Fly-In Safari
Masai Mara Fly-In Safari
Fly from the coast to Kenya's greatest reserve for three days in the Mara.
- Starts
- Malindi Airport
- Ends
- Malindi Airport
- Itinerary
- 3 days
Overview
About this safari
The Masai Mara is a long way from Watamu by road, so we fly. A short hop via Nairobi puts you on a Mara airstrip by lunchtime on the first day, and you are game driving the same afternoon.
Three days gives you time to cover the Mara Triangle and the Talek river crossings, and — between July and October — a real chance at the wildebeest migration. Big cats are seen year-round.
You stay in a tented camp on the reserve boundary, close enough for early starts and quiet enough to hear hyena at night.
Highlights
What makes this trip
- Return flights from the coast
- Big cats year-round
- Wildebeest migration crossings in season
- Tented camp on the reserve boundary
- Optional visit to a Maasai village
Day by day
Itinerary
- 1
Day 1
Fly to the Mara — Afternoon Game Drive
Transfer to Malindi Airport for the morning flight via Nairobi. You land on a Mara airstrip around midday and are met by your driver-guide, with a game drive on the way to camp. After lunch and time to settle in, the afternoon drive heads for the plains where the big cats hunt.
- Flight from the coast
- Airstrip pick-up and transfer game drive
- Afternoon game drive
- Accommodation
- Mara tented camp
- Meals
- Lunch, dinner
- 2
Day 2
Full Day in the Reserve
A full day in the Mara with a picnic lunch, so you can push deep into the reserve rather than returning to camp at midday. Between July and October we spend time along the Mara River where the migration herds cross. Outside that window we work the Mara Triangle and the Talek, which hold resident game year-round.
- Dawn departure with picnic lunch
- Mara River crossing points in season
- Mara Triangle game drive
- Optional Maasai village visit
- Accommodation
- Mara tented camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- 3
Day 3
Morning Drive and Flight Home
A final early drive before breakfast, then back to camp to pack. Transfer to the airstrip for the flight to the coast, connecting via Nairobi, and a road transfer from Malindi Airport back to your accommodation in Watamu.
- Sunrise game drive
- Transfer to airstrip
- Flight to the coast
- Road transfer to Watamu
- Accommodation
- n/a — return to Watamu
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's included
- Return domestic flights
- All park and reserve fees
- Game drives in a 4x4 land cruiser
- Full-board tented camp accommodation
- Airport transfers at both ends
- Drinking water
What's excluded
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Balloon safari
- Maasai village entry fee
- Tips and personal items
Optional extras
- Hot-air balloon safari over the Mara
- Private land cruiser
- Extra night in camp
- Maasai village visit
Important information
Domestic flights carry a 15 kg soft-bag luggage limit. Excess luggage can be stored at your Watamu accommodation at no cost. Migration timing varies year to year and cannot be guaranteed.