Safari overview
Enjoy a complete Maasai Mara safari in just three days, with game drives, the Big Five and a bush picnic lunch in the heart of the reserve.
This private three-day Kenya safari is made for travellers with limited time who still want a classic East African experience. Leaving Nairobi early in the morning, you descend the dramatic escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, pass through Narok town and arrive in the Maasai Mara in time for lunch and your first afternoon game drive.
The following day is devoted entirely to the reserve. With a packed picnic lunch, you set out early to catch big cats on the move in the cool morning hours, track the Big Five across open grasslands and acacia-studded plains, and pause for lunch in the shade of a balanite tree surrounded by wild landscape.
After a relaxed final breakfast and the morning birdsong, you drive back to Nairobi, where you are dropped at your hotel, residence or the airport. Choose budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation, either a safari lodge or a tented camp, to suit your style.
Tour highlights
Experience the Maasai Mara’s endless savannas, iconic acacia trees and abundant wildlife on one private three-day safari.
- Track the Big Five in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Scenic descent into the Great Rift Valley and drive through Narok
- First game drive on the afternoon of arrival
- Full-day game drive with an early start for big cats on the move
- Picnic lunch under a balanite tree in the heart of the reserve
- Evening campfire and authentic bush hospitality
- Budget, mid-range or luxury lodges and tented camps
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Your safari begins with a prompt 7:00 AM pickup from Nairobi, helping you beat the morning city traffic as you head towards the countryside. The drive takes you down into the Great Rift Valley, with scenic views along the way, before passing through Narok town and continuing deeper into the savannah.
Arrive at your Maasai Mara camp or lodge at around 1:00 PM, in time to check in, unpack and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. After a brief rest, set out at 3:30 PM for your first game drive. As the midday heat fades, the plains come alive, with excellent chances of spotting elephants, giraffes and predators beginning to stir. Return to camp by about 6:30 PM for dinner and a relaxing evening around the campfire.
- 7:00 AM pickup; arrive about 1:00 PM; afternoon game drive from 3:30 PM
- Budget: Mara Explorers Camp | Mid-Range: Sarova Mara Game Camp | Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
- Lunch and dinner
Day 2
Full-Day Game Drive in the Maasai Mara
This entire day is dedicated to exploring the vast, rich ecosystems of the Maasai Mara. After an early breakfast at camp, head into the reserve with a packed picnic lunch to make the most of your time in the field. Leaving early gives you the best chance to see big cats on the move during the cool morning hours.
Your guide tracks the Big Five and takes you through different habitats, from open grasslands to acacia-studded plains. Around midday, break for a picnic lunch in the shade of a balanite tree, completely surrounded by the wild landscape. The afternoon continues with further exploration, perhaps following a herd or heading towards the river loops, before you return to the lodge for a well-deserved dinner and rest.
- Full day in the reserve with picnic lunch
- Budget: Mara Explorers Camp | Mid-Range: Sarova Mara Game Camp | Luxury: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Day 3
Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Your final day in the bush balances a relaxed morning with the journey home. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, taking in the morning birdsong and the last views of the surrounding wilderness.
At 9:00 AM, pack up, check out and begin the drive back towards Nairobi, retracing your route through the scenic Rift Valley. Expect to arrive between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM, where you are dropped off at your hotel, residence or the airport for your onward flight, concluding a memorable safari.
- 9:00 AM departure; arrive in Nairobi between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM
- No accommodation unless an extra night is requested
- Breakfast & Lunch
Request a quote
Tell us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers and accommodation choice. A safari specialist will prepare a tailored quotation for your Maasai Mara game safari adventure.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Maasai Mara park fee arrangements
- Budget, mid-range or luxury lodge selection
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FAQs for 3-Day Maasai Mara Game Safari
Planning a short safari in the Maasai Mara? These are the questions travellers ask most often, answered honestly so you can plan your trip and book with confidence.
What is the net cost for the 3-Day Maasai Mara Game Safari?
The 3-Day Maasai Mara Game Safari starts from $1,260 per person sharing. The net cost is the final amount you pay after your accommodation level, travel dates, and group size are confirmed. The price covers private 4×4 safari transport with an experienced driver-guide, game drives, park entrance fees, meals and accommodation as listed in the itinerary, bottled drinking water, and government taxes. International flights, visas or travel authorisations, travel insurance, tips, drinks, souvenirs, and optional activities such as the hot air balloon ride and Maasai cultural visit are not included. Travelling solo adds a single supplement, and peak-season dates cost more, so your final quotation confirms exactly what applies to you.
Can this safari be customized?
Yes. The 3-day itinerary is a starting point, and we can adjust it to suit your plans. You can upgrade or change your lodge or camp, add extra nights in the Mara, combine it with other Kenyan destinations such as Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, or the coast, or choose between a road transfer and a flight to the Mara. We can also arrange private departures, family-friendly schedules, and special occasions such as honeymoons. Tell us your dates, interests, and budget, and we will prepare a tailored quotation.
What is the minimum and maximum group size?
You can travel as a solo traveller, a couple, a family, or a group, as the safari runs as a private tour in your own vehicle. Each 4×4 safari vehicle seats up to five guests with a guaranteed window seat, which keeps game viewing and photography comfortable. Larger groups travel in several vehicles, each with its own driver-guide, so everyone enjoys the same experience. Please share your group size when you enquire so we can confirm the right vehicles and rooms.
How long is the drive between Nairobi and the Maasai Mara?
The road journey from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara usually takes about five to six hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops. Part of the route is rough, so the drive is a little bumpy near the reserve, and your driver-guide makes comfort stops along the way. If you would rather save time, we can arrange a scheduled flight to a Mara airstrip, which takes around an hour. Your driver-guide times each leg around your arrival and departure flights.
Am I guaranteed to see all the Big Five on this safari?
No operator can guarantee this, because the animals are wild and free to roam. The Maasai Mara is one of the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards, and sightings of these are very good. Rhinos are the hardest of the five to find, as only a small number live in the reserve and they stay hidden in thick bush. Our driver-guides work closely with other guides to track animals, and time spent in the reserve gives you the best practical chance of a rewarding sighting.
What is the best time to target the Great Migration?
The wildebeest and zebra herds are usually in the Maasai Mara from July to October, with dramatic Mara River crossings often seen between August and September. Exact timing changes every year with the rains and the movement of the herds, so no date can be promised. The Mara is rewarding at other times as well, because resident wildlife and big cats remain on view all year round. Migration season is also peak season, so book your lodge several months ahead.
Is it possible to add a hot air balloon ride and a Maasai cultural visit?
Yes, both are optional extras and neither is included in the starting price. The hot air balloon ride takes place at sunrise, floats over the plains, and usually ends with a champagne breakfast in the bush. It needs to be booked in advance because spaces are limited. The Maasai cultural visit lets you meet community members, see traditional dances, and learn about village life, and it usually fits into a free afternoon. Let us know which you would like and we will add them to your quotation.
What rules should I follow during game drives?
Follow your driver-guide’s instructions at all times. Stay seated in the vehicle, keep your voice low, and never get out of the vehicle unless your guide says it is safe. Do not feed or touch any animal, and do not litter. Vehicles must stay on designated tracks, and your guide keeps a respectful distance so the animals are not disturbed. Please also do not use drones, as they are restricted in Kenya’s parks and reserves.
Do I need a visa to travel to Kenya?
Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check the current rules before you travel. Most visitors need to apply online for a Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before departure, while some nationalities are exempt. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months, and ask your doctor about recommended vaccinations, malaria prevention, and any yellow fever certificate requirements for your route. We can guide you through the process.
What should I pack for a Maasai Mara safari?
Pack lightweight clothing in neutral colours such as beige, khaki, or olive, along with a warm layer for cool early mornings and evenings. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, and a camera with spare batteries. Use a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase, since space in the vehicle is limited. Kenya has banned single-use plastic bags, so do not pack them in your luggage, as officials may confiscate them at the airport.
Should I tip my driver-guide and camp staff?
Tips are not included in the safari price, but they are a customary way to thank the people who look after you. Many travellers tip their driver-guide at the end of the trip and leave a shared tip for lodge or camp staff. There is no fixed amount, so tip according to the service you receive and what feels comfortable.
What should I do about travel insurance and money?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and interruption. Carry some US dollars in recent, undamaged notes, and bring a card for lodge extras where accepted. Kenyan shillings are useful for small purchases such as souvenirs and tips, and mobile money is widely used locally.
How do I book this safari and what happens next?
Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation level. We first check lodge and vehicle availability, then prepare a detailed quotation with your lodges, inclusions, and total cost. Once you approve the itinerary and agree the payment terms, we confirm your lodge and transport reservations. Booking several months ahead is wise, especially for the migration season from July to October and for holiday periods.