Overview & Highlights

Nestled in southwestern Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve stands as one of the globe's most celebrated wildlife havens. Famed for its breathtaking scenery, diverse ecosystems, and the awe-inspiring Great Migration, this article delves into the many reasons why the Masai Mara is an essential destination for nature lovers.

The majestic Masai Mara (winner of WTA Awards as Africa's Leading Park - 2013-2018) is cherished as one of Kenya's premier game reserves, spanning 1,510 square kilometers (583 square miles) of expansive savannah, undulating hills, and lush riverine forests. This vibrant landscape is home to vast herds of grazing animals, an abundance of bird species, and one of Africa's largest populations of mammals. Recent estimates suggest that Kenya's lion population exceeds 2,500, making it the fourth largest in Africa and accounting for about 6.8% of the global total. The Masai Mara is particularly remarkable for its wildlife density, allowing for easier and more frequent sightings of a diverse array of animals within every 100 square kilometers.

Home to the legendary Maasai people of Kenya, this 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari offers a grandeur opportunity to meet them, interact with them and where possible, immerse into learning about a traditional cultural that is unique, fascinating, fearless and proud. This pastoralist community is gifted as warriors respected by wild animals and rest of Kenya people, are born naturalists with sharp instincts to survive in tropical wildernesses, high craft IQ and skills.

Though we recommend a minimum of 3 nights in this park in recommended accommodation locations, this 3 day, 2 night Masai Mara Safari can be equally fulfilling for those on short leash, business travellers or those extending safari to other parks or the beach.

Safari Highlights - 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari

What is This 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Offering?

1. The Phenomenal Great Migration  & Mara River Crossings (July to October)

The Great Migration in Masai Mara stands as one of nature's most breathtaking spectacles, a truly remarkable experience for those fortunate enough to witness it. By securing a spot on this 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara adventure between July and October, you’re guaranteed a front-row seat to one of the world’s most awe-inspiring events.

The Scene: Nature's Grand Theater
Just imagine an endless stretch of golden savannah, punctuated by acacia trees, with the distant echo of hooves resonating across the plains. Each year, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, along with countless zebras and other wildlife, embark on a thrilling journey from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the verdant fields of the Masai Mara. It’s like an enormous animal procession, with every creature driven by the quest for rain and the allure of lush grass.

The Journey: A Wild Adventure
As the migration kicks off, you’ll witness wildebeest flooding into the Mara like tectonic waves or a river that has bust its banks! Imagine thousands of them moving in unison, bleating and stirring up clouds of dust as they march forward. Accompanying them are antelopes and zebras, their striking stripes creating a stunning contrast against the golden backdrop. It’s a scene that transports you straight into a wildlife documentary!

As an undeniable matter of fact, the migration is not a simple leisurely stroll. It’s an adrenaline-fueled adventure! The animals face many challenges along the way, especially crossing the treacherous Mara River where serious drama unfolds. Although its not easy to predict seasons and weather patterns accurately, the crossings begin to happen in the first 3-4 weeks of July. If you book this 3 Days, 2 Nights Safari during this window-period, there is a great chance and a high probability of witnessing the crossings.

It is important to state that these crossings do NOT happen as a single event. The migration herds move in separate groups led by a natural leader. There can be 10-12 crossings whose timing and frequency can be influenced by water levels of the river, rainfall or weather patterns and predator behavior.

Picture a massive herd of wildebeest hesitating at the water's edge, wary of lurking 9m twisty and hungry crocodiles. Suddenly, one brave soul takes the plunge, and before you know it, the rest are following like a swirling wave. Its the croco's festive season and a heart-stopping spectacle, as some make it across while others might not be so lucky.

The Aftermath: The Circle of Life
Those that survive spread across the plains foraging with all kind of predators and scavengers ready for the next phase. Picking out an injured animal, a young one or seemingly rotund one is a skill they have instictively and cleverly had from their long gone ancestors.

Yet the cycle of life continues and the ecosystems stays in balance. They will still be joined by their resident cousins, bloom in their natural habitats, instinctively circle back the way they came, pouring into Northern Tanzania, Loliondo Reserve, even to Ngorongoro Conservation areas. The rutting and calving seasons happen in central and southern Serengeti in Tanzania.

The Experience: A View Like No Other
If you’re lucky enough to be in the Masai Mara during the migration, you’ll want to grab your camera and get ready for some jaw-dropping moments. Whether you're on a game drive or even just watching from a lodge, the atmosphere is electric. The sounds of wildlife, the smell of the earth after a rain, and the breathtaking views create an experience that’s unforgettable. Its no wonder that the great migration and especially the river crossings are a widely filmed phenomenon today.

2. Decent Price for a Private Safari depending on your budget and travel plans

Our company has a documented service charter that makes provision for a non-exploitative, value-based approach to costing safaris. Below, we have outlined some the factors that help in price determination to assist our valued guests with decision making.

3. Services of a certified professional safari guide who has experience and knowledge of Masai Mara

Our lead guide holds a Silver Medal from Kenya's most prestigious safari guide qualification. Our preference is always to appoint engaging guides in travel teams by their gifting, wit and safari experience. 

4. Accommodation for 2 Nights in a lodge or camp that suits your budget, and which we have duly rated as fitting value for money to be rendered

The Masai Mara offers a remarkable diversity of accommodation options, catering to every budget and preference. From economical campsites perfect for budget-conscious travelers to comfortable lodges offering a balance of comfort and affordability, and exceptional value-for-money options that prioritize experience over extravagance, all the way to opulent safari camps promising unparalleled luxury, there's a perfect place to stay for every type of traveler

5. Return Airport transfers in a comfortable vehicle

Transport is made available depending on the size of the travel party -  3 seater sedans, 7 seaters, SUVs, mini-vans, shuttle buses.

6. Game drives and activities mentioned as included in the detailed itinerary

We give freedom of choice to the travel party and their guide to decide on whether to go on a full day exploration of Masai Mara (recommended) on the second day with box lunches or return to their lodge or camp for lunch and relaxation. This is most suitable when the lodge location is excellent with nearby game viewing without far drives.

7. Park fees, applicable taxes and levies

Park fees in Masai Mara vary from January to June at USD 100 per person and USD 200 during the months of July to December

8. Complimentary bottled water on safari

Bringing your own water canister to just top up from the bottles is highly recommended

9. Emergency Medical Evacuation Service cover (Flying doctor services)

This is NOT travel insurance, but a medical cover for air evacuation in case of health trouble

Detailed Itinerary - 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari

A 3-day, 2-night Masai Mara safari is an exciting adventure that allows you to explore one of Africa's most famous wildlife reserves. Here are the key details you can expect from such a safari:

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara (230Km from Nairobi to Sekenani Gate)

• Depart from Nairobi in the morning after an early breakfast
• Enjoy a scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley witnessing changing vistas and landscapes.
• Arrive at the Masai Mara in time to check-in and have lunch
• Relax with a book in your tent, take a dip in the pool, a nap or whatever suits you to relax after the road trip from Nairobi
• Late afternoon game drive to spot wildlife and birds.
• Enjoy blissful sunsets against the silhoutte of trees and the shadows of animals
• Return to lodge or camp for refreshments, dinner and overnight.
• Lull to sleep in a unique ambience with the night sounds of the bush and the smells of tropical Africa.

Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara

• After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive.
• Explore various parts of the reserve, looking for the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros).
• Learn about Mara's biodiversity, its flora, fauna and unique landscapes.
• Visit a Masai Cultural Village (not included in safari price, unless appointed as an included safari experience)
• Picnic lunch in the park.
• Continue the game drive until sunset.
• Return to lodge or camp for refreshments, dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Depart Masai Mara to Nairobi

• Early (optional) morning game drive to catch the sunrise and see more wildlife.
• Return to your lodge for breakfast.
• Check out and depart for Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon.

End of 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari with a Drop off at Hotel or Airport

Road Safari or Fly-in 

Fying into Masai Mara is a great experience. Driving equally presents upclose scenarios that cannot be explicit to a passenger up in the air. Most mid-range lodges and camps in Masai Mara Game Reserve or outlying areas offer what is called a 'ground package' where guest are picked from the closest airstrip, driven their facility and offered shared game drives by resident guides. The safari operator company therefore books everything for the guest, arranges inter-airport transfers and only leaves the guest to pay for any extra activities, products or services like a walking safari, a night game drive, bush dining, etc not exclusively mentioned as included in the safari offer.

A fly-in is obviously recommended for lodges and camps in the 'Greater Mara' Conservancies e.g. to Mara North, Naboisho, Olare-Motorogi, Lemek, Enonkishu, Olderkesi, etc.  It is important to note that conservancies limit influx of non-camp safari vehicles and restrict game drives to their own guides. It is also worth noting that lodges and camps in these conservancies mostly offer luxurious stays and opulence rarely comparable to those in the Mara itself.

It is NOT recommended to do a road transfer to the conservancy facilities unless its a group larger than 4 persons. Therefore, fly-ins are recommended. The camps organize a return transfer to the closest airstrip. Our quotes for these facilities will include all provisions of a ground package (game drives). Domestic return flights will also be included.

Price Determination Factors for 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari

Choice of accommodation facility. We have 4 levels or tiers for this safari experience. An Economy Level, a Paix Level, a Best Value Level and the high end - Opulent Level. The price guideline below is for full board accommodation, safari vehicle/ guiding fees and services mentioned as included in price (except park fees). The first two (2) levels are mapped to an economical use of a safari mini-van while the Best Value & Opulent Levels are strictly 4x4 safari jeep/cruiser travel, unless otherwise, in all cases dictacted by client direction and wish. Domestic Flights as a transport choice are NOT factored in this price guideline

Tier Guideline (Excluding Park or Conservancy Fees)

Economy Level - $250-350 per person per day

Paix Level - $400-550 per person per day

Best Value - $650-900 per person per day

Opulent Level - $900 per person per day

Add an Experience to the 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Offer

• A visit to Maasai Cultural Village - Cultural Immersion
• A Hot Air Balloon Ride - Skies over Mara
• A Lunch at Carnivore after Safari
• An Extension to the Beaches of Mombasa, Lamu, Watamu, Malindi & Diani

Talk to an Expert About 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari

Learn More - Destination Info

Our Safari Blog articles give you an opportunity to gain knowledge before travel, become more engaging, make better decisions regarding a Masai Mara or Kenya Safaris. The following are relevant articles to explore.

A Guide to Safari in Masai Mara: 10 Compelling Reasons Why Masai Mara is a Must Visit in Kenya, Africa

Masai Mara Conservancies - Size, Location, Acreage, Lodges & Camps

Understanding the Wildebeest Migration Phenomenon Across Masai Mara and Serengeti

Comparing Masai Mara & Serengeti