Our 6-Day Masai Mara Budget Safari delivers some of the best game viewing opportunities in East Africa, for an affordable price. This fully guided, small group safari overnights in eco-friendly, en-suite tents along the banks of the Talek River on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Highlights
  • Departs from Nairobi
  • Budget-friendly Kenyan safari
  • One night bed and breakfast in Nairobi, including transfer from the international airport to your hotel
  • Four nights full board and accommodation in Masai Mara
  • Unlimited, flexible game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve with an expert, English-speaking guide
  • Big Five game viewing in the best wildlife areas
  • Small group departures (min 2, max 6)
  • Exclusive private departures with no other guests on board are possible

Route map of our Six Day Masai Mara Budget Safari

6 Day Masai Mara Budget Safari Itinerary

Day 1

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our local guide and transferred to the Eka Hotel in Nairobi (or similar) for an overnight stay.

Eka Hotel is a modern, contemporary hotel conveniently located between Jomo Kenyatta and Wilson airports. The hotel offers easy access to Nairobi's most popular attractions, such as Nairobi National Park, the Karen Blixen Museum, and the Giraffe Center. If you'd like to spend more than one night in Nairobi to take in some of the local attractions, we can arrange that.

Eka Hotel has an excellent restaurant, bar, coffee shop, gym, swimming pool and wellness centre. Dinner is not included, but you can enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant or any of the nearby local restaurants (the hotel is opposite the NextGen shopping mall with a variety of restaurant options)

Masai mara 30

Guided game drives in the Masai Mara

(Image: Onne Vegter)

Day 2

After an early breakfast in Nairobi (included in the price), we depart for the Masai Mara, home to the highest density of wildlife in the world. We head to our safari camp, Basecamp Masai Mara, on the banks of the Talek River. During the scenic drive to the Mara, you'll have plenty of time to discuss your day-to-day itinerary and game-viewing expectations with your guide.

We arrive at Basecamp Masai Mara at lunchtime. After lunch, we enjoy our first afternoon game drive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. We can expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and a variety of antelope species. Predator sightings are always special, and surprisingly common in the Mara. We return to camp around sunset. Dinner in the camp restaurant overlooking the Talek River and the African plains beyond is a magical experience.

You will stay in one of 17 spacious canvas and mosquito-screened tents resting beneath thatched roofs on wooden platforms facing the Talek River. Each en-suite tent has a bio-flush toilet, a solar-heated, open-air safari shower, and a private balcony. The trees in the surrounding forest are home to monkeys and various beautiful birds.

Feature Eco tent interior Basecamp Masai Mara Kenya

Eco-tent at Basecamp Masai Mara

(Image: Basecamp Masai Mara)

Days 3 to 5

The Masai Mara National Reserve is most famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration, which can usually be witnessed between July and September when the herds cross from Tanzania into Kenya. However, even outside of migration season, there is plenty of resident game, including the Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard), resident herds of wildebeest and zebra, giraffe, cheetah, and many other species to be seen.

Hippos and giant crocodiles are abundant in the Mara River. Wandering herds of elephants traverse the grassy savannas, accompanied by eland, topi Thomson's gazelles, and many other grazing animals. The iconic vistas and abundant wildlife found here make the Mara one of the world's best safari destinations and a photographer's dream location. For the next three days, we will explore all the Mara has to offer on fully guided game drives.

Feature budget masai mara safari game drive

Game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve

(Image: Basecamp Masai Mara - Kenya)

Our game drive times are flexible. We might go out on morning and afternoon game drives, returning to camp for lunch. Or we can take a picnic lunch and stay out all day to cover a bigger area and see more of the reserve. The Masai Mara National Reserve covers an area of 1,510 square km (or 583 square miles), and together with the Mara Triangle, it is by far the most visited game reserve in Kenya.

The Mara is an attractive all-year-round safari destination with two rainy seasons - the long rains from March to May and the short rains from October to December.

Masai Mara by Onne Vegter

Masai Mara outside of migration season

(Image: Onne Vegter)

Day 6

After four glorious nights at Basecamp Masai Mara, we embark on our final morning game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Around mid-morning, we leave the Mara and head back to Nairobi. The drive takes around five hours, and we normally arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by late afternoon, in time to check in for your outbound flight.

Please Note:

  • Kindly ensure you do not book an outbound flight that departs before 21h00 (check-in at 18h00).
  • This safari is ideal for those on a budget with limited time but who still want to experience the wonders of game viewing in one of East Africa's most famous game reserves.
  • Ask us about group discounts.
  • Enquire Now to ask about availability for your preferred departure date.
  • Please book early! This is a popular safari, and short notice availability is minimal.
  • Please let us know if you prefer a private safari.
  • This safari has a fixed itinerary, but we can also arrange a custom itinerary for you. If you'd like to change the duration or accommodation, please ask us for a customized quote.
Rates
Period Price per person (pp)
January 3, 2024 - February 29, 2024 and June 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024 and December 1, 2024 - December 19, 2024
$3,240
£2,533
€2,966
R60,501
March 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024 and November 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024
$3,015
£2,357
€2,760
R56,299
July 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024 and December 20, 2024 - January 2, 2025
$3,565
£2,787
€3,264
R66,570

The rate is per person sharing for two people. Please ask us about discounts for groups of three or more people, the applicable single supplement, child policy, and child rates.

All rates on our website are provided to give a price estimate only and should not be seen as a firm quote. Likewise, our currency converter will give you a rough idea of the price in another currency, but should not be seen as a firm quote. It is only intended as a guideline, based on the daily interbank exchange rate. Please contact us to receive an accurate, free quote with no obligation.

Includes
Eka Hotel
  • Meet and greet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
  • Transfer to Eka Hotel
  • One night accommodation
  • Breakfast
Basecamp Masai Mara
  • Return transfers from Nairobi
  • Guide and vehicle for the duration of the tour
  • Accommodation and all meals
  • Daily game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Masai Mara National Reserve park fees
Other
  • Mineral water in the vehicle for the entire safari
  • Domestic emergency evacuation insurance (offered by Amref Flying Doctors)
Excludes
Eka Hotel
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visas if applicable
Basecamp Masai Mara
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Drinks
  • Laundry
  • Gratuities (optional)
Other
  • International flights
  • International travel/medical insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Itinerary changes
  • Additional nights' accommodation in Nairobi on Day 6
  • Visa fee to Kenya
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