3 Day Masai Mara Safari - Kenya Small Group Safari
A short safari to one of the most renowned game reserves in Africa. Take in spectacular views across Africa's Rift Valley before enjoying exciting game drives through the rolling grasslands and woodland of the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara National Reserve Day 2 Masai Mara National Reserve Day 3: NairobiTour Highlights
- Great Rift Valley
- Masai Mara National Reserve
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara National Reserve (Lx1 / Dx1)
We depart Nairobi this morning for the Masai Mara. En route, we travel across the Great Rift Valley, descending the steep eastern escarpment wall (fantastic views over the valley below) and cross the Valley floor to the rolling hills of Masailand and the provincial centre of Narok. Road conditions can be difficult as we continue to the west, driving past the Loita Hills and into the Masai Mara area passing the occasional Maasai manyatta (traditional village) as we go. As we approach the Reserve we may see grazing animals to the side of the road. Eventually we reach the park gate and turning off just before entering the Reserve we arrive at our camp. We should have time to unpack and unwind before our first game drive into the park (or optionally, a visit to one of the local Maasai manyattas). Finally we return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Masai Mara National Reserve (Bx1 / Lx1 / Dx1)
We spend the whole day in and around the Masai Mara. There is usually time for two game drives (morning and afternoon) with time to relax at camp in middle of the day (when most wildlife is less active). The landscape in the Reserve accords with many people's idea of 'classic' 'Africa, with its rolling grasslands, open vistas, distant horizons, and herds of zebra, antelope, giraffe and other large mammals. The 'Big Five' (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) are all found here and we would hope to see at least some of these.
If you are travelling between June and October you are seeing the park at its peak and may see one of nature's most inspiring spectacles: the annual migration of thousands of grazing animals (mainly wildebeest and zebra) as they move from the dry southern Serengeti in the south north in search of the fresher greener grasses of the 'Mara'. The number and concentration of grazers attracts predators (lion, leopard, hyena amongst others) hoping for some 'easy pickings'. This is an inspiring sight but the precise time varies slightly from year to year and such is the wealth of the wildlife, the 'Mara' is worth visiting at any time of year, and the day we have here provides an interesting insight into the park's wildlife.
Day 3: Nairobi (Bx1)
We leave the Mara this morning and head back past the Loita Hills and Rift Valley to Nairobi. Time allowing (and on request) we may stop along the way to browse at local craft markets where you can pick up some last minute souvenirs (bargain hard!). Our normal time of return to Nairobi is early/mid afternoon.
