3 Day Kenya Safari Tours

The classic short safari is three days, and for most people that means the Masai Mara. It is sufficient for two nights in the park, one day of game drives and a genuine opportunity to see the big cats and the Big Five. Each of the Kenya safaris below is private, meaning you have your own 4×4, your own driver-guide and your own dates. The trips range from budget to luxury and you can drive out to save money or fly in to save time. Make comparisons and choose the one that suits you, or request us to create the three days around your most desired activities.

Three days is short, so the trick is not to spread it thin. One park well done is better than two parks rushed. A typical trip runs like this: you depart Nairobi on the first morning and arrive at camp for lunch and an afternoon drive, the second day is spent on game drives all day, and a final morning drive is followed by a return on day three. Fly in rather than drive and you get more time to see the wildlife.

On a short trip, the park you select is more important than on a long trip, so select for what you most want to see.

The Masai Mara is the default, and for good reason. By road it takes about 5-6 hours from Nairobi, or 45 minutes by light aircraft. The open grassland allows sightings to be easily made, the big cats are resident year round, and from late July to October the wildebeest migration is in the reserve in large numbers. This is the safari if you can only afford three days and it is your first safari.

Amboseli is for anyone who is interested in elephants and the Kilimanjaro background. It takes about four hours from Nairobi, the herds are big and accustomed to cars, and on a clear morning the mountain behind them is as good as safari scenery gets. Fewer predators than Mara, but the best big elephant photos in the country.

If you are coming from the coast and not Nairobi, Tsavo East or West is a good choice as it is located between the two. Large, wild, quieter than the Mara, elephants with red dust in the east, more varied terrain in the west.

Drive or fly?

The cost is kept down by driving and the Great Rift Valley is seen en route, stopping at the escarpment viewpoint. Flying is more expensive but it saves time: a 45-minute flight versus a half-day drive each way, which is a significant advantage on a three-day trip. We quote both so you can weigh it up. See our Masai Mara fly-in option for how that works.

Every 3 day trip includes:

All of our 3 day safaris are private and all inclusive: park fees, accommodation, all meals on safari, game drives with a dedicated guide and driver and airport or hotel transfers. We take care of everything from Nairobi to the park, you take care of nothing on the ground. International flights, your Kenya eTA (approx USD 30, takes about 3 working days) tips and drinks are not included. A hot air balloon ride over the Mara is an optional extra we can add.

When to go

The best time to see wildlife is during dry months (June to October and January to February). Migration is in the Mara from approximately July to October, with the highest river crossings occurring July to September, which is the most expensive and busiest time of year, so book early if dates are set. The parks are less crowded, the country is green following the rains and many lodges offer reduced rates outside those months. We have a month-by-month guide to visiting Kenya, which breaks down each season.

Getting there

Most guests fly into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and start the safari from there. We organise the pick-up and can book a hotel in Nairobi if you arrive a day early or finish in the city before you fly home.