Tour Length
Rates in USD $ – Change Currency
Per person, excl. international flightsOperator Rating
Other Tour Features
Filter by Operator
Filter by Accommodation
3-Day Masai Mara Safari Tours
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a safari destination that is hard to beat. Indeed, if you’ve been dreaming of an African safari, the image you have in mind is probably very close to the Masai Mara. This is quintessential Africa: wide open savannah, with herds of grazers moving along the horizon, stopping in the shade of isolated acacia trees in the heat of the day. You’ll get to see your fair share of predators too. Lion and cheetah are common, but finding a leopard requires a bit more patience. Thinking of booking a 3-day Masai Mara safari? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions that might help your planning.
-
3-Day Budget Group Safari | Masai Mara
$286 to $388 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
4.8/5 – 189 Reviews
-
Best Seller
3-Day Into the Wild – Masai Mara Safari
$1,184 to $1,812 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Safari Soles
5.0/5 – 600 Reviews
-
3-Day Secrets of the Masai Mara
$434 to $643 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
White Horse Safaris
5.0/5 – 35 Reviews
-
3-Day 2 Nights Masai Mara National Reserve Safari
$1,111 to $1,580 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Enkarewa Safaris
5.0/5 – 26 Reviews
-
3-Day Masai Mara Group Safari in 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep
$401 to $618 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Bigmac Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 57 Reviews
-
3-Day Magical Masai Mara Joining in a Safari Landcruiser
$398 to $634 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Axis Africa Expedition & Safaris
4.9/5 – 3,832 Reviews
-
3-Day Masai Mara Classic Wildlife Safari Adventure
$481 to $653 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Jungleroam Safaris
5.0/5 – 1,864 Reviews
-
3-Day Timeless Treasure Luxury Safari
$2,890 to $3,627 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Rochar Africa Expeditions
5.0/5 – 56 Reviews
-
3-Day Lifetime Bush Experience
$1,610 to $1,638 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Awuor Escapades
4.9/5 – 38 Reviews
-
3-Day Maasai Mara Group Joining Migration Safari Daily
$441 to $687 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Savanna Sojourns Safari
4.9/5 – 39 Reviews
-
3-Day Luxury Safari in the Great Masai Mara Reserve
$2,590 to $3,088 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxury+Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Arzoni Africa Safaris
4.7/5 – 36 Reviews
-
3-Day Midrange Safari to Masai Mara
$1,065 to $1,580 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Black Santa Safaris
5.0/5 – 59 Reviews
-
3-Day Group Mara Escape – Luxury & Wildlife
$1,208 to $1,604 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)LuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Travast Adventures
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
-
3-Day Masai Mara Luxury Safari Adventure
$2,166 to $3,137 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Jomo Kenyatta Airport (End)
Voyage to the Magical Africa
4.8/5 – 17 Reviews
-
3-Day Maasai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safari
$1,254 to $1,603 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Jomo Kenyatta Airport (End)
Wildscope Adventures
5.0/5 – 19 Reviews
-
3-Day Luxury Masai Mara Tour with Balloon Safari
$2,280 to $3,172 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Mournic Adventures
5.0/5 – 49 Reviews
-
3-Day Maasai Mara Big Five Private Mid Range Safari
$744 to $973 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Jenny's Adventure Safaris
5.0/5 – 11 Reviews
-
3-Day Budget Safari to Masai Mara National Reserve
$408 to $627 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Kenya Bush Expeditions
4.8/5 – 143 Reviews
-
Best Seller
3-Day Mid-Range Private Tour Masai Mara Enkorok
$824 to $1,260 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Jocky Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 3,606 Reviews
-
3-Day Masai Mara National Reserve Budget Tour
$718 to $970 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Amafrick Getaways
5.0/5 – 13 Reviews
6 Questions About 3-Day Masai Mara Safaris
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. She also contributes to travel and environmental magazines and tourism brochures. She has visited the Masai Mara several times and she hopes to go back soon.› More about Ariadne
6 Questions About 3-Day Masai Mara Safaris
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Is 3 days a recommended length of time for a trip in the Masai Mara?
“If your days are limited due to time or budget constraints, a 3-day safari to the Masai Mara is indeed worthwhile. Wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara will probably exceed your expectations, so you can count on seeing a lot, even on a 3-day safari. However, if you’re only visiting the Masai Mara, I would recommend extending your trip by a few days. A 3-day, 2-night safari is quite short, especially as you need to take into account the time to get there and back, and to settle into your lodge or campsite. It takes a few days to really get into the safari rhythm and adding more time will remove the pressure of trying to see all the major animals in a rush. If you are visiting the Masai Mara as part of a longer tour, 3 days should be enough, although you could easily spend longer as well.”
1Is it better to fly or go overland to the Masai Mara?
“You can either fly or drive from Nairobi to the Masai Mara but flying is a better option, although it is more expensive. The flight takes about 45 minutes, so it is a good way to maximize your time in the reserve. The drive takes four to five hours, and the road is paved from Nairobi all the way to Sekenani Gate. Still, with an early start in Nairobi, you can make it to the reserve in time for an afternoon drive. Remember though that you might be tired of bumping around on rough roads and you may not feel like more of it. Most fly-in safaris use luxury accommodations, which include game drives with resident guides who know the area extremely well. A road safari is usually more budget-friendly, so you might want to consider the price difference as well. Although most people on a 3-day Masai Mara safari come from Nairobi, it is also possible to fly there from other reserves or the coast. This can cut out a stay in Nairobi, as well as the congested drive in and out of the city.”
2What accommodations can I expect on a 3-day Masai Mara safari?
“A large range of accommodations is available in the Masai Mara, suiting all budgets. Camping is the most budget-friendly option. Specialized operators offer very comfortable camping safaris, and it is perhaps the best way to feel totally immersed in nature for the duration of your trip. If you want to keep the price down, but camping isn’t your thing, consider a budget lodge tour. Although budget accommodations are usually just outside the reserve, it can still make a good base for game drives. There is a large variety of mid-range lodges inside the Mara. Many are larger hotels or smaller simple tented camps. Budget permitting, you can find luxury in the Masai Mara too. The high-end lodges and camps often go hand in hand with a fly-in safari. In this category, you can expect small, exclusive luxury boutique lodges, offering impeccable personal service, fine dining and excellent guiding. There are some rustic options in this category as well, including tented camps with furnishings reminiscent of colonial times.”
3Which animals am I likely to see?
“On a 3-day Masai Mara safari you’ll be able to see most of the iconic safari animals except for rhino. Black rhino is present, but sightings are rare; the Mara Triangle offers the best chance of seeing one. The open savannah of the Masai Mara offers incredible wildlife viewing. Not only are animal densities very high, the open terrain makes viewing easy. If you come here between August and October, you might be lucky to witness the annual migration of 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle as they follow the rains in search of new grass. There is always a lot of wildlife in the Mara though, and big cats are especially easy to spot.”
4How much does a 3-day safari in the Masai Mara cost?
“For a 3-day tour in the Masai Mara, expect a starting price of US$300 per person for camping. Mid-range tours start at about US$500 per person, while luxury tours start at about US$800 per person, but prices go much higher than that. Safari packages to the Masai Mara span a wide price range, influenced by several variables. Lodge safaris tend to be a lot pricier than budget-friendly camping safaris. And lodge safaris aren’t all equal. There are different levels of comfort and luxury, all at different prices too. There are many 3-day road safaris on offer. Although a fly-in safari will be pricier than a road safari, it might be preferable when considering the time limitations of 3 days. Whether you book a private safari or join a group tour also affects the cost. If you don’t mind traveling in the low season, you can usually get a good deal. This corresponds with the Wet season, so expect some rain, but the scenery is lusher than in the Dry season, and the birding is at its best. I recommend shopping around and getting a few quotations before booking your safari.”
5How do I avoid the crowds in the park?
“The Masai Mara is very popular, but there are ways to avoid the crowds on your 3-day safari. Consider visiting in the low-season months of April to May or in November. This isn’t the best time for the wildebeest migration, but there is always plenty of wildlife around. March and April are the wettest months, but you will appreciate the lush scenery and abundance of birdlife and baby animals. Some areas of the Mara are busier than others. The western area of the reserve sees the least tourism traffic. For a really exclusive experience, consider staying in one of the private conservancies outside the Masai Mara proper. The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most iconic destinations. And for good reason. There are few places that offer the same quality of wildlife viewing in such a typical African savannah setting. Kenya has been marketing African safaris for a long time, so it isn’t surprising that you won’t be the only one considering a safari in the Masai Mara.”
6Masai Mara Reviews
Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.
Big Cat Country Par Excellence
Where else can you be following a lioness and her three cubs towards their hideout and at the same instant see a pair of cheetahs sitting high on their termite hill lookout? The Masai Mara has everything within an incredibly short distance...
Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.
Migration Madness in the Mara
As neighbour to Tanzania’s Serengeti, the obvious attraction of the Mara is the chaotic migration of thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebra during July/August and then in October as they follow the scent of greener pastures. I...
FR
The Masai Mara was the highlight of our safari in Kenya. The wildlife viewing was incredible, the vast open landscapes were breathtaking and the whole experience felt like a true African safari. Every game drive was exciting and offered...
The Masai Mara Is Beyond Description The Masai Mara National Reserve was everything we imagined Africa could be—and far more. Its seemingly endless grasslands, dramatic skies and extraordinary concentration of wildlife create a sense of...
The Maasai Mara is impressive and wildlife viewing is excellent, but it was also much more crowded than I expected. Considering the relatively high cost of visiting, I felt the overall experience was slightly overhyped.
KR
These are moments I will never forget for the rest of my life. Every single stop and every view was so breathtaking and moving that I didn’t want to miss a single moment. It felt almost unreal to think that I was actually there,...