The Masai Mara is the safari we recommend for a first trip to Africa, and Daniel Okafor, our safari specialist, has sent more Dubai travellers there than anywhere else. The reasons are practical. Nairobi is only about five hours from Dubai, the light aircraft from Nairobi's Wilson Airport reaches the Mara in under an hour, and the reserve has one of the highest densities of big cats on the continent. You can be watching lions on the afternoon of your second day.
The structure is simple. One night in Nairobi breaks the journey and gives you two of the city's best experiences: the orphaned baby elephants at their morning mud bath and the Giraffe Centre, where you feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform. Then four nights in the Mara, which is the right length: enough for a full-day drive to the Mara River, slow mornings with a cheetah family and an evening sundowner on a hill, without the camp days blurring together. A three-night stay feels rushed once you account for flight times.
Camps are where the tiers differ most. Standard is a comfortable tented camp just outside the reserve, with en-suite tents, hot showers and shared 4x4 vehicles. Superior camps sit inside or on the edge of the reserve with more spacious tents. Deluxe uses small camps in the private conservancies bordering the reserve, where vehicle numbers are capped, off-road driving and night drives are allowed, and the guiding is exceptional. Every tier includes full board, two game drives a day and park or conservancy fees.
Timing matters. The Great Migration usually reaches the Mara in July and stays until October, with river crossings most likely in August and September, though nature keeps its own schedule. January and February are also excellent: dry, green and quieter, with many young animals. Light aircraft allow 15 kg per person in soft bags only, so pack neutral colours, layers for cold dawns and a good camera. Halal meals are available at every camp with notice.
Highlights
- Light aircraft from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, under an hour
- Four nights in a tented camp with two game drives a day
- Full day at the Mara River in Great Migration season
- Feeding Rothschild's giraffes at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi
- Baby elephants at their morning mud bath
- Sundowner on a hill and a visit to a Maasai village
Day by day
Day 1Arrive in Nairobi, giraffes and baby elephants
Your morning flight from Dubai lands in Nairobi after about five hours. Your private driver meets you in arrivals for the transfer to your hotel in the leafy suburbs, about 40 minutes. If you land by 10 am, you go straight to the elephant orphanage for the 11 am mud bath, when keepers bring in orphaned baby elephants to feed. In the afternoon, visit the Giraffe Centre to feed Rothschild's giraffes eye to eye from a raised platform. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Nairobi.
Day 2Fly to the Masai Mara, first game drive
After breakfast, transfer to Nairobi's Wilson Airport for the light aircraft to the Mara, 45 to 60 minutes over the Rift Valley, with your soft bag of up to 15 kg. Your guide meets you at the airstrip with the 4x4, and the game viewing starts on the way to camp. After lunch and a rest during the heat of the day, head out at 4 pm for your first game drive, with lions, elephants and zebras very likely, returning at dusk. Overnight in the Masai Mara.
Day 3Full day to the Mara River
Leave camp at 6.30 am with a picnic breakfast and lunch for a full day in the reserve. In Great Migration season, your guide heads for the Mara River, where herds of wildebeest and zebra gather on the banks before crossing past waiting crocodiles; crossings cannot be predicted, so patience is part of the day. Outside the migration, the river is still home to hippos and big cats. Return to camp by late afternoon for a shower and dinner. Overnight in the Masai Mara.
Day 4Morning drive and a Maasai village
An early drive at 6.30 am is the best time to find cats on the move, with cheetahs hunting on the open plains and lions returning from the night. Return to camp for a late breakfast. In the late morning, visit a nearby Maasai village with a local guide to see traditional homes, the jumping dance and beadwork, and learn about life alongside the wildlife. Afternoon game drive from 4 pm, ending with a sundowner on a hill above the plains. Overnight in the Masai Mara.
Day 5Optional balloon safari, game drive and bush breakfast
For the optional hot air balloon, you are collected at 5 am for a one-hour flight at sunrise over the plains, followed by a champagne or juice breakfast in the bush. Otherwise, take a morning game drive with breakfast at a scenic spot. The afternoon drive explores a different part of the reserve, searching for leopards in the riverine forest or the black rhinos that are rarely seen. Final dinner at camp, often around a fire under the stars. Overnight in the Masai Mara.
Day 6Last game drive, fly to Nairobi and home
A short early game drive on the way to the airstrip, then the light aircraft back to Nairobi Wilson, landing around midday. Your driver takes you to a day room near the airport to shower and rest, with lunch. In the late afternoon, transfer to the international airport for the evening flight home to Dubai, about five hours, landing late the same night. Our operations team tracks both flights and is reachable throughout.
Hotels by tier
Choose the tier in the price box; the difference is priced per adult for the whole stay.
Named hotels or similar of the same standard if one is full; we tell you before you pay the balance.
What is included
Included
- Return flights from Dubai to Nairobi, Economy, 30 kg baggage
- Return light aircraft flights Nairobi Wilson to the Masai Mara, 15 kg soft bags
- 1 night in Nairobi with breakfast
- 4 nights in a Mara tented camp in your chosen tier, full board
- Two shared game drives a day in a 4x4 with pop-up roof and an expert guide
- Park fees in the Masai Mara, or conservancy fees on the deluxe tier
- Elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre visits in Nairobi with private driver
- Maasai village visit and one sundowner
- Day room in Nairobi on the last day before the evening flight
- Emergency air evacuation cover while on safari
Not included
- Kenya eTA fee, where required for your nationality
- Optional balloon safari with champagne breakfast, from AED 1,750 per person
- Tips for guides and camp staff, around AED 40 to 60 per person per day
- Premium drinks and alcohol at the standard and superior camps
- Travel insurance and vaccinations
Departures and prices
Price per adult, twin share, standard hotels. Seats are held with our airline and hotel partners.
| Dates | Departure | Seats left | Per adult | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 27 Nov to Wed 2 Dec 2026 | Flexible | 6 | AED 9,650 | |
| Fri 11 Dec to Wed 16 Dec 2026 | Flexible | 8 | AED 9,650 | |
| Fri 25 Dec to Wed 30 Dec 2026 | Flexible | 4 | AED 11,580 | |
| Fri 8 Jan to Wed 13 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 4 | AED 10,620 | |
| Fri 22 Jan to Wed 27 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,620 | |
| Fri 5 Feb to Wed 10 Feb 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,620 | |
| Fri 19 Feb to Wed 24 Feb 2027 | Flexible | 5 | AED 10,620 | |
| Fri 5 Mar to Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 12,060 | |
| Fri 19 Mar to Wed 24 Mar 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 9,650 | |
| Fri 2 Apr to Wed 7 Apr 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 10,620 | |
| Fri 16 Apr to Wed 21 Apr 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 9,650 | |
| Fri 30 Apr to Wed 5 May 2027 | Flexible | 8 | AED 9,650 |
Where it is
Questions about this holiday
When is the best time to go on safari in the Masai Mara?
Do UAE residents need a visa for Kenya?
What are the luggage limits on the light aircraft?
Is this safari suitable for children?
Is halal food available on safari?
Can I add a beach stay after the safari?
Travellers on this holiday
Family of four with kids of 10 and 13. Lions on a kill, a cheetah with three cubs and a river crossing in August. The short flight from Nairobi was booked so we avoided the long road. Our visit to a Maasai village was moving and very respectful.
Five nights in the Masai Mara and we saw the big five, including a leopard draped over a tree on our second game drive. Tented camp looking over the river, hippos grunting at night. Daniel sent a packing list that was spot on, down to the soft bags for the light aircraft.
Indian couple on honeymoon. Hot air balloon over the Mara at sunrise, a bush breakfast where it landed, and sundowners on a hill. Daniel reminded us about the yellow fever certificate and malaria tablets well in advance.
Superb sightings and a brilliant guide who spotted things we never would have. The camp was a longer drive from the airstrip than expected, about an hour on bumpy tracks after the flight. Once there, it was everything we hoped for.
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