Nairobi – Masai Mara

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

✈️ Morning Transfer & Flight to Masai Mara

07:00 hrs – You will be picked up from your Nairobi hotel, residence, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and transferred to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to the Masai Mara.

Your scenic one-hour flight will offer incredible aerial views of Kenya’s diverse landscapes. As you ascend, keep an eye out for the distant silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro and the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment stretching across the horizon.

🛬 Arrival & First Game Drive

Upon mid-morning arrival at the Mara airstrip, your dedicated Natural World Kenya Safaris guide will be waiting to welcome you. You’ll board your private open-top 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep and enjoy your first mini game drive en route to your safari lodge or tented camp.

Take time to settle in, refresh, and enjoy a warm welcome lunch.

🐘 Afternoon Game Drive

After lunch, your guide will give you a brief orientation about the Masai Mara ecosystem, the wildlife you’re likely to encounter, and optional areas to explore during your stay.

Then, it’s time to set out for your first full game drive. The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most densely populated wildlife areas—home to large prides of lions, elusive leopards, speedy cheetahs, and an abundance of grazers and scavengers such as hyenas and jackals. Expect an exciting introduction to this world-famous reserve.

Drive through golden grasslands, rolling hills, and past iconic flat-topped acacia trees that paint the picture-perfect African landscape.

🌅 Evening at Leisure

After a rewarding afternoon, return to your lodge or tented camp to unwind. Relax, soak in the natural surroundings, and enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars.

Note: Guests staying in surrounding conservancies who wish to visit the Mara Triangle to view the Great Migration river crossings (seasonal: July–October) will incur an additional fee of USD 80 per person.

Full Day in Masai Mara

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🌅 Sunrise Game Drive

Wake up early to catch the first light of dawn as it paints the Mara plains in soft golden hues. This is prime game viewing time—cooler temperatures mean wildlife is more active, and predators often linger from their nocturnal hunts.

Your private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep will take you deep into the heart of the reserve, giving you a front-row seat to witness nature’s early stirrings.

🐘 Explore the Big Five & Beyond

The Masai Mara is home to Africa’s legendary Big Five:

• Lion – often seen in prides across the open savannah
• Leopard – elusive and majestic, often found lounging in acacia trees
• Elephant – massive herds roam freely across the landscape
• Buffalo – powerful and ever-present in large numbers
• Rhinoceros – rare but occasionally spotted near protected areas

In addition to the Big Five, over 95 other mammal species call the Mara home, including cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, giraffes, hippos, and more.

🐾 The Great Migration (Seasonal: July–October)

If you’re visiting during the Great Migration season, you may witness one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – the river crossing. This dramatic event sees tens of thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles braving crocodile-infested waters as they move from the Serengeti into the Mara in search of greener pastures.

Ask your guide about visiting the Mara River or Mara Triangle for the best vantage points (additional conservancy fees may apply).

🏕️ Rest & Relaxation

In between game drives, return to your safari lodge or tented camp for a relaxing lunch and some downtime. Soak in the serenity of the African wilderness or enjoy lodge amenities such as the lounge, bar, or pool.

Later in the afternoon, head out again for a sunset game drive, when the warm light offers magical photo opportunities and wildlife begins to stir once more.

🍽️ Evening at Leisure

Return to your lodge or camp at dusk to freshen up and enjoy a hearty dinner. Share stories around the campfire or simply relax under the starlit sky, listening to the sounds of the wild.

Full Day in Masai Mara

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

🐾 Customize Your Safari Experience

By now, you’ve settled into the rhythm of safari life. Begin your day by discussing the game plan with your guide:

• Are there areas of the Masai Mara you haven’t yet explored?
• Would you like to track specific wildlife or revisit a favorite part of the reserve?

With a private 4x4 safari Jeep and expert driver/guide at your disposal, this day is fully tailored to your interests.

🎈 Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari

For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, consider an optional hot air balloon ride at dawn.

• Float above the savannah as the sun rises, casting golden light over the plains.
• Watch as the park awakens beneath you—elephants, giraffes, and herds of antelope roam below in the cool morning light.
• After landing, enjoy a bush breakfast in the wild—a truly unforgettable safari highlight.

Let your guide know in advance if you'd like to book this optional adventure.

🛖 Optional Maasai Village Visit

Enhance your cultural understanding with a visit to a local Maasai village (manyatta).

• Learn about the traditional customs, dress, and lifestyle of this iconic tribe.
• See how the Maasai live in harmony with the wildlife around them.
• It’s a great opportunity for cultural exchange and an authentic look into Kenya’s rich heritage.

Your guide will be happy to arrange this enriching experience.

🐘 Game Drives & Wildlife Encounters

Continue your game drives through the varied terrains of the Masai Mara—from open plains and acacia woodlands to riverine forests and marshes. Depending on the season, you may witness:

• Big Cat sightings: lions, cheetahs, leopards
• The Great Migration (July–October)
• Large elephant herds, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and more
• Over 500 species of birds, including ostriches, eagles, and storks

🌄 Evening Relaxation

After a day of exploration and adventure, return to your safari lodge or tented camp.

• Freshen up, relax by the fire, and enjoy a delicious dinner under the African stars.
• Reflect on your sightings and share the day’s highlights with fellow travelers.

Masai Mara – Nairobi
Meal Plan: Breakfast
🌅 Final Sunrise Safari
It’s your final day in the Masai Mara, and we’ll make the most of it.
Begin with an early morning game drive, returning to your favorite spots or tracking wildlife you may have missed.
With several game drives under your belt, you’re now a seasoned safari-goer, and this last outing will feel even more rewarding.
🍳 Hearty Breakfast & Farewell
Return to your safari lodge or camp for a leisurely breakfast, taking in the last views of the Mara’s endless savannah.
🚙 Scenic Transfer to the Airstrip
After breakfast, enjoy one final drive through the reserve en route to the Mara airstrip.
Keep your eyes open—you never know what might appear on the journey out.
✈️ Flight Back to Nairobi
Board your scheduled flight back to Wilson Airport, Nairobi (approx. 12:45 hrs arrival).
From above, take in a final panoramic view of the Masai Mara’s rolling hills, meandering rivers, and vast plains—a perfect send-off to an unforgettable adventure.
🚐 Arrival & Transfer
Upon landing, a Natural World Kenya Safaris representative will be waiting to transfer you to your Nairobi hotel, residence, or the international airport.

🦁 Farewell from the Wild
You’ve explored one of Africa’s most iconic reserves, experienced thrilling wildlife encounters, and taken home memories that will last a lifetime.
From all of us at Natural World Kenya Safaris, thank you for choosing to journey with us. We hope to see you again for another unforgettable safari adventure!