3-Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi

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.

Package Inclusions

  • Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing
  • Professional English-speaking driver guide
  • 2 nights accommodation at your chosen camp or lodge
  • All meals during the safari (Full Board)
  • Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees
  • Game drives as per the itinerary
  • Pick-up and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
  • Bottled drinking water in the vehicle

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
  • Drinks, laundry and personal expenses
  • Optional activities such as hot air balloon safaris and village visits

Choose Your Comfort Level

Every level includes your private vehicle, driver guide, park fees and full board meals. Only the accommodation changes.

Prices are in US dollars, per person sharing a double or twin room, based on 2 guests travelling together. Ask us for group, child and single room rates.
LevelExample lodgesPer person sharingSingle room
Comfort tented campMara Chui Camp, Enkorok Mara CampUSD [PRICE]USD [PRICE]
Mid-range lodgePride Inn Mara Camp, Mara Sopa LodgeUSD [PRICE]USD [PRICE]
Luxury campAshnil Mara CampUSD [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.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: Nairobi to the Masai Mara

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

Day 2: Full Day Masai Mara Game Drive

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

Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Return to Nairobi

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

Good to Know Before You Go

When is the Great Migration?

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.

What to pack

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.

Masai Mara Safari FAQs

Is the vehicle private or shared?

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.

Are park entry fees included?

Yes. Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees for the days in the itinerary are included in the package price.

Can I add a hot air balloon safari?

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.

Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?

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.

How do I pay and confirm my booking?

We confirm your safari with a deposit, with the balance due before your arrival. Payment details and terms are shared with your quote.

Private Land Cruiser on a Masai Mara game drive at sunset

Ready to See the Masai Mara?

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.

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3 Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi | Private 4×4 Safari