Book this 4 day / 3 night safari trip to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya to have a short but rewarding wildlife experience in one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. The Masai Mara almost needs no introduction as you must have grown up seeing documentaries on television and pictures in magazines of the incredible Africa wilderness where lions hunt in the plains, and many other animals roam the African savannah.

During this 4 day / 3 night safari tour in Masai Mara Kenya you will have sufficient game drives (at least 3) to give you a decent chance at seeing all the famous Big Five, the river crossing (if your target is the great migration season) and lots of animals and birds of the Mara Mara.

If you are limited by time and/or budget the minimum you should spend on the trip in the Mara is 3 day / 2 nights, but if you are not limited you can plan for up to 5 nights, especially so if you are targeting the river crossing during the great migration (June – Oct).

4 day Masai Mara trip itinerary

Day 1 – Travel to Masai Mara National Reserve and afternoon safari

Today your trip to Masai Mara National Park shall start off from the Kenyan capital Nairobi, setting off at 7am. The travel time by road from Nairobi to Masai Mara is about 5 hours

After close to 2 hours drive you will arrival at the rim Rift Valley escarpment where you make a quick stop at an incredible viewpoint to take in this breathtaking view of the western arm of the East African rift valley. You may also have a quick bite here in case you missed breakfast.

Thereafter you shall drive down into the ‘belly’ of the escarpment and continue to Narok county the home of the Masai people and the Masai Mara National Reserve.

You will check into the Masai Mara National Reserve at around 1pm, drive through the plains on your way to the lodge enjoying some sightings of animals.

You will have lunch, check in and have some relaxation. At 3pm you shall set off for your first game drive into the Masai Mara and right away tick off a number of animals and birds. At dusk you shall make your way back to the lodge as you enjoy the magical sunset over the Mara plains.

Day 2 – Full day safari in masai mara

Today you shall be up by 6am, have breakfast by 6.30am, pick your lunchbox and set off into the Masai Mara for a full day safari adventure.

Today you shall explore the Mara triangle and other game rich plains of Masai Mara National Park.

In afternoon, at about 1pm you shall find a nice spot under a tree big enough to offer shade and you will unpack your lunchbox and enjoy picnic lunch while taking in the Mara plains. You will continue to enjoy views of animals from your lunch spot.

At dusk you shall make your back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Optional: Balloon safari

The balloon safari is a wonderful extra activity to add to the safari in Masai Mara. The balloon safari allows you explore the Mara from above giving you incredible views of the plains, and will also enhance your animal watching experience as you may be able to spot animals in areas the car can reach. For example, you have chances of spotting the Black Rhino which can be difficult to see during the ground safari.

The balloon safari starts at about 5am and the flight is about one hour long. After balloon safari you would then continue with the whole day drive.

Day 3 – Masai Mara wildlife safari and Maasai village cultural tour

Today is another day back in the Mara. You will drive deeper and explore areas around the Mara and Talek rivers where you can find prides of lions taking a morning chill on the river bank after the morning hunt. You will also see water wildlife such as Hippos, Crocodiles and Lizards.

Toward the end of the day, at about 4pm, you shall drive out of the park to visit a Masai cultural village on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve. A group of young masai men shall welcome you to the village with the epic Masai worrier dance. Thereafter the guide at the cultural village shall take you through their village and tell you about the different cultures and traditions of the Masai.

Day 4 – short safari drive in the Masai Mara and return to Nairobi

Today you shall wake up to have breakfast at 7.30am, check out and leave for Nairobi. You many have a short drive through Mara in the hope of finding something you could have missed the last safari drives. Thereafter you shall drive to Nairobi, making some stops along the way for lunch and curio shopping.