Maasai Mara: 3-day safari with local guide & Nairobi pickup

Summary

Three days in Maasai Mara—wildlife, laughter, and open skies

You’ll wake up to wild mornings in Maasai Mara, spot elephants and cheetahs on game drives with a local guide, share picnic lunches under acacia trees, and end your trip swapping stories over lunch in Nairobi. It’s three days of real wildlife encounters—and small moments you’ll remember long after you’ve left Kenya behind.

What’s the experience like?

You sort of tumble into it—one minute we’re crawling out of Nairobi at sunrise, the next we’re standing at the Rift Valley viewpoint, wind tugging at our sleeves and that first whiff of earth and grass. Our guide, Peter, grinned as he pointed out the far-off escarpment (“That’s where the world splits open,” he said—maybe half-joking). The drive to Maasai Mara is long but not dull; we passed kids waving by the roadside and goats doing whatever goats do. Lunch at Enchoro Wildlife Camp was simple but filling—rice, beans, something spicy I still can’t name. Then straight into our first game drive. It’s hard to describe that first sighting—a herd of elephants just… there. No fences. Just dust and sunlight on their backs.

The second day was all about chasing moments across the savannah. We packed up for a full day in the park (picnic lunch stashed in the back), bouncing over red dirt tracks while Peter scanned for movement. Wildebeest everywhere—like someone shook pepper over the plains—and zebras flicking their tails at flies. At one point a cheetah actually ducked under our vehicle for shade; my heart thudded so loud I swear she heard it. The air smelled like dry grass and diesel, with bursts of birdsong when we stopped to eat under an acacia tree. Some folks did a balloon ride (extra cost), but honestly I was happy just watching giraffes stretch their necks against that huge sky.

Leaving Maasai Mara felt weirdly heavy—I kept glancing back at the horizon as if something might follow us home. On the way back to Nairobi we stopped at the Maasai Market; colors everywhere, women laughing as they bargained with tourists (I tried to haggle for earrings and failed spectacularly). Lunch at Carnivore Restaurant was a blur of smoky meat and chatter—everyone swapping animal stories like old friends now. When Peter dropped us off at our hotel I realized my shoes were still dusty from the Mara, which felt right somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi to Maasai Mara Safari

• Drive to Maasai Mara via Rift Valley viewpoint
• Lunch at Enchoro Wildlife Camp
• Afternoon game viewing in Maasai Mara
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 2 — Full Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara

• Breakfast at camp
• Full day game drive with picnic lunch
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 3 — Return to Nairobi

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive back to Nairobi
• Lunch at Carnivore Restaurant
• Drop off at hotel or airport

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Maasai Mara safari?

Yes, pickup from your Nairobi city hotel is included at 7 am on day one.

Where do we stay during the safari?

You’ll stay in superior tents at Enchoro Wildlife Camp inside Maasai Mara.

Are meals provided on this 3-day safari?

Yes, meals are included: lunch on arrival day, picnic lunch during game drives, dinner each night, plus lunch at Carnivore Restaurant on return.

Is this tour suitable for families or travelers with limited mobility?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; infant seats are available too.

Can I join a hot air balloon ride during this trip?

Yes, balloon rides can be arranged on day two for an extra cost.

What animals can I expect to see in Maasai Mara?

Lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras—and many bird species.

How long does it take to drive from Nairobi to Maasai Mara?

The drive takes several hours with a stop at Rift Valley viewpoint along the way.

What’s included

Your three days include Nairobi hotel pickup and drop-off (or airport), all transport between locations, guided game drives inside Maasai Mara National Reserve with a local expert guide, accommodation in superior tents at Enchoro Wildlife Camp with all meals provided—including picnic lunches in the park—and a final lunch reservation at Carnivore Restaurant before returning to your hotel or flight home.