Experience a classic Masai Mara safari in just three days from Nairobi — big cats on golden plains, sweeping savannahs, and Maasai culture — while staying at Kambu Mara Camp, a small, nature-immersed tented camp about 10–15 minutes from Sekenani Gate, one of the main entrances to Masai Mara National Reserve.
This is a budget-friendly but proper safari: a private 4×4 Land Cruiser (or safari minivan on request), long days in the Reserve, and a comfortable tented camp close to the gate so you spend more time with wildlife and less time commuting.
Most guests book this safari for:
- A short but intense safari from Nairobi
- A camp close to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Private game drives (shared vehicles may be offered on arrival but are not guaranteed)
- A comfortable, authentic tented camp with full-board meals
🧭 Safari Snapshot
- Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
- Start & End: Nairobi (hotel / residence / JKIA / Wilson)
- Destination: Masai Mara National Reserve (Sekenani Gate area)
- Accommodation: Kambu Mara Camp (near Sekenani Gate)
- Transport: Safari-modified 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- (Safari minivan available on request)
Highlights:
- Big Cats & Big Five in Masai Mara National Reserve
- Full-day game drive (approx. 10–11 hours inside the Reserve)
- Sunrise & sunset views over classic Mara plains
- Optional Maasai village visit
- Optional hot-air balloon safari over the Mara (extra cost)
- Optional guided bush walk near camp with a local nature guide
🚙 The Experience
Your safari is conducted in a private 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser (or safari minivan if preferred), equipped with a pop-up roof for panoramic game viewing. You’ll be accompanied by a professional, English-speaking driver-guide experienced in the Masai Mara ecosystem, wildlife behavior, and the best game-viewing routes around Sekenani and Keekorok.
Game drives are tailored to your group’s interests — whether you’re focused on big cats, photography, birding, or a relaxed family safari with breaks for the kids.
Game drives are private by default; occasionally we can connect guests to shared game drives if you prefer to split costs, but this can only be arranged on or close to arrival and is not guaranteed in advance.
🏕️ Your Accommodation: Kambu Mara Camp (Near Sekenani Gate)
You’ll stay at Kambu Mara Camp, a simple, friendly tented camp set in natural bushland about 10–15 minutes’ drive from Sekenani Gate.
Camp Features
- Tented rooms with proper beds, bed linens, and mosquito nets
- Private or shared bathrooms (depending on tent type) with hot showers
- On-site restaurant serving breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
- Outdoor fire pit area for evening relaxation and stargazing
- Solar/backup power for charging phones and cameras
- Walking access to open bushland for short guided walks near camp (not in big game zones)
Board Basis
Most packages are offered on full board, including:
- Day 1: Dinner
- Day 2: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast
Half-board or custom meal plans can be arranged on request in your final quote.
🚐 Safari Transport & Pick-Up Options
From Nairobi
- Pick-up from your hotel, residence, JKIA, or Wilson Airport around 6:00 AM on Day 1
- Road transfer in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof (or safari minivan if requested)
- Approximate drive time Nairobi → Masai Mara (Sekenani area): 5.5–6 hours, including a short stop for bathroom break, snacks, or coffee
Inside Masai Mara
- All game drives conducted in your private safari vehicle
- Professional guide with deep knowledge of the Sekenani, Keekorok, and central plains areas
- Pop-up roof for unobstructed viewing and photography
🧍♀️ Who This Safari Is For
This 3-Day Masai Mara Budget Safari is ideal for:
- Travelers with limited time in Kenya who still want a proper Mara experience
- First-time visitors ticking the Masai Mara off their bucket list
- Couples, friends, and small groups wanting private, flexible game drives
- Families looking for a child-friendly, mid-range tented camp close to the gate
- Budget-conscious travelers who want a 4×4 safari vehicle and a camp near Sekenani, without paying luxury lodge prices
🗺️ Sample 3-Day Itinerary (From Nairobi)
Times are approximate and can be adjusted for road conditions, season, and your preferences.
🗺️ Day 1 – Nairobi to Masai Mara & Afternoon Safari / Bush Walk
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Pick-Up in Nairobi
Your driver-guide meets you at your hotel, residence, JKIA, or Wilson Airport. After a short briefing and luggage check, begin your journey toward the Great Rift Valley and the world-famous Masai Mara.
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Rift Valley Escarpment Drive
Head west out of Nairobi as the landscape transitions from city outskirts to sweeping escarpment views. If visibility is clear, enjoy a brief photo stop at a Rift Valley Viewpoint, overlooking volcanic craters, the valley floor, and distant Longonot and Suswa.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Coffee, Snacks & Bathroom Break
Stop in Mai Mahiu or Narok for restrooms, snacks, coffee, or an early lunch top-up. This is also a chance to stretch your legs before the longer drive ahead.
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM: Drive to Sekenani (Masai Mara)
Continue through Narok town and onward into Maasai country. Expect scenic open plains, traditional homesteads, and scattered wildlife along the roadside. The final 1–2 hours before Sekenani tend to be rougher road, giving the first taste of open savannah terrain.
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Arrival at Kambu Mara Camp
Arrive at Kambu Mara Camp, located about 10–15 minutes from Sekenani Gate. Enjoy a warm welcome, camp orientation, and check-in. Settle into your tent and get ready for your first evening activity.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Late Lunch & Quick Rest
Have a late lunch at camp, followed by a short break to freshen up, recharge devices, and get ready for the afternoon exploration.
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Option A – Afternoon Game Drive (Sekenani & Keekorok Plains)
Depart camp for the short drive to Sekenani Gate. Once inside the Reserve, explore the southeastern Masai Mara, known for:
- Herds of zebra, wildebeest, gazelles, and topi
- Giraffes browsing along the tree line
- Elephants and buffalo near woodlands
- Chances of spotting lions or cheetahs in open plains
Your guide will track fresh signs of wildlife and position you for a spectacular sunset on the Mara plains before exiting the Reserve.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Option B – Guided Bush Walk Near Camp
If you’d prefer an easier first afternoon after the long drive, choose a guided bush walk around the open areas surrounding camp (in non–big-game zones). Walk with a local guide such as Nelson, known for excellent knowledge of tracks, birds, plants, and natural history.
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Return to Camp
Arrive back at camp and unwind. Hot showers, tea, or a sundowner await as dusk settles.
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Dinner & Campfire
Enjoy a relaxed dinner at camp, followed by time around the campfire, stargazing, and chatting with your guide about the plan for your full-day safari on Day 2.
Overnight: Kambu Mara Camp
🗺️ Day 2 – Full-Day Masai Mara Game Drive (Approx. 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
5:30 AM – 6:00 AM: Wake-Up & Early Tea at Camp
Wake to the sounds of the savannah, enjoy tea/coffee and a light snack at Kambu Mara Camp, and pick up your packed breakfast and lunch. Do a quick gear check – cameras charged, hats, sunscreen, binoculars ready.
6:00 AM – 6:30 AM: Drive to Sekenani Gate & Enter the Reserve
Leave camp just after first light for the short drive to Sekenani Gate. As soon as the gate opens, you’ll enter the Reserve and roll straight onto the plains while the light is still soft and predators are active.
6:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Sunrise on Sekenani Plains & Keekorok
Explore the Sekenani plains and on towards the Keekorok area, scanning for lions returning from the night hunt, cheetahs on termite mounds, hyenas trotting along tracks, and large herds of zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo. This is prime time for big cats, dramatic skies, and golden-hour photography.
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Central Plains & Predator Country
Push deeper into the central Mara plains or nearby predator hotspots, depending on recent sightings. Your guide will work radio reports and fresh tracks to give you the best chance of cheetah, lions at rest, and sometimes even leopard. Expect classic savannah scenes with giraffes, topi, and big mixed herds.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Midday Wildlife & Riverine Stops
As the day warms up, many predators settle into shade. This is a good time to slow down, watch elephants near water, scan riverlines or marshy spots for hippos and birdlife, and enjoy more relaxed, behaviour-focused viewing rather than “chasing sightings.”
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Picnic Lunch in the Bush
Stop at a shaded, approved picnic site for lunch – often under an acacia or near a river viewpoint. Stretch your legs, enjoy your packed meal, and soak up the silence of the mid-day Mara while your guide shares stories about migration routes, territory lines, and Maasai culture.
If your route reaches near the Mara River / Purungat Bridge area (toward the edge of the Mara Triangle) and time allows, you may take lunch at a designated site and, with an armed ranger, walk short stretches along the riverbank to learn about the famous crocodile–wildebeest battles (seasonal and subject to conditions).
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Gentle Afternoon Loop via Central & Keekorok Plains
After lunch, begin looping back slowly towards the Keekorok–Sekenani sector. The heat may be higher, but there are still great chances for elephants, giraffes, ostrich, eland, and relaxed plains game. Your guide will also re-check known lion and cheetah areas in case animals start to stir early.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Golden Hour, Sunset & Exit via Sekenani Gate
Use the last two hours for golden-hour viewing on the open plains between Keekorok and Sekenani. This is often when lions begin to move, hyenas emerge, and cheetahs may attempt late-afternoon hunts. Enjoy final photo stops before exiting via Sekenani Gate and driving back to camp at dusk.
This is your main big game day, typically from around 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM inside the Reserve.
Day 3 – Optional Morning Activity & Return to Nairobi
You can choose how to spend your last morning, depending on your energy and park ticket validity.
Option A – Short Morning Game Drive (if tickets allow)
6:00 – 8:30 AM
- Early breakfast or tea/coffee at camp
- Optional short game drive near Sekenani Gate focusing on elephants, predators, and plains game in soft morning light
- Return to camp for a late breakfast around 8:30–9:00 AM
Option B – Maasai Village Visit (outside the Reserve)
6:30 – 8:30 AM
- Early tea/coffee at camp
- Visit a nearby Maasai village for 1–1.5 hours
- Learn about Maasai traditions, beadwork, cattle culture, and daily life
- Return to camp for breakfast around 8:30–9:00 AM
8:30 – 9:30 AM – Breakfast, Packing & Check-Out
9:30 – 10:00 AM – Depart Kambu Mara Camp
Say goodbye to the team and start your journey back to Nairobi.
10:00 AM – 3:30/4:00 PM – Drive Back to Nairobi
- Return via Sekenani – Narok – Rift Valley route
- Short stop in Narok or at a Great Rift Valley viewpoint for restrooms and refreshments
3:30 – 4:30 PM – Drop-Off in Nairobi
Drop-off at your hotel, residence, or JKIA/Wilson for your onward flight or stay.
💰 Safari Pricing – 3 Days / 2 Nights (Kambu Mara Camp)
Total package cost includes:
- Return Nairobi ↔ Masai Mara road transport
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Kambu Mara Camp
- Full-board meals (as described above)
- Game drives as per itinerary
- Services of a professional driver-guide
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Park entry fees are NOT included and are paid per person per day for Masai Mara National Reserve (usually via eCitizen).
Tour Rates (3 Days / 2 Nights)
| Option | Description | Total Package (USD) | Per Person (USD) | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 person in Comfort Tent | $722 | $722 | MMS01 |
| 2 | 2 people sharing Comfort Tent | $793 | $397 | MMS02 |
| 3 | 2 people in 1 Family Tent | $913 | $457 | MMS03 |
| 4 | 2 people in 2 Comfort Tents | $953 | $477 | MMS04 |
| 5 | 3 people in 1 Family Tent | $955 | $318 | MMS05 |
| 6 | 3 people in 2 Comfort Tents | $1,130 | $377 | MMS06 |
| 7 | 4 people in 1 Family Tent | $997 | $250 | MMS07 |
| 8 | 4 people in 2 Family Tents | $1,277 | $319 | MMS08 |
| 9 | 4 people in Extended Family Tent | $1,157 | $290 | MMS09 |
| 10 | 5 people in Extended Family Tent | $1,199 | $240 | MMS10 |
| 11 | 6 people in Extended Family Tent | $1,240 | $207 | MMS11 |
👉 Please quote the code (e.g., MMS03, MMS09) when you enquire about a specific option.
🏕️ Tent Options Explained
- Comfort Tent – Cozy, private tents ideal for singles or couples (up to 2 guests)
- Family Tent – Larger tents designed for families or small groups (up to 4 guests)
- Extended Family Tent – The largest tent with multiple beds, ideal for 4–6 guests
Recommendations:
- Solo travelers: Enjoy an all-inclusive safari at a fair single rate.
- Couples: Best value is sharing a Comfort Tent; separate tents can be arranged for extra privacy.
- Families & small groups: Sharing a Family or Extended Family Tent brings costs down while keeping the experience fully guided and comfortable.
If you’re unsure which option suits your group, we’re happy to advise.
See all tent types and images here
✅ Inclusions & ❌ Exclusions
✅ Inclusions
- Return transport Nairobi ↔ Masai Mara by safari vehicle
- 2 nights at Kambu Mara Camp (near Sekenani Gate)
- Full-board meals at camp (as per itinerary)
- Afternoon game drive Day 1 (or bush walk if preferred)
- Full-day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve on Day 2
- Optional short game drive on Day 3 (if time and tickets allow)
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Nairobi pick-up and drop-off (hotel, residence, or airport)
❌ Exclusions
- Masai Mara National Reserve park entry fees (per person per day, usually via eCitizen)
- Optional activities:
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Maasai village visit
- Guided bush walks beyond camp
- Additional game drives not in the standard program
- Soft drinks, alcohol, and extra snacks at camp
- Tips for driver-guide and camp staff
- Travel insurance & personal medical expenses
- Visa fees (if applicable)
🎒 What to Pack for a 3-Day Masai Mara Safari
- Light, neutral-coloured clothing (greens, browns, khaki)
- Warm layers for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm
- Camera, binoculars, power bank
- Personal medication & basic first-aid essentials
- Small daypack for game drives
🧭 About Masai Mara National Reserve
- Established: 1961 (expanded in 1984 to current boundaries)
- Size: ~1,510 km² (part of the greater 25,000+ km² Serengeti–Mara ecosystem)
- Location: Southwest Kenya, along the Tanzanian border
- Altitude: 1,500–2,200 m above sea level
- Ecosystems: Open savannah grasslands, acacia woodland, riverine forests, rocky outcrops, seasonal marshes
- Key Rivers: Mara River, Talek River, Sand River
- Wildlife: Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), large cheetah populations, hyena clans, over 450 bird species
- Signature Event: The Great Wildebeest Migration (July–October) with dramatic Mara River crossings
- Notable Areas: Sekenani Plains, Keekorok region, Topi Plains, Double Crossing, Olkiombo, Rhino Ridge, Paradise Plains
- Cultural Significance: Homeland of the Maasai people—renowned for their pastoral traditions, beadwork, and deep cultural connection to the land
⛺ Why This Budget Camping Tour Is Best for a Short Masai Mara Visit
- Close to Sekenani Gate, giving you more time inside the Reserve and less time commuting.
- Far better value than lodges, with full-board meals and comfortable tents at a lower cost.
- Immersive bush experience with night sounds, starry skies, and wildlife ambience impossible in hotels.
- Flexible meal times and schedules tailored to early departures and late game-drive returns.
- Quick, easy check-in/out—ideal for tight 2–3 day itineraries.
- Natural surroundings and campfire evenings included at no extra cost.
- Perfect base for 6:00 AM gate openings and sunset exits without long transfers.
- All-inclusive structure keeps overall safari costs affordable for short trips.
- Small camp setting offers personalized service and warm hospitality.
- Great for groups or families who want to stay close together and coordinate easily.
- Low-impact, eco-friendly stays that support local guides and communities.
- Authentic safari ambiance—simple, wild, and rooted in the true spirit of the Mara.
🦁 What Animals You Can Expect to See on This Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari
- Lions – high density around Sekenani, Keekorok, and central plains.
- Cheetahs – common on open plains and termite mounds in the southeastern Mara.
- Leopards – elusive but often seen along riverine forests and hidden drainage lines.
- Elephants – large breeding herds in the Keekorok and Sekenani woodlands.
- Buffalo – widespread across wetlands and grassland plains.
- Black rhinos – rare but occasionally sighted near Rhino Ridge and Olare Orok.
- Zebras – abundant throughout Sekenani and Keekorok plains.
- Wildebeest – resident herds year-round; larger numbers May–Nov.
- Topi, gazelles, impala, hartebeest – common grazing species on open plains.
- Giraffes (Masai giraffe) – frequent along woodland edges.
- Spotted hyenas – active in early mornings; dens common in the southeast.
- Jackals (silver-backed & golden) – regularly seen on open tracks.
- Hippos & crocodiles – encountered near Mara River viewpoints if route includes river loops.
- Birds – 450+ species including secretary birds, kori bustards, vultures, raptors, storks, and kingfishers.
Other mammals – warthogs, baboons, vervet monkeys, waterbuck, and eland.
💡Pro Tips to Visit Masai Mara on a Budget With This 3-Day Package
- Stay just outside the Reserve at Kambu Mara Camp to enjoy an authentic safari base without the high prices of inside-park lodges.
- Share the 4×4 Land Cruiser with your travel companions to significantly reduce the cost per person.
- Travel in a small group of 3–6 people, where rates drop steeply and overall value increases.
- Choose Comfort or Family Tents, which offer the best balance of comfort and affordability.
- Opt for full-board meals at camp to avoid costly restaurant bills inside the Reserve.
- Use road transport from Nairobi rather than flights to save substantially on transfers.
- Keep optional add-ons (balloon safaris, extra drives) to a minimum to stay within budget.
- Travel during shoulder or low seasons for steady accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
- Bring essential gear like binoculars, sunscreen, and power banks to avoid extra spending on small items.
- Enjoy included free experiences, such as the guided bush walk near camp.
- For the best cost-per-person value, choose Family or Extended Family Tents when traveling as a group.
💳 Tour Booking, Payment & Cancellation Policy
To book or request a quote, please email: Bookings@Masaimara.ke with:
- Preferred travel dates
- Number of adults and children (with ages)
- Preferred vehicle type (Land Cruiser or minivan)
- Pick-up and drop-off locations in Nairobi
Payments
- A 50% deposit is typically required to confirm your booking.
- Payment is made via a secure Pesapal payment link, using card or MPesa.
- The remaining 50% balance is payable before departure or on arrival, depending on arrangements.
Standard Cancellation Policy (Kambu Mara Camp)
- 31+ days before arrival: Full refund
- 15–30 days before arrival: 50% refund
- 8–14 days before arrival: 25% refund
- Within 7 days of arrival: 100% forfeiture
Card fees and bank/wire charges are generally non-refundable. If your group size changes, per-person costs may be adjusted accordingly.
🌍 Why Choose This 3-Day Masai Mara Budget Safari at Kambu Mara Camp
- Excellent value – Budget-friendly without compromising on a proper safari vehicle or location
- Great location – Only ~10–15 minutes from Sekenani Gate, minimizing drive time to and from the Reserve
- Small, nature-focused camp – Peaceful and close to the bush, with stargazing around the fire
- Private & flexible – Your vehicle and guide are dedicated to your group unless you choose to share
- Customizable – Add balloon safaris, village visits, extra nights, or combined itineraries (e.g., with Nakuru, Naivasha, Amboseli, or Ol Pejeta)
Whether this is your first safari or a quick return to Kenya, this 3-day Masai Mara Budget Safari gives you long, immersive days on the plains, star-filled nights at camp, and a comfortable tented base just outside the Reserve.
📧 Email Bookings@Masaimara.ke to receive a detailed quote or to make a booking.