Short safari to Masaï Mara

3 days
From US$1,819 per person
After an expedition to northern Kenya, set off on a safari into the heart of Africa's great wildlife. Join us in the Masaï Mara reserve, one of Africa's most beautiful conservation areas in Africa. Roam the endless plains of the reserve in search of the big cats.
  • Elephants in Masai Mara
    Young elephant in Masaï Mara ©Jade sea Journeys
  • Buffalo in Kenya
    Buffalo and bird pecks ox ©Jade sea Journeys
  • Giraffe in Kenya
    Giraffe in the Masaï Mara's plains ©Jade sea Journeys

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Nairobi - Masaï Mara

    Early departure from Nairobi to try to avoid the many traffic jams that slow down traffic at the city gates. After the northern expressway, we head due west towards Narok. Villages and small towns follow one another, and the roadside scenes gradually reveal some of the habits of Kenyan life.
    After Narok, you're on Masai land, with fewer villages as you approach the Masai Mara reserve. It's also an opportunity to meet a few shepherds and their flocks along the way.
    After lunch, first game drive in search of wildlife, birdlife, nature and scenery. Spanning some 1,510 km² along the border with Tanzania, the Masai Mara is by far the country's best-known and most visited game reserve. A World Heritage Site, the Masai Mara is the Kenyan extension of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. The reserve's name is derived from the river that flows through it, Mara, and the people who live there, the Masai. It is home to a rich fauna, with 2.5 million herbivorous mammals that delight the reserve's predators.

  • Day 2

    Full Day Masaï Mara

    Full day spent exploring the park in search of the big Five. This is your last day in the park. The Mara River means “stained” river in the Masai language. It reflects the savannah landscape dotted with umbrella acacias, green and russet grasses, and silver-leaf croton bushes.
    Since colonial times, the park has held its reputation as one of the world's finest wildlife observatories.
    The reserve has a large population of lions, leopards, hyenas and jackals. The savannah is home to some 450 bird species, including ostriches, waders and rare, majestic eagles.
    Twice a year, the animals migrate from one reserve to another in search of the best grazing. Wildebeests and zebras gather in their millions during this transhumance. The group can be dozens of kilometers long! The most moving part of this spectacle takes place in July.

    Option : Early morning Air Balloon Safari that can be arranged locally and payable directly.

  • Day 3

    Masaï Mara - Nairobi

    Breakfast and depart for Nairobi arriving in the afternoon, end of our services.

    Feel free to add another day - contact us

Prices

Price conditions for your safari in Kenya


Price Per Person

Private Minibus
Based on 1 person: US$ 1,819 per person
Based on 2 people: US$ 1,355 per person
Based on 3 people: US$ 1,200 per person
Based on 4 people: US$ 1,123 per person
Based on 5 people: US$ 1,076 per person

Private 4x4
Based on 1 person: US$ 2,014 per person
Based on 2 people: US$ 1,452 per person
Based on 3 people: US$ 1,265 per person
Based on 4 people: US$ 1,171 per person
Based on 5 people: US$ 1,115 per person

Children
Up to 12 years $332
13 to 15 years $ 501

Single supplement : US$ 40

Price Include

  • Transport in a tour mini-bus with a pop-up roof or 4x4 (depending on the option chosen)
  • Unlimited kilometers
  • Services of our professional English-speaking driver guide
  • National parks Entry Fees
  • Drinking Water (refer below)
  • Hotel accommodation on Full Board basis sharing room (refer below)

Not Included in the Price

  • Visa fee
  • International flight
  • Transfers where not applicable 
  • Travel and cancellation/medical insurance cover
  • Hotel accommodation in Nairobi
  • Single Room (under single Supplement terms)
  •  Beverages, Alcohol, Spirits
  • Reusable Water Bottle for refilling (Very Important)
  • Photographic fee with the local people
  • Eventual tips
  • Any items or expenses of personal nature
  • Any other items not mentioned in the inclusions

Travel info

Here is some practical information for your safari in Kenya 


Accommodation during your safari in Kenya

Accommodation is in either twin or double rooms at carefully selected safari lodges. The lodges we use are all set in spectacular locations and provide delicious meals and comfortable airy bedrooms. Here's a list of the accommodations we use on our trips. If they are fully booked, we will offer you similar accommodation.

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Transport in safari

You will be travelling in one of our comfortable safari vehicles (Minibus or 4x4).  Each vehicle has a "pop top" roof to provide excellent views of the incredible wildlife. 

Other Useful Information to travel in Kenya

  • No plastic bags in to Kenya
  • No plastic bottles in the Game Parks and Reserves
  • Carry your COVID Vaccination Certificate 

Entry requirements for Kenya

  • Mandatory passport valid 6 months after your return date
  • Since January 4, 2024, entry to Kenya has been subjected to an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), in place of a visa.
Travellers must now apply for an ETA in advance at https://www.etakenya.go.ke, and present it before boarding the plane.
Depending on your nationality, you'll need to check the entry requirements. 

Sanitary conditions for Kenya

  • Yellow fever
Yellow fever is endemic in central and western Kenya. Vaccination is strongly recommended (in approved centres). In principle, vaccination against yellow fever is only required for people arriving from a country where this fever is endemic(1), or for people who have spent more than 12 hours in transit through one of these countries. To avoid any inconvenience, we strongly recommend that you are up to date with your yellow fever vaccination and in possession of an international vaccination booklet.
(1) In Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo (DRC), Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda. South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
  • Malaria
Malaria, particularly prevalent around Lake Victoria and on the Kenyan coast, is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes infested with the malaria parasite. There are two complementary forms of malaria prevention: protection against mosquito bites and prophylactic drug treatment. Conventional measures to protect against mosquitoes in the evening and at night are strongly recommended (see “A few simple rules” below). As far as prophylactic medication is concerned, you should contact your GP or a hospital specialising in travel medicine before you leave. During your stay, and for two months after your return, in the event of fever, medical advice should be sought systematically and rapidly, in order to start anti-malarial treatment as soon as possible. 

Before you travel to Kenya, it's important to :
  • Consult your GP or an International Vaccination Centre to assess your state of health and receive health recommendations, particularly concerning vaccinations
  • Set up a personal pharmacy 

Climate

Kenya's climate is equatorial, with significant regional variations. There are two dry seasons, the first from December to March, and the second from July to October.
These alternate with rainy seasons, between April and June, then between November and early December.
There are, however, a few nuances to these generalizations. On the coast, the climate is hot and humid, but moderated by the monsoon. In the desert to the northeast, the heat is dry, except in April and May, when there is some light rain.
The climate is humid around Lake Victoria, a little less so in January and February. Higher up, the climate is drier and warmer, with cold nights.
During the dry seasons, visitors flock to the area and all the trails are passable. Animals become easily visible in the dry grass and around waterholes. There are therefore more visitors between December and March, but also in July and August.
The “in-between” months of June, September and October are less crowded, but the weather conditions are quite suitable.
The wet seasons are less frequented, but the rains can be quite violent, even accompanied by spectacular thunderstorms, which can alternate with sudden clearings. At this time of year, there's no sweltering heat and, above all, the light is magnificent for photographers. It's also the time of animal births, but the tall grass doesn't always make observation that easy. 

What to Pack for your safari in Kenya

  • Good quality sandals
  • Good quality light walking shoes
  • Casual shoes for evenings
  • Fleece jacket or warm sweater
  • Practical safari jacket
  • T-shirts
  • Short and long sleeve shirts or blouses
  • Shorts and long casual trousers
  • Casual light dresses or skirts
  • Enough underwear, socks and hankies
  • Bathing suit
  • Toiletries, lip balm and scarves
  • Miniature wet towel and Kleenex (enough)
  • Small backpack 
  • Small reusable water bottle
  • Small flashlight or headlamp
  • Safari hat or cap
  • Personal medication
  • Important Quality mosquito/insect repellent (for body)
  • Waterproof sun blocker cream/sunscreen
  • Good quality sunglasses
  • Binocular and Guidebooks
  • Camera with extra battery and memory card 

Strengths

  • The emblematic parks of Masaï Mara
  • Good wildlife viewing conditions
  • Masaï people
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