Duration
2 NIGHTSBest For
First-time East Africa visitors and wildlife-first travelers.Group Size
2-6 guestsAccommodation
Lodge or luxury tented camp (full-board)Safari Overview
Why this Maasai Mara short break delivers
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a safari destination that is hard to beat. Wide open savanna, herds of grazers moving along the horizon, and predators including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs are common — with patience, even leopard sightings are possible.
This three-day route is available privately or as a group, with full customization and comfortable lodge or luxury tented camp accommodation on a full-board basis.
Transfers: Private 4x4 safari vehicle with dedicated guide from Nairobi
Safari Snapshot
A classic short break in the Maasai Mara with full-day Big Five game drives, lodge or luxury tented camp stays, and the option for a private or group safari.
Safari Style
Classic Game Drives
Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.
Trip Rhythm
3-6 Nights
Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.
Destinations
Kenya
Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.
Day 1 · Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive to the floor of the Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, with a lunch stop in Narok. Arrive in the afternoon for your first game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
- Scenic Rift Valley drive (approx. 6 hrs)
- Afternoon game drive on arrival
Day 2 · Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara Full Day
Spend the day in Kenya's most popular game sanctuary with the best opportunity of spotting the Big Five — lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant. Game drives include a picnic lunch and a full day in the park. Optional visit to a local Maasai village at extra cost.
- Big Five game drives
- Picnic lunch in the park
- Optional Maasai village visit
Day 3 · Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Optional Maasai cultural visit in the morning after breakfast, then drive back to Nairobi arriving approximately 17:00 hrs. Drop off at your accommodation or the airport for your onward flight.
- Optional cultural visit
- Return to Nairobi (approx. 6 hrs)
Route Map & Safari Points
Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.
- 1
Day 1
Nairobi
Morning departure and briefing before the scenic drive to the Mara.
- 2
Day 1
Narok
Lunch stop in the largest Maasai town en route to the reserve.
- 3
Day 1-3
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Full-day Big Five game drives across open savanna and acacia-dotted plains.
What's Included
- Transport in a 4WD safari jeep
- Pick up on day one in Nairobi and drop off on the last day in Nairobi
- Park entry fees
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- Drinking water on all days
- Bath towels
- Professional guide
- All activities, unless indicated as optional
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day section
- Taxes and VAT
- Services of a professional tour guide/driver
- Government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fees
Exclusions
- Hot-air balloon ride
- Maasai village visit
- Boat ride
- Tips and gratuities
- Beverages and alcoholic drinks
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Best Travel Window
Seasonality
Jul - OctJan - Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more clarity before you book? Start here.
Can I choose between a private or group safari?
Yes. This tour is available both privately and as a group departure, with full customization to match your travel style and budget.
What is the accommodation like?
You stay in a comfortable lodge or luxury tented camp on a full-board basis from day one to day three, with all meals included as specified.
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season (Jul–Oct), we recommend booking 4–6 months in advance to secure your preferred camp. Short-notice bookings are possible outside peak periods.
Planning Guides for This Route
Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.
Masai Mara Lion Prides: Territories, Coalitions, and Conservation
From Marsh and Rekero to Black Rock, Sand River, Topi, Sopa, Salas, Survey, and Rongai, this in-depth guide breaks down where each pride operates, who controls them, and how coalition turnover, habitat shifts, and migration timing influence lion life across the Mara ecosystem.
Read Guide
Wildlife in the Masai Mara: Beyond the Big Five
The Mara is famous for predators, but the full ecosystem covers Coke's hartebeest and common eland, Kirk's dik-dik and klipspringer, dwarf and slender mongoose, honey badger, pangolin, jackals, hyenas, baboons, and more than 450 bird species — a depth that rewards travellers who slow down beyond the Big Five.
Read Guide
Where to Stay in the Masai Mara: Camps, Lodges, and Conservancy Picks
With more than 100 properties across the reserve and surrounding conservancies, choosing where to stay defines your safari pace, vehicle density, and the depth of your wildlife encounters. This guide walks through how we shortlist camps by zone, season, and traveller profile.
Read GuidePlan Your Kenya Safari
Share your dates, pace and preferred accommodation style. We will tailor this trip to fit your exact vision.
Hear what our clients have to say
Genuine stories from travelers who experienced East Africa with Simba Paka Safaris.
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