Our 3-day Masai Mara safari is the best short safari in Kenya, and the one we recommend to every first-time visitor. In three days you travel from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley into the Masai Mara National Reserve, home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and the vast herds of the Great Migration.
You travel in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and your own professional driver guide, and you choose the comfort level that suits you, from classic tented camps to luxury. Have more time? Combine the Mara with the lakes on our 5-day Kenya safari. Living in Kenya? See our Masai Mara packages for residents.
Every level includes your private vehicle, driver guide, park fees and full board meals. Only the accommodation changes.
| Level | Example lodges | Per person sharing | Single room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort tented camp | Mara Chui Camp, Enkorok Mara Camp | USD [PRICE] | USD [PRICE] |
| Mid-range lodge | Pride Inn Mara Camp, Mara Sopa Lodge | USD [PRICE] | USD [PRICE] |
| Luxury camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | USD [PRICE] | USD [PRICE] |
Prices depend on your travel dates, group size and lodge choice. Send us your dates and we will send a tailored quote within 24 hours.
Morning pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or the airport. Drive through the Great Rift Valley with a stop at the viewpoint, then continue to the Mara. Arrive at camp for lunch and head out on your first afternoon game drive.
Accommodation: Your chosen camp or lodge (Full Board)
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
A full day in the reserve with a picnic lunch, following the wildlife wherever it moves. Visit the Mara River, famous for its migration crossings from July to October. For a once-in-a-lifetime start, add an optional sunrise hot air balloon safari with a champagne breakfast.
Accommodation: Your chosen camp or lodge (Full Board)
Main Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve
An early game drive when the big cats are most active, then breakfast and check-out. Add an optional visit to a Maasai village before driving back to Nairobi, with drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Main Destination: Nairobi


The herds usually arrive in the Masai Mara in July and stay until around October, with dramatic river crossings in August and September. The Mara is excellent all year, though, as lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants live in the reserve permanently.
Read more in our destinations guide.
Pack light layers in neutral colours, a warm jacket for early morning drives, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens. Soft bags are easier to fit in safari vehicles than hard suitcases.
Browse real trips in our gallery.
Your 4x4 Land Cruiser is private to your group, with your own driver guide, so you can stop wherever you like and stay as long as you want at each sighting.
Yes. Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees for the days in the itinerary are included in the package price.
Yes. A sunrise balloon flight with a champagne breakfast can be added on Day 2. Balloons fill up in peak season, so let us know when you enquire.
Most visitors need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before travel. Requirements depend on your nationality, so please check the official Kenya eTA portal before you book flights.
We confirm your safari with a deposit, with the balance due before your arrival. Payment details and terms are shared with your quote.

Send us your travel dates, number of guests and preferred comfort level, and our safari team will reply with a tailored quote within 24 hours.
Want to know who you're travelling with? Meet the Saafo Safaris team or read travel tips on our blog.