3-day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi: Big Five game drive

The wildebeest cross the Mara River in front of you all year round.

A 3-day group safari from Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve on a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, tented camp stays and a full day of game viewing. You depart Nairobi at 8 a.m. on day one, pass the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, and arrive for an evening game drive. Day two is spent entirely in the reserve searching for the Big Five, with a picnic lunch and a visit to the Mara River where wildebeest cross from the Serengeti. You return to Nairobi on day three after breakfast, with lunch provided on the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara Reserve

• Pick up from Nairobi hotel at 8:00 a.m.
• Drive to Maasai Mara via Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Check in and have lunch at camp
• Evening sunset game drive at 4:00 p.m.
• Return to camp for buffet dinner and overnight stay

Day 2: Full day game drive in Masai Mara

• Breakfast at camp
• Depart camp at 7:00 a.m. for full day game drive
• Spot Big Five and wildlife with guide
• Enjoy picnic lunch in the Reserve
• Visit Mara River to see hippos and crocodiles
• Finish game drive around 4:00 p.m.
• Return to camp for dinner and overnight stay

Day 3: Return to Nairobi

• Breakfast and check out at 8:00 a.m.
• Drive back to Nairobi
• Lunch at travellers motel en route
• Arrive Nairobi city center by 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Optional visit to local Masai village (upon request)

The experience

The tour picks you up from your Nairobi hotel at 8 a.m. and drives south through the Great Rift Valley, arriving at the reserve in time for lunch and an evening game drive before dark. The vehicle is a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof that stays open during drives so you can photograph and spot animals without obstruction. You stay in a private tented camp with a bed, linen, shower and toilet inside each tent, plus electricity to charge devices and a hot shower in the evening.

Day two is the full game drive. You leave camp at 7 a.m. and spend the entire day in the reserve with your guide, who points out and explains the animals you encounter. The route takes you to the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles live year-round on the banks and wildebeest cross from the Serengeti during the migration season (July through November, when over 1.5 million animals arrive). A picnic lunch is provided in the reserve. The game drive ends around 4 p.m., and you return to camp for dinner.

On day three you have breakfast, check out at 8 a.m. and drive back to Nairobi, arriving around 3 to 4 p.m. depending on traffic. A complimentary lunch is provided at a travellers motel on the way. You can also request a morning visit to a local Masai village for a cultural tour before departing, though this is optional and costs extra.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Nairobi city center.
• transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
• three nights in a tented camp with bed, linen, shower and toilet.
• bottled drinking water throughout the tour.
• picnic lunch on the full game drive day.
• breakfast and dinner at camp.
• complimentary lunch on the return drive to Nairobi.
• English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gracepatt Safaris

Is this one for you?The early starts (8 a.m. on day one and 7 a.m. on day two) are built into the schedule to catch animals when they are most active, so you maximize sighting time without wasting daylight hours.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What animals can I expect to see on the full-day game drive in Maasai Mara?

The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos) are the main draw, and most visitors have the opportunity to spot all of them. The Mara River is home to hippos and crocodiles year-round, and during the July-to-November migration season you can watch over 1.5 million wildebeest cross from the Serengeti into the reserve.

What is the accommodation like at the camp?

You stay in a private tented camp with a bed, linen, shower and toilet inside the tent. Mosquito nets are provided, and there is a hot shower in the evening and electricity to charge your devices.

How much does the Maasai Mara park entrance fee cost?

Park entrance fees are paid separately and vary by season: January through June costs USD 200 per adult and USD 100 per child. July through December costs USD 400 per adult and USD 100 per child.

Is a morning visit to a Masai village included in the tour?

A visit to a local Masai village is optional and available on request for an additional USD 20 per person. Your guide can arrange it for you on the morning of day three before you depart for Nairobi.

What time does the tour start and end each day?

Day one: pickup from your Nairobi hotel at 8 a.m., with an evening game drive starting at 4 p.m. Day two: departure from camp at 7 a.m., with the game drive ending around 4 p.m. Day three: breakfast and checkout at 8 a.m., arrival in Nairobi around 3 to 4 p.m.