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Maasai Mara Safari from Nairobi (3 Days)
A Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi is the classic Kenyan safari — a 3-day, 2-night trip to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, home to the Big Five, the world’s densest big-cat populations, and (July–October) the Great Wildebeest Migration. Reach it by a scenic ~5–6 hour drive or a short fly-in, and spend two nights immersed in Africa’s most famous savanna.
Free quote & itinerary within ~24 hours · reserve with a deposit · enquire at safaricapital.org/contact.
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Key takeaways
- A 3-day, 2-night trip to the Maasai Mara — Kenya’s flagship safari.
- Big Five and the world’s densest big cats; the Migration July–October.
- From US$795 per person sharing (group of 5–6), park fees, lodging and meals included.
- Reach it by ~5–6 hr drive or a short fly-in from Nairobi.
- World-class year-round; extendable and combinable with other parks.
What is a Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi?
It is a 3-day, 2-night guided safari from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara National Reserve — about 270 km southwest — with multiple game drives across two full days in Kenya’s richest wildlife area. You travel down by road or light aircraft, stay two nights in a lodge or tented camp, and game-drive morning and afternoon.
The Maasai Mara is the northern extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s most celebrated safari destination. It holds all of the Big Five, exceptional densities of lion, cheetah and leopard, and — in season — the river crossings of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Two nights give you the time the Mara deserves, with the flexibility to follow sightings and reach the best areas.
See the safaris from Nairobi hub for other multi-day options.
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Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: travel to the Mara, afternoon game drive. Day 2: full day of game drives. Day 3: morning drive and return to Nairobi.
Day 1 · Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Morning departure by road (~5–6 hrs) or a short fly-in. Lunch at your camp, then an afternoon game drive. Overnight in the Mara.
Day 2 · Full-day Mara
A full day exploring the reserve — early and late drives for big cats, with a midday break. Optional Maasai village visit or a full-day drive with a picnic. Overnight in the Mara.
Day 3 · Maasai Mara → Nairobi
A final morning game drive, then depart after breakfast, arriving back in Nairobi in the afternoon (or a midday fly-in).
Big Five and big cats
The Mara has all of the Big Five and some of Africa’s best big-cat viewing — lion prides, cheetah on the plains and leopard in the riverine forest — plus elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and vast plains game.
| Animal | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lion | Very common | High-density prides |
| Cheetah | Common | On the open plains |
| Leopard | Possible | Riverine forest |
| Elephant & buffalo | Very common | Big Five staples |
| Rhino | Rare | Present but scarce |
| Wildebeest & zebra | Seasonal → millions | Migration Jul–Oct |
The Great Wildebeest Migration
From roughly July to October, over a million wildebeest and zebra move into the Mara from the Serengeti, with dramatic Mara River crossings — the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth. Exact timing varies with the rains.
The Migration is the Mara’s headline event: massed herds on the plains and heart-stopping river crossings where crocodiles wait. Peak crossing activity is usually August–September, but the herds’ movements depend on rainfall and are never guaranteed on a given day. Outside these months the resident wildlife alone makes the Mara world-class — so it’s a superb safari all year.
Where you’ll stay
Two nights in a lodge or tented camp, inside the reserve or in the surrounding conservancies, matched to your budget from comfortable mid-range to luxury.
Accommodation ranges from classic safari lodges to intimate tented camps. Camps in the private conservancies bordering the reserve offer quieter game viewing and off-road/night drives (not permitted inside the reserve itself). We match the stay to your budget and style — tell us your preference.
Best time to go
July–October is best for the Migration and dry-season game viewing; the green season (November–June) is quieter, greener and excellent for resident big cats, birds and lower prices.
For the Migration and easiest travel, aim for the dry months — but book early, as this is peak season. For fewer vehicles, lush scenery, newborn animals and better value, the green season is wonderful and the Mara’s resident predators are active year-round. We’ll advise based on your dates and priorities.
Maasai Mara 3-day safari prices
From US$795 per person sharing for a group of 5–6, including park fees, two nights’ lodging with meals, and transport. Prices vary with accommodation and season (Migration months cost more).
| Group size | Price / person | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller | $1,290 | Single room, private vehicle |
| 2 people | $980 | Per person sharing |
| 3–4 people | $870 | Per person sharing |
| 5–6 people | $795 | Per person sharing, best value |
Included: Private 4WD with pop-up roof and driver-guide, all Maasai Mara reserve fees, two nights’ accommodation with meals (mid-range), bottled water in the vehicle, and hotel/airport pickup and drop-off.
Not included: Fly-in upgrade, premium/luxury camps (on request), balloon safari, Maasai village fee, drinks, gratuities and personal extras. Single travellers pay a single-room supplement. Migration-season rates are higher.
Indicative 2026 rates in USD per person for non-resident guests on a private tour. Includes Nairobi National Park entry at the current KWS non-resident fee (US$80 per adult, effective October 2025) and attraction admission where shown; excludes lunch, gratuities and personal extras. Final price confirmed on enquiry. Last checked: July 2026.
What’s included and excluded
Included: private 4WD and driver-guide, all reserve fees, two nights’ accommodation with meals, bottled water, and door-to-door transfers from Nairobi.
Not included: fly-in upgrade, balloon safari, optional Maasai village visit, drinks, tips and personal extras. Accommodation tier is flexible; Migration-season pricing is higher.
Drive or fly-in?
Driving (~5–6 hours each way) is scenic and cost-effective; a fly-in from Wilson Airport takes ~45–60 minutes and maximises time on safari for a premium.
| Option | Travel time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Drive (private 4WD) | ~5–6 hrs each way | Value, scenery, your own vehicle |
| Fly-in (Wilson) | ~45–60 min each way | Comfort, time-saving, luxury camps |
Fly-in safaris include game drives in a camp vehicle at the Mara; we’ll quote either option to suit your budget and time.
Extend and combine
Add a night for a more relaxed pace, or combine the Mara with Lake Nakuru, Amboseli or Lake Naivasha for a classic multi-park Kenyan safari.
The Mara is the anchor of many longer itineraries. Popular combinations include Mara + Nakuru (rhino and flamingos) or Mara + Amboseli (elephants and Kilimanjaro). Tell us how long you have and we’ll design the ideal loop. See Nairobi itineraries for ideas.
How to book
Email your dates, group size, budget and whether you’d like to drive or fly, and we’ll return a tailored quote and day-by-day itinerary within about 24 hours.
1 · Enquire
Send your dates and numbers to tours@safaricapital.org or via safaricapital.org/contact.
2 · Tailor
We match camp, access (drive/fly) and season to your budget.
3 · Reserve
A deposit secures the safari, vehicle and rooms — book early for Migration season.
4 · Travel
We handle park fees, lodging and logistics end to end.
Experience Kenya’s greatest safari
Big cats, the Big Five and the Great Migration — a 3-day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi, everything included, from $795 per person sharing. Send your dates for a tailored quote.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Maasai Mara from Nairobi?
When is the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara?
Is the Maasai Mara worth it outside Migration season?
How much is a 3-day Maasai Mara safari?
Can I see the Big Five in the Maasai Mara?
Should I drive or fly to the Mara?
Related tours & guides
The safari the world dreams of.
Big cats, the Big Five and the Great Migration — a 3-day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi, everything handled. Send your dates and group for a tailored quote.
Sources & last updated. Updated July 2026
Maasai Mara National Reserve (distance ~270 km from Nairobi; Big Five; Great Wildebeest Migration ~July–October) is managed by Narok County; reserve fees set by the county and variable. Migration timing depends on rainfall and is not guaranteed. Lodging, fees and wildlife are variable — confirm before travel. Prices are SafariCapital indicative 2026 rates, confirmed on enquiry.