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

Two full days hunting the Big Five, one morning in a Maasai village

A 3-day safari from Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve with daily departures, two full game drives, accommodation at Mara Ntulele camp, and a guide with over five years of wildlife experience. The itinerary includes a Maasai village visit on the final morning before returning to Nairobi. All meals, park entry, transport in a 4x4 with pop-up roof, and Wi-Fi at camp are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel Nairobi to Maasai Mara

• Pick-up from Nairobi hotel
• Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Lunch break in Narok
• Continue journey to Maasai Mara
• Check-in and rest at camp
• First game drive in Maasai Mara
• Dinner and relaxation at camp

Day 2: Full Day Game Drives

• Wake up early
• Breakfast at camp
• Full day game drive with packed lunch
• Scenic lookout near Mara River
• Afternoon game drive back to camp
• Dinner and relaxation at camp

Day 3: Maasai Village and Return

• Visit traditional Maasai village
• Drive back towards Nairobi
• Lunch stop in Narok
• Arrive at Nairobi meet-up point

The experience

The route starts with a 7 a.m. pickup from your Nairobi hotel and a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint before reaching Maasai Mara by mid-afternoon. You'll settle into Mara Ntulele camp, then head straight out on your first game drive at 4:30 p.m. to spot wildlife as the day cools. Day two is the full commitment: a 5 a.m. start, breakfast, then ten hours of driving deep into the reserve with packed lunches at the Mara River, where you watch for hippos and crocodiles. The afternoon game drive continues the search for the Big Five before you return to camp by 5:30 p.m. On day three, you visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about their customs and crafts, then drive back to Nairobi with a lunch stop in Narok.

Your guide speaks English and has over five years of experience reading the landscape and the animals. The 4x4 Land Cruiser has a pop-up roof so you can stand and shoot photos or simply see over the grass. Meals are full board at the camp, and the park entry fee is already paid. The Maasai village tour is optional. You can skip it and head straight back to Nairobi on the morning of day three if you prefer.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide with over five years of wildlife experience.
• transport in a modified 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
• all meals and full board accommodation at Mara Ntulele camp outside the park.
• Maasai Mara National Reserve entry fees.
• two full game drives on days one and two.
• a Mara River side tour.
• Wi-Fi at the camp.
• parking fees.
• drinking water throughout.
• private rooms at the lodge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8 · max 6 per booking

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Savanna Sojourns Safaris

Is this one for you?This is a group joining tour, so you share the vehicle and the experience with other travelers: a way to keep costs down and meet people with the same interest in wildlife. The fixed schedule and two full days of driving maximize your chances of spotting the Big Five, and the early starts are what make the difference between seeing animals active at dawn and arriving after they've retreated into the shade.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What are the Big Five I might see in Maasai Mara?

The Big Five are lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Maasai Mara is one of the few places where you have a genuine chance of spotting all five during a multi-day safari, though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup on day one?

Pickup from your Nairobi hotel is at 7 a.m., so you'll need to be packed and waiting by then. You'll arrive at Mara Ntulele camp by mid-afternoon and have time to rest before the first game drive at 4:30 p.m.

Is the Maasai village visit included, or do I pay extra?

The Maasai village tour on day three is optional. It's built into the itinerary, but you can choose to skip it and return directly to Nairobi instead. Let your guide know your preference when you book.

How many people travel together on the game drives?

This is a group joining tour, so you'll share the 4x4 with other travelers. The vehicle is designed for optimal viewing, and the pop-up roof means everyone gets a clear sightline.

What's included in the meals during the safari?

Full board accommodation means breakfast before the early game drives, packed lunches you eat at scenic stops during the day, and dinner at camp each evening. Water is provided throughout.