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5-Day Masai Mara Safari Tours
With 5 days to spend in the Masai Mara National Reserve and/or surrounding area, you’ll be somewhere close to safari perfection. Five days will allow you to experience so much of what this remarkable place has to offer, whether it’s in the reserve or in one of the exclusive community conservancies adjacent to the reserve. The wildlife possibilities here are some of the most incredible in Africa, and the landscapes are the quintessential safari terrain, with rolling savannah grasslands, light woodland and distant hills and escarpments. The Masai Mara is also the scene of the annual great wildebeest migration, one of nature’s grandest spectacles.
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Best Seller
5-Day Amboseli - Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara
$1,463 to $1,683 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 14 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Live In Love Kenya Tours And Travel
5.0/5 – 12 Reviews
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5-Day Luxury Safari in Masai Mara
$4,186 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
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Best Seller
5-Day Wonders of Kenya Luxury Safari
$1,970 to $2,972 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Morning Star Tours & Travel
4.8/5 – 305 Reviews
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5-Day Kenya Budget Tour Masai Mara-Nakuru- Hells Gate
$640 to $825 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Hell’s Gate NP, Nairobi (End)
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
4.7/5 – 101 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Mara - Mid-Range]()
5-Day Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Mara - Mid-Range
$1,700 to $2,060 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented Camp & HotelYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Spirit of Kenya
4.9/5 – 545 Reviews
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![5-Day Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara Safari]()
5-Day Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara Safari
$1,491 to $2,000 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented Camp & ResortYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Antonio Safaris
5.0/5 – 81 Reviews
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![5-Day Amboseli , Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara Mid-Range Tour]()
5-Day Amboseli , Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara Mid-Range Tour
$1,496 to $2,343 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Phine Safaris
5.0/5 – 23 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Masai Mara-Nakuru-Naivasha-Joining Group Budget]()
5-Day Masai Mara-Nakuru-Naivasha-Joining Group Budget
$655 to $858 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Nairobi (End)
Jocky Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 1,801 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari]()
5-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari
$805 to $1,142 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Lenchada Safaris
4.9/5 – 865 Reviews
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![5-Day Kenya Luxury Flying Safari Masai Mara to Amboseli]()
5-Day Kenya Luxury Flying Safari Masai Mara to Amboseli
$3,465 to $3,685 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Okoa Africa Tours
4.2/5 – 83 Reviews
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![5-Day Budget Kenya Safari - Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha]()
5-Day Budget Kenya Safari - Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha
$759 to $985 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Nairobi (End)
ThinkScene Safaris
4.9/5 – 33 Reviews
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![5-Day Naivasha Nakuru Masai Mara Economy Safari]()
5-Day Naivasha Nakuru Masai Mara Economy Safari
$1,362 to $1,794 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Ramja Safaris
5.0/5 – 124 Reviews
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![5-Day Mara and the Lakes]()
5-Day Mara and the Lakes
$1,777 to $2,376 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Bogoria NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Trav-Interactive
4.9/5 – 39 Reviews
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![5-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Tour]()
5-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Tour
$3,590 to $5,079 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Nashibe Adventures
4.7/5 – 21 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Lake Naivasha Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara]()
5-Day Lake Naivasha Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara
$792 to $1,012 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Super Eagles Travel and Tours
4.8/5 – 303 Reviews
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![5-Day Magical Bush Adventure Safari]()
5-Day Magical Bush Adventure Safari
$1,738 to $2,090 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Alytexx Safaris
4.8/5 – 16 Reviews
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![5-Day Exclusive Fly-in Masai Mara Safari]()
5-Day Exclusive Fly-in Masai Mara Safari
$3,091 to $4,329 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Banok Safaris
5.0/5 – 15 Reviews
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![5-Day Kenya Deluxe Private Safari]()
5-Day Kenya Deluxe Private Safari
$2,701 to $2,921 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Aberdare NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Wecam Safaris
4.7/5 – 62 Reviews
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![5-Day Great Rift Valley Escape Safari in Kenya]()
5-Day Great Rift Valley Escape Safari in Kenya
$2,753 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Shadows of Africa
4.9/5 – 145 Reviews
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![5-Day Luxurious Private Tour in Kenya in a Minivan]()
5-Day Luxurious Private Tour in Kenya in a Minivan
$1,999 to $2,468 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Resort
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Nairobi Airport (End)
Jastro Safaris
4.3/5 – 66 Reviews
Related Searches
9 Questions About 5-Day Masai Mara Safaris
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘Kenya’, ‘Tanzania’ and ‘East Africa’. For magazines and newspapers around the world, he writes about the Masai Mara and its safaris, as well as the wider region. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’.› More about Anthony
9 Questions About 5-Day Masai Mara Safaris
Anthony Ham
What is a typical day on a 5-day Masai Mara safari?
“A typical safari day in the Masai Mara usually begins with a soft African voice waking you in the pre-dawn darkness, as someone from the accommodations or tour company brings you tea and cookies, or something similar. As (or just before) the sun appears over the horizon, you will likely head out in a minibus or open-sided 4WD vehicle for a game drive. The dawn hours are when the animals are most active and easiest to see. Depending on what you’ve seen while out, you will usually return to your camp or lodge around midmorning for a proper breakfast, followed by some relaxation time back at your accommodations. Another possibility between breakfast and lunch is that you go out on an excursion, perhaps to a local village or market. After lunch, you’ll have more time to relax (or to go on an excursion), before afternoon tea, which usually takes place midafternoon, followed by an afternoon game drive. A special feature of the afternoon game drive is the sundowner, which occurs just before sunset, when your guide will find a picturesque spot to have drinks and snacks and watch the sunset before returning to camp or your lodge. If you’re staying at one of the conservancies rather than the reserve, you may be able to go on an evening game drive to look for nocturnal animals. (Night drives are not allowed in the main reserve.) Some camps and lodges offer entertainment (perhaps a local cultural performance) or talks (by a naturalist, for example) before or during dinner.”
1Is 5 days a good length for a Masai Mara trip?
“Five days is an excellent amount of time for your safari in the Masai Mara, although don’t be surprised if you wish you could stay for longer once your tour is over! If your 5-day Masai Mara safari includes transfers on the first and last days, you can expect 3 full days to enjoy the Masai Mara, not to mention the accommodations where you’re staying. This allows for anywhere up to eight game drives during which you’ll go looking for wildlife in the company of your expert guide. With this amount of time, you’ll really get to know the Mara, but also your guide and the accommodations staff, which can be one of the more pleasurable highlights of your safari. During your 5 days, you could stay in one area of the Mara and really get to know it well, returning to your favorite places over and over again. Or you might move around to see two or even three areas and get a more comprehensive understanding of why the Mara is such a fabulous place to visit.”
2Which activities are available on a Masai Mara tour?
“On a 5-day Masai Mara safari, you’ll have time to enjoy a number of activities. In the case of the morning and/or afternoon game drive, you’ll even get to enjoy the experience on multiple occasions. The guided game drive is the heart of the safari experience and they can be quite addictive: the excitement of which animals might suddenly appear never really goes away. Apart from the guided game drive, possible activities include hiking (although not inside the main reserve), dedicated birding excursions and hot-air ballooning (which is usually an optional extra and not included in the standard quoted prices). More sedate activities include bush breakfasts (a full breakfast served out in the bush and away from your accommodations). There is also a range of activities that involve some form of engagement with local Maasai communities. These can take the form of a village or home visit, an excursion to a local market, a crafts demonstration or something along these lines.”
3What can I expect from the lodges in the Masai Mara?
“The Masai Mara area has some fantastic lodges and there’s certainly a wide variety of places to choose from. Most lodges are in the mid-range and luxury end of the market, and these offer facilities that include one or more restaurants, a bar, a lounge area, often a swimming pool and a gift shop. When it comes to the rooms, these come in all shapes and sizes, although most have private bathrooms and mosquito nets and many are decked out in bright safari colors. The service in most of the Mara’s lodges is generally excellent. Lodges aren’t the only types of accommodations in the Masai Mara. The other really popular places to stay are the tented camps, which have en suite bathrooms, private terraces, often a writing desk and a wooden chest for decoration. Some of the luxury versions have private outdoor showers and even a plunge pool.”
4What are the campsites like in the Masai Mara?
“The Masai Mara’s campsites are usually good and cater mostly to those on cheaper budget safaris. One thing to remember is that most of the campsites are outside the Masai Mara National Reserve; many are really close to one of the park entrance gates but on the outside. That’s because rules are very strict in Kenya’s national parks and reserves about being allowed to walk around outside of vehicles, due to the dangers posed by wild animals. Most of the campsites in the Masai Mara area have a cleared area for pitching tents (although some have semi-permanent tents for hire) with varying degrees of shade. Most also have a communal kitchen and a communal dining area where guests can prepare and enjoy their meals. There are also communal toilet and shower blocks; some will have hot water, others not.”
5How much does a 5-day Masai Mara safari cost?
“Prices for a 5-day Masai Mara safari vary greatly. As a starting point, you can expect to pay around US$100 to US$150 per person per day for the cheapest budget camping safari, up to more than US$500 per person per day for a high-end luxury safari. At the lower end of the price scale, these estimates may or may not include the cost of any air transfers and the daily entry fee into the Masai Mara National Reserve (US$80 per adult per day). Remember that not all Masai Mara safaris take place within the reserve, although budget safaris are only possible in a few of the conservancies. Variables that will impact upon the cost of your tour include the season in which you travel (high season and its prices run from June to October and December to March), the type of accommodations you choose and the type of safari. For the latter, there are expensive private safaris, cheaper group safaris and self-drive safaris, which come in a range of options.”
6Can I combine a Masai Mara tour with a beach holiday?
“Yes, it should be easy to combine 5 days on safari in the Masai Mara with time spent by the beach. This is a common arrangement and will most likely involve flying from the Masai Mara to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and taking a connecting plane to the coast. There may also be a direct flight between the two, although these are less common. Most safari tour operators in Kenya can make the necessary arrangements: if a safari company can’t do this, find one that can! Most beach holidays in Kenya center on Diani Beach, around Mombasa, or even the Lamu Archipelago on the northern coast. It might also be possible to combine time in the Masai Mara with a beach holiday in Zanzibar (which lies southeast of Kenya, off the coast of Tanzania, the country to which Zanzibar belongs).”
7How do I get to the Masai Mara?
“There are two ways to get to the Masai Mara. One of these is by road from Nairobi or elsewhere in Kenya or even Tanzania. The drive from Nairobi takes roughly four to five hours because road conditions in the area can be poor, although the situation has improved considerably in recent years. You can’t cross directly between the Serengeti (in Tanzania) and the Masai Mara, but there are border crossings to the west of the parks, which saves you traveling via Nairobi. Many travelers to the Masai Mara get there by plane, flying into one of the Mara’s numerous airstrips. This could be on a flight originating from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, from an airstrip in one of the national parks or reserves of Kenya or northern Tanzania, or from Kilimanjaro International Airport (which lies between Arusha and Moshi in northern Tanzania).”
8What is the best time of the year for a 5-day Masai Mara safari?
“The best time of year for a 5-day Masai Mara safari is usually from June to October, during the Dry season. This is when you’re most likely to enjoy fine weather and mild temperatures, along with good road and track conditions. Conditions for seeing wildlife are especially favorable late in the Dry season (September and October) when animals gather close to the last remaining water sources, making them relatively easy to find. Birders may want to consider the period from November (when many migratory species arrive in the region) through to April (when many of the birds leave). Rains are possible in November and December. These are known as the short rains, and they rarely provide too much disruption to your safari. The longer rains months from March to May are probably the worst time to visit. If you are here to see the great migration, September and October are usually the best months, although this can vary from year to year according to the rains.”
9Masai Mara Reviews
Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.
Safari central
This famous park – a northern extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti – is responsible for perhaps more images of African animals than any other. And with good reason: it is chock-full of wildlife, and blessed with open terrain that makes...
Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.
The legendary Masai Mara
Legendary Masai Mara is the most visited wildlife reserve in Kenya and it’s easy to see why. This 1,800 square km park supports a huge and diverse animal population and is one of the only places in the world where it is still possible to...
NO
This is an amazing park, but it has a few downsides. It's very busy, and a lot of the drivers don't show the animals much respect. We also felt very pressured by the masai people to buy over priced stuff. The wildlife is amazing though.
HK
Fantastic experience with Daylight Adventure
It’s my first time to visit Masai Mara in Kenya. I joined a private tour of Daylight Adventure. Thanks for the hospitality of their staff. They came to my hotel to share the gifts and introduce the itinerary and logistics arrangement...
NO
Fantastic day and saw a lot of wildlife in a bit different habitat than Amboseli
The walk along side Mara River under the burning African sun, then you can realy feal the harsh conditions for the African animals
NL
The largest park we have visited. We were here for 3 days and had a lodge close to the park, which was very pleasant and easy to do. The guides have contact with each other and therefore know where the predators are and can drive there....