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The Masai Mara is the most famous of Kenya's best safari reserves, and arguably the original home of the safari. But its fame comes at a cost – virtually year-round crowds who flock here for a taste of the African wild, especially during peak summer months.

The answer to this conundrum: private conservancies. These are private reserves which fringe the national reserve, where access is tightly controlled to help conserve the fragile ecosystem as well as provide the kind of old-fashioned safari experience of your dreams.

We've devised this itinerary to one of the best conservancies, the Naboisho, staying at the wonderful Basecamp Wilderness tented camp in the heart of the conservancy. Here you'll do all the normal game drives you can do in the Mara, plus some unique experiences you can only find in a conservancy: night game drives, walking safaris, fireside chats with a Maasai elder, and more.

This is the unspoiled safari of old, and we're delighted to share it with you. Let's go!

Customise this trip!

You're welcome to extend this trip with a visit to any of Kenya's other safari reserves or conservancies, or spend a few days unwinding on the beach. Contact us now to tailor this itinerary to suit your preferences!

Good to know

  • Leading Kenya-based operator
  • Top reviews on Trip Advisor
  • Fully bonded financial protection

What's included

  • Included Accommodation
  • Included Guided excursions
  • Included Ground transfers
  • Included All meals
  • Included Insurance
  • Included Support
Days

6

Starting from

$4,660 pp

Contact us now for more information about this trip
This tour is operated by
Beyond the Plains Safaris

Speak to John for expert travel advice

Enquire now 💬 Chat on WhatsApp
Activity
Safari, Luxury, Adventure, Active, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type
Custom itinerary
Physical Level
Easy
Season Season
May - February

Detailed itinerary

What you'll see and do

This is a customisable trip

Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A Beyond the Plains Safaris travel specialist will be happy to advise.

Nairobi to Naboisho Conservancy

Our representative will meet you on arrival in Nairobi for the drive west towards the world-famous Masai Mara.

The drive will take roughly five hours. As you leave the bustle of the city and enter Kenya's Great Rift Valley, let the excitement build for what the next few days may bring.

You'll be greeted at Basecamp Wilderness in the exclusive Naboisho Conservancy with a welcome drink and brief introduction to the camp and its incredible surroundings.

After lunch you'll have time to embark on your first game drive. Naboisho’s exclusive setting allows for a quieter safari experience, with the chance to observe elephants, lions, giraffes, and cheetahs at close range. End the day with a sundowner before returning to camp for dinner and a night amidst the sounds of the African bush.

Four magical days in Naboisho

Here begins three full days in the incredible Naboisho Conservancy. Your days are structured around flexible, immersive activities that provide a deeper understanding of the Maasai Mara ecosystem and local culture. You can join guided game drives in the morning and evening, with chances to observe wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, and—depending on the season—the dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration.

Also on the programme of activities are bush picnics, guided birdwatching, or – a firm favourite – exploring on foot through guided walking safaris that offer a closer look at animal tracks, plants, and smaller wildlife. Walking safaris are not permitted in the Masai Mara reserve, only in the neighbouring private conservancies, making this a truly unique experience.

Families can engage with the Young Explorers Club, where children learn bush skills and about local ecosystems. Afternoons can also be spent visiting a Maasai village, where you'll be introduced to local customs, storytelling, and traditional manyatta homes.

As the sun sets, sundowners mark the close of the day, followed by night game drives for those keen to observe nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.

And for an unforgettable perspective, take an optional hot air balloon safaris for sweeping views of the plains.

The evenings conclude around the fire with stories from Maasai guides, adding depth to each day’s experiences.

Return to Nairobi

After a final early morning game drive (time permitting), enjoy a hearty breakfast before checking out from your camp and beginning your journey back to Nairobi. As you drive back, take in the breathtaking views of the savannah, the Rift Valley, and the distant hills that mark the boundary of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be dropped off at your hotel or taken to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight. Reflect on the incredible memories you’ve made in the Maasai Mara, from your intimate wildlife encounters in the Naboisho Conservancy to your authentic Maasai cultural experience.

Need more Kenya in your life? Customise this trip with an extension to any of Kenya's other incredible safari reserves, or some beach RnR. Contact us now to tweak this itinerary to suit your preferences!

  • Nairobi

    Nairobi

    Most visitors to Kenya simply fly in and out of capital Nairobi – which is a huge mistake...
  • Naboisho Conservancy

    Naboisho Conservancy

  • Nairobi

    Nairobi

    Most visitors to Kenya simply fly in and out of capital Nairobi – which is a huge mistake...

Contact Beyond the Plains Safaris about this trip

Beyond the Plains Safaris

John is standing by to answer your questions.

Enquire now Chat on WhatsApp

Where to stay

Some of our sample accommodation

Expand
Basecamp Wilderness
Superior

Basecamp Wilderness

The recently refurbished Basecamp Wilderness, a camp that thoughtfully reflects the classic safari style of earlier eras...

What's included

What you get for your money

Included Accommodation

Full board accommodation in our carefully-chosen, lodges or camps with private en-suite facilities. All accommodations can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

Included Guided excursions

Services of a professional English-speaking driver guide, including game drives, sightseeing and excursions as described in the itinerary, Inclusive of applicable entrance fees, with complementary visit Giraffe Centre.

All Park Entry fees except those labeled as optional tour or activity.

Government taxes and levies where applicable.

Included Ground transfers

Airport Transfers upon arrival and departure. Meet & greet service by our local representatives.

Included All meals

Full board, three meals per day

Included Insurance

AMREF Flying Doctors medical insurance and evacuation cover.

Included Support

24/7 support while travelling

Reviews

What people are saying about Beyond the Plains Safaris

Wojciech M
01/09/2024

Beyond The Plains were very quick in replying to our inquiry. They offered an exciting itinerary for the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru. We were traveling as a family, and they took this into account and arranged for activities that were great for all. We all enjoyed the safari a lot. I have been on several safaris and this was indeed one of the best! We saw all Big 5 and many more animals. Accommodation and food were great. This was a wonderful time. We even celebrated a birthday on the first day, and Beyond the Plains organized a surprise cake and flowers! Everything worked smooth, and the team was very responsive and communicative. Highly recommended!

Read more
Ranita
05/07/2024

The complete safari trip has been a wonderful experience for us. With Mr. Ben being our guide, everyday of our trip has been an exceptional great experience. We have even witnessed wildebeest migration in Mara River and that was absolutely beyond our imagination!!

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Louie L
06/02/2024

We had a fantastic time with Beyond the Plains in Kenya and can wholeheartedly recommend booking your tours with them! Starting with John's great communication and presentation we had a good feeling from the start about their proposed 7-day Safari tour. Everything was well organised and the tour felt adventurous and luxurious at the same time. A special thanks goes to our guide Dan who shared his 20 years of safari experience with us. He never got tired of answering our many questions and made sure we had a fantastic time. We really couldn't have asked for a better guide and driver. We reviewed many offers from different tour operators and are very happy we chose to go with Beyond the Plains and hope to do it again one day!

Read more

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