2-Day Maasai Mara Safari from Nairobi
Experience Kenya's iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve on a compact 2-day safari — afternoon and morning game drives, one night in the Mara, and opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes and giraffes.
2-Day Maasai Mara Safari from Nairobi
This 2-Day Maasai Mara Safari is designed for travelers who have limited time but still want to experience one of Kenya's most famous wildlife destinations. Starting from Nairobi, you travel through Kenya's scenic countryside toward the Maasai Mara, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive. After spending the night at a safari lodge or tented camp, you enjoy an early morning game drive before beginning the journey back to Nairobi. For travelers with only two days available, this is a practical way to experience the Mara without committing to a longer Kenya safari.
The Maasai Mara is one of Kenya's best-known wildlife destinations, with extensive open savannah and abundant wildlife. A two-day safari is particularly suitable if you are:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Mara Sentrim Camp | A safari camp suitable for travelers looking for a comfortable stay close to the Mara |
| Zebra Plains Mara Camp | A tented-camp option designed around the safari experience |
| Mara Serena Safari Lodge | An upgrade option for travelers looking for a higher level of comfort |
Accommodation is subject to availability and can be replaced with a similar property of the same category. On a two-day safari, staying closer to the reserve can reduce unnecessary driving time and give you more time for wildlife viewing.
Detailed 2-Day Itinerary
From Nairobi to the Maasai Mara and back. Follow the day-by-day timeline below.
Your safari begins in Nairobi with an early morning pickup from your hotel, apartment or other agreed location. After meeting your safari guide, you leave Nairobi and travel toward the Maasai Mara. The journey takes you through Kenya's countryside and the Great Rift Valley region. Depending on your departure point and road conditions, you can make a short stop along the way for photographs and refreshments.
Continue toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve. After entering the Mara area, you proceed toward your accommodation. After lunch and a short rest, begin your first game drive.
Afternoon Game Drive: The afternoon game drive gives you your first opportunity to explore the Mara's open grasslands. Your guide will search for wildlife while following the roads and tracks permitted within the reserve.
Possible sightings include: Lions · Leopards · Cheetahs · Elephants · Buffaloes · Giraffes · Zebras · Wildebeest · Hippos · Warthogs · Antelopes · Hyenas · Numerous bird species.
Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed because animals move freely through the reserve. As the afternoon progresses, the changing light can create excellent conditions for wildlife photography. Return to your lodge or tented camp before dinner.
Wake up early for breakfast before heading into the reserve for your final game drive. Morning is an important time for wildlife viewing because predators may still be active after the night. Your guide will explore different areas of the reserve depending on wildlife activity and the conditions of the day. This is another opportunity to look for lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and other animals.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast or an early meal, depending on the day's schedule. Check out and begin your journey back toward Nairobi. You can have lunch along the way before continuing to Nairobi.
The safari ends with drop-off at your hotel, airport or another agreed location.
The Maasai Mara is particularly famous for its large populations of big cats and plains wildlife. During your two-day safari, your guide may look for:
Yes, it is possible to visit the Maasai Mara during the migration season, but sightings and river crossings cannot be guaranteed. The main wildebeest migration period in the Mara is generally around August to October, although the exact timing changes from year to year depending on environmental conditions.
If your main objective is to see the migration, we recommend discussing your travel dates with us before booking. A two-day trip during a busy migration period can also be more expensive because accommodation and safari demand increase.
Rates & Pricing
Our recommended starting price for this private mid-range package. Prices are indicative and should be confirmed according to the travel date, accommodation availability and current park charges.
| Number of Travelers | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Traveler | US$1,150 |
| 2 Travelers | US$795 |
| 3 Travelers | US$690 |
| 4 Travelers | US$625 |
| 5 Travelers | US$585 |
| 6 Travelers | US$550 |
Important: Prices are indicative and should be confirmed according to the travel date, accommodation availability and current park charges. Current market listings show significant variation — private two-day Maasai Mara trips range from roughly US$368–468 at the budget end, while several private mid-range options are around US$681–882 per person.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Mara Sentrim Camp | A safari camp suitable for travelers looking for a comfortable stay close to the Mara |
| Zebra Plains Mara Camp | A tented-camp option designed around the safari experience |
| Mara Serena Safari Lodge | An upgrade option for travelers looking for a higher level of comfort |
Accommodation is subject to availability and can be replaced with a similar property of the same category.
What's Included in Your 2-Day Safari
We believe in full transparency. Below is exactly what is included in your 2-Day Maasai Mara Safari — and what is not.
- Private safari transportation
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Pickup and drop-off in Nairobi
- Fuel
- Park/reserve entry fees as quoted
- Game drives
- One night accommodation
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water during the safari
- Driver-guide services
- Government taxes and applicable tourism charges
- International flights
- Kenya visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry
- Tips
- Souvenirs
- Maasai village visits
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Additional activities
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
- Any activity not listed in the itinerary
Getting There
This 2-Day Maasai Mara Safari begins and ends in Nairobi. Most travelers are staying in Nairobi before the safari or arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Pickup and drop-off can be arranged from your hotel, apartment, airport or another agreed location. You leave Nairobi early on Day 1 and travel through Kenya's countryside and the Great Rift Valley region toward the Maasai Mara.
A two-day safari is short, so your schedule will be relatively active. You should expect an early departure from Nairobi and several hours of road travel.
You should also remember that wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Your guide can search known wildlife areas and adjust the route according to current sightings, but animals are wild and constantly moving.
The short duration means you should also avoid adding too many extra activities. The main objective should remain wildlife viewing. Neutral-colored clothing is practical for game drives, although there is no requirement to dress entirely in safari colors.
This package is designed as a private safari. A private safari means your vehicle and guide are dedicated to your group, giving you more flexibility over departure times, photography stops and the pace of the game drive.
For travelers trying to reduce the price, shared group options are also available in the Maasai Mara market. Current SafariBookings listings show some shared two-day budget safaris from roughly US$270–400 per person, although the exact inclusions and accommodation vary considerably.
Meet the Tarec Gorilla Safaris Team
We are a locally owned and operated safari company based in Kampala, Uganda. Our team of experienced driver-guides, primate trackers, and travel planners is passionate about sharing the beauty of East Africa with travellers from around the world. Every safari we run is personally designed by someone who has walked the trails, tracked the gorillas, and knows the lodges by name.
At Tarec Gorilla Safaris, we can organize private Kenya safari experiences alongside our Uganda and Rwanda safaris. Our cross-border safari planning allows travelers to combine destinations across East Africa rather than treating each country as a separate trip.
For this Maasai Mara package, we focus on:
The safari can also be extended into a longer Kenya itinerary or combined with Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania depending on your travel plans.
Tarec Gorilla Safaris
We are a full-service safari operator offering custom itineraries, group tours, and self-drive packages. Our fleet of well-maintained 4×4 vehicles and our network of trusted lodges ensure a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable safari experience.