3-day Masai Mara safari from Nairobi: Shared game drives

Two full days hunting the big five across Kenya's premier game reserve

A 3-day shared safari tour from Nairobi to Masai Mara National Park with a live English-speaking guide, two nights at Jambo Mara Safari Lodge, game drives, meals and hotel pickup included. Day 1 crosses the Great Rift Valley. Days 2 and 3 focus on wildlife spotting and an optional Maasai village visit before returning to Nairobi.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara Safari

• Pick up at 7:30 am
• Drive to Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Enjoy views at Great Rift Valley
• Continue drive to Maasai Mara
• Arrive Maasai Mara for lunch
• Afternoon game drive at 4:00 pm
• Return to lodge by 6:30 pm

Day 2: Full Day Game Drives in Masai Mara

• Early morning breakfast
• Full day game drives in reserve
• Picnic lunch during game drives
• Continue game drives in afternoon
• Return to lodge in evening

Day 3: Masai Mara to Nairobi Return

• Breakfast at lodge
• Optional Masai village visit
• Depart for Nairobi
• Arrive Nairobi and drop off

The experience

You're picked up at 7:30 am from your Nairobi hotel or the office and driven five hours into the Great Rift Valley, stopping at the viewpoint to see the vast expanse before descending into Masai Mara. Lunch arrives at the lodge, then an afternoon game drive at 4 pm puts you on the reserve where lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants and wildebeest roam. The density of animals here is extraordinary: Masai Mara is one of Kenya's most visited reserves for a reason.

Day 2 is a full day of game drives. Early breakfast, then back out into the reserve to track the black-maned lions Masai Mara is famous for and watch the wildebeest migration that flows from the Serengeti in Tanzania into Kenya. The Mara River cuts through both ecosystems and sustains the herds. You'll see why. A picnic lunch happens in the field, and you return to the lodge in the evening.

On Day 3, breakfast is followed by an optional visit to a Maasai village, a choice you make at booking, then the drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the evening at your hotel or the city centre. The itinerary includes two nights' accommodation, all meals except Day 1 breakfast and Day 3 dinner, bottled water throughout, and a driver-guide who speaks English.

What’s included

• Two nights at Jambo Mara Safari Lodge.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner as per itinerary.
• game drives with a driver-guide.
• bottled water throughout.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Nairobi hotels.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Last departure this season: 1 Jan 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with back problems

Operated by JOCKY TOURS AND SAFARIS

Is this one for you?Book this if you're flying into Nairobi without a rental car: hotel pickup and shared transport get you to Mara, while two nights of accommodation and meals let you focus on game drives instead of logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

Can I visit a Maasai village on this safari?

A Maasai village visit is optional on Day 3 after breakfast, before the return drive to Nairobi. You decide at booking whether to include it.

What animals will I see at Masai Mara?

Masai Mara is home to the big five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) plus cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle and many other plains game. The reserve has an unusually high density of wildlife, especially the black-maned lions the park is known for.

How long is the drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara?

The drive takes about five hours. You're picked up at 7:30 am, and you stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint en route before arriving at the lodge for lunch.

What meals are included on the 3-day tour?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day except Day 1 breakfast and Day 3 dinner. You'll have a picnic lunch during the full-day game drive on Day 2.

Is hotel pickup included from my Nairobi hotel?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected Nairobi hotels. Confirm your hotel is on the pickup list when booking, or arrange to meet at the office at 7:30 am.