3-Day Masai Mara Safari on 4X4: Big Five Wildlife Tour

Three days tracking the Big Five across Masai Mara's open plains

A 3-day private safari tour of Masai Mara National Reserve departing Nairobi with a driver-guide, 4x4 vehicle, accommodation and entry fees included. You'll make an early morning game drive on day two and a full day of viewing from the Mara River, where hippos and Nile crocodiles gather year-round. The fixed itinerary covers the reserve's resident lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants and wildebeest. An optional Masai Village visit is available on the return drive to Nairobi.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara Safari

• Meet driver-guide at hotel
• Depart Nairobi 7:30-8:00am
• Drive through Great Rift Valley
• Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Arrive Masai Mara for lunch
• Afternoon game drive at 3:30pm
• Return to camp for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Full Day Game Drives in Masai Mara

• Early morning game drive
• Picnic lunch at Mara River
• Wildlife viewing at Mara River
• Late afternoon game drive
• Return to camp for dinner and overnight

Day 3: Masai Mara to Nairobi Return

• Breakfast and check-out
• Depart Masai Mara for Nairobi
• Optional visit to Masai Village
• Stopover for lunch (own expense)
• Arrive Nairobi and drop off

The experience

The journey starts with a 7:30–8am pickup from your Nairobi hotel and a 5.5-hour drive descending the Great Rift Valley to Masai Mara. You'll stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint to see the largest valley on earth, then arrive at the reserve for lunch and an afternoon game drive at 3:30pm. The vehicle is a 4x4 safari Jeep built for off-road movement and close-up wildlife encounters, and your driver-guide stays with you throughout to navigate the best viewing spots.

Day two is the full-day wildlife push: an early morning game drive before breakfast, then a picnic lunch at the Mara River where hippos and Nile crocodiles are permanent residents. The afternoon brings another game drive before you return to camp for dinner. Few places concentrate wildlife as densely as Masai Mara, and sightings of the Big Five (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo) are nearly guaranteed, along with cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeest and zebras.

On day three you'll have a relaxed breakfast and check-out, then depart for the return drive to Nairobi with a lunch stop along the way. An optional visit to a Masai Village is available if you want to break up the road transfer. The village visit is at your own cost and arranged on the day. Drop-off is at your Nairobi hotel or your chosen location in the city.

What’s included

• Accommodation at a camp for two nights.
• entry fees to Masai Mara National Reserve.
• pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi hotel.
• a driver-guide for all three days.
• drinking water throughout the tour.
• and a picnic lunch at the Mara River on day two.

Options for this experience

3 options

Van joiningGuide in English · 07:00Pickup is included with the van option

Joining jeepGuide in English · 05:00, 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Pickup is included with the jeep option

Private jeepGuide in English · 05:00, 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00Pickup is included with the private jeep option

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:00, 06:00, 07:00 and 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (5 to 6 years) · Infant (under 5)

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by WAKI TOURS AND TRAVELS

Is this one for you?Choose the private jeep if you want to set your own pace and stop where your guide spots wildlife. The shared van or joining jeep works better if you prefer to split costs and don't mind traveling with other guests. The fixed three-day schedule fits the reserve's best game-viewing windows (early mornings and late afternoons) into a single trip from Nairobi without requiring a longer commitment.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 6 years); Infant (under 5).

What animals will I actually see on a Masai Mara safari?

Masai Mara is home to the Big Five (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo) plus cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeest and zebras. Sightings of all five are nearly guaranteed on any trip because the reserve has one of the highest wildlife concentrations in Africa. The Mara River, where you'll have your picnic lunch on day two, is a permanent home to hippos and Nile crocodiles year-round.

How much driving is involved on the first day?

The drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara takes 5.5 hours. You'll depart between 7:30 and 8am and stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint on the way to see the largest valley in the world. You'll arrive at the reserve in time for lunch, then head out on an afternoon game drive at 3:30pm.

What's included in the price and what costs extra?

The tour includes accommodation at a camp, all entry fees to Masai Mara, drinking water, pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi hotel, and the driver-guide for all three days. Meals beyond lunch on day two are not included, nor are alcoholic drinks, tips, or the optional Masai Village visit. Hot air balloon safaris are also available separately at additional cost.

Can I choose a shared vehicle instead of a private jeep?

Yes. You can book a private 4x4 jeep, a van with other travelers, or a joining jeep where you share with other guests. All options include the same driver-guide, accommodation and itinerary. The choice affects only your vehicle and group size.

What time do the game drives happen each day?

On day one, the afternoon game drive departs at 3:30pm after you've arrived and had lunch. On day two, you'll wake early for a morning game drive before breakfast, then return for a picnic lunch at the Mara River, and head out again for a short evening game drive before returning to camp for dinner. Day three is the return drive to Nairobi with no game drives.