3 Days Masai Mara Safari
A short but unforgettable African wildlife adventure in Kenya’s most famous safari destination.
Safari Highlights
- Visit the famous Masai Mara National Reserve
- Opportunity to see the Big Five
- Scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley
- Optional Maasai cultural village visit
- Comfortable safari lodges or tented camps
- Ideal for first-time safari travelers
Safari Overview
A 3 Day Masai Mara Safari is one of the best ways to experience the magic of an African wildlife adventure in a short time. The famous Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the world’s most celebrated safari destinations, known for its breathtaking savannah landscapes and extraordinary concentration of wildlife.
On this safari with Kikwetu Cultural Adventures, you will travel from Nairobi into the heart of the Mara where thrilling game drives offer the chance to see Africa’s iconic Big Five — lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos — along with giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and countless other animals roaming freely across the plains.
Perfect for first-time safari travelers, this adventure combines scenic drives, comfortable safari lodges, expert local guides, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Why Choose This Safari
- Unmatched access to the Great Wildebeest Migration
- Opportunities to spot the Big Five
- Breathtaking landscapes from river crossings to endless plains
- Daily guided game drives with experienced local guides
- Comfortable lodges and camps in prime wildlife areas
This safari blends adventure, wildlife, and photographic moments into one unforgettable experience.
Best time to go for Masai Mara Safari
The Masai Mara National Reserve offers excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year.
The most popular period is July to October when the famous Great Migration takes place.
However, other months such as January to March and June also offer fantastic wildlife viewing with fewer crowds.
3-Day Masai Mara Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
Your 3 day Masai Mara safari adventure begins with an early morning departure from Nairobi as you travel toward the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve.
The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, where you will stop at a panoramic viewpoint for photographs and breathtaking views of one of Africa’s most remarkable geological formations.
Continuing through traditional Kenyan countryside and small towns, you will arrive at your safari lodge or tented camp in the Masai Mara in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy your first exciting game drive across the open savannah as your guide searches for wildlife such as lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelope. The Masai Mara is famous for its rich wildlife and every game drive offers something new to discover.
- Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Full Day Safari in Masai Mara
After an early breakfast, depart for a full day of wildlife viewing in the spectacular Masai Mara National Reserve.
This reserve offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. As you explore different areas of the park, you may encounter lions resting in the shade, elephants moving across the plains, or cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey.
Between July and October, visitors may also witness the dramatic Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River in one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.
A picnic lunch will be enjoyed inside the reserve so you can spend more time exploring this remarkable ecosystem on a 3 day Masai Mara safari.
Optional activities such as a Maasai cultural village visit or an early morning hot air balloon safari over the Mara plains can also be arranged for an even more memorable experience.
Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Masai Mara to Nairobi
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before beginning your journey back to Nairobi.
As you drive through the rolling landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, you will have time to reflect on the incredible wildlife encounters and memories created during your 3 day Masai Mara safari.
You will arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon where you will be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport for your onward travel.
This marks the end of your unforgettable Kenyan safari with Kikwetu Cultural Adventures.
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
Important Note: If any listed accommodation is unavailable at the time of booking, an alternative property of similar or higher standard will be reserved. This guarantees that your comfort and safari experience remain exceptional.
Safari Cost
From $940 - $1480 Per Person (Based on Two People Sharing)
Note: Final prices depend on season, exact lodge choices, group size, and included extras. High season (June-October) usually costs more than low season.
| ✔ What’s Included | ✖ What’s Not Included |
|---|---|
| Park entrance fees for all national parks and conservation areas | International flights |
| Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing | Visa fees |
| Services of a professional, English-speaking safari guide | Travel insurance |
| Full-board accommodation during the safari (breakfast, lunch & dinner) | Personal expenses |
| Game drives and activities as outlined in the itinerary | Alcoholic & soft drinks |
| Airport pick-up and drop-off transfers | Tips & gratuities |
| All government taxes and local levies | |
| Bottled drinking water during game drives | |
| Emergency evacuation cover (AMREF Flying Doctors) |
Excellent rating
Based on 53 reviewsVerified Solo Trip to Masaimara, Lake Nakuru & Samburu “It was such a wonderful experience with this Company. Ken is a wonderful guy he organised ecmomic safari trips for Masaimara, Lake Nakuru and Samburu!!!” I have spotted all big 5 & I highly recommend this company!” UtkarshVerified Best Safari from Kenya to Tanzania Kikwetu provided us the best experience of SAFARI, from Maasai mara to Serengeti, Ndutu and Ngorongoro. We spent 8-days and 7-nights together, during which we took a lot of amazing pictures with the help of two professional and capable guides. Of course they almost knew everything on the grassland so they could always find the animals we’d like to ‘chase’ smoothly. I thought everything was excellent including accommodations, foods, vehicles, and the most important, people with us.Kikwetu为我们提供了SAFARI的最佳体验,从马赛马拉到塞伦盖蒂、恩杜图和恩戈罗戈罗。我们在一起度过了8天7夜,在两位专业能干的导游的帮助下,我们拍了很多令人惊叹的照片。当然,他们几乎知道草原上的一切,所以他们总能顺利地找到我们想要“追逐”的动物。我觉得一切都很好,包括住宿、食物、车辆,最重要的是,还有和我们在一起的人。 xhJinVerified Amazing experience Safari ans Beach Kenneth organised a 14 days beach and safari vacation for us. He is very professional and always looks after his clients. The Safari was amazing. We saw so many animals and the landscape is beautiful and the lodges were great. Two times we could see elephants drinking from our beds!Livingston our driver was very funny and knew the animals very well. He was also very kind and respectful to nature and animals. Everything was perfect! We will definitely book with Kikwetchu again and can definitely recommend it. Simone SVerified Welch’s and Fox’s safari An absolutely superb experience. From the booking process onwards. Kenneth from Kikwetu gave his fullest attention to our requests, changes and tweaks to the itinerary leading to us having an unforgettable Safari. Sharif, our driver and guide for the duration of the holiday, picked us up at the airport and was with us all the way until dropping us back at the airport. He was always sympathetic to our needs, and was very flexible and accommodating with requests and changes to our itinerary.We had superb encounters with so much spectacular wildlife!Kikwetu set up a specific route and accommodations for our budget and what we wanted to see.I could not recommend them enough! African Safari, choose Kikwetu, you will not be disappointed! Nick WVerified Kenya Trip with Family We planned to go to Kenya in 2020 and contacted Ken of Kikwetu Cultural Adventures late 2019 and early 2020 and paid advance. COVID put a big spanner in our plans. Ken kept us informed about what is happening in Kenya during COVID and he encouraged us to restart the process in 2023. Finally after a long wait of three years we went to Kenya and had amazing experience. Ken and team took care of everything and it was flawless and delightful experience. Ken is very easy to work with and he is flexible and resourceful. I added one extra day in Nairobi to see Nairobi National park and he worked out details in the last minute. We went as family and each one of use had a great experience. I know this is a family trip but photographer in me want to give this feedback. Ken should give a guide who appreciates timing for light and have patience to stay at one place to get the right shot. Overall our family trip went really well and I want to thank Ken for patiently working with us since 2019, keeping us informed and motivating us to take the trip in 2023. He and his team gave us amazing experience. Tips:1) Since we had less time, we skipped Amboseli and went to Nakuru and Naivasha. After seeing pictures our friend took in Amboseli, we realized the mistake we made. Prioritize Amboseli over Naivasha. Don't skip Amboseli. 2) Be prepared for long safari rides. This is not a zoo. It is a game. Enjoy the waiting, anticipation and chase. It is totally worth it. 3) You need 400 MM to 500 MM lenses with good stabilization for taking good pictures. 4) Don't worry about food. Veg and Non Veg options are plenty at each resort. 5) Book in advance and get hotel in Masai Mara Triangle if possible. 6) Finally go with Ken and Team. They are just awesome. Pls see my pictures. I want to come back to Kenya for Amboseli and Masai Mara crossing. Vacation07818580554Verified Anniversary trip We hired them for 3 days for several excursions plus places I just wanted to see. Very flexible team Jihan AVerified Very well organised From understanding our brief to working on itinerary basis our requirement they were on top of planning. Their guide was also top notch giving us local insights and inputs AnithaKrishnanVerified Excellent service We booked our Kenya trip either Ken and it was one of the best trips ever! The hotels were excellent. Masaga was with us throughout the trip and we have never come across someone so well aware of animals and birds. Excellent knowledge. Ken's hospitality was excellent. He made sure our stay and trip was comfortable and memorable. He customized the trip to our liking. My parents also booked through them the gear later and they were happy too. Would highly recommend. Zero complaints. Aditi KVerified Thank you so much for this beautiful experience! This has been one of the best experiences of our lives!Kikwetu Cultural Adventures took care of every single detail and made our stay unforgettable. Everyone in the team is a professional, with great knowledge regarding the animals we saw on our safari. They made us feel very welcome and safe! Wonderful people that you should totally trust to experience the beauty of nature.Would totally book with them again, if I have the chance to visit again!Thank you guys, really appreciated everything you did for us.Julia JuliaVerified Amazing safari with kikwetu like a dream. Kikwetu Cultural Adventures was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone. I was looking for a trip that would enable me to explore the beauty of Kenya, and I found this. Kikwetu offers a wide range of customized tours that will allow you to explore the wildlife, scenery, and nature of these countries. My trip was customized to allow me to experience all of the amazing things available in Kenya and Uganda. All in all, this trip enabled me to experience some amazing wildlife, scenery, and nature. I would definitely recommend Kikwetu to anyone looking to explore the beauty of Africa! Stebin
Frequently Asked Questions About the 3 Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi
How much does a 3 Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi cost?
The cost typically ranges from $450 to $1,200 per person, depending on accommodation option, number of travelers, season and vehicle type.
What animals can I see on a 3 day Masai Mara safari?
You can expect to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) along with cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and many African birds. Game viewing is best in the dry season (June–October).
Is a 3 day safari enough to experience Masai Mara?
Yes. A 3 day itinerary includes multiple game drives and two nights in the reserve, giving travelers a great chance to enjoy the wildlife without feeling rushed.
What is the best time to visit the Masai Mara?
The best time is July to October during the Great Migration. The dry seasons (June–October and January–March) also offer excellent wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources.
Can I fly from Nairobi to Masai Mara instead of driving?
Yes, travelers can take a 45–60 minute flight from Nairobi to one of the Maasai Mara airstrips, which saves time compared to the 5–6 hour road journey.
Why Book Your Masai Mara Safari with Kikwetu?
Booking directly with a local operator gives you better value and a more authentic safari experience
Local Expertise
Kenyan-owned and operated with deep knowledge of our parks and cultures
Personalized Service
Tailor-made safaris, no mass tourism or fixed groups
Great Value for Money
Direct local pricing with no middlemen or hidden costs
Safe & Reliable
Trusted by international travelers with professional guides
Fast Communication
Quick, clear customer support via WhatsApp or email
Responsible Tourism
Supporting local communities and conservation efforts
Ready for a 3 Day Masai Mara Safari?
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