5 hours
Road from Nairobi
45 minutes
Charter flight
World's best
Lion density
July–Oct
Migration peak
Nairobi to the Maasai Mara: Kenya's Greatest Safari
Nairobi is Kenya's safari capital — and the Maasai Mara is its crown jewel. Just 280km southwest of Nairobi, the Mara is accessible by road (5 hours via the scenic B3 highway through the Rift Valley) or by charter aircraft (45 minutes to one of the Mara's 4 airstrips).
The road journey is itself an experience — passing through Nairobi's expanding outskirts, climbing the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment, crossing Maasai grazing land, and dropping into the Mara ecosystem through an unforgettable landscape transition.
Fly-in safaris maximize time in the reserve itself. Charter flights from Wilson Airport (Nairobi's domestic hub) operate throughout the day to Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, Musiara, and Angama airstrips — positioned to match your camp location.
We specialize in Nairobi-departing Mara safaris ranging from 2-night fly-in luxury getaways to 7-day comprehensive Kenya circuits combining the Mara with Amboseli and Lake Nakuru.
How This Safari Works
Depart Nairobi — Road or Wilson Airport
Road departure: early morning for best arrival timing. Charter: Wilson Airport domestic terminal, 45-minute flight over the Rift Valley to the Mara.
Meet Your Guide at Camp
Your expert guide introduces himself, covers the reserve's current wildlife situation, and heads out for your first game drive.
Mara Game Drives — Dawn and Dusk
Two game drives daily. Dawn drives catch the big cats returning from nocturnal hunts. Dusk drives offer golden-hour photography and often dramatic predator action.
River Crossing Experience (July–Oct)
Position at the Mara or Talek River crossing points. Your guide reads the herd movements and positions the vehicle for the best crossing viewpoint.
Return to Nairobi
Drive or fly back to Nairobi. Connect to international flights or continue your Kenya circuit to Amboseli, Samburu or the coast.
