3 Days Masai Mara Mid-Range Safari from Nairobi
Travel from Nairobi in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser, stay for two nights at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge on a full-board basis, and spend a full day exploring Masai Mara National Reserve with a professional safari guide.
This package combines the affordability of a short road safari with the comfort, facilities and reliable full-board service of an established mid-range Masai Mara lodge.
Your safari starts in Nairobi with pickup from a hotel, residence, JKIA or Wilson Airport. You travel to the Masai Mara in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser, removing the need to change vehicles before entering wildlife-viewing areas.
Accommodation is at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge , an established mid-range lodge in the Oloolaimutia Hills on the eastern side of the Mara. The package includes two nights on a full-board basis, with breakfast, lunch and dinner arranged around the safari itinerary.
Day 2 is reserved for a full-day game drive inside Masai Mara National Reserve. A packed lunch allows you to stay in the reserve rather than returning to the lodge during productive wildlife-viewing hours.
This package is especially suitable for couples, families and small groups who want more comfort than a budget tented camp without moving into luxury-safari pricing.
Travelers prioritizing the lowest possible price can compare the 3-Day Masai Mara Budget Safari . Guests wanting two full game-drive days should consider the 4-Day Masai Mara Safari .
3-Day Masai Mara Sopa Lodge Safari Prices
These are complete safari-package prices, not accommodation-only rates. They include private Land Cruiser transport from Nairobi, two nights at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, full-board meals, safari guiding, vehicle costs and the standard game-drive itinerary.
Green Season
Travel from 1 April to 31 May 2026. Best for lower rates, green landscapes, fewer vehicles and value-focused travelers.
Mid Season
Applies from 2 January to 31 March, 1–30 June and 1 November to 21 December 2026.
High Season
Applies from 1 July to 31 October and 22 December 2026 to 1 January 2027.
| Travelers and Rooms | Green Season Total | Green PP | Mid Season Total | Mid PP | High Season Total | High PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler in single room | $935 | $935 | $1,033 | $1,033 | $1,235 | $1,235 |
| 2 travelers sharing twin/double room | $1,074 | $537 | $1,224 | $612 | $1,536 | $768 |
| 3 travelers sharing triple room | $1,159 | $387 | $1,349 | $450 | $1,747 | $583 |
| 4 travelers in 2 twin/double rooms | $1,399 | $350 | $1,699 | $425 | $2,323 | $581 |
Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar and are based on the standard private Land Cruiser itinerary. Park-entry fees, optional activities, holiday supplements, drinks and tips are excluded. Final price is reconfirmed before deposit payment.
Which Price Season Applies to Your Safari?
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge uses three 2026 seasonal bands. Your check-in dates determine the package price.
| Season | 2026 Travel Dates | Safari Conditions | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 1 April–31 May 2026 | Green scenery, possible rain, fewer visitors and lower lodge costs | Value, landscapes, photographers and repeat visitors |
| Mid |
2 January–31 March; 1–30 June; 1 November–21 December 2026 |
Strong resident wildlife with balanced demand and pricing | Couples, families and first-time safari travelers |
| High |
1 July–31 October 2026; 22 December 2026–1 January 2027 |
Peak migration demand, busy sightings and limited room availability | Great Migration travel and peak wildlife season |
What Is Included and Excluded?
This is a private mid-range safari package with accommodation, transport and guiding arranged together.
Included
- Private Nairobi pickup and drop-off at a hotel, residence, JKIA or Wilson Airport.
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser for the Nairobi–Mara journey and safari itinerary.
- Two nights at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge.
- Full-board lodge meals according to the itinerary.
- Full-day Masai Mara game drive on Day 2.
- Arrival-day wildlife viewing subject to route, timing and park-entry arrangements.
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- Drinking water in the safari vehicle.
- Vehicle fuel, insurance and driver costs.
- Vehicle and driver park-entry charges.
Excluded
- Guest Masai Mara park-entry fees.
- Hot-air balloon safari.
- Maasai village visit unless added to the quote.
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and bar purchases.
- Tips for the driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Travel insurance and medical evacuation cover.
- Kenya eTA and international flights.
- Extra meals or activities outside the listed itinerary.
- Holiday supplements where applicable.
- Personal expenses and souvenirs.
3 Days Masai Mara Sopa Lodge Safari Itinerary
The itinerary uses Day 2 as the main reserve day, while Day 1 and Day 3 handle the Nairobi road journey without making the safari feel rushed.
Day 1 Nairobi to Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Your safari begins with an early pickup from your Nairobi hotel, residence, JKIA or Wilson Airport. The recommended departure time is normally between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM, depending on the pickup location.
Travel west from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley. An optional stop can be made at a Rift Valley viewpoint for photographs, refreshments and a short briefing about the route.
Continue through Narok town and toward the eastern side of the Masai Mara. Your Land Cruiser then follows the access route toward the Sekenani and Oloolaimutia areas.
Arrive at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, check in and enjoy lunch if your arrival time permits. The afternoon can be used for relaxation, swimming, lodge orientation or an optional wildlife-viewing drive.
Day 1 reserve entry is not automatically included in the quoted package. Guests who want an afternoon reserve game drive can add it, subject to arrival time and the applicable park-entry fee.
Day 2 Full-Day Masai Mara National Reserve Game Drive
Have an early breakfast before departing for a full-day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve. Enter through the most practical gate based on road conditions and the guide’s planned route.
The morning drive focuses on predator activity and open-plains wildlife. Possible areas include the Oloolaimutia sector, Sekenani Plains, Keekorok grasslands, Hammerkop Plains, Talek routes and productive lion or cheetah territories.
Your guide adjusts the route around current wildlife reports, weather, road conditions and recent predator movement. Likely sightings include lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, topi, gazelles, hyenas, warthogs and raptors.
A packed picnic lunch allows you to remain inside the reserve. Where time and conditions permit, the drive may extend toward Paradise Plains, Lookout Hill, Talek River or other central Mara wildlife areas.
Continue with afternoon game viewing as temperatures begin to fall. Lions and other predators may become more active again in the late afternoon. Return to Masai Mara Sopa Lodge before or around sunset.
Day 3 Masai Mara Sopa Lodge to Nairobi
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and check out. Subject to your preferred departure time, an optional cultural visit or short morning activity can be arranged before leaving the Mara.
Begin the road journey to Nairobi through Narok and the Great Rift Valley. Comfort, refreshment and souvenir stops can be arranged along the way.
Drop-off is available at a Nairobi hotel, private residence, Wilson Airport or JKIA. Travelers connecting to a flight should allow enough time for road conditions, Nairobi traffic, airport check-in and security.
Why Stay at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge?
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge is a good mid-range choice for travelers who value lodge facilities, spacious rooms, full-board dining and easy access to the eastern side of the reserve.
Established Safari Lodge
A long-established Mara property with a traditional lodge atmosphere, landscaped grounds and a large central public area.
Full-Board Dining
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, with a packed lunch used for the full-day game drive.
Swimming Pool
The pool provides a comfortable place to relax after the Nairobi road journey or between safari activities.
Family-Friendly Rooms
Twin, double and triple arrangements make the lodge practical for couples, friends and families.
| Room Arrangement | Bed Configuration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Double room | One large king-size bed | Couples and solo travelers wanting a larger bed |
| Twin room | Two queen-size beds | Friends, siblings and adults sharing |
| Triple room | Two queen-size beds plus one standard single bed | Three adults or selected family arrangements |
Room type and bed configuration remain subject to lodge availability at the time of confirmation.
Meals Included in the Safari Package
| Safari Day | Included Meals | Dining Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Lunch and dinner | Lodge lunch subject to arrival time, followed by buffet or set-menu dinner. |
| Day 2 | Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner | Breakfast before departure, picnic lunch in the reserve and dinner at the lodge. |
| Day 3 | Breakfast | Breakfast before checkout and departure for Nairobi. |
What You May See on This Safari
One full day inside Masai Mara National Reserve can produce excellent wildlife sightings, although individual species can never be guaranteed.
Big Cats
Lions are a major focus. Cheetahs are possible on open plains, while leopards may be found around drainage lines and riverine woodland.
Elephants and Buffalo
Elephants, buffalo, giraffes and mixed plains-game herds are regularly encountered across eastern and central Mara routes.
Migration Wildlife
During migration months, wildebeest and zebra concentrations may move through the wider Mara ecosystem. River crossings are never guaranteed.
Children and Family Safari Bookings
Family quotes are prepared individually because children’s lodge accommodation, transport, meals and park fees are calculated differently.
Children Aged 0–3
The lodge accommodation component is normally free when sharing with adults. Park, transport and activity rules are confirmed separately.
Children Aged 4–12 Sharing
The lodge accommodation component is generally discounted when a child shares with one or more adults. Vehicle and park costs still apply.
Children in Their Own Room
A higher lodge charge applies when children occupy a separate room. A tailored family quotation will show the full package cost.
Masai Mara Park Fees Are Excluded
Guest park-entry fees are paid separately because rates differ by travel season, nationality, residency category and age.
The standard package normally requires one principal park-entry day for the full-day Day 2 safari. Adding an afternoon game drive on Day 1 or a morning drive on Day 3 may create another park-entry charge.
Review the current Masai Mara entry-fee guide before travel.
Park-fee planning
- Day 1: No reserve fee in the base itinerary unless an afternoon reserve game drive is added.
- Day 2: Main reserve-entry day for the full-day game drive.
- Day 3: No reserve entry in the standard return itinerary.
- Children: Age-based park discounts are calculated separately.
Customize Your Mid-Range Safari
| Add-On | Best For | Booking Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-air balloon safari | Honeymoons, photographers and special occasions | Subject to availability; normally starts before sunrise. |
| Maasai village visit | Cultural experience | Can be added on Day 1 or Day 3 depending on timing. |
| Day 1 afternoon reserve drive | Guests wanting more wildlife time | Requires sufficient arrival time and additional park-entry planning. |
| Day 3 sunrise drive | Photography and predator-focused guests | May require another park-entry period. |
| Private room upgrade | Friends or family members wanting separate rooms | Priced according to room occupancy and season. |
| Lake Nakuru or Naivasha extension | First-time Kenya visitors | Compare longer Masai Mara safari packages . |
Budget vs Mid-Range vs 4-Day Safari
| Package | Accommodation | Game-Drive Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Budget Safari | Kambu Mara Camp | One full-day game drive | Lowest price and simple tented-camp experience |
| 3-Day Mid-Range Sopa Safari | Masai Mara Sopa Lodge | One full-day game drive | Pool, lodge amenities, full-board comfort and private Land Cruiser |
| 4-Day Masai Mara Safari | Kambu Mara Camp or upgrade | Two full-day game drives | More wildlife depth, photography and migration-focused travel |
Nairobi to Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
The safari travels from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley and Narok to the eastern side of the Masai Mara.
Outbound route
Nairobi → Great Rift Valley → Narok → Sekenani / Oloolaimutia area → Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
Return route
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge → Narok → Great Rift Valley → Nairobi hotel, residence, Wilson Airport or JKIA
How to Book the Safari
- Email: Bookings@MasaiMara.ke
- Send your preferred dates.
- State the number of adults and children.
- Include children’s ages.
- Choose single, twin, double or triple rooms.
- Share your Nairobi pickup and drop-off location.
- Add dietary needs and optional activities.
- Confirm with the required deposit.
Suggested enquiry message
Hello MasaiMara.ke, I would like a quote for the 3-Day Masai Mara Mid-Range Safari staying at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge. Our dates are [dates]. We are [number] adults and [number] children aged [ages]. We need [single/twin/double/triple] rooms. Pickup is from [location]. Please confirm availability, package price, park fees and deposit steps.
Booking Terms
Payment
- A deposit is required after lodge and vehicle availability are confirmed.
- MasaiMara.ke normally requests a 50% safari-package deposit.
- The lodge may impose earlier balance-payment requirements during high-demand periods.
- Payment options may include Pesapal, card and M-Pesa.
- Final payment deadlines are shown on the booking confirmation.
Cancellation
- Cancellation rules differ between green, mid and high seasons.
- High-season bookings have stricter cancellation deadlines.
- No-shows are non-refundable.
- Payment-processing, card and bank fees may be non-refundable.
- The exact cancellation schedule is supplied before deposit payment.
3-Day Masai Mara Mid-Range Safari FAQs
How much does the 3-day Masai Mara mid-range safari cost?
Where do guests stay?
Is this a private safari?
Are Masai Mara park fees included?
Are meals included?
Can children join this safari?
Can we be picked up from JKIA?
Is a full-day game drive included?
Can we add an afternoon game drive on Day 1?
Can we add a balloon safari?
What is the difference between green, mid and high season?
Is three days enough for Masai Mara?
Book the 3-Day Masai Mara Sopa Lodge Safari
Send your travel dates, number of adults and children, preferred room arrangement and Nairobi pickup location. MasaiMara.ke will confirm Sopa Lodge availability and send a detailed safari quotation.
Email Bookings@MasaiMara.ke