Wildlife Safaris · 5 days / 4 nights · 🇰🇪 Kenya

Maasai Mara Big Five Intensive — 5 Days

Five full days in Kenya's flagship reserve — maximise Big-Five and predator sightings.

⚡ Instant confirmation Only 9 seats left on next departure 📅 Next departure 12 Jul 2026 ✓ Free cancellation up to 30 days
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Overview

Five nights focused on the Maasai Mara — time to work both the Mara Triangle (western, fewer vehicles) and the Musiara / Talek plains. Two game drives daily, a full-day drive to the Mara River (migration July–October), and an afternoon Maasai cultural visit.

Best suited for travellers who have come to Africa specifically to photograph the Big Five and the Mara's famous lion prides.

Route: Nairobi → Maasai Mara (4 nights) → Nairobi

Itinerary

Your day-by-day adventure

Tap into the rhythm of each day — locations, drive times, activities, and where you'll sleep.

  1. Day 1

    Nairobi → Maasai Mara

    Highlight: Morning bird-walk in Maasai Mara

    0730 departure; lunch at Narok; afternoon game drive on arrival.

    📍 Maasai Mara 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 270 km ⏱ ~5 hrs from Nairobi 🍽 L, D 🏨 Sarova Mara Game Camp
    • Guided nature walk
    • Photography stop
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Hot-spring soak
  2. Day 2

    Mara Triangle full day

    Highlight: Boat cruise in Maasai Mara

    Full day on the western Mara Triangle with a picnic lunch by the Mara River.

    📍 Maasai Mara 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 270 km ⏱ ~5 hrs from Nairobi 🍽 B, L, D 🏨 Mara Serena Safari Lodge
    • Boat cruise
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Cultural visit
    • Hot-spring soak
  3. Day 3

    Musiara / Talek plains

    Highlight: Visit local market in Maasai Mara

    Dawn and late-afternoon drives. Optional Maasai village visit at midday.

    📍 Maasai Mara 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 270 km ⏱ ~5 hrs from Nairobi 🍽 B, L, D 🏨 Keekorok Lodge
    • Bush breakfast
    • Visit local market
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Boat cruise
  4. Day 4

    River crossings & predators

    Highlight: Boat cruise in Maasai Mara

    Dedicated search for migration crossings (Jul–Oct) or predator action year-round.

    📍 Maasai Mara 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 270 km ⏱ ~5 hrs from Nairobi 🍽 B, L, D 🏨 Mara Engai Wilderness Lodge
    • Boat cruise
    • Cultural visit
    • Photography stop
    • Game drives & sundowner
  5. Day 5

    Mara → Nairobi

    Highlight: Game drives & sundowner in Maasai Mara

    Morning drive, lunch at the lodge, afternoon transfer to Nairobi.

    📍 Maasai Mara 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 270 km ⏱ ~5 hrs from Nairobi 🍽 B, L 🏨 Mara Serena Safari Lodge
    • Boat cruise
    • Hot-spring soak
    • Sunrise tracking
    • Game drives & sundowner
Budget options

Choose your style of safari

Same itinerary, different comfort levels. Lock in the tier that fits your budget.

Budget
Budget — Comfort basics
$1,182 / pp
Single supp. +$120

Clean mid-range lodges and tented camps with reliable hot showers.

  • Shared 4x4 game drives
  • Full-board meals
  • English-speaking driver-guide
Book Budget
Premium
Premium — Upgraded lodges
$1,876 / pp
Single supp. +$250

Premium lodges and luxury tented camps (4–5★) in prime locations.

  • Private guide & vehicle
  • Sundowner setup
  • Laundry service
  • Airport meet & greet
Book Premium
On this safari

What's onboard

wifi Free Wi-Fi
pool Swimming Pool
restaurant Restaurant
local_bar Bar / Lounge
air Hot-Air Balloon
airport_shuttle Airport Transfers
solar_power Solar Powered
Your route
Interactive map · OpenStreetMap
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Live forecast · Maasai Mara Game Reserve
22°C Heavy drizzle · 10 km/h wind
Updated 2026-05-18T17:30
  1. 🌦 27° 16° 💧 3.4mm
  2. 🌦 28° 16° 💧 0.6mm
  3. 🌧 28° 16° 💧 6.0mm
  4. 🌧 27° 17° 💧 3.6mm
  5. 🌦 27° 16° 💧 6.9mm
  6. 🌦 27° 16° 💧 3.0mm
  7. 🌤 27° 16°
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Live wildlife observations
Recently spotted near Maasai Mara Game Reserve

Real observations published to GBIF by researchers, lodges, and citizen scientists — refreshed daily.

Source: GBIF.org — Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Where you'll sleep

Hotels & lodges on this tour

Hand-picked properties — swap any for an upgrade at booking.

★★★★★ 9.0/10
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge · Maasai Mara Game Reserve
From $320 / night · +$65 upgrade
Bar / LoungeBush BreakfastCultural VisitsWalking SafarisLaundry Service
412 verified reviews
★★★★☆ 8.6/10
Sarova Mara Game Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · Maasai Mara Game Reserve
From $245 / night · +$180 upgrade
Spa & WellnessAirport TransfersGym / FitnessFamily FriendlyHoneymoon Setup
318 verified reviews
★★★★☆ 8.4/10
Keekorok Lodge
Safari Lodge · Maasai Mara Game Reserve
From $220 / night · +$65 upgrade
Air-conditioningBar / LoungeHot-Air BalloonLaundry ServiceFamily Friendly
287 verified reviews
★★★★★ 9.3/10
Mara Engai Wilderness Lodge
Luxury · Maasai Mara Game Reserve
From $540 / night · +$420 upgrade
Bar / LoungeHot-Air BalloonLaundry ServiceGym / FitnessPet-Free Zones
198 verified reviews
Getting here

Flight schedules to your gateway

Indicative fares from key hubs — our team can hold seats while you decide.

AirlineRouteDepartsArrives DurationDaysFrom
Emirates
EK721
DXB → NBO
Dubai · Nairobi · Non-stop
10:25 14:35 5h 10m Daily $720 Book on Emirates ↗
KLM
KL565
AMS → NBO
Amsterdam · Nairobi · Non-stop
10:10 20:30 8h 20m Daily $950 Book on KLM ↗

Fares are indicative round-trip economy and shift with demand. We rebook fare drops within 24 hrs.

In the price

What's included & what's not

check_circleIncludes

  • 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-top and sliding windows
  • Professional driver-guide (Silver-KPSGA)
  • 4 nights full-board at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar
  • Park entry fees
  • Bottled water and sundowner snacks
  • Airport meet-and-greet

cancelExcludes

  • International flights & Kenyan visa
  • Balloon safari (optional — $480 / pax)
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance
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