Maasai Village Visit
A Maasai village visit may be arranged at an additional cost. The village entry fee is not included in the safari price.
2-Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi
2 Days Kenya Lion and Cheetah Safari
Make the most of a short stay in Kenya with an overnight safari from Nairobi to the Masai Mara. Travel through the Great Rift Valley, spend a night near the reserve and enjoy game drives in the evening and early morning, when the Mara offers two very different safari experiences.
Safari Overview
This two-day Masai Mara safari is designed for travellers who want to experience Kenya's best-known wildlife reserve while working with a limited amount of time. The journey begins in Nairobi and continues by road toward the Masai Mara, with a scenic stop overlooking the Great Rift Valley before travelling through Narok and onward to the reserve.
After arriving and settling into your tented camp, head out for an evening game drive across the Mara's open landscapes. The following morning begins with another game drive before breakfast and the road journey back to Nairobi.
The itinerary focuses on two contrasting wildlife-viewing periods: the late afternoon on your arrival day and the early morning on Day 2. Lions and cheetahs are among the wildlife associated with the Masai Mara, but all wildlife sightings are natural and can never be guaranteed.
With one night in a self-contained budget tented camp, included meals, park entrance fees, game drives and the services of a professional driver-guide, this is a compact road safari for travellers who want to add the Masai Mara to a short Kenya stay.
Safari Highlights
- Travel by road from Nairobi to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Stop for views across the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
- Enjoy an evening game drive on your first day in the Mara.
- Start Day 2 with an early-morning game drive.
- Spend one night in a self-contained budget tented camp.
- Travel with a professional safari driver-guide.
- Enjoy the meals specified in the itinerary.
- Return to Nairobi at the end of the safari.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1
Nairobi → Great Rift Valley → Narok → Masai Mara
Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, meet your driver-guide at your agreed Nairobi pickup point and begin the road journey to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Pause along the way for views from the Great Rift Valley escarpment before continuing toward Narok, where lunch is planned before the final drive to the Mara.
On arrival, check in at your tented camp and prepare for an evening game drive. Explore the reserve as the afternoon light begins to soften across the savannah and watch for the wildlife that makes the Masai Mara one of Kenya's most recognised safari destinations.
Return to camp after the game drive for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Lunch & Dinner
- Overnight
- Budget tented camp in the Masai Mara area
Wildlife encounters on safari can happen from the vehicle as animals move naturally through the landscape. 
A tented safari camp offers a place to relax between game drives and overnight in the safari area. - Day 2
Masai Mara → Nairobi
Masai Mara to Nairobi
Begin the morning with tea or coffee before setting out for an early game drive in the Masai Mara.
After exploring the reserve, return to camp for breakfast. Check out and begin the road journey back to Nairobi, with lunch planned along the way.
Arrival in Nairobi is expected later in the day, where you will be dropped at your agreed hotel or airport transfer point, marking the end of the safari.
- Meals
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Overnight
- None
Cheetahs rely on speed and open ground when pursuing prey across the savannah.
Accommodation
The budget version of this safari includes one night in a self-contained tented camp in the Masai Mara area.
The planned budget accommodation is Miti Mingi Eco Camp or a similar property, subject to availability and final confirmation at the time of booking.
A Lodge / Mid-range rate is not currently published in the approved package catalogue and is available on request.
Pricing
The approved published price range for the Camp / Budget version of this safari is shown below. Your final quotation will be confirmed against your travel dates, party size and accommodation availability.
- Camp / Budget
- USD 260–360
- Published low-season to high-season package range.
- Lodge / Mid-range
- On Request
- Ask us for a current Lodge / Mid-range quotation for your travel dates.
The current approved catalogue does not state the charging basis, occupancy basis or exact seasonal date bands for this published range. These details must be confirmed in your personalised quotation before booking.
What's Included
- Road transport to and from the Masai Mara in a safari van with a hatch roof.
- Nairobi pickup and transfer arrangements as confirmed for your booking.
- One night's accommodation as described in the itinerary.
- Meals specified in the day-by-day itinerary.
- Masai Mara park entrance fees included in the package.
- Game drives described in the itinerary.
- Services of a professional safari driver-guide.
- Applicable statutory taxes included in the package.
What's Not Included
- Personal travel or medical insurance.
- Hot-air balloon safari.
- Maasai village entry fee.
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal purchases and other items of a personal nature.
- Any service or activity not specifically listed under What's Included.
Optional Experiences
Hot-Air Balloon Safari
A hot-air balloon safari is not included in the package price. Ask us about availability and whether it can be fitted appropriately into this short two-day itinerary.
Important Notes
- Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed because all game viewing takes place in a natural environment.
- This is a short road safari, so both days include significant travel between Nairobi and the Masai Mara.
- Accommodation is subject to availability and is reconfirmed when your booking is made.
- The final quotation should confirm the applicable travel dates, accommodation, party size and charging basis.
- Lodge / Mid-range accommodation is available on request rather than at a published catalogue rate.
- Optional activities are subject to timing, availability and additional charges.
Who This Safari Is Best For
This safari suits travellers who are already in Nairobi and want to add an overnight Masai Mara experience without committing to a longer itinerary. It is particularly well suited to short stays, weekend-style breaks and budget-conscious travellers who are comfortable with the road journey required to reach the reserve and return within two days.
Why Choose This 2-Day Safari?
Two days is a short amount of time for the Masai Mara, so this itinerary concentrates the safari experience around an evening game drive and an early-morning game drive rather than trying to add unnecessary stops.
You still experience the road journey through the Great Rift Valley, spend a night close to the reserve and have two opportunities to explore the Mara before returning to Nairobi.
If your schedule allows more time, a longer Masai Mara itinerary will give you additional game-viewing time. If two days is what you have available, this route provides a straightforward way to include an overnight Mara safari in your Kenya trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is two days enough for a Masai Mara safari?
Two days is a short Masai Mara itinerary, but it allows for an evening game drive on Day 1 and an early-morning game drive on Day 2. Travellers with more time may prefer a longer safari for additional game viewing and a more relaxed pace.
Where does this safari start and end?
The itinerary starts in Nairobi and returns to Nairobi on Day 2. Your exact pickup and final drop-off point should be confirmed when the safari is booked.
How many game drives are included?
The itinerary includes an evening game drive after arrival in the Masai Mara on Day 1 and an early-morning game drive on Day 2.
What accommodation is included?
The Camp / Budget version includes one night in a self-contained budget tented camp. Miti Mingi Eco Camp or a similar property may be used, subject to availability and final confirmation.
Will I definitely see lions and cheetahs?
No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. Lions and cheetahs occur in the Masai Mara, but sightings depend on natural wildlife movements and conditions during your visit.
Which meals are included?
The itinerary specifies lunch and dinner on Day 1, followed by breakfast and lunch on Day 2.
Are park fees included?
Yes. Masai Mara park entrance fees are listed among the inclusions for this package.
Can I choose a lodge instead of a budget tented camp?
Yes, a Lodge / Mid-range option can be requested. The approved catalogue does not currently publish a numeric Lodge / Mid-range rate for this package, so a current quotation is required.
Is a Maasai village visit included?
No. A Maasai village visit is optional, and the village entry fee is paid separately.
Can I add a hot-air balloon safari?
A hot-air balloon safari is an optional extra and is not included in the package price. Because this is a short itinerary, its timing should be discussed before booking.
Continue Planning Your Kenya Safari
Ready to Plan Your 2-Day Masai Mara Safari?
Tell us your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred accommodation level. We'll confirm availability and prepare a current quotation for this itinerary.