Safari Overview
This 3 days Maasai Mara budget safari starts and ends in Nairobi and is designed for travellers who want to experience the Mara without spending too much on accommodation. You will enjoy game drives across the reserve, look for the Big Five and spend two nights in comfortable budget accommodation.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of Kenya's best places for wildlife viewing. The open grasslands make it easier to spot animals, and the reserve is home to large numbers of lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and other wildlife. With a full day in the Mara on Day 2, you have plenty of time for game drives without rushing from one park to another.
This is a budget safari, so the focus is on the wildlife experience rather than luxury facilities. Depending on availability, accommodation is provided in a comfortable budget camp or lodge. Transport can be by safari van or 4×4 vehicle depending on the final group arrangement, with a professional safari guide accompanying you.
On the final day, you have a morning game drive (optional) before leaving the Mara and driving back to Nairobi. A hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara can also be arranged as an optional extra for travellers who want to add something special to the safari.
Best Time to Visit
July to October is one of the best periods for a Maasai Mara safari. The weather is generally dry, wildlife viewing is good and this is also the period when the annual wildebeest migration can be seen in the Mara.
January to March is another good time to visit. The weather is usually dry and the grass is shorter, making it easier to spot wildlife during game drives.
April to June is the long rainy season. The Mara becomes green and beautiful, wildlife is still present and safari prices can be lower. Some roads can become muddy after heavy rain.
November to December brings shorter rains. The reserve is greener, birdlife is good and it can be a quieter time to visit.
Animals You Can Expect to See
Big Five
- ✓ Lion
- ✓ Leopard
- ✓ Elephant
- ✓ Buffalo
- ✓ Rhino
Mara Wildlife
- ✓ Cheetah
- ✓ Giraffe
- ✓ Zebra
- ✓ Wildebeest
- ✓ Hippo
- ✓ Topi & antelope
Birdlife
- ✓ Secretary bird
- ✓ Kori bustard
- ✓ Ostrich
- ✓ Vultures
- ✓ Eagles
- ✓ Many smaller birds
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive towards the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The journey takes around 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic, road conditions and your accommodation location. Along the way, you pass through the Great Rift Valley and can stop briefly for a viewpoint and photos.
Continue towards the Mara and arrive around lunchtime. After checking in and having lunch, take some time to rest before heading out for your first afternoon game drive. The open grasslands of the Mara are home to large numbers of wildlife, so keep an eye out for elephant, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo and lion.
Continue the game drive into the late afternoon before returning to your budget camp or lodge for dinner and an evening around the camp.
Full Day Game Drive — Maasai Mara
Wake up early for breakfast before setting out for a full day game drive in the Maasai Mara. The early morning is one of the best times for wildlife viewing because animals are active before the heat of the day. Your guide will follow the roads and tracks where recent wildlife sightings have been reported.
The morning drive gives you a chance to look for lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and giraffe. The Mara is also known for its large herds of wildebeest and zebra, especially during the migration season. Your guide will explain the animals and help you understand what you are seeing rather than simply driving from one sighting to another.
Around midday, stop for a picnic lunch inside the reserve at a designated safe area. This means you can spend more time in the Mara instead of driving back to the camp for lunch. After lunch, continue with the afternoon game drive and explore a different part of the reserve.
During the afternoon, keep looking for predators such as lion and cheetah, as well as elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and antelope. Your guide may also take you towards the Mara River area when conditions and wildlife activity make it worthwhile. During the migration season, this area can be especially interesting as large herds move through the reserve.
Continue the game drive until late afternoon before returning to your camp or lodge. Enjoy dinner and relax after a full day in the bush.
Morning Game Drive, Maasai Mara to Nairobi
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before your final morning game drive in the Maasai Mara (optional). This is your last opportunity to look for wildlife before leaving the reserve, and the early hours can produce some of the best sightings of the trip.
Look for animals you may have missed on Day 1 and Day 2, including predators, elephants, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. After the game drive, return to the camp for lunch and check out.
Begin the drive back to Nairobi, normally taking around 5 to 6 hours. You can stop along the way for refreshments or a short break. Depending on traffic, you arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon, plenty of time to do an optional Nairobi activity.
Optional Nairobi Experiences Before Your Flight
If your flight is later in the evening, we can arrange one or more optional Nairobi activities before taking you to the airport. Choose from the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum or lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. The exact activities depend on your flight time and the day's traffic.
- ✓ City Tour — explore Nairobi's highlights
- ✓ Giraffe Centre — see and feed Rothschild's giraffes
- ✓ Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — visit the elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre
- ✓ Karen Blixen Museum — visit the former home of the author of Out of Africa
- ✓ Carnivore Restaurant — enjoy lunch before heading to the airport
After your chosen Nairobi activity or lunch, continue to the airport for your departure flight. We recommend allowing enough time for traffic and airport check-in, especially for international flights.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Nairobi pickup and final drop-off
- 2 nights budget camp or lodge accommodation
- All meals — full board during the safari
- All scheduled game drives in the Maasai Mara
- Safari transport by safari van or 4×4 vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Maasai Mara park fees
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Picnic lunch during the full-day game drive
- 24/7 support from Wild Safaris & Travel
Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya eTA / visa fees
- Travel & medical insurance
- Optional Maasai Mara hot air balloon ride
- Maasai village visit, if requested
- Alcoholic & premium beverages
- Gratuities for guide & lodge staff
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
The best times are generally July to October and January to March. These months are usually dry and wildlife is easier to spot. The Mara can also be visited during the rainy seasons when the landscape is greener and prices can be lower.
You can look for lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and many antelope species. The Maasai Mara is also famous for its large predator population. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the reserve offers excellent game viewing.
Yes. This safari is designed for travellers who want to experience the Maasai Mara at a lower cost. It uses comfortable budget accommodation and practical safari transport while keeping the main focus on game drives and wildlife.
The safari uses comfortable budget camps or lodges in the Maasai Mara area. Accommodation is simple, clean and suitable for travellers who want to keep the overall safari cost down while still having a comfortable place to stay.
The drive normally takes around 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic, road conditions and where you are staying in the Mara. The journey includes views of the Great Rift Valley and several scenic areas along the way.
Yes. A Maasai Mara hot air balloon ride can be arranged as an optional extra, usually early in the morning. It is not included in the standard budget safari price.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) applied for online before travel. We guide all clients through the process after booking.