As wildebeest rampage over crocodile-infested rivers, lion pride chases huge zebra herds, and tens of thousands of animals fill a single glance, there is no place like the Masai Mara. Your week-long safari will feature the ultimate Mara highlights as you explore a variety of landscapes and encounter nearly every famous safari scenes. Look forward to a champagne hot air balloon ride, a walking safari with Masai warriors, a horseback ride alongside zebra, private concessions, exceptional camps,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Maasai Mara National Reserve – Surreal Serenity
A Masai Mara safari comes with many preconceptions. You may be expecting action and adventure, drama and dazzling wildlife scenes but few anticipate the serenity and the relaxation that comes as well. As you travel deep into the Mara, you will succumb to the rhythm of the wild as your senses slowly open to all of nature’s clues. You will see animals, but you will not need to bump around in a safari vehicle. Rather, you can just gaze out from your elevated balcony as the plains around you are liberally sprinkled with life, from elephants to buffalo to zebra. There is a pervasive calm that seeps into you as you settle in, and it is hard to think of a better place to overcome any jet lag or travel fatigue.
After landing at Nairobi International, you will be transferred to Nairobi Wilson Airport for a flight to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Touch down and your airport transfer will be a game drive, bringing you your first impressions of the famous animals. If you came with a mental tick list, half of them are likely to be spotted on this first drive. Check in at the your first beautiful property and savor your views as on a clear day, you will be able to see 100 miles across the Masai Mara from your balcony. Situated on the rim of the Siria-Oloololo Escarpment and above the wildlife-rich Mara Triangle, this is the region’s newest luxury accommodation. Admire it all through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and then head out on an afternoon game drive that will bring a succession of evocative sights.
What's Included:
Day 2
Maasai Mara National Reserve – All the Action
Day 3
Maasai Mara National Reserve – Game Drives
Day 4
Mara Naboisho Conservancy – Hot Air Balloon Safari
Day 5
Mara Naboisho Conservancy – Private Piece of the Mara
Day 6
Ol Kinyei Conservancy – Walking Mara Safari
Day 7
Ol Kinyei Conservancy – Unique Horseback Safari
Day 8
Ol Kinyei Conservancy to Nairobi – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Spend a day game driving around the Mara River to absorb the drama of crocodiles, wildebeest, lions, and hippos
- Surround yourself with the vast herds of the wildebeest and the zebra in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, where the grazing ungulates are active through the night
- Float above the famous grasslands in a hot air balloon to gaze down on the enormity of this famous safari destination
- Savor the exhilaration of a walking safari as guided across the plains by Maasai Warrior guides
- Gain a unique perspective on the Mara’s wildlife with an exclusive horseback safari in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy
- Lose yourself in a very exclusive piece of the Masai Mara by as you spend a couple of nights in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, where it will be just you and tens of thousands of animals
- Spend several days in the private conservancies and drive off the trails and get even closer to the wildlife to find intimate scenes such as cheetahs raising their cubs
- Find the big cats on a hunt, either stalking the prey or biting into a fresh carcass
- Enjoy exceptional accommodation with three exclusive, unfenced camps that combine the beauty of the wild with the elegance of contemporary design
Starting Price
$7,800 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 239 reviews.
The trip was exhilarating and the job done by our Zicasso travel agent was second to none.
Our trip was 20 days, with multiple locations, flights, and activities. Our agent arranged things so well, we hardly had to do anything. Guides and contacts always arrived on time and led us through each location efficiently and safely.
The gorilla trek in Rwanda was amazing. On safari, we saw the Big Five by the end of day two and saw many, many unique animal encounters. We did a walking safari one day, which was also a highlight. Our agent recommended the Lewa Conservancy as a stop and this was wonderful for seeing many black and white rhinos.
I would give our travel company a 10/10 for personal care and attention. I highly recommended them for a high-quality, memorable African adventure!
Reviewed By Michael D.
We had a wonderful journey, with every step detailed and escorted from end to end. Our Zicasso travel experts did a great job and were always available for support.
Reviewed By Margarita M.
Without exaggeration, this was the most amazing trip of my life. Everything was perfect, from the itinerary to the lodging, food, and guides. We saw so much and so many varied topographies. We also got such a great flavor of the culture, people, and way of life in both countries. It truly was incredible from start to finish.
Reviewed By Stephanie L.
We had a fantastic trip. There were a few hiccups, but they were minor and were resolved very quickly.
This was pretty much the trip we had envisioned coming to life! Zicasso's travel agents on the ground, assisting us, were on top of things and made the trip go super-smooth. Thanks!
The camps we stayed at were amazing, the food was fabulous at both camps, the hotel in Nairobi was very nice; all in all, a great trip. Thank you so much for putting together my bucket list, including the experience with elephants in Tsavo East National Park!
Reviewed By Tracy C.
There aren't enough superlatives to describe our safari. Every single aspect exceeded expectations. The Zicasso trip designer, who handled the in-country arrangements, was terrific, and literally every arrangement went smoothly. A few last-minute changes on the front and back end were handled effectively.
Each of the camps was different, but wonderful in its own way. We liked the variation. The accommodations were great and the food was great. But the people – hosts, driver/guides, spotters, service personnel were really great – friendly, fun, helpful, enjoyable to be with, and really great. It's difficult to put into words how much we enjoyed being with them and with each other (me, my five adult children, and their spouses). And the wildlife and landscapes, again, quite different over the three camps, were spectacular. Every game drive was a much-anticipated adventure and the guides were, to a person, superb in helping us understand the animal behaviors we observed.
There is nothing we would have done differently and we were constantly amazed at how smoothly everything worked out (literally no hitches, even minor ones), how much fun we had with each other and our hosts, and how much the people we were with contributed to our experience. I'm not given to hyperbole, but I'm left without words to describe how great the experiences we had were and how seamless the arrangements seemed to be.
Reviewed By Jim K.
It was a unbelievable, fantastic trip. Working with Zicasso's travel agency was a pleasure. They set everything up, working with me closely to customize my trip. Everything went as planned and all the selections and partner companies were great.
Reviewed By Dave A.