This private Mara safari is a two-day road trip that starts and finishes in Nairobi, with one overnight and two scheduled game drives: an arrival-afternoon drive and a departure-morning drive. Your vehicle and English-speaking guide are reserved for your party.
Vehicle, accommodation and included meals
Choose a Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan and Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation. The selected camp or lodge, room arrangement, dates and party size determine the quotation; the options do not necessarily share one price. The programme includes lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, drinking water during game drives and all applicable reserve entry fees for the scheduled visits.
Time in the reserve and optional visits
Both days include road travel, so this short stay has less game-viewing time than a longer safari. Arrival and return times depend on the accommodation, route, stops, roads and traffic. Wildlife sightings vary, and neither all Big Five species nor a specific encounter is guaranteed. A Maasai village visit remains optional and charged separately.
Two days and one night, starting and finishing in Nairobi
Exclusive-party vehicle and English-speaking guide
Private Land Cruiser 4x4 or Safari Minivan options
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation options
Afternoon drive on day one and morning drive on day two
Lunch and dinner on day one; breakfast on day two
Itinerary
Two-day private Nairobi–Maasai Mara road safari with one Mara night. The programme includes an arrival-afternoon game drive and a second outing early the following morning, before the private road return to Nairobi.
Day 01 :
Nairobi to Maasai Mara by Road
The safari leaves Nairobi in the morning and travels through the Great Rift Valley and Narok to the Maasai Mara. The private vehicle continues to the Mara base for check-in before the afternoon wildlife outing. This first stage introduces the change from the Rift Valley journey to the reserve’s open grasslands.
The afternoon game drive explores authorised reserve routes with your safari guide. Viewing stops follow the animals encountered along the circuit, allowing time to observe their behaviour and photograph the surrounding landscape. The drive ends back at the Mara base for the first night of the safari.
12 hours
Lunch + Dinner
Day 02 :
Maasai Mara to Nairobi by Road
The safari’s second game drive takes place early in the morning in the Maasai Mara. Your guide follows authorised reserve routes for the final wildlife outing, pausing to observe animals encountered along the circuit and the reserve’s grassland scenery.
The vehicle returns to the Mara base for checkout before beginning the journey through Narok and the Rift Valley to Nairobi. The itinerary closes with this private road return after the single-night stay.
10 hours
Breakfast
Cost Details
What's Included
Return road transport from Nairobi in the selected private Land Cruiser 4x4 or Safari Minivan
Afternoon and morning game drives in the Maasai Mara
Professional English-speaking safari guide
One night at the selected camp or lodge; lunch and dinner on day one and breakfast on day two
All applicable park and reserve entry fees
Drinking water during game drives
What's Not Included
International flights
Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) fees, where applicable
Travel and medical insurance
Hot air balloon safari
Optional Maasai village visit
Tips and gratuities for guide and camp staff
Alcoholic and premium beverages
Personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs
FAQs
How long is the drive from Nairobi to Maasai Mara?
This is a road safari with an early Nairobi departure on day one and the return after the morning drive and breakfast on day two. The selected accommodation, entry route, stops, roads and traffic determine the journey time. A fixed five-hour transfer or guaranteed Nairobi arrival time is not part of the programme.
Can I see the Big Five on a two-day safari?
The itinerary includes an afternoon drive on day one and a morning drive on day two in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Wildlife sightings depend on animal movements and viewing conditions. Neither all Big Five species nor a particular predator encounter is guaranteed.
Which vehicle and accommodation options are offered?
Choose a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan and Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation. The vehicle and guide are reserved for your party. The selected property, room arrangement, dates and party size determine the quotation; one common price across all configurations is not established.
Which meals and fees are included?
The itinerary includes one overnight, lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, the two scheduled game drives, the English-speaking guide, drinking water during drives and all applicable reserve entry fees for that programme. Day-two lunch, drinks listed in the exclusions and optional activities are not included.
Can a solo traveller book a private safari?
Yes. The native package permits a booking party of one, and Rustic operates this as an exclusive-party safari rather than a shared group departure. The actual solo vehicle and room configuration determines the price; a shared-room rate is not automatically a solo price.
Is a Maasai village visit included?
No. A Maasai village visit is optional and charged separately. It is not a compulsory part of either included game drive.
What entry requirements should international visitors check?
Check the official Kenya eTA service for eligibility, exemptions and application requirements that apply to your passport before travel. This is separate from the reserve admission included in the safari.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
2 days1 nightKenya
Nairobi → Maasai Mara → Nairobi
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Find your journey on the map.
Tap a stage below to explore the journey.
Location markers are approximate. Connections show the journey sequence, not roads, exact driving distances or live vehicle tracking. The itinerary sets out each stage.
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From
$450/ Adult
Private safari for your party
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation
Quote tailored to your travel dates and party
4.9
Based on 664 reviews
Erica Anderson
What an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us andWhat an amazing tour: we saw an incredible number and variety of animals and got to learn so much from our fantastic guide Kelvin. He was very knowledgable and patient with us and he made our experience unforgettable. Could not have asked for a better introduction to Kenya!…
Laura H
Very knowledgeable and friendly
michael graham
Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable,Kelvin met us at the airport, took us to our hotel and then picked us up next morning for a 5 day Safari through the Masai Mara. Brilliant experience! Kelvin is knowledgeable, patient and great fun. Rustic Nature Tours are well organised and quick to respond from my very first enquiry. You won’t be disappointed.…
Peter M
Great experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommendGreat experience! Kelvin is an excellent guide and is full of knowledge. He made sure our 3 experiences were to the max. I highly recommend Rustic Nature Tours and I recommend asking for Kelvin as your guide.…
Ruth
My husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking atMy husband and I completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Michael G
Rustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someoneRustic Nature Tours were responsive from my very first contact and flexible with what we wanted to do and when. The Safari was excellent and accomodation/food spot on. If someone says they had a better guide than Kelvin, they are making it up! He’s the MAN. We had a blast.…
Fernando Estaragues
It was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was reallyIt was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was really good with a lot of personalized service.The guide was the best one, fully recommended our guide, Kelvin Ndolo, he drive through all the safari to let us catch some good pictures, the service is really good with him, he was a nice person with a lot of experience, telling you about everything in Kenya in general, nice time with him, helping, giving advices, experienced man.He is el chingon!!In general we can say that we wouldn't be in a better tour and guide for the first experience in Kenya!…
Nicole S
We had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from ourWe had a wonderful day exploring Nairobi and learning so much about the history of both the city and Kenya. This private tour was great value, offering pick-up directly from our hotel and a comfortable ride to each site.Our driver/guide, Denish, was fantastic! extremely safe, knowledgeable, and always ready to answer any questions we had. Every guide we met at the individual stops was equally kind and full of insights.Highlights of our day included a delicious lunch, visiting local community shops for souvenirs, and especially the museum and Kobe Tough! It was the perfect blend of culture, history, and city highlights. If you have a day in Nairobi, we highly recommend booking this tour!…
Marc-Antoine Ladouceur
I booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted toI booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted to my preferences, at a price that really surprised me, in a good way. My guide was fantastic, not just knowledgeable about wildlife but also about the socialBiophysical environmental, geomorphology and human stories behind the places we visited. Everything just flowed. I couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend them to anyone looking for an authentic Kenyan adventure…
FarAway57601419658
Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake,Just completed a half-day Nairobi Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage tour and the variety of wildlife was amazing: enormous dazzle of zebras cautiously drinking at the lake, three lions slinking past our vehicle as they hunted an impala, a huge crocodile incubating eggs, two white rhinos napping on the side of the road, and so much more. Our guide was happy to provide knowledgeable answers to all of our questions and was amazing at locating wildlife. I absolutely recommend this company.…
Katie Richards-Schuster
Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The tripsKelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The trips were completely seamless. We had terrific communication beforehand in preparation for the experiences, and we felt that all aspects were accounted for. Kelvin was absolutely exceptional as a guide. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, the local history, and the elements of the safari experience. His ability to navigate us to exactly the spots where we could see the most, be the closest, and truly experience all that Kenya has to offer.For the first-day experience, we traveled to Amboseli. People in our group really wanted to see elephants. And elephants we saw! Kelvin helped position the Land Cruiser so that we had multiple herds of elephants (including babies) walk in front of the vehicle, less than 10 feet away!! It was a memorable sight. We also saw lions, zebras, wildebeests, birds (of all kinds), giraffes, and so much more. Kelvin has a college degree in wildlife management, and he is both extraordinarily knowledgeable and professional in the trip. He answered our questions, provided information, and helped us experience the wildlife in the safest manner possible. I would definitely recommend taking the Land Cruiser over the Safari van. The roads in the park are bumpy, and the Land Cruiser ensured a safe, comfortable ride while also getting us into the perfect spot to see the animals. After 4 hours or so in the park, we headed to a beautiful lodge to eat. The food and experience at the lodge were wonderful. After that, we did another drive before leaving to head back to Nairobi. A long but unbelievable day!For the second experience, we headed to Nairobi National Park, then the Sheldrick Elephant Trust, Kobe Beads, lunch, and the Giraffe Center. Again, Kelvin was a masterful guide. In the park, he got us close to hippos, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and even a crocodile- among many other animals. He found the perfect spots and maneuvered the vehicle just right (and sometimes even off the beaten path) to make sure we saw the best views of the animals (again, we recommend the Land Cruiser for the best experience!). After talking with others who took different trips to Nairobi National Park, we realized how special our visit was. Many of them didn’t have Kelvin guiding them and, as a result, missed seeing all that we saw. We can’t emphasize enough how amazing Kelvin is. From there, Kelvin got us to the Elephant Sanctuary. He had the tickets already set, so all we needed to do was walk in, and then he got us to the perfect spot where we could be feet away from baby elephants, a baby rhino, and a baby zebra. Truly spectacular! After that, we visited a local bead factory that is a microenterprise supporting local women. We had a tour, learned about the beading process, and then had the opportunity to visit their shop (no hassling or pressure to buy- but we did get some beautiful items!). Then to a hidden garden for lunch at a local restaurant, and then finally to the giraffes. By the time we got to the giraffes, it was very busy, but again, Kelvin worked his magic to get us through the line quickly (we felt like VIPs!) and to the perfect spot to feed them. He clearly knows the staff, as he was able to get us pictures and even additional food to feed the animals. After a long day, he masterfully navigated traffic (which is no joke) to return us to the hotel.All in all, our time in Kenya would not have been the same without Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours. We can’t recommend their tours any higher. You will not be disappointed!!!…
Brianna D
Our amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to theOur amazing guide Faith was right on time to pick us up at our hotel. We started the morning with a trip to Kobe Tough where we saw the bead making process. Then we headed to the elephant orphanage where Faith knew the whole system and was able to get us up close spots in the “splash zone.” Next up was the giraffe center where we got up close to hand feed giraffes. Faith knew all of the giraffes by name and personality and even took photos on our camera for us. Afterwards we stopped for traditional Kenyan lunch (at your own expense) and we elected to do the Karen Blixen museum for the entrance fee as well. Since it was just me and my husband, Faith even drove us to the local mall before taking us back to the hotel. Overall it was a day well spent with memories to last a lifetime!…
Spend 9 days and 8 nights on a private Kenya safari through Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara.Overnight plan: 1...
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