The 15 Best Things to Do in the Maasai Mara

1.3 Days, 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 394 reviews · 3 days · from $199Our pick

Join a small group from Nairobi for three days in Maasai Mara, riding in a 4x4 with a pop-up roof and staying in a private tent with a bed, shower, toilet, and evening hot water. Guides such as Sammy, Castro, Paul, and Robert are known for spotting wildlife. Park fees cost extra.

“Our guide, Mr. Samuel, was extremely warm and friendly. His explanations were very professional and patient, and he always answered all of our questions in detail. He did his best to take us to see as many animals as possible, which made the safari experience truly enjoyable. The tent accommodation was better than expected — the bedsheets and blankets were clean, hot water was reliably available in the evenings, and the food was quite good. The kitchen staff were also very welcoming and kind. I would especially like to mention Mr. Thoya from the company, who was incredibly friendly and attentive. He regularly checked in with me to see whether…”

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2.Masai Mara 3 Day Safari | Private 4WD Jeep Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · from $2,120Top rated

You’ll travel from Nairobi in a private 4WD Land Cruiser with an English-speaking driver-guide, arriving at the Maasai Mara around lunchtime. Expect two nights, three days of game drives, Rift Valley views, included meals, and a possible Maasai cultural visit. Confirm your lodge, guide language, and optional stops before booking.

“At US$1,000 per person, this tour offered by Natural World Kenya, was the most expensive of all Masai Mara tours listed on Viator. Still, I booked it because I wanted to stay at the high-quality accommodation that they advertised. They were sRead more”

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3.Giraffe Center, Elephant Orphanage, Beads Center & Bomas of Kenya Tour Nairobi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · from $135

Spend about 10 hours exploring Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kobe Tough Beads, and Bomas of Kenya. Guides such as Stephen, Titus, Simon, and Wellington provide transport and local insight. Plan for a separate $45 Nairobi National Park fee and bring lunch money.

“The tour was exactly as described in the ad. The attractions listed were all great and would recommend for those looking for a full day tour in Nairobi. The guide, Titus, was great and very professional.”

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4.Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Masai Mara 4 Days Private Jeep Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · from $2,900

Travel from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Maasai Mara in a private safari Jeep. Expect a boat ride, Crescent Island walk, rhino viewing, full-day game drives, and meals. Guides such as George, James, Mike, Tony, and Norman have led past departures, but your assigned guide may differ.

“My wife and I booked a 4 days safari to Lake Nakuru, Naivasha and Masai Mara. We saw a lot of wild animals, birds and beautiful landscapes. We chose to stay at Lake Nakuru lodge and Zebra Plains Tented Camp.”

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5.African Wildlife & Nature – 5 Kenya national parks – 6 day Jeep Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $3,660

You’ll travel by private safari vehicle from Nairobi through Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, and Maasai Mara. Expect five nights of lodge or tent accommodation, all lunches, five breakfasts and dinners, plus a dedicated driver-guide. Guide assignments vary, with past trips led by George, Michael, Joseph, Tony, Juma, and others.

“One of the best tours we’ve ever experienced — 100% worth it and highly recommended.”

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6.Samburu, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara 6 Days Private 4×4 Jeep Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · from $5,980

Spend six days in a private 4x4 Jeep exploring Samburu, Lake Nakuru, and Maasai Mara. Expect long drives, several game drives, lodge or tented-camp stays, included meals, and a private driver-guide. Guides such as Peter, Joseph, Robinson, and Ben have earned strong praise, though your assigned guide may differ.

“The company went broke. We went from January 9-20. We squeezed payments by raising hell, along with our disgusted driver, until day 7, then we paid. We went to the Tourist Police Twice. In Nairobi they went with us to the company headquRead more”

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7.2 Days Classic Maasai Mara Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $850

Leave Nairobi at 7:00 am for a private two-day Maasai Mara safari. You get an afternoon game drive on day one and an early morning drive on day two before returning to Nairobi. Guides associated with the operator include John, Tony, Kelvin, Reuben, and Andrew, all praised for safe driving, wildlife knowledge, and friendly service.

“Had an amazing time with unscripted safaris, John our guide for the 3 days in the maasai mara was so good,humble very chatty with us ensuring we enjoyed and had a good time. Thank you so much”

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8.Giraffe center, Elephant Orphanage and Beads Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $115

Start with giraffe feeding and conservation lessons, then attend the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s 11 a.m. elephant session before visiting Kazuri or Kobe Beads. Your driver collects you at 8 a.m. in Nairobi. Guides such as Stephan, Wellington, and Titus have earned praise for safe driving, clear communication, and helpful service.

“Nice tour, driver was friendly, and the tour itself was very good. I was afraid to have only 1 hour to do the Giraffes, but to be honest, 1h is more than enough, it's amazing but it's very small with just a few Giraffes to feed. However it could be betRead more”

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9.Olpejeta, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara 5 Days Private Kenya Jeep tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $2,880

This private five-day safari links Ol Pejeta, Lake Naivasha, and Maasai Mara from Nairobi. You will look for chimpanzees and black rhinos, watch hippos from a boat, walk at Crescent Island, and spend two days on Mara game drives. Guides such as David, Thomas, Peter Kanyi, and Ezra have led trips, though your assigned guide may differ.

“I joined the tour with high expectations for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it far exceeded my expectations. Not only did I have the luxury of a private tour for five days, but the impeccable support from our driver, David, allowed me to fully eRead more”

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10.3-Day Masai Mara Group Safari with Pick Up

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · from $1,195

Spend three days exploring the Maasai Mara with Nairobi pickup, a dedicated driver-guide, shared 4x4 transport, meals, and game drives. You’ll cross the Great Rift Valley, search for lions, elephants, cheetahs, and leopards, visit the Mara River in migration season, and have the option to meet local Maasai people. Groups are limited to 15.

“I booked a 3-day Masai Mara safari with Natural World Kenya Safaris and it was an incredible experience. The whole trip was well organized, our driver was reliable and knowledgeable, and we saw plenty of wildlife. Everything went as planned and the service was excellent. I highly recommend them for anyone looking to explore Kenya’s national parks.”

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11.Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 31 reviews · 1h 10m · from $495

You’ll leave your Maasai Mara lodge at 4:30 am, rise above the reserve for a 70-minute balloon flight, and land for a cooked bush breakfast with coffee, tea, and champagne. A guide handles the briefing and transfers, while an open Jeep ride back offers another chance to spot wildlife. Groups hold 8 or 15 people.

“What an experience. Floating over the Masai Mara watching the sun rise. Didn’t see too many animals but that really didn’t spoil the experience. Loved every minute.”

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12.4-Day Tour in Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivash, Masai Mara from Nairobi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $3,540

Travel by private 4x4 from Nairobi through the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island, Lake Nakuru, and the Maasai Mara. You’ll cruise past hippos, walk near zebra and giraffe, and take repeated game drives for lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and wildebeest. Guides may include George, Tom, Albert, Charles, or Paul.

“This trip was a game changer. It was my daughters choice for her birthday. Thank you for the surprise cake. We counted over 20 Lions. The driver knew where to get the prides.”

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13.Elephant Orphanage,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixxen Day TripTour

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 12 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $35Best value

You’ll visit Nairobi’s Giraffe Center, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum, and a women-run bead workshop. An English-speaking driver-guide collects you from central Nairobi, with a small-group option and open-roof van. Plan for extra admission and conservation fees beyond the $35 tour price.

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14.5 Days Maasai Mara, Nakuru & Naivasha Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 9 reviews · 5 days · from $1,285

Travel from Nairobi through Kenya’s finest wildlife stops in five days. You’ll ride in a pop-up-roof safari vehicle, search for the Big Five with guides such as George or Jame, sleep in self-contained Mara tents, cruise Lake Naivasha, and cycle or drive through Hell’s Gate.

“Saw the big 5 as well as a load of other amazing animals. Our driver and guide was outstanding throughout the trip. Hells gate bike ride was really great fun too”

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15.3-Day Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4X4 Jeep Safari

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · 3 days · from $295

Travel from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. You will stop at the Great Valley Viewpoint, take game drives, visit the Mara River, and sleep in a tented camp with beds and flush toilets. Andrew is a praised tour leader on some departures. Park fees and some extras cost more.

“Il n'y a pas de courant. La nourriture offerte est tres mediocre pour le prix. Risque d'intoxication alimentaire. Pas d'eau chaude à la douche comme il était indiqué. On avait hâte de retourner à Nairobi un vrai calvaire”

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