If you only have a short time in Kenya, it’s possible to see the ‘big 5’ game animals. A 3 day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi is an amazing adventure. On my trip, I watched a family of wild lions at breakfast-time, visited a Maasai village and saw the spectacular Great Migration. In this guide, I’ll share everything from my 3 day group safari, including where to stay and how to book, to help you plan your perfect trip.
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Quick overview of a 3 day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi
- Route: Depart Nairobi early morning, drive to Maasai Mara (4-5 hours), full day of game drives, then return to Nairobi via a Maasai village
- Drive time: 5–6 hours per day
- Best time to go: July–October (for the Great Migration) or Jan–March (for the best chance to see Big Cats)
Where to stay in Nairobi before your safari
My safari started in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi, where most international flights land. This is where your adventure will begin too. For safari-goers, Westlands – north of the city centre – is the best area to stay in Nairobi. It’s safe with easy access to tour pickup points and close to attractions like the Giraffe Center if you have extra time for day trips from Nairobi.
If you are looking for an affordable Nairobi hotel with loads of character, check out the fabulous Acacia Tree Lodge. The best hostels in Nairobi include Mad Vervet Nairobi Backpackers Hostel, which has evening entertainment and a shared kitchen. The top-rated Jabulani Nairobi Backpackers Hostel serves a tasty continental, vegetarian or vegan breakfast.
Explore the map below to find the best accommodation deals in Nairobi for your dates:
Day 1: Entering the Maasai Mara from Nairobi
Your 3 day Kenya itinerary begins with an 8am pickup from your hotel in Nairobi city centre or Westlands. The drive to Maasai Mara takes 5-6 hours with a scenic stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for breathtaking views.
Book your 3-day Maasai Mara group safari from Nairobi here.
My experience on day 1 – giraffe spotting
On the drive from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara National Reserve – the ‘Mai Mahiu’ route – we quickly started to see roadside flora and fauna. Be warned, conditions are challenging and the road gets pretty bumpy – our vehicle even broke down at one point! But the team fixed the issue and soon we were off again.
The first big creatures I saw in the wild were giraffes. The first thing that surprised me is that you can see these beautiful tall animals sauntering around not far from the road, even before you’ve entered the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Unlike being in a zoo, this is the animals’ land and we were just visiting. There are no fences or barriers. Sometimes the giraffes would just walk around on the road, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of the vehicles.
Book your 3-day Maasai Mara group safari from Nairobi here.
After arriving at your tented camp and having lunch, you’ll head out for your first afternoon game drive from 4:00-6:00pm – the perfect introduction to your safari adventure. You’ll stay overnight in a private tent with bed, linen, shower and toilet inside, complete with mosquito nets and hot water.
Day 2: Full day of game drives
The second day of your 3 day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi is dedicated to full-day game drives. As you’ll be in the middle of the park, your main meal will be a packed lunch.
You’ll travel all the way to the Mara River where wildebeest cross from Serengeti into the Maasai Mara. All year round there are lots of resident hippos and crocodiles on the banks of the Mara River.
My experience on day 2 – seeing the big 5 and the Great Migration
The aim is to see the ‘Big Five’ African game animals said to be the most difficult to hunt – the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard and rhinoceros. We were lucky enough to see all of these on our trip, plus many more creatures than I expected.
Our full day of safari game drives required a particularly early start, so we could see the animals feeding during sunrise. We were in luck. Some lionesses had just killed a wildebeest, so as the male lion tucked into the feast, the females gathered the lion cubs and the rest of the pride to tuck into their share of the kill. It was one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
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We were extremely lucky to see the Great Migration during our safari, as we visited in July. Every year between July and October, hoards of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle and wildebeest walk the treacherous 500 mile (800 km) trek from Tanzania to Kenya. Here, they’ll find comfortable places to graze during the dry season. Once the rains begin in November, the migration starts moving south again.
It was incredible to see this natural phenomenon for ourselves and at one point we were surrounded on all sides by these magnificent journeying creatures during our safari.
Secure your spot on this amazing Maasai Mara safari here.
On day 2, we also saw birds of prey, colourful lizards, monkeys, pink flamingos, crocodiles, African buffalo, leggy ostriches and enormous hippos on the banks of the Mara River.
Day 3: Maasai Village visit and return to Nairobi
On the last day of your 3 day Maasai Mara safari you will return to Nairobi. First, there’s a final morning game drive followed by a visit to a Maasai village. There are around 840,000 Maasai people in Kenya and another 800,000 in Tanzania.
After the village visit, you’ll continue your drive back to Nairobi with a complimentary lunch stop at a traveller’s motel. You’ll typically arrive in Nairobi in the early evening, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel to conclude your Kenya itinerary.
My experience on day 3 – Maasai Mara village
On the final day of our safari, we had an early morning breakfast before checking out. We visited a local Maasai village for a cultural encounter on our way back to Nairobi, which was a real privilege.
The men of the village performed a captivating and rhythmic welcome dance and song for us, before inviting two of the men from our group to join them. Dressing them up in the traditional blankets, with headgear and a stick, the Maasai asked the men to jump. Leaping high is seen as a sign of prowess and could help you win the heart of a Maasai woman – along with a few cows as payment for her family.
The Maasai villagers explained to us their lifestyle, including how every nine years they need to relocate their village because termites attack their mud homes. While the men of the village are usually warriors or farmers, the women raise the children, cook, milk the cows and construct the mud houses, which bake hard in the sun. We were invited into one family’s home, which was pitch black, without any natural or artificial light.
Book your 3-day Maasai Mara group safari from Nairobi here.
The best time of year to go on a Maasai Mara safari
The timing of your safari affects three key factors: costs, weather conditions and your chances of seeing the Great Migration.
Peak season runs from July to December. The main benefit is having the best chance of seeing the Great Migration, but you’ll pay double the park fees ($200 per day, instead of $100 a day in low season) and it’ll be busier.
Off-peak season is from January to June. The advantages include significant savings and fewer crowds. While you’ll still likely enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, you’ll miss the peak Great Migration period during these months. Also, there may be rain, particularly during the long rainy season from March to May. For budget travellers, January and February are a good compromise, balancing drier weather with low season prices.
Don’t miss out – book your Maasai Mara adventure here.
Packing list for your Kenya itinerary
Pack neutral-coloured clothing in khaki, brown or green shades that blend with the environment. Warm layers are essential for chilly early morning game drives when temperatures drop. Bring comfortable walking shoes for village visits and sandals for relaxing at camp. A sun hat and sunglasses will protect you from the intense African sun.
Don’t forget high SPF sunscreen and insect repellent, as these are expensive to buy at safari camps. A camera with extra batteries and memory cards is crucial for capturing wildlife moments. Pack any personal medications you need, plus a flashlight or headlamp for navigating camp after dark. Wet wipes are essential, as proper washing facilities won’t always be available.
Day trips from Nairobi
If you have extra time in Nairobi, you can take several action-packed day trips to keep you entertained.
These include the Giraffe Center with its Instagram-famous Giraffe Manor, where you can feed these long-legged lovelies. Also, at the Karen Blixen Museum, you can discover her life story that inspired a multiple Oscar-winning movie, Out of Africa.
Read all about the best day trips from Nairobi.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Maasai Mara?
Yes, three days is the perfect duration for a Maasai Mara safari. You’ll have time for multiple game drives, spot the Big Five, visit a Maasai village, and potentially see the Great Migration if visiting during peak season. Many travellers find 3 days gives an excellent taste of safari life without the expense of longer trips. It’s long enough to see incredible wildlife but short enough to fit most budgets and holiday schedules.
What is the cheapest way to do Masai Mara?
The cheapest way to experience Masai Mara is through a 3-day budget group safari during the low season (January-June). This saves you $300 per person on park fees compared to peak season.
What is the 12 hour rule for Masai Mara?
In 2026, the Maasai Mara park authorities have changed the times that your park entrance ticket is valid for each day. Most gates now enforce a 12-hour ticket (6am to 6pm) rather than a 24-hour ticket.
What month is the great migration in Kenya?
The Great Migration in Kenya occurs every year between July and October. At this time of year, hoards of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest walk the treacherous 500 mile (800 km) trek from Tanzania to Kenya. Here, they’ll find comfortable places to graze during the dry season. Once the rains begin in November, the migration starts moving south again.
Final thoughts on this 3 day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi
My 3 day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi was a fantastic experience. I’m grateful to our tour guide and group of adventurers, who made it an unforgettable three days.
It was well worth joining a tour group and I made new friends from around the world, as we shared this trip of a lifetime. We also saw so many more animals than I expected as well as the Great Migration which was truly spectacular.
I highly recommended this trip to give you a taste of Africa’s incredible wildlife and culture that’s easily accessible from Kenya’s capital city.
Next up, discover more safari adventures in my post all about Tanzania.
Amazing Claire! Great shots too 🙂 look forward to the next instalment down south! Best, SJR
Thanks Scotty Rob! I have to thank my talented photographer Steeve for the great shots 🙂