3-Day Kenya Tour Packages
Think you can sample Kenya's safari experience in three days? It's brief but absolutely doable. Could be Samburu with its diverse wildlife and cultural village visits, or Masai Mara where you might catch wildebeest migration. You'll drive through the Great Rift Valley, spot the Big Five if you're lucky, do early morning game drives when animals are most active. Kenya always delivers.
Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Kenya tour itineraries
Compiled by
NadineKenya travel expert at TourRadar
3 Days in Samburu Safari, incl. Nairobi and Samburu Reserve
The Kenyan circuit spans Nairobi, Laikipia, and Samburu Game Reserve over three days. Accommodation at Samburu Sopa Lodge includes full-board meals, morning and afternoon game drives, cultural village visits, and a stop at the equator in Nanyuki.
- Day 1
Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Leave Nairobi by 7 AM to avoid heavy morning traffic. The 6-hour drive north takes you through Mount Kenya's farming region. Stop at the equator marker near Nanyuki for photos and watch an interesting water demonstration of the Coriolis effect. One traveler noted: "The Samburu region was quite different—much less crowded, more wild, and with a quietness of nature that you don't find in other parks." Stop for lunch in Nanyuki where local restaurants serve excellent nyama choma (grilled meat). Continue to Samburu via Isiolo. Your afternoon game drive near the elephant bedroom area will introduce you to Samburu's desert-adapted wildlife. Pack extra water since afternoon temperatures often go above 90°F (32°C).
- Day 2
Full Day Samburu Game Drives
Start your game drive at dawn (5:30-6:00 AM) when predators are most active. Look for Samburu's "Special Five": reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich. The Ewaso Nyiro River is a wildlife hotspot where you'll often see crocodiles and elephants. A recent visitor shared: "It was really fascinating to see crocodiles along the Ewaso Nyiro River and enjoy the sunset in that environment." Plan for early morning and late afternoon drives to avoid the hot midday sun. You'll find lots of wildlife between Buffalo Springs and the river. Remember to wear neutral colors so you don't startle the animals.
- Day 3
Cultural Visit and Return to Nairobi
Take a final dawn game drive to spot leopards returning from their nightly hunt. After breakfast, visit a traditional Samburu village. Bring small bills if you want to buy authentic beadwork ($10-30 per piece). The village visit offers real insights into Samburu life. Just remember to ask permission before taking photos of people. Leave after lunch for the 5-6 hour drive back to Nairobi. If you're flying out that day, book flights after 8 PM to account for traffic. Most visitors arrive in Nairobi between 4-6 PM.
3 Day Kenya Itinerary, incl. Nairobi and Masai Mara
Masai Mara's wonders unfold over three days from Lenchada Camp. The schedule combines Nairobi transfer and afternoon game drive, full-day safari, and return journey.
- Day 1
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Leave Nairobi early at 7 AM for your 5-6 hour drive to Masai Mara. Stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint before 9 AM to beat the crowds and take photos. The road through Narok town is quite bumpy so consider taking motion sickness medication. One traveler noted: "Enthusiasm increases while crossing the beautiful landscape of the Great Rift Valley and Narok city." You'll reach your camp in time for lunch before your first game drive at 3:30 PM when wildlife is most active.
- Day 2
Full Day in Masai Mara
Get up at 5:30 AM to catch animals at their most active time. Take plenty of water and sunscreen with you. Your guide will drive you to the Mara River on the Kenya-Tanzania border. If you visit during migration season (July-October) you'll see incredible wildlife numbers. A visitor recently shared: "In just one day, we saw the migration of thousands of wildebeest, along with a huge herd of elephants and several leopards." You can book a hot air balloon ride for $450 per person but do this well in advance. The evening drives are perfect for spotting big cats.
- Day 3
Masai Mara to Nairobi
Take one last morning game drive before breakfast. Start your return trip to Nairobi around 10 AM. You can visit a Maasai village on the way back for $20 per person to experience local culture. The return journey takes 5-6 hours. Stop for lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the Rift Valley to break up the trip.
3 Day Kenya Safari Itinerary, incl. Nairobi and Masai Mara
Miti Mingi luxury camp hosts guests for two nights of Masai Mara exploration. Daily game drives reveal diverse wildlife zones. Activities include Maasai village visits, picnic lunches by Mara River, with optional balloon safaris.
- Day 1
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Your adventure starts with an early morning pickup in Nairobi and a 5-6 hour drive to Masai Mara. "The road conditions can be quite rough - bring motion sickness pills if you're prone to car sickness," one traveler advises. You'll reach your camp in time for an afternoon game drive from 4-6 PM. Remember to pack light layers for the significant temperature changes between morning and evening.
- Day 2
Full Day in Masai Mara
This is your main safari day with wildlife viewing from sunrise to sunset. Visit between July and November to see the incredible wildebeest migration. One visitor shares: "Our guide was incredible at finding animals - we saw everything up close and personal, including four of the Big Five!" You can book an optional hot air balloon ride ($380) to see the savannah from above at sunrise. Pack a hat, sunscreen and binoculars for game drives. Stop for a picnic lunch by the Mara River to watch hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat.
- Day 3
Masai Mara to Nairobi
After breakfast you'll start the journey back. Most tours stop at a Maasai village (extra $20) to learn about local traditions. The return drive takes 5-6 hours. A helpful tip from a traveler: "Ask to be dropped at your specific hotel or the airport - some drivers only go to central Nairobi."
Kenya 3 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
3 Days Samburu Cultural and Wildlife Safari
3 Day Masai Mara Wildlife Safari Adventure
3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Group Joining Safari From Nairobi with Complimentary Airport Pickup.
Affordable 3-Day Budget Luxury Masai Mara Safari in Kenya - With Free Night at Nairobi Hotel
3 Days, 2 Nights Amboseli National Park From Nairobi with Complimentary Airport Pickup
3 Days 2 Nights in Maasai Mara via The Great Rift Valley
3-Days Aberdares & Sweetwaters Ol Pejeta Chimpanzee Sanctuary Private Safari
3-Day Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari
3 Days Kenya Group Safari: Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration
3 Day Amboseli & Tsavo West National Park Safari From Nairobi
What people love about 3-day Kenya tours
- 3 Days Samburu Cultural and Wildlife Safari
The entire trip was very well planned. Although the drive from Nairobi to Samburu was a bit long, the guide stopped in the middle of the road and gave us a chance to enjoy the scenery. The Safarijeep was comfortable enough, and the large windows made it easy to take pictures. Every morning and afternoon game drive has been done, so that different animals can be seen at different times of the day. On the morning of the second day, we saw the lions lying in the shade of the trees in complete silence. I even saw some strange birds whose names I hadn't heard before. At the end of the whole trip, I felt that Samburu is really a hidden gem of Kenya, and I would never have understood it without this tour.
- 3 Day Masai Mara Wildlife Safari Adventure
On the first morning of my journey from Nairobi, I felt as if I had stepped into another world. Not only the road, but the villages on both sides of the road, the green valleys and the occasional wild animals - all this seemed to paint a new canvas in the eyes. The moment I entered the Masai Mara, the sight of the endless wilderness came to my mind. On the evening of the second day, as the sun slowly tilted to the west, the entire savanna was filled with golden light - the most magical moment of the trip. The lively narration and safe driving by the guide made the entire trip comfortable.
- 3 Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Group Joining Safari From Nairobi with Complimentary Airport Pickup.
Everything was great. We were glad we upgraded our hotel. It was perfect