3 Days Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi: 2026 Packages & Prices
3 Days Masai Mara Safari: Overview
A 3 days Masai Mara safari from Nairobi covers 2 nights’ accommodation, game drives on all three days, and return transfers. Road packages start at £780 per person. Flying safaris start at £1,420. All park fees included. Prices vary by season and lodge tier.
Last August I took a couple from Manchester on their first safari. Day two, around 6:30am, we found a lioness stalking topi near the Talek River. She made her move maybe thirty metres from our Land Cruiser. The husband forgot to take photos. Just sat there watching. They still email me about that morning.
That’s what a 3 days Masai Mara safari from Nairobi can deliver. Not always — I’ve also done trips where the cats stayed hidden and we drove for hours seeing only zebra. But three days gives you enough time for the Mara to show you something. Lions, elephants, giraffes at minimum. Leopards and cheetahs if luck is on your side. The drive from Nairobi takes five to six hours each way, or you can fly in 45 minutes.
What’s Included in Your Package
Included:
- Return transfers from Nairobi (road or flight depending on package)
- 2 nights’ full-board accommodation
- Afternoon game drive on Day 1
- Full-day game drive with picnic lunch on Day 2
- Morning game drive on Day 3
- Exclusive use of 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking guide
- All park entry fees
- Bottled water during drives
- Maasai village visit
- Airport/hotel pickup and drop-off
Not Included:
- Hot air balloon safari — USD 505-560 per person
- Drinks at lodges (except water and tea/coffee)
- Tips for guide and camp staff
- Travel insurance
- Kenya eTA visa — USD 30 via official portal
- Personal items and laundry
Road Safari Packages — Nairobi to Mara
The drive takes five to six hours. Longer if Nairobi traffic is bad, which it usually is. You’ll stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for photos, then Narok town — last chance for an ATM. After Narok the tarmac ends.
All prices per person, two sharing a private Land Cruiser with your own guide.
Budget Road Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£780 | £920 | £1,290 |
Lodges: Enkorok Mara Camp, Ol Moran Tented Camp, Lenchada Tourist Camp, Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
These camps sit outside the reserve boundary. Tents are comfortable. Hot water from gas heaters. Generators cut off around 10pm. I stayed at Enkorok last year when my mid-range booking fell through — bed was fine, food decent, wifi barely existed.
Mid-Range Road Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£890 | £1,020 | £1,420 |
Lodges: Sentrim Mara Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Mara Simba Lodge
Luxury Road Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£1,150 | £1,350 | £1,780 |
Lodges: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Ashnil Mara Camp, Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Mara Crossing Camp
Mara Serena is genuinely spectacular. Built into a hillside in the Mara Triangle with an infinity pool overlooking the river. Tipilikwani sits right on the Talek River — hippos in front of your tent at night.
Top End Road Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£1,780 | £2,250 | £2,850 |
Lodges: Governors Camp, Angama Mara, Mahali Mzuri, Entim Mara Camp
Governors has operated since 1972. Their guides have worked the same territory for decades. Angama sits on the escarpment with glass-walled tents. Mahali Mzuri is Richard Branson’s place — night drives, walking safaris, off-road tracking.
Book Your 3 Day Mara Safari
Road or flight — both work for a three-day trip. The difference is time and money. Flying costs more but saves you eight hours of driving. Road trips cost less and you see the Rift Valley along the way. Neither choice is wrong.
Peak season (July-October) books up months ahead, especially at the better lodges. Low season is easier but popular camps still fill. Send me your preferred dates and budget — I’ll check availability across the lodges that match what you’re looking for and get back to you within two hours during Nairobi business hours.
Flying Safari Packages
Scheduled flights operate daily from Wilson Airport. Flight time is 45 minutes. Safarilink and Air Kenya are the main operators. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority oversees all bush flights. Luggage limited to 15kg in soft bags.
Budget Flying Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£1,420 | £1,680 | £2,050 |
Lodges: Enkorok Mara Camp, Sentrim Mara Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge, Sarova Mara Game Camp
Same lodges as budget road option but you’re saving eight hours of driving.
Mid-Range Flying Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£1,680 | £1,950 | £2,380 |
Lodges: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Ashnil Mara Camp, Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Mara Crossing Camp
All located inside the reserve. Serena offers excellent views from the Mara Triangle. Tipilikwani and Ashnil are classic tented camps on the river.
Luxury Flying Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£2,350 | £2,850 | £3,450 |
Lodges: Governors Camp, Mara Plains Camp, Sala’s Camp, Mara Bushtops
This is where it gets really good. Governors has been operating since 1972. Sala’s is small and intimate, fantastic for photography. If you’re here for migration crossings, Governors’ river position is probably the best in the Mara.
Top Tier Flying Safari
Jan-Jun | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec |
£3,200 | £3,950 | £4,650 |
Lodges: Angama Mara, Mahali Mzuri, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp
Private conservancies, night drives, walking safaris. Angama has the escarpment views. Cottar’s does the vintage thing. They’re all exceptional.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Here’s how the three days typically unfold.
Day 1: Nairobi to Mara
Pickup at 7am from your Nairobi hotel or airport. The drive passes through the Rift Valley — we stop at the viewpoint for photos. Narok town is your last ATM. Arrive at your lodge around noon. Lunch, rest, then 3:30pm game drive until sunset.
The Mara sits at 1,500 metres. Evenings drop to 10°C. Bring a fleece.
Day 2: Full Day Game Drive
Departure at 6am. Dawn light is best for photography and predators are active before the heat. Guides share sightings by radio. Picnic lunch near the Mara River or a hippo pool. During migration (July-October), river crossings are the goal. Back to lodge by 6pm.
Day 3: Morning Drive and Return
Final game drive at 6am if inside the park. Exit the park by 10am — the 12-hour ticket rule is strictly enforced. Optional Maasai village visit. Drive back to Nairobi takes five to six hours.
Park Fees 2026
Masai Mara fees are separate from accommodation but included in our packages.
2026 Rates for Non-Residents:
- Low season (January-June): USD 100 per adult per 12-hour period (~£79)
- Peak season (July-December): USD 200 per adult per 12-hour period (~£158)
- Children 9-17: USD 50 per day
- Children under 8: Free
Pay at the gate or in advance through the KAPS system. Mara Triangle section is cashless only.
When to Visit
Migration is July to October — river crossings, crowds, highest prices. November-December brings short rains and green grass with fewer vehicles. January-March is dry season, easier spotting. April-May has long rains and lowest prices. June is underrated — herds arriving, prices reasonable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Masai Mara?
Yes for a first safari. You’ll see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, probably hippos. Leopards and cheetahs need luck. Four or five days improves odds at harder sightings.
Should I fly or drive to Masai Mara?
Driving is cheaper and you see the countryside. Flying saves eight hours. If bumpy roads bother you or time is tight, fly.
What is the best time to see the migration?
July through September for river crossings. Can’t be scheduled — animals cross when they cross.
How much does a 3 day Masai Mara safari cost?
Road safaris from £780 per person (budget) to £2,850 (luxury). Flying safaris from £1,420 to £4,650. Prices include accommodation, transfers, game drives, and park fees.
What should I pack for Masai Mara?
Layers — mornings are cold at 1,500m altitude. Neutral colours for game drives. Sunscreen, hat, binoculars. Camera with zoom lens. Soft bag if flying (15kg limit).
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Yes. Apply for an eTA at the official portal at least a week before travel. USD 30.
Book Your 3 Days Masai Mara Safari
You’ve seen the packages and prices. The next step is straightforward. Send me your dates, number of travellers, and rough budget. I’ll come back with specific options — lodge names, exact pricing, what to expect.
No deposits until you’re happy with the itinerary. No pressure to decide immediately. I respond within two hours during Nairobi business hours, usually faster. If the dates don’t work or the budget doesn’t stretch, I’ll tell you straight and suggest alternatives.
Three days in the Mara is worth doing properly. Let’s get it sorted.
Related Reading
- Masai Mara Safari Packages
- Best Time to Visit Kenya
- Kenya Safari Cost Guide
- Kenya Safari Holidays
- Kenya Honeymoon Safaris
- Kenya Family Safari
- Amboseli National Park
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Tsavo National Parks
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Written by: Peter Munene — Licensed Kenya safari guide with over 10 years’ experience across the Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, and northern conservancies.
Follow: @munenepeter8 on TikTok
Edited by: Trevor Charles — Content editor, Nairobi.