Experience the Masai Mara the right way — in a custom-built 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser designed for wildlife photography, comfort, and all-terrain performance. Whether you’re staying inside the reserve, at a nearby lodge, or starting your journey from Nairobi (hotel, JKIA, or Wilson Airport), MasaiMara.ke offers reliable Land Cruiser rentals with professional driver-guides for unforgettable game drives.
📍 Pick-Up & Drop-Off Points
- Within Masai Mara: Pick-up from any main park gate (Sekenani, Talek, Oloolaimutiek, or Musiara) or directly from your lodge/camp.
- From Nairobi: Pick-up from any city hotel, JKIA, or Wilson Airport — perfect for guests connecting directly to the Mara.
- Return Drop-Off: Same-day return, lodge drop-off, or transfer to another destination (Naivasha, Nakuru, Amboseli, Nairobi, Mombasa, or SGR Stations).
💰 Masai Mara Land Cruiser Hire Prices (Full Day – Private Use)
| Group Size | Price per Person (USD) | Total (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $200 | $200 |
| 2 people | $150 | $300 |
| 3 people | $120 | $360 |
| 4 people | $100 | $400 |
| 5 people | $80 | $400 |
| 6 people | $70 | $420 |
| 7 people | $60 | $420 |
Rates include vehicle, fuel, professional driver-guide, and all driver/vehicle park entry fees.
Park entry tickets for guests are paid separately at the Reserve’s main gates.
🦁 Vehicle Features
- Model: Toyota Land Cruiser (79 Series, 4×4 diesel)
- Seats: 7 passengers + driver
- Safari Design: Pop-up roof for panoramic game viewing
- Amenities: Cooler box, USB charging ports, power inverter, first aid kit, and radio communication
- Off-Road Capability: Reinforced suspension, dual fuel tanks, and snorkel for wet/muddy terrain
👨✈️ Included in Your Hire
- Professional driver-guide experienced in wildlife tracking
- Fuel for the entire duration of the safari
- 4×4 off-road capability for navigating challenging terrains
- Pop-up roof for 360-degree wildlife viewing
- Insurance for the vehicle
- Unlimited mileage within the Masai Mara region
- Vehicle equipped with radio communication for safety and coordination
❌ Not Included
- Additional activities (night drives, balloon safaris)
- Park entry fees for passengers
- Meals and drinks during the safari
- Personal travel and health insurance
- Gratuities for the driver-guide
🕒 Typical Full-Day Safari Schedule
A full-day game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve gives you the best chance to witness the park’s full range of habitats, wildlife, and light conditions. With a packed picnic lunch and an experienced driver-guide, you’ll spend up to 10–12 hours exploring some of the most wildlife-rich zones in Africa.
🌅 6:00 AM – Early Morning Departure (Predator Hour)
Your driver-guide picks you up from your camp, lodge, or park gate (Sekenani, Talek, Oloolaimutiek, or Musiara). As the golden light breaks over the plains, you’ll head toward Topi Plains and Paradise Plains, where big cats—especially lions, cheetahs, and leopards—are most active. Early morning is also perfect for spotting hyenas returning from nocturnal hunts and elephants grazing in the mist.
🦒 8:30 AM – Central Mara Game Circuits
Continue into the Central Plains, driving through areas like Olkiombo and Rhino Ridge, where you’ll often encounter buffalo herds, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and elephants. Keep an eye out for elusive leopards resting in acacia trees and large prides of lions along the ridges. Your guide will follow fresh tracks and radio updates to position you for the best sightings.
🐘 10:30 AM – Musiara Marsh & Hippo Pools
Head north toward Musiara Marsh, a lush wetland known for elephants, reedbuck, and abundant birdlife—including saddle-billed storks, herons, and crowned cranes. This area is also home to the famous Marsh Pride of lions, featured in numerous wildlife documentaries.
🍃 1:00 PM – Bush Picnic Lunch at the Mara River
Arrive at the Mara River, near Lookout Hill or Purungat Bridge, and enjoy a scenic picnic lunch while watching hippos wallow and crocodiles bask on the banks. During the Great Wildebeest Migration (July–October), this area becomes the epicenter of dramatic river crossings as thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave the waters.
🦓 2:30 PM – Afternoon Safari Loop (Talek & Double Crossing Area)
After lunch, journey south toward Talek River, passing through Double Crossing and Serena Plains—regions known for cheetah hunts and large herds of antelope. Afternoon light often draws elephants and giraffes back to the riverbanks, while vultures and eagles soar above in search of leftovers from morning kills.
🌄 4:30 PM – Golden Hour Wildlife & Scenic Photography
As the sun dips lower, your guide navigates toward Paradise Crossing or Olare Orok Belt to catch predators stirring again before dusk. The golden light is perfect for photography, especially of lion prides on termite mounds and grazing herds silhouetted against the sunset.
🌙 5:30–6:00 PM – Return to Camp or Lodge
Drive slowly back to your accommodation, scanning for last-minute sightings of hyenas, jackals, or nocturnal birds. Arrive at your camp or lodge by sunset, where a warm meal and evening campfire await — the perfect close to an extraordinary day in the Masai Mara.
💡 Tip: A full-day game drive lets you cover the park’s most productive areas—Topi Plains, Paradise Plains, Olkiombo, Talek, Musiara Marsh, and the Mara River—maximizing your chances of seeing all Big Five species and capturing spectacular photos.
📞 How to Book
- Email: bookings@masaimara.ke
- Provide your date, pick-up point, and group size, and we’ll confirm your quote and driver details instantly.
Book early, especially during July–October migration season, when demand for Land Cruiser rentals in the Mara is highest.