3-Day Maasai Mara — The classic short Mara — two nights and a full day in the reserve, the single most popular Kenya safari
3 days · 2 nights · Best Jul – Oct & Jan – Mar
About this experience
If you do one safari in Kenya, this is the one most people book. Two nights in the Maasai Mara gives you an arrival drive, a full day to explore the reserve deeply, and a final morning before the drive back — enough time for your guide to track leopard in the riverine forest, find the lion prides, and (July–October) position you at the Mara River for the wildebeest crossings. Comfortable mid-range camps, a private 4x4, and Kenya's finest wildlife.
Highlights
- First-time safari
- Big-cat lovers
- Migration (Jul–Oct)
- Hand-picked lodges with great reviews
- Private vehicle and experienced driver-guide
Signature experiences
Optional add-ons our specialists can build into this trip. Prices are per person, confirmed on request.
Lift off at dawn over the plains, drift silently above the herds, and land to a champagne bush breakfast. The definitive Mara morning.
Spend an hour in a working manyatta — the jumping dance, fire-making, and a look at daily Maasai life, hosted by the community itself.
A lantern-lit table set out under the stars, your own chef and a crackling fire — the safari dinner people remember for years.
After dark on a private conservancy, a spotlight picks out leopard, aardvark, bushbaby and the animals you never see by day.
Included
- Full-board accommodation in comfortable lodges & tented camps
- All park & reserve entry fees
- Private 4x4 · experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- All game drives as per itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
Not included
- International flights
- Kenya eVisa ($51 — we help you apply)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional experiences (see below)
- Drinks, tips & personal expenses
Price breakdown
The plan, day by day
From pickup to drop-off — exactly what your trip looks like.
Morning departure through the Great Rift Valley escarpment to the Mara, arriving for lunch. Afternoon game drive to settle in — the plains game, and often the first lions. Dinner and overnight at your camp.
Dawn to dusk in the reserve with a picnic lunch out in the bush. This is the day your guide goes deep — the Mara Triangle, the river, the marsh prides — for cheetah on the mounds, leopard, and in season the great migration herds.
A last morning game drive, breakfast, then the road back to Nairobi, arriving mid-to-late afternoon.
What travelers say
Guest reviews →Bookara guest rating
Meeting point
Your full route across Kenya — pickup confirmed the day before departure.
Drag to pan · pinch or buttons to zoom
- 01 NairobiDay 1 · City
- 02 Maasai MaraDay 1 · National park & reserve
- 03 NairobiDay 3 · City
Good to know
Cancel for any reason up to 90 days before your departure and receive a full refund. After that, our standard partial-refund schedule applies — see full terms.
Common questions
Road or fly?+
This package is by road — scenic and included. You can add a Mara-leg flight to save about four hours each way; just ask and we'll quote it.
Will I see the migration?+
If you travel July to October, the wildebeest are in the Mara and river crossings are likely — never guaranteed (they move on their own schedule), but this itinerary's full day maximises your chances.
Which camp?+
Comfortable mid-range camps just outside or inside the reserve. Upgrade to Premium for the nicer properties.
Book on WhatsApp
Your chat opens with the trip pre-filled — no payment needed now. Our team replies between 7am–10pm EAT.
Request saved
WhatsApp is opening with your details pre-filled — just hit send.
- 1 Send the pre-filled messageYour trip details are already written for you.
- 2 Confirm in chat — or pay the deposit onlineSame reference either way. Our team replies 7am–10pm EAT.
- 3 Instant confirmationWhatsApp message + email receipt the moment your deposit lands.
Your request ref becomes your booking reference once the deposit is paid.
Book direct with the operator
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Licensed & certified
Kenya-registered operator in Nairobi with experienced driver-guides.
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Our own vehicles & guides
Trips run end to end by Bookara staff — never handed to a third party.
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Secure payment
Card or Apple Pay through Paystack (USD). Park fees included in the price you see.
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Flexible cancellation
Free cancellation up to 90 days before departure; 30% deposit holds your dates.
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