3-day Masai Mara safari: Private lodge & game drives

Hunt the Big Five across open grassland, then watch the Mara River where a million wildebeest cross

A 3-day private safari from Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve with overnight lodge stays, professional guide, game drives and park entry included. You depart Nairobi on day one, spend two full days driving the reserve in search of the Big Five and the annual wildebeest migration, and return to the city on day three. Hotel pickup and airport transfer are included. Bottled water is provided throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Maasai Mara and evening game drive

• Pick up from Nairobi hotel at 8am
• Drive to Maasai Mara via Rift Valley viewpoint
• Lunch at Maasai Mara lodge
• Check in at Keekorok Lodge
• Sunset game drive in Maasai Mara Reserve

Day 2: Full day game drive in Maasai Mara

• Breakfast at lodge
• Full day game drive in Maasai Mara Reserve
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Visit Mara River to see wildebeest migration
• Optional Maasai village cultural tour
• Overnight at Keekorok Lodge

Day 3: Return to Nairobi

• Early breakfast and check out
• Drive back to Nairobi with snack lunch stop
• Drop off at Nairobi hotel or airport

The experience

The drive from Nairobi takes you through the Great Rift Valley, with a brief stop at the viewpoint before you reach the lodge and head out for a sunset game drive the same afternoon. Day two is the full day in the reserve: after breakfast you'll spend hours searching for lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos across the open grassland, with a picnic lunch provided in the park. The Mara River is where the crossing happens (over 1.5 million wildebeest arrive in July and depart in November), and you'll see the resident hippos and crocodiles that line the banks. Day three is the return drive to Nairobi, with a complimentary snack lunch on the way and drop-off at your hotel or airport.

Your guide is a professional who speaks English and travels with you for all three days. The lodge is Keekorok or a similar property, with overnight stays included on days one and two. Park entry, transport, water and all game drives are part of the package. An optional visit to a local Maasai village can be arranged on the morning of day two for an additional cost if you want to learn about the community and interact with the people who live on the reserve's edges.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi.
• airport transfer on arrival morning.
• professional English-speaking guide for all three days.
• Masai Mara National Reserve entry fee.
• two nights' lodge accommodation at Keekorok or similar.
• all game drives.
• picnic lunch on day two.
• bottled water throughout the safari.
• complimentary snack lunch on the return drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.

Prices and times updated 29 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Perfect Safaris

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout, so you'll hear the commentary clearly on every drive. This works for first-time safari travelers and anyone who wants the wildlife explained as you spot it, rather than navigating the reserve on your own.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

Can I arrange airport pickup if I'm arriving by flight on day one?

Yes, complimentary airport pickup is available for guests arriving by flight in the morning of day one. The pickup time is 6am from the airport to your Nairobi hotel, where the safari departs at 8am.

What is the Mara River and why does it matter on this safari?

The Mara River runs across the migration path of the wildebeest herds and is the site where the annual crossing takes place. You'll see the river's resident hippos and crocodiles during your game drives, and if you travel in July through November, you may witness the migration itself.

How much time do I spend actually driving and looking for wildlife?

Day one includes an afternoon game drive from 4pm to 6pm after you arrive and check in; day two is a full day of game drives with a midday picnic lunch in the park; day three is the return drive to Nairobi with no game viewing.

What happens if I want to visit a Maasai village during the safari?

A visit to a local Maasai village for a cultural tour can be arranged on the morning of day two. This is optional and costs USD 20 in addition to the safari price, and lets you learn about the Maasai community and interact with local people.