Plan Your Ultimate 3-Day Safari In Kenya’s Masai Mara – An Adventure You’ll Love

A safari in the Masai Mara in Kenya has to be on top of so many bucketlists. With its vast landscapes, richness of wildlife, and unique Maasai culture, it is incredibly special. Think golden sunsets, heard of elephants and giraffes grazing by your safari car and on top, you get to experience the real Masai culture and traditions.

This itinerary is based on my stay at Instinct of the Mara, but I’ve also included bookable safari options below if you’re planning your own trip.

This guide shows you how to plan a 3-day Masai Mara safari like mine, including how to book similar lodges, flights, and tours. For this Masai Mara itinerary, we’ll focus on the Mara but also on the private Olderkesi Conservancy, where I was based.

Safari in Masai Mara Kenya: Essentials to Know

The Maasai Mara National Reserve, often referred to simply as “the Mara,” is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife areas and forms part of the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

It’s known for its high density of wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs, as well as the annual Great Migration. The area is made up of the main national reserve and several private conservancies. While both offer excellent wildlife viewing, conservancies tend to be quieter and allow for additional activities such as walking safaris and night drives. Choosing where to stay will shape how private or flexible your safari experience feels.

Best Time to Visit the Masai Mara

The best time to visit the Masai Mara is from July to October, during the dry season and the Great Migration. This is when wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River, predators follow, and wildlife viewing is at its most dramatic. Days are sunny and mild, nights cooler, and game drives are reliable.

From November to May, the Mara turns lush and green. While there are fewer river crossings, wildlife viewing is still excellent, prices are lower, and the landscapes are beautiful. Expect occasional rain and warmer temperatures, but also fewer crowds.

Kenya Wifi & Internet

When it comes to staying connected, Wi-Fi is rather spotty and only available in the main mess at camp. To be connected right away wheny on your safari in Kenya, make sure to purchase an eSIM for Kenya.

How To Get To The Maasai Mara

Chartered Flights: Several airlines offer chartered flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi directly to various airstrips within the Maasai Mara Reserve.

Bush flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to airstrips in the Masai Mara typically cost 250–450 USD one way, depending on season and airline. Flight time is around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Driving: You can hire a private vehicle with driver or arrange for your transport through your lodge. The journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, depending on road conditions and the specific location. The road trip offers scenic views of the Great Rift Valley and you’ll already have a game drive included!

Safari in the Masai Mara Map

How to Book a Masai Mara Safari Like This

If you’re planning a 3-day safari in the Masai Mara and want something similar to my experience, here are reliable, bookable options at different comfort levels.

Option 1: Luxury and all-inclusive Safari

3-Day Masai Mara Luxury Tented Safari

This private, multi-day safari is ideal if you want a high-comfort experience without planning anything yourself. Expect guided game drives focused on the Big Five, a luxury tented camp with a pool, and all meals included. Transport from and back to Nairobi is arranged for you, making this a stress-free option for first-time safari travelers or couples.

Option 2: Mid-range Lodge Safari

3-Day Masai Mara Private Safari at Sopa Lodge

This mid-range safari is a great balance between comfort and value. You’ll stay at Sopa Lodge, a well-established property inside the Masai Mara, with spacious rooms, a pool, and reliable service. Game drives are shared or private depending on the package, and the itinerary covers all the classic wildlife sightings.

Option 3: Flexible Safari for independent Planners

3-Day Masai Mara Safari (Accommodation Booked Separately)

If you prefer more control over where you stay, this option focuses on the game drives and transport while allowing you to book your own lodge or camp. It’s ideal if you’ve already found accommodation or want to compare different lodges inside or near the reserve.

Safari in Masai Mara, Kenya: 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in the Masai Mara

I’d recommend arriving a day or two earlier in Nairobi to see some of the city’s best sights. For the best location, you can look into staying near the airport at the Tamarind Tree Hotel or Four Points by Sheraton. Start your safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya at the Wilson Airport in Nairobi in the morning.

The whole Maasai staff will greet you upon arrival, waiting for you with a cold towel and a homemade drink. You can already feel the luxury treatment!

Unwind in the pool

Whether you’re flying into the Mara or getting there by car from Nairobi, spending time in the pool is divine. The two-bed luxury villa with its dining room and outdoor pool that overlooks the garden is a real treat. What better way to start your safari in the Masai Mara in Kenya?

Sunset Bush Walk

One of the most fun parts of any safari has to be daily sundowners. Secluded Africa took the group on an educational bushwalk with the Masai and a few rangers for protection. Henry, our exceptional guide, explained key plants and trees to us, showing us different healing methods or how to use them.

In the distance, we could hear Hyenas, and came across a herd of zebras and gazelles – talk about adrenaline!

Maasai BBQ Sundowner

If you ever get the chance to attend a traditional Masaai BBQ, definitely DO IT. The Masaai made the whole firepit from scratch, the way they were taught by their fathers and forefathers. They proceeded to grill a few lamb shanks, which we’d dip in salt and a minty sauce. After this, you’ll never eat lamb the same way. There’s always someone from the team on hand to make you a drink or fill up your beer or wine. Sitting by the fire, watching the sunset, talk stories and having delicious food being served is one of the true luxuries.

Day 2 Game Drive

Maasai Mara Game Drive

Your second day on your safari in the Masai Mara in Kenya should definitely consist of a full-day game drive. With a private car for each booking or group, you have your own driver and guide, ready to show you the Mara.

A game drive typically starts around 5.00-5.30 AM to see the animals before the heat of the day. One of our first sightings was an elephant mum with her baby and a teenager that she took care of. Herds of gazelles, antelopes and zebras, a jackal that quickly disappeared, and so many giraffes that were unbothered by our presence – there was never a shortage of animals to see!

Bush Picnic

As part of any game drive day, you’ll probably have a bush picnic. Once we found a hill with some of the best views, the team set up our breakfast. Think of eggs, bread, yogurt, baked goods, sausages and coffee – the experience was just the best. The vast greens of the Mara, the river in the distance, ostriches and the wind blowing through your hair – what’s not to love?

One day of the game drive included a bush breakfast and a sumptuous bush lunch with our own mobile minibar.

Day 3 Maasai Culture Day

Masai Village Visit

Our camp, Instinct of the Mara, lies in a private conservancy and Masai area a lot of the staff is from the nearby villages. With the head of the village or boma, we greeted the children and in retur,n the women greeted us. Dressed in their most colorful robes and precious jewelry, they danced and sang and took as along.

Part of the village visit consists of having a closer look into the houses of the Masaai women. There’s typically one man having multiple wives, rotating through the houses. So in general, the women live in the houses with their children. Inside, you will find the cooking place, storage for food and simple beds – it’s quite dark, sticky and very much a different environment than what you’re used to.

Maasai Market

As part of the village visit, the women prepared a little market for us. There you could buy handmade wooden handicrafts, jewelry, Maasai beaded belts, necklaces and so much more. It’s a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere, everyone is welcoming and so happy to have you around.

Sunset Game Drive

For the afternoon, maybe you can plan another game drive through the local conservancy. Once the sun is setting, there’s all the more opportunity to spot wildlife.

Maasai Dance

Once you all sit around the fire for a sundowner, you’re snacking on the most delicious canapes and wait for the spectacle. All the Maasai team members dress in their traditional clothes, starting to dance and sing. They might take one or two along the ride, to celebrate the last night together at camp.

Day 4: Departure to Nairobi or Tsavo National Park

Sadly, it’s the last day, and you have to leave. The team will make sure to send you off with a bag of seed balls. About six of them that you can throw into the grasslands to sow new trees – such a nice detail! You’ll head back to Cottar’s Airstrip to take you back to Wilson Airport. Many people don’t end their safari in the Masai Mara Kenya, but continue to places such as Tsavo, Amboseli, Samburu or the coast.

If you’re considering Tsavo, I’ve shared everything you need to know about combining the Masai Mara with Tsavo, including travel times, wildlife differences, and where to stay, in my Tsavo National Park guide.

National Reserve vs Private Conservancy: What’s the Difference?

Staying inside a private conservancy means fewer vehicles, more flexibility during game drives, and access to activities not allowed in the national reserve, such as walking safaris and night drives.

Lodges in the main reserve tend to be more affordable and offer excellent wildlife viewing, but can feel busier during peak season. Both deliver unforgettable safaris; the right choice depends on budget and how private you want the experience to feel.

Kenya Masai Mara Lodges: Where to Stay

Instinct of the Mara has to be the best place you can stay when visiting the Masai Mara. For every booking, parts of the generated income goes into the Secluded Africa Trust. This money benefits directly to conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and the support of the community. The lodge is equipped with a mess tent with a dining area and bar. The entire camp is solar-powered and you’ll find a cozy fire pit. What sets them apart is that every guest has access to their own driver, guide, and vehicle!

A few of the many incredible social and sustainable efforts Secluded Africa did:

• Over 7.5 million liters of water were delivered to wildlife in 2023
• Girls & boys are put through education & mentorship
• 80.000 liters of drinking water was delivered to schools
• During droughts, they sent food packages to nearby primary schools
• Arrested 12 poachers & allowed them to become a beekeeper

Other Masai Mara Lodges to Consider

Keen on more East Africa travel inspo? Check out these posts!

Need a longer Kenya itinerary? Here’s my 10-Day Kenya itinerary

Been to Zanzibar? Find out about the best activities & things to do in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

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