Overview
Three Days, One Legendary Reserve
The Maasai Mara is Kenya's crown jewel — 1,510 square kilometres of rolling grasslands, acacia-dotted plains and riverine forests that host some of the densest concentrations of big cats on the planet. This 3-day express safari uses a bush flight from Nairobi to maximize your time in the reserve. Within two hours of leaving your Nairobi hotel, you are on your first game drive, watching a lioness and her cubs stretch in the golden afternoon light.
The Mara is especially famous for its lions — the Marsh Pride, made famous by the BBC's Big Cat Diary, has been studied for decades. Leopards are frequently seen in the riverine forests along the Mara and Talek rivers. Cheetahs hunt on the open plains. And from July to October, the Great Migration crosses the Mara River in one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.
Plan a Better Kenya Trip
Use these essentials to understand how Kenya fits your travel style, season and route.
-Trip style
Classic safari with coastal extensions
-Best for
Maasai Mara safaris, Big Five trips, family holidays, honeymoon safaris
-Best time to visit
July – October for the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara; December – March for sunny coastal days.
-Top places
Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Diani Beach, Samburu
Itinerary
Fly to the Mara & First Game Drive
Morning collection from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Transfer to Wilson Airport for your bush flight into the Maasai Mara. The 45-minute flight offers spectacular aerial views of the Great Rift Valley. Arrive at your luxury tented camp for lunch. Afternoon game drive — the Mara's lion prides, cheetahs on the plains and elephants moving through the acacia woodlands. Sundowners at a scenic viewpoint as the sun sets over the Mara. Candlelit dinner at camp.
-Scenic bush flight over the Rift Valley
-Afternoon game drive in the Mara
-Sundowners on the plains
Full Day in the Mara — Predators & Plains
Dawn game drive when predators are most active — the golden hour for photography and the best chance to witness a hunt. Return to camp for a relaxed brunch. Afternoon game drive exploring a different sector of the reserve. Depending on the season, focus on the Mara River for hippos and crocodiles, or the open plains for cheetah. Optional visit to a Maasai village to learn about the pastoral culture that has coexisted with wildlife for centuries. Evening sundowners and dinner under the stars.
-Dawn predator action
-Optional Maasai village visit
-Mara River wildlife
-Dinner under the stars
Final Dawn Drive & Return to Nairobi
Final dawn game drive — one last chance for that perfect lion or leopard sighting. Return to camp for breakfast. Transfer to the airstrip for your bush flight back to Nairobi. Arrive at Wilson Airport by midday — with time for lunch in Nairobi or a direct connection to your international flight.
-Final Mara dawn
-Bush flight over the Rift Valley
Useful Information
- Visa process descriptions
- Visa Prices, or similar
- They are part of the same ecosystem — the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya form one continuous wildlife area. The Mara is smaller (1,510 km² vs 14,750 km²) but has a higher year-round density of wildlife per square kilometre. The Mara's landscapes are more intimate — rolling hills, acacia-lined rivers — compared to the Serengeti's vast open plains. Many travellers visit both, finding them complementary rather than redundant.
- How reliable is the bush flight? Very reliable. The flights are operated by Safarilink and AirKenya using Cessna Caravan and Dash aircraft. Flights depart Wilson Airport 2–3 times daily with a flight time of 45–60 minutes. Baggage allowance is 15kg per person in soft bags. We handle all bookings and logistics.
- safari, coastal relaxation, and a journey full of color and warmth.
