Concise Itinerary Summary
4 Day Fly-in Masai Mara Safari in Kenya – An affordably priced short Fly-in Masai Mara Safari in Kenya, commencing and concluding in Nairobi. This economical African safari trip focuses on wildlife watching, eliminating lengthy drives on rugged roads by utilizing flights to and from Masai Mara.
The 4-Day Masai Mara Safari traverses two exclusive Masai Mara Conservancy Areas inside the expansive Masai Mara environment, renowned as one of Africa’s premier safari locales. Engage in exhilarating 4×4 game drives within the remote Ol Kinyei and Naboisho Conservancies of Masai Mara, accompanied by skilled guides, for a unique safari experience devoid of people. In the private conservancies, you will have the opportunity to partake in nocturnal game drives and exhilarating bush treks accompanied by Maasai warriors.
This Big 5 Kenya wildlife safari features accommodations at a secluded and genuine tented camp within the pristine Ol Kinyei Conservancy of Masai Mara.
Detailed itinerary – Fly-in Masai Mara Safari in Kenya
DAY 1: Nairobi to Ol Kinyei Conservancy – Greater Masai Mara
Our Fly-in Safari to Masai Mara The safari commences at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. At 10:00, we board a flight to Masai Mara from Wilson Airport, which primarily accommodates regional and domestic aircraft.
Upon arrival at the Ol Seki Naboisho Airstrip near Masai Mara at approximately 11:00, a driver from the camp will be present to retrieve you. You are transported to the safari camp, relishing your inaugural wildlife drive en route. We arrive at the camp in time for a freshly prepared lunch before embarking on a late afternoon game drive in the exclusive Ol Kinyei Conservancy.
During our 4×4 wildlife drive, we pause for sundowners in the African bush before returning to camp for supper and a relaxed evening.
Evening meal and overnight stay at a tented camp in Ol Kinyei Conservancy
DAY 2: Ol Kinyei and Naboisho Conservancies – Greater Masai Mara
On the second day, we will dedicate the entire day to seeing wildlife in the private Ol Kinyei and Naboisho conservancy regions of the broader Masai Mara. These private conservancies accommodate substantial populations of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards (four of the Big Five), as well as numerous more, such as cheetahs and giraffes.
During our game drives in Ol Kinyei and Naboisho, we see little, if any, other safari vehicles, thereby relishing an individual African safari experience.
Comprehensive lodging with meals at the camp in Ol Kinyei Conservancy
DAY 3: Ol Kinyei & Naboisho Conservancies – Greater Masai Mara
The third day is dedicated to an in-depth tour of the renowned Ol Kinyei Conservancy. A thrilling day of wildlife observation is anticipated in the Masai Mara Conservancies, teeming with zebras, giraffes, several antelope species, and readily observable lions, cheetahs, and elephants.
Ol Kinyei, a significant milestone in Kenyan conservation, was the inaugural conservation area established inside the Great Masai Mara Ecosystem. The Ol Kinyei and Naboisho conservancies offer exceptional animal watching comparable to that of the Masai Mara National Reserve, although devoid of crowds and excessive safari vehicles. Located within the Loita Migration corridor, it offers the breathtaking spectacle of 5,000 wildebeest and 1,000 zebras migrating annually, constituting one of the most renowned natural phenomena on Earth.
On the third day of our Fly-in Masai Mara Safari, we will tour the Naboisho Conservancy, next to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. An unspoiled animal terrain characterized by expansive grasslands, acacia forests, and undulating hills. Referred to as “Big Cat Country,” it features the highest numbers of lions globally, along with perhaps a dozen leopards. For avian enthusiasts, 266 bird species, including several rare varieties, enhance the nature experience, showcasing the pinnacle of African fauna.
Comprehensive board accommodation at the camp in Ol Kinyei Conservancy
DAY 4: Greater Masai Mara to Nairobi, Kenya
This morning, prior to breakfast, we commence an early game-viewing expedition in the Masai Mara Conservancy. We embark on a wildlife drive or a guided bush walk with a Maasai guide in one of the private conservation areas, specifically the Ol Kinyei or Naboisho Conservancies.
Following breakfast at camp, we pack our belongings and bid farewell to the untamed Masai Mara ecosystem, retracing our route to the Ol Seki Naboisho Airstrip.
The scheduled flight to Nairobi departs at approximately 11:00 and arrives at Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 12:15, concluding this Masai Mara Safari.
Masai Mara Safari Memorandum
This Kenya Safari offers the opportunity for a full-day excursion within the Masai Mara National Reserve. The all-day safari in the national reserve incurs an extra fee and requires prior reservation.
About the Ol Kinyei and Naboisho Conservancies
Ol Kinyei Conservancy is a private game reserve covering 65 km² of the Mara environment in Kenya. This pristine wildlife sanctuary is renowned for its stunning vistas and varied terrains, accommodating various huge animal species. The reserve houses large felines (lions, leopards, and cheetahs), elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and numerous plains animals. The Great Wildebeest Migration often traverses Ol Kinyei from June to October, rendering it an optimal location for observing this renowned wildlife phenomenon.
The Ol Kinyei Conservancy was the inaugural community-owned conservancy established in the Mara region. The local Maasai guides has extensive expertise and qualifications, providing outstanding game drives and bush hikes. Visitors may also engage with Maasai culture in the community-operated conservancy.
The Naboisho Conservancy adjoins the Masai Mara National Reserve, encompassing more than 200 km² of wildlife-abundant bushveld and savannahs. This private conservancy provides exceptional wildlife observation, featuring substantial populations of elephants, giraffes, and several other plains animals. The prevalence of herbivores draws robust populations of predators. Naboisho is home to over 100 lions, including the largest pride in the Mara region.
In January, the Loita Migration sees wildebeest, zebras, and other grazers traverse from the Loita Plains to the Masai Mara, passing via the Ol Kinyei Conservancy. During February and March, the Ol Kinyei Conservancy’s plains are abundant with wildebeest and other herbivores, coinciding with the calving season. The Loita Migration proceeds into the Naboisho Conservancy, subsequently advancing into Olare Motorogi, and ultimately reaching the Masai Mara Reserve.
About the Tented Camp in Ol Kinyei Conservancy
There are merely six walk-in safari tents situated beneath the towering Acacia trees along the Laetoli; this is the sole camp within the Ol Kinyei Conservancy.
The tented camp provides an authentic African safari experience within the pristine Masai Mara habitat, characterized by expansive plains, trees, and rivers that create stunning natural vistas. This genuine camp offers a tranquil yet exclusive ambiance, serving as a pleasant jungle refuge removed from the masses. The permanent tented accommodations are situated on wooden platforms, featuring modest decks for leisure in a natural setting. The tents are expansive and well-furnished, equipped with en-suite bathrooms that include hot showers and flush toilets.
Expert guides provide communal game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles, facilitating wildlife observation in the private Ol Kinyei and Naboisho Conservancies, as well as the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
An Explanation of the Great Migration
The Wildebeest Great Migration occurs seasonally. As a natural wildlife occurrence, it is dynamic and erratic. Consequently, witnessing the Great Migration cannot be assured.
The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds traverse an extensive circular path of approximately 1200 miles (1931 kilometers). It is a perpetual migration of wildlife observable in various regions at distinct periods throughout the year. During some parts of this annual migration, the animals either disperse or decelerate, while at other times, the migration accelerates, resulting in larger and denser herds. The Wildebeest Great Migration not only differs by location and season but also fluctuates annually. You can read our detailed article about the great wildebeest migration