewer visitors and the lowest accommodation rates. Expect afternoon showers, muddier roads and a handful of camps closed for maintenance.
What to Expect
A short, focused circuit built entirely around one destination:
Nairobi is your departure and return point for the road transfers to and from the Mara.
The Masai Mara is Kenya's best-known reserve, part of the same ecosystem as Tanzania's Serengeti. Visitors come for the Big Five, resident prides of lion, and - from around July to October - the Great Migration, when huge herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. A visit to a local Maasai village or a sunrise balloon safari over the plains are popular optional additions here.
Route Map
Approximate route followed during this safari.
What's Included
- All transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Park entry fees for Masai Mara National Reserve
- 2 nights' accommodation, full board (lunch and dinner Day 1, full board Day 2, breakfast Day 3)
- Lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi, on Day 3
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Hot air balloon safari and Maasai manyatta visit (optional, paid locally)
- Travel insurance and visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks and items of a personal nature
Get your free, no-obligation plan
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