How do I get from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara?

Two options. By road, it's about a 5–6 hour drive via the A104 through the Great Rift Valley, Narok town and Sekenani or Talek Gate — we handle this in our private Land Cruiser and stop for photos at the Rift escarpment. By air, daily 45-minute scheduled flights leave Wilson Airport for Keekorok, Ol Kiombo or Musiara airstrips; we can meet you there.

When is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara?

The Mara is a year-round destination for lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and plains game. The Great Migration river crossings usually happen July to October. The green season (November to March) brings newborn animals, dramatic skies and far fewer visitors. April and May are the quietest, greenest and cheapest months — perfect if you don't mind the odd afternoon shower.

What animals can I see on a Maasai Mara safari?

All of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino), plus cheetah, hippo, crocodile, Maasai giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, topi, impala, warthog, hyena, jackal and more than 450 bird species. From July to October you can also witness the wildebeest and zebra of the Great Migration crossing the Mara River.

Do you work for a specific hotel or lodge?

No. Oloishuro Tours is fully independent. Jackson Karia is a Maasai driver-guide and the owner — he's not employed by any single hotel or agency, so your day is built entirely around what you want to see. We can pick you up from any camp, lodge, airstrip, or from Nairobi.

What kind of safari vehicle do you use?

A 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with an open pop-up roof — ideal for photography and 360-degree game viewing. Individual padded seats for up to 6 guests, window seat guaranteed for every guest, charging points and cool box for water. It handles the Mara's murram tracks, river country and rainy-season mud in every season.

How many people fit in the safari Land Cruiser?

Up to 6 guests comfortably, each with a window and a roof-hatch view. Families and couples booking privately have the whole vehicle to themselves at the same per-person rate as long as the group meets the minimum booking size.

Are Maasai Mara park entry fees included in the safari price?

No. Maasai Mara National Reserve charges a separate park entry fee per adult per 24 hours (set by Narok County). We quote this separately so pricing is transparent. As of 2026 the peak-season fee is around USD 100 per adult, and children/residents pay less. We'll confirm the current rate before you book.

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20 July 2026 · 7 min read

How Much Does a Maasai Mara Safari Cost in 2026? (Real Prices)

A Maasai Mara safari can cost anywhere from about USD 250 per person per day for a shared budget group tour to over USD 2,000 pp/day for a fly-in luxury lodge stay. In this guide we break down the honest, current 2026 numbers for a private safari — the kind Oloishuro Tours runs — so you know exactly what you're paying for before you book.

Typical 2026 pricing (private safari, direct booking)

1-day full game drive (already in the Mara): from USD 220 per vehicle
3-day / 2-night safari from Nairobi (mid-range camp): from USD 520 pp
4-day Big Five safari (Reserve + Mara Triangle): from USD 780 pp
5-day Mara + Lake Nakuru + Naivasha circuit: from USD 1,150 pp
Great Migration river-crossing safari (Jul–Oct): from USD 650 pp
Honeymoon / photographic luxury safari: from USD 1,400 pp

What's included in the safari price

With Oloishuro Tours a standard private safari includes the 4x4 Land Cruiser and fuel, your Maasai driver-guide, mid-range full-board tented camp accommodation, all game drives per the itinerary, bottled water in the vehicle, and road transfers from Nairobi. The pricing is per person based on two guests sharing — the per-person rate drops as your group grows.

What's not included (be aware of these)

Maasai Mara park entry fees: ~USD 100 per adult per 24 hours (2026 peak rate)
Hot air balloon safari: ~USD 450 pp
Maasai village visit: ~USD 30 pp
Alcohol, tips, personal shopping, visas & international flights
Fly-in upgrades from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to Mara airstrips

Why direct-booking is cheaper than an agency

A typical online safari agency adds 15–25% on top of the ground-operator's price. When you book direct with Oloishuro Tours you are paying the guide who runs the vehicle — there is no reseller commission, no marked-up park fees, and no fine-print surprises. You'll also usually get a faster reply, because you're talking to the person actually running the trip.

Seasonal price movement in 2026

Peak season (July–October and mid-December–early January) is 15–30% more expensive across camps because of high demand for the Great Migration and holidays. April, May and November are the cheapest — camps are quieter, sightings are still excellent, and the light for photography is often best after the short rains.

Message Jackson on WhatsApp with your dates and group size and you'll get a firm, no-obligation quote back the same day — we don't hide anything in the fine print.

Planning a trip to the Mara?

I run private, flexible game drives with a local Maasai guide. Tell me your dates and I'll help you plan it.

Send an enquiry