masai mara 4 days 3 nights safari itinerary

Description

4 Days 3 Nights Maasai Mara Safari Itinerary

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Kenya’s most famous wildlife sanctuary, the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This well-detailed 4-day, 3- night masai mara night safari is designed to provide an immersive and thrilling experience, perfectly timed for the peak of the Great Migration in August. Your adventure begins and ends in Nairobi, with comfortable road transfers in a private 4×4 safari vehicle. You will be staying at the luxurious Jambo Mara Safari Lodge, a perfect base for exploring the vast savannahs and witnessing some of the most spectacular wildlife on Earth. This itinerary is packed with unlimited game drives, optional once-in-a-lifetime activities, and all the comfort and convenience you need for a truly magical safari.

Detailed Masai Mara Safari Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 of your Masai Mara safari: Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Morning (7:00 AM): Your adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
Scenic Drive: You will embark on a scenic drive of approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours (270 km) towards the Maasai Mara. The journey offers a spectacular view as you descend the Great Rift Valley escarpment. We will make a brief stop at a viewpoint for some stunning photos. The drive continues through charming small towns and the scenic Maasai countryside, providing a glimpse into rural Kenyan life.
Arrival: You will arrive at Jambo Mara Safari Lodge in time for a delicious lunch. After checking into your luxury room, you’ll have a chance to relax and settle in.
Afternoon Game Drive: At 3:30 PM, your first game drive begins. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring the plains, looking for big cats, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and the countless plains game that call the Mara home.
Evening: You will return to the lodge by 6:30 PM for a delicious dinner and a restful overnight stay in your luxury room, complete with an en-suite bathroom and a private balcony overlooking the wilderness.
Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Full Day of Great Migration Spectacle

Morning: After an early breakfast, you will depart from the lodge with a packed picnic lunch for a full-day game drive. This is the ideal way to maximize your time in the reserve and explore its vast landscapes without returning to the lodge for midday meals.
The Great Migration: August is prime time to witness the Great Migration. Your guide will take you to key areas, particularly the banks of the Talek and Mara Rivers, where millions of wildebeest and zebra are crossing, often with the dramatic spectacle of crocodiles and other predators lying in wait.
Exploration: You will explore various parts of the reserve, including the Mara Triangle and Musiara Marsh, a crucial watering hole for a wide array of wildlife. Your guide will help you spot the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the elusive rhino.
Optional Activity: If time permits, you have the option (at extra cost) to visit a local Maasai village to learn about their fascinating culture, traditional dances, and unique way of life.
Evening: After a full day of adventure, you will return to Jambo Mara Safari Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Maasai Mara (Hot Air Balloon Safari & Game Drive)

Early Morning: Today offers a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. For those who have pre-booked it, you will be picked up at 4:30 AM for a transfer to the hot air balloon launch site.
Hot Air Balloon Safari: As dawn breaks at 6:00 AM, you will take off for a magical one-hour scenic flight over the Mara plains. Drifting silently above the landscape as the sun rises is an incredible way to see the sheer scale of the reserve and the wildlife below.
Bush Breakfast: Upon landing, you will be treated to a special champagne bush breakfast, a perfect celebration of your flight.
Afternoon: After returning to the lodge, you’ll have time for relaxation or a mid-morning nap. In the afternoon, you will head out for another game drive to explore parts of the reserve you haven’t yet seen, continuing your search for unique wildlife sightings.
Evening: The day concludes with dinner and a final overnight stay at the lodge, reflecting on your extraordinary experiences.
Accommodation: Jambo Mara Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: Maasai Mara to Nairobi (Departure)

Morning: Enjoy a final early breakfast at the lodge.
Departure: At around 7:00 AM, you will check out and begin your journey back to Nairobi. Your guide will take you on a final, short game drive as you exit the park.
Drive Back: The drive to Nairobi will take approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours.
Drop-off: You will be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for your international flight home or at your Nairobi hotel in the late afternoon (around 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM), depending on traffic and your departure time.
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

3 nights’ full-board accommodation at Jambo Mara Safari Lodge.
All meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
All park entry fees to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
A private 4×4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing.
Unlimited game drives as per the itinerary.
Bottled drinking water provided during game drives.
Airport pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi.
Hot air balloon safari (if pre-booked and included in the package).
Government taxes and levies.

Exclusions