Popular Kenyan Safaris | Details

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Your Guide

Your safaris are led by Justus, a Maasai guide with more than a decade of experience across the Maasai Mara and beyond. Born and raised in a Maasai village, he knows this land intimately. Zafarie is independently Maasai-owned and operated, with pro-bono marketing support from friends based in San Francisco. Read Justus's full story

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Where You'll Go

Kenya's parks each have their own character. The Maasai Mara — the northern extension of the Serengeti — is the classic choice, home to lions, elephants, giraffes and (during migration season) millions of wildebeest. Amboseli offers close-up elephant sightings with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Lake Nakuru and Samburu are quieter, less-visited alternatives for travelers who've done the Mara before. See all destinations

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Maasai Mara Safari Trip Ideas

For Kenya, the premier safari experience must include the Maasai Mara Reserve - which is the northern extension of the Serengeti Ecosystem. The most efficient way to reach the Maasai Mara is to take a short flight into the Mara via airkenya.com or flysafarilink.com from Nairobi airports into Mara-Keekerok airstrip.

Each safari vehicle can seat up to 6 people, with a minimum of two adults. Our safari packages can include commuter flights, vehicle rental, safari guide, lodging, meals and park fees.

Contact liz@zafarie.com with your travel dates and guest count for a quote. Flights & lodging costs vary by travel dates. Park fees for the Maasai Mara are generally paid at park entrance, in cash, at USD $100-$200 per person, per 24hrs, depending on whether you are staying inside or outside of the Maasai Mara Reserve. Amboseli park fees are ~$90 per day.

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5-Night Wildebeest Migration July to August

Maasai Mara Big Five & Great Migration 5-Night fly-in safari for the ultimate compact but exhilarating wildlife adventure. Witness the dramatic Great Wildebeest Migration — massive herds thundering across the plains and dramatic river crossings. Savour peaceful Serengeti hilltop lunches surrounded by grazing zebras, enjoy magical sunsets with hippos at their watering hole, and visit a traditional Maasai village to see their beautiful beaded crafts, mud-huts (manyattas), and vibrant warrior culture. This action-packed itinerary is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and first-time Africa travelers wanting maximum game viewing and cultural immersion.

Includes

Maasai Guide and 4x4 Private Jeep for Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Mara River & Migration Hotspots
Hippo Watering Hole
Traditional Maasai Village
Lodging within the Maasai Mara for 2 adults shared
Pick-up and drop-off at Mara-Keekerok Airstrip

ITINERARY FROM $1,800 USD for 2 Adults shared (excluding park fees)

4-Night Maasai Mara Fly-In Safari

Maasai Mara Big Five 4-Night fly-in Serengeti Safari. Search for lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo and the rare rhino. Includes Serengeti hilltop lunches amongst gazelles and zebras, cocktail sunset with hippos and a Maasai village visit. Target January to March for less crowds and more early spring-time babies.

Includes

Maasai Guide and 4x4 Private Jeep for Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Hippo Watering Hole
Traditional Maasai Village
Lodging within the Maasai Mara for 2 adults shared
Pick-up and drop-off at Mara-Keekerok Airstrip

ITINERARY FROM $1,100 USD for 2 Adults shared (excluding park fees)

When should I book my safari?

It really depends on what you want to see and whether you like crowds. Most people prefer somewhere in the middle. But if you want to be in the midst of the wildebeest migration when they reach the Maasai Mara, try July and August - but plan months in advance and expect higher prices. January and February are less crowded vs during the summer months of the migration and you'll still get sunny days. In mid-February, March, April or May, you'll see more births and young wildlife.

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Below are some basic guidelines to put your Safari together.

1. Plan ahead at least 4-6 months, especially if you want to go during the peak summer migration season. Prices for things like lodging can double or triple during the peak summer migration months.

2. Costs can vary depending on how many people are in your safari group and whether you want to rent a private safari vehicle or share the safari vehicle with others that also happen to be on safari at the same time.

Each safari vehicle has 6 guest seats, so the more folks you can get together for your safari, the lower the individual costs would be, but also weigh how flexible your traveling companions are. You can also book a shared safari, where our goal is to fill up the 6 seats and lower the individual costs for everyone. These would be more restricted to one of the popular safaris below, as most people pick a 5 or 7 day safari.

3. If you book a Maasai Mara tour, it's easiest to take a 45 minute commuter flight to the Maasai from Nairobi rather than the 6hr drive between Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. We can book these for you, but it's just as easy to book them online. Here are the common charter flights (e.g. SafariLink or AirKenya) from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara. Select Maasai Mara Keekorok airstrip when you are checking direct flights in the Maasai Mara.

4. Park fees are charged on a per person basis and also vary depending on whether you stay inside or outside the reserve or park. This is the one area we recommend you spend a bit more on in order to stay overnight in a reserve or park, as you avoid potential long lines at the park entrances each day, which eats into your safari time. If your party includes kids (less than 18years of age), park fees are generally reduced (kids under 3 years of age are free in some parks/reserves). Park fees are subject to change, that's why many tour companies do not include park fees in their costs - we estimate them based on the most updated information we have.

Maasai Mara Reserve: https://www.masaimara.travel/park-entry-fees.php
Amboseli Park Fees: https://amboseli.com/entries/park-fees

5. Read reviews for lodgings and hotels and book them directly rather than through us. We can definitely recommend several based on your budget, but each person's preference is truly unique, and we find that folks are most happy when they book their own lodging. The lodgings with meals included are generally the best way to go, as a hearty meal is a necessity before embarking on a safari. Opt for insurance for your hotels if it is offered from a reputable service provider, just in case for any reason you have a cancellation. Read reviews for insurance packages and choose the ones most users recommend.