Nairobi – Masai Mara

Approx. 265 km | Drive Time: 5–6 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

Morning Departure

06:00 – 07:30 hrs – Your professional driver/guide will pick you up from your Nairobi hotel, residence, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (for early arrivals). Once the group is assembled, we’ll begin our journey to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve.

Travel in comfort aboard our 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep, purpose-built for safari adventures.

Scenic Drive through the Great Rift Valley

At 08:00 hrs, we head west, descending into the floor of the Great Rift Valley. This dramatic geological formation stretches across East Africa and offers breathtaking escarpment views. We'll pause en route for scenic breaks and photo opportunities.

As we travel through traditional Maasai country, you may glimpse the iconic herdsmen in their colorful shukas tending to cattle, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and vast open landscapes.

Arrival and First Game Drive

We expect to arrive at the Masai Mara in the early afternoon. After check-in and lunch at your selected lodge or camp, it’s time to venture out on your first game drive.

The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s richest wildlife sanctuaries, famed for its abundant animal population and the vast drama of nature unfolding daily. This afternoon, be on the lookout for lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelope, and a host of other species.

As the sun sets over the plains, we return to camp for dinner and an evening of relaxation.

Overnight Options

You’ll spend your first night in the Masai Mara at one of the following quality accommodations (based on your selection):

• Mara Sopa Lodge
• Olmoran Tented Camp
• Mara Chui Camp
• Mara Enkorok Camp

All accommodations offer comfort, scenic surroundings, and close proximity to the park's best game-viewing areas.

Full Day at the Masai Mara

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A Full Day of Game Viewing

Wake up to the sounds of the wild as your day begins with the rising sun over the Mara’s golden plains. After breakfast, set out for a full day of unlimited game drives across Kenya’s premier national reserve – a sanctuary teeming with wildlife and breathtaking scenery.

This is the land of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Your expert driver/guide will navigate the park’s tracks in search of these iconic species, as well as cheetah, giraffe, hyena, jackal, and an impressive array of antelope and birdlife.

The Great Migration (July – October)

Should you be visiting during the Great Migration season, we’ll drive to the Mara River, the focal point of one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles. Here, thousands of wildebeest and zebra brave the crocodile-infested waters in their quest for greener pastures, a scene both awe-inspiring and unforgettable.

Look out for hippos lounging in the water, and crocodiles lurking silently in the shadows, patiently awaiting their moment.

Optional Cultural & Aerial Adventures

To enrich your Masai Mara experience, you may wish to enjoy one or both of the following optional excursions (available at extra cost):

• Visit a Maasai Village: Step into the daily life of the Maasai people, known for their vibrant dress and proud traditions. Engage with community members and gain insight into their time-honored culture.
• Hot Air Balloon Safari: Rise before dawn and float above the awakening savannah. As the sun spills golden light across the landscape, you’ll witness herds and wildlife below from an unforgettable vantage point. The balloon safari concludes with a champagne breakfast in the bush.

Your guide will be happy to assist in arranging these special activities.

Overnight at the Mara

As evening falls, return to your lodge or tented camp for a relaxing dinner and a chance to share the day’s stories around the campfire.

Overnight at your selected accommodation:

• Mara Sopa Lodge
• Olmoran Tented Camp
• Mara Chui Camp
• Mara Enkorok Camp

Masai Mara – Nairobi
Approximate Distance: 265 kms (5–6 hrs)
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Morning at Leisure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your lodge or tented camp as you soak in the final moments of your Masai Mara adventure. After breakfast, your dedicated driver/guide will assist with check-out before beginning the return journey to Nairobi.
Scenic Return Journey
As we ascend from the plains of the Mara back through the Great Rift Valley, your guide will point out notable landmarks such as Mount Longonot, an extinct stratovolcano believed to have last erupted in the 1860s. Its name comes from the Maasai word Oloonong’ot, meaning “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges.”
Optional Detours (Extra Cost)
Enhance your return journey with one of the following optional excursions (available upon request and at an additional cost):
Lake Naivasha Stopover: Take a break for lunch by the lake or enjoy a boat ride to see hippos and birdlife. You may also opt for a short visit to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari.
Kiambethu Tea Farm Visit: Located in Limuru, this excursion includes a guided tour of the estate, insight into Kenya’s tea industry, and a delicious three-course buffet lunch in a serene garden setting.
Let us know in advance or speak to your guide to arrange any of these experiences.
Arrival in Nairobi
We expect to arrive back in Nairobi in the late afternoon around 16:30 hrs (4:30 pm). You’ll be dropped off at your hotel, residence, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.

Asante Sana – Thank You!
It’s been our absolute pleasure to host you on this unforgettable journey through the legendary Masai Mara. We hope the memories you’ve made will stay with you for a lifetime, and we look forward to welcoming you again on your next Natural World Kenya Safaris adventure.