Plan my trip

3 days - Masai Mara, flown from the coast

Three days in the Masai Mara flown from the coast

Three days in the Masai Mara, flown in from Mombasa and back to the coast, with a full game-drive day and an optional sunrise balloon flight.

1 Country
1 Stop
2 Nights
Medium Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Masai Mara game
Balloon and flying conditions
Masai Mara game Balloon and flying conditions Avoid
July Primary window

The herds arrive from the Serengeti and the first Mara River crossings begin. Dry and busy, the start of the headline season. Crisp, clear mornings, good for balloon flights and small-aircraft transfers.

Herds arrive Clear mornings

The route

Masai Mara
01

Kenya

Masai Mara, reached by a domestic flight from Mombasa.

This morning, you will leave your hotel for Mombasa Airport for your domestic flight to the Masai Mara, 7:30 - 10:30. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you on the airstrip and treat you to champagne and fruit. After a short rest, you will go on a safari. Your safari jeep is entirely at your disposal, so you decide how much time you would like to spend in the savannah. The main thing is to return to the lodge no later than 18:00.
Today we advise you not to waste a minute and take advantage of all the opportunities this reserve has to offer. You can start your day with a morning game drive or take the exclusive opportunity to fly in a hot air balloon over the savannah. The hot air balloon will take you on routes a jeep would never take, so you can see the park in all its glory. The ballooning lasts about one hour. Then you'll have a champagne breakfast in the savannah. After the safari, you will return to the lodge for a short rest and then head out again to the savannah until the evening. The driver will take you on new routes so that you can see as many animals as possible. We also advise you to supplement your safari with a visit to a Maasai village. That will help you feel the authentic atmosphere of Africa even more. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Sunrise is the most magical time in the Masai Mara, so we suggest you start the safari early to see the savannah awakening. Then you will return to the lodge for breakfast, and after a short rest, you will head for the airstrip. On the way from the lodge, you will have the opportunity to see wildlife and enjoy the scenery of the Masai Mara. Masai Mara - Mombasa 14:00 - 16:25.

The detail

About this trip

If you would like to experience a safari in Kenya but are not ready for a long drive, "3-Day Masai Mara Safari" is the perfect trip for you! In 3 days in the Masai Mara, your safari will be as intense as if you were visiting more than one park. The diverse landscapes will provide a constantly changing landscape, and numerous animals will not let you get bored! Masai Mara is a cosy home for many African predators, so be prepared to see the rarest animals and their exciting interactions. You'll also have the chance to go ballooning, visit real Maasai tribes, and much more!

What is included

  • Masai Mara Safari – thrilling game drives and Big Five encounters.
  • Scenic Flight – soar from the coast to Kenya’s iconic wilderness.
  • Luxury Camp Stay – elegant comfort surrounded by nature.
  • Sunrise & Sunset Drives – golden light and memorable moments.

What is not included

  • International flights (From/home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How do we get from the coast to the Masai Mara and back?
You fly both ways. On day 1 you leave your hotel for Mombasa Airport and take the domestic flight to the Masai Mara, 7:30 to 10:30, where your guide meets you on the airstrip with champagne and fruit. On day 3, after a sunrise safari and breakfast, you head to the airstrip for the flight back to Mombasa, 14:00 to 16:25.
When is the best time for a Masai Mara safari from the coast?
July to October score highest: the herds arrive in July, river crossings are most reliable in August and continue in September, with fewer vehicles, and mornings are clear for balloons and light aircraft. January, February, June, November and December are alternatives. April is the wettest month, when low cloud and storms can delay balloon flights and small aircraft.
What does a typical day look like on this 3-day safari?
Day 1 starts with a short rest after landing, then a game drive. Day 2 begins with a morning drive or a balloon flight of about one hour followed by a champagne breakfast, then a rest at the lodge and more game viewing until the evening, with dinner at the lodge. Day 3 starts with a sunrise drive.
How flexible is the Masai Mara itinerary?
Your safari jeep is at your disposal on day 1, so you decide how long to stay out, as long as you are back at the lodge by 18:00. On day 2 you choose between a morning game drive and a hot air balloon flight, and a Maasai village visit is suggested as an addition. Ask us about availability and cost.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

Cheetahs feeding on a carcass beside a dirt track with zebras behind

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

Light aircraft

The Mombasa flights use small aircraft, so pack in a soft bag and keep valuables and medication in a daypack. We confirm bag limits for your flights.

A short safari, fully used

With two nights you have one full day. Your vehicle is at your disposal, so decide with your guide how long to spend in the field, with a return to the lodge by 18:00.

Sunrise on the plains

Dawn is the best time for big cats, and the balloon flight lands with a champagne breakfast in the bush. Wear layers for the cool early morning.

A Maasai village visit

A visit to a Maasai village can be added on day two. It is a supplement, so tell us if you want it.

Photography

A 100-400 mm lens suits the Mara. Bring spare batteries and a dust cover.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

Plan this trip with a specialist Browse more journeys