Unmatched Expeditions · Kenya

3-Day Masai Mara Kenya Safari Itinerary

2 Nights – Masai Mara National Reserve

Safari Overview

Company Unmatched Expeditions
Duration 3 Days / 2 Nights
Cost pps $1,422
Start Nairobi, Kenya
End Nairobi, Kenya (JKIA)
Parks Visited Masai Mara National Reserve
Best Season Year-round — Great Migration (July–Oct) in Masai Mara
Vehicle 4WD Safari Land Cruiser / Land Rover
Included Accommodation, stated meals, park entry fees, game drives
Excluded International flights, visas, tips/gratuities, hot air balloon safari, personal expenses, travel insurance

Day 1
Masai Mara National Reserve
Transfer Nairobi to Masai Mara: ~270 km (approx. 6 hours)
Stay Sopa Lodge Mara
Meals Lunch & Dinner at camp
Wildlife Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo (Big Five), cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, topi, hyena

Daily Programme

  • Scenic drive south through the Great Rift Valley and the vast Mara ecosystem
  • Arrive at Masai Mara by early afternoon
  • Afternoon game drive across the world’s most famous wildlife reserve
  • Look out for the Big Five on your first Mara evening game drive

Day 2
Masai Mara National Reserve
Transfer Full day in reserve — no transfer
Stay Sopa Lodge Mara
Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at camp
Wildlife Cheetah, wild dog, bat-eared fox, grey-crowned crane, Secretary bird, Masai giraffe

Daily Programme

  • Full day Big Five game drives in the Masai Mara
  • Visit the Mara River — famous crossing site of the Great Migration (July–October)
  • Optional hot air balloon safari at dawn over the Mara plains (additional cost)
  • Afternoon visit to a Maasai manyatta (village) for cultural interaction (optional at own cost)

Day 3
Return to Nairobi
Transfer Masai Mara to Nairobi: ~270 km (approx. 6 hours via Narok)
Stay Departure day
Meals Breakfast. Lunch en route at own cost

Daily Programme

  • Depart Masai Mara after breakfast
  • Drive back to Nairobi — arrive early afternoon
  • Optional: lunch at a Nairobi restaurant, city tour, or Giraffe Centre (own cost)
  • Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for onward flights

Important Notes

Road Conditions & Travel Times

  • All distances and travel times are approximate and may vary due to road conditions, weather, and stops
  • Kenya’s roads range from tarmac (highways) to murram (gravel/dirt) tracks within the parks — a 4WD vehicle is essential
  • The Mara–Nairobi return leg can optionally be done by scheduled charter flight (approx. 45 minutes) to save time

Health & Safety

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from an endemic country
  • Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all safari destinations listed
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is required

Packing Essentials

  • Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown) — avoid white, blue and black which attract insects
  • Warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives, sunscreen, sunhat, bug repellent
  • Binoculars, camera, extra memory cards and batteries
  • Soft-sided bags recommended as bush planes have strict weight limits (typically 15 kg)