Seremara Safaris
3 Days Masai Mara Flying Safari
Explore Masai Mara For an Unforgettable Kenyan Safari Adventure
3 Days Masai Mara Flying Safari
Skip the long road transfer and step straight into the action with this 3 Days Masai Mara Flying Safari. In just a 45-minute scenic flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport over the Great Rift Valley, you'll land at Olkiombo Airstrip and be on your first game drive within the hour — maximizing time in the reserve and minimizing time on the road.
This Masai Mara flying safari is built for travelers who want the full Big Five experience without sacrificing comfort or a full day to driving. You'll stay in a comfortable lodge or luxury tented camp overlooking the Talek River, with full-board meals, guided game drives in a 4x4 safari Land Cruiser, and a Maasai guide sharing insight into local culture and conservation throughout your stay.
Over three days, enjoy scheduled morning and afternoon game drives searching for lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino, alongside vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope that make the Masai Mara one of Africa's top wildlife destinations. Visit during the Masai Mara Migration Safari season (July to October) and you may witness the dramatic river crossings as wildebeest and zebra move between the Serengeti and the Mara.
Ideal as a stand-alone short break or as an add-on to a longer Kenya safari itinerary, this fly-in package suits couples, families and photographers who want a well-organized Masai Mara experience with flights, transfers, park fees and guided game drives all taken care of from the moment you leave Nairobi.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi to Masai Mara Flying Safari
Your 3 Days Masai Mara Flying Safari begins with a pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by a professional Seremara Safaris driver-guide, who transfers you to Wilson Airport. From here you board a scenic 45-minute flight over the Great Rift Valley to Olkiombo Airstrip, taking in breathtaking aerial views of Kenya's landscapes as the savannah unfolds beneath you.
On arrival, you're met by your Maasai guide and transferred in a customized 4x4 safari Land Cruiser, with a game drive en route to your camp in the Masai Mara National Reserve — one of Africa's most legendary safari destinations. Along the way you may spot the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) together with the plains game that make the Mara world-famous. Visit during the Masai Mara Migration Safari season, from July to October, and this area comes alive with thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara.
Arrive at camp in time for lunch and check into your tent overlooking the Talek River, where sweeping views of the surrounding plains showcase why this region anchors so many Masai Mara safari packages. After a short rest, join your Maasai guide for a gentle walk around camp to learn about its responsible tourism and conservation initiatives. Around 4:00pm, cross the private suspension bridge for your afternoon game drive across the golden savannah, searching for predators, elephants and giraffes. Enjoy a classic sundowner under an acacia tree as the sun sets, then return to camp for dinner and storytelling around the campfire with your Maasai hosts.
Full Day Masai Mara Migration Safari
Rise early for a hot drink before heading out on a dawn game drive, when predators are most active and the light is at its best for photography. The Masai Mara is a place of constant drama, and this full day on safari lets you truly immerse yourself in one of Kenya's finest wildlife experiences. Watch herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope grazing across the plains, and keep an eye out for lions and cheetahs on the hunt.
Stop at a scenic spot overlooking the Mara plains for a bush picnic breakfast, then continue exploring with more wildlife viewing through the late morning. Return to camp in time to visit the community beadwork workshop, where Maasai women create handmade jewelry and crafts — a great opportunity to purchase souvenirs that directly support local livelihoods. Afterward, walk through the camp's tree-planting area, now home to numerous bird species, with the option to plant a tree as your own contribution to conservation.
After lunch, take a guided walk to nearby Talek town or community projects supported through Kenya safari tourism, gaining insight into Maasai culture and everyday life. In the late afternoon, head out for another game drive, this time focused on spotting elusive predators as they prepare for their evening activities. As dusk falls, return to camp for dinner and relax beneath a sky full of stars, listening to the sounds of the African night.
Masai Mara to Nairobi
Enjoy an optional early morning game drive for one final chance at wildlife encounters in the Masai Mara before returning to camp for breakfast. Afterward, pack your belongings and bid farewell to your Maasai hosts, then transfer to the airstrip with a short game drive en route, rounding off your 3 Days Masai Mara Safari experience.
Board your scheduled flight back to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your Nairobi hotel or to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey, marking the end of an unforgettable Masai Mara flying safari with Seremara Safaris.
Photo Gallery
Explore the Destinations on This Safari
The Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya's most famous safari destination, renowned for its dense population of lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino, and for hosting one of nature's greatest spectacles: the annual wildebeest migration. Between July and October, over a million wildebeest and zebra cross from Tanzania's Serengeti into the Mara's rolling grasslands, drawing predators and photographers alike. Even outside migration season, the reserve's open plains and riverine forest along the Mara and Talek rivers guarantee outstanding year-round game viewing.
The Talek River forms part of the Masai Mara's eastern boundary and is home to some of the reserve's most atmospheric tented camps, many set with private suspension bridges leading straight onto the plains. This area offers easy access to prime game-viewing territory while still being close to Maasai communities, making it an excellent base for combining game drives with cultural visits to a Maasai village or beadwork workshop.
Olkiombo Airstrip is one of several bush airstrips serving camps across the Masai Mara, connected to Nairobi's Wilson Airport by short scheduled flights. Flying in rather than driving cuts a 5-6 hour road journey down to around 45 minutes, giving you more time on game drives and a spectacular aerial view over the Great Rift Valley and the Mara's plains before you've even started your first game drive.
What's Included
- Return scheduled flights Nairobi (Wilson) – Masai Mara – Nairobi
- Return airstrip transfers in Masai Mara with a game drive en route on arrival and departure
- 2 nights full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in a Masai Mara camp or lodge
- Shared or exclusive 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game drives
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide / Maasai guide
- Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle during game drives
Trip Planning Guide
The road transfer from Nairobi to the Masai Mara typically takes 5-6 hours each way across sometimes rough roads. Flying cuts that down to a 45-minute scenic hop over the Great Rift Valley, meaning you land ready for an afternoon game drive on day one instead of losing most of the day to travel. This makes a fly-in itinerary especially well suited to shorter 3-day breaks.
- Visa & entry: Most visitors need a Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorization) arranged online before arrival.
- Luggage on flights: Domestic light-aircraft flights typically limit luggage to 15kg in soft-sided bags — check your airline's exact allowance when booking.
- Health: Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the Masai Mara region; check current yellow fever requirements based on your country of origin.
- Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES); US Dollars are widely accepted at camps for tips and extras.
- Soft-sided duffel bag (required for light-aircraft luggage limits)
- Neutral-colored safari clothing (khaki, olive, brown) plus a warm layer for cool mornings and evenings
- Sunhat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens for wildlife photography
- Insect repellent and a basic personal first-aid kit
The Masai Mara offers excellent game viewing year-round, but the Great Migration season from July to October is the standout time to visit, when huge herds of wildebeest and zebra move through the reserve and dramatic river crossings can be witnessed. The dry seasons generally (January-February and June-October) offer the easiest wildlife viewing, while the shoulder months bring lush scenery, fewer crowds and lower rates.
Tour Route Map
Frequently Asked Questions
The package is priced at $2,000 per person sharing, based on double occupancy. This covers return flights Nairobi-Masai Mara-Nairobi, 2 nights full-board accommodation, airstrip transfers with a game drive en route, a 4x4 safari vehicle, a professional driver-guide, and bottled drinking water. Park fees, optional activities, visa fees and tips are not included.
The scheduled flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to Olkiombo Airstrip in the Masai Mara takes approximately 45 minutes, compared to a 5-6 hour road transfer, giving you significantly more time for game drives.
Yes. Because you fly in rather than drive, you gain a full extra day of game viewing compared to a road safari of the same length. This itinerary includes an arrival-day game drive, a full day of dawn-to-dusk game drives, and a final game drive before departure — enough time to see the Big Five and experience the reserve's highlights.
The Masai Mara Migration Safari season typically runs from July to October, when large herds of wildebeest and zebra cross from Tanzania's Serengeti into the Masai Mara. River crossing timing varies year to year depending on rainfall patterns, so we recommend booking with some flexibility during these months.
You'll stay in a comfortable lodge or luxury tented camp in the Masai Mara, typically overlooking a river such as the Talek, with full-board meals included. Camp categories range from mid-range to luxury depending on your preference and budget.
Yes, a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara can be added as an optional extra, usually departing at dawn on day two, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. This activity is not included in the base package price and can be arranged on request.
Yes. This 3-day Masai Mara flying safari works well as a stand-alone short break or as part of a longer itinerary — many travelers combine it with Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru or a beach extension on the Kenyan coast. Ask us about combining routes for a custom multi-destination Kenya safari.
3 Days Masai Mara Flying Safari
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