7 Days Masai Mara Tsavo Safari – How to Split the Time
Seven days changes everything with this combination. You’re not racing between parks. You’re not skipping game drives to make transfers.
At Masaimara.co.ke I run this trip regularly. The main decision is how to divide the nights.
What This Guide Covers
Splitting the Time
Time Split Option | Night Breakdown | Best Match For… |
Equal Split | 3 Mara + 1 Nairobi + 3 Tsavo | Balanced wildlife variety & volcanic scenery |
Mara-Heavy | 4 Mara + 1 Nairobi + 2 Tsavo | River crossings during Peak Migration season |
The Tsavo Lean | Focus heavily on Tsavo West | Packing in Mzima Springs & Rhino Sanctuary |
Equal – three Mara, transit night in Nairobi, three Tsavo (two West, one East). Works if you want both weighted the same.
Mara-heavy – four Mara, overnight Nairobi, two Tsavo. What I usually book during migration season. Four nights means you can wait out crossings at the river without pressure.
If you only have two Tsavo nights, I usually prefer West. Mzima Springs, the rhino sanctuary, Roaring Rocks – it packs more in. East is better when you have time to reach specific spots like the Galana River from the Satao side.
Adding Amboseli is ambitious in 7 days. One night feels rushed. If Kilimanjaro matters to you, maybe save it for a separate trip where you can do two nights properly.
2026 Costs
Two sharing, private Land Cruiser. All driving unless noted.
Park Fees (Non-Resident, USD)
- Masai Mara: USD 100/day (low) / USD 200/day (peak)
- Tsavo West: USD 80/day
- Tsavo East: USD 80/day
International Visitors (USD)
Option | Lodges | Low Season | Peak Season |
Budget (3+3) | Jambo Mara, transit hotel, Ngulia, Voi Lodge | 2,410 | 4,240 |
Mid-range (3+3) | Sentrim Mara, Eka Hotel, Kilaguni Serena, Ashnil Aruba | 2,980 | 4,890 |
Luxury (3+3) | Mara Serena, Ole Sereni, Kilaguni Serena, Satao Camp | 3,850 | 5,980 |
Mara-heavy (4+2) | Add USD 180-380 to above | — | — |
Kenyan Residents (KES)
Option | Lodges | Low Season | Peak Season |
Budget (3+3) | Jambo Mara, transit hotel, Ngulia, Voi Lodge | 318,000 | 438,000 |
Mid-range (3+3) | Sentrim Mara, Eka Hotel, Kilaguni Serena, Ashnil Aruba | 398,000 | 548,000 |
Luxury (3+3) | Mara Serena, Ole Sereni, Kilaguni Serena, Satao Camp | 518,000 | 718,000 |
Flying out of the Mara? Add USD 280 / KES 36,000 per person.
What’s Included
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing
- English-speaking driver-guide for the entire trip
- Fuel for all transfers and game drives
- Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at all lodges
- All park entry fees: Masai Mara (3 days), Tsavo West (2 days), Tsavo East (1 day)
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover
- Airport/hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi
What’s Not Included
- Tips for driver-guide (USD 15-20 / KES 2,000-2,500 per day is standard)
- Tips for lodge staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks beyond water
- Travel insurance (required – we can recommend providers)
- Visa fees (check eTA requirements at etakenya.go.ke)
- Personal expenses: laundry, phone calls, souvenirs
- Optional activities listed below
Optional Add-Ons
- Hot air balloon safari in the Mara: USD 500 / KES 65,000
- Mzima Springs underwater viewing: USD 15 / KES 2,000
- Maasai village visit: USD 25 / KES 3,000
- Bush dinner: USD 60-115 / KES 8,000-15,000 depending on lodge
How It Goes
Environmental Factor | Masai Mara Savanna | Tsavo Volcanic Desert |
Climate & Air | Cooler; higher altitude (~1 km higher) | Intense heat; mid-30s to 40°C |
Sound & Vibe | Loud background noise; grunting herds | Total wilderness silence; empty tracks |
Wildlife Tracking | High density; immediate cat action | Lower density; requires patience & skill |
Day 1
Leave early. Stock up at The Hub in Karen – better selection than Narok.
5-6 hours via Narok. Talek Gate puts you closer to good cat territory than Sekenani, but this varies by season and where the prides are at that moment. Your guide will know.
Afternoon drive.
Days 2 and 3
Two full days. This is where 7 days pays off.
You’re not packing out on Day 2. Proper dawn drive, stay out until mid-morning. Afternoon from 4 until sunset. Day 3 same thing.
By Day 3 you know where the resident prides are. You can follow up on sightings instead of rushing.
The Mara during migration has this constant low grunt from the herds. Becomes background noise.
Watch ticket timing. The 12-hour window catches people. Confirm with your guide whether you need a new ticket for morning drives.
Day 4
Morning drive, then 5-6 hours to Nairobi. Overnight near the airport.
Seven days is long enough that a half-day break doesn’t feel wasteful.
Day 5
The Mara sits higher than Tsavo – roughly a kilometer difference in altitude. I’ve had clients stay in fleece layers too long and feel wiped out by the time they reach the gates. Tsavo is hot. Bring water.
Gate choice: Mtito Andei is the standard entry. Manyani is further toward Voi but can drop you closer to wildlife concentrations. I’d ask your guide what they recommend based on current conditions.
If you want to see the rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West, it’s only open late afternoon – 4 to 6 PM or so. Plan around this if rhinos matter to you.
Day 6
Full day Tsavo West.
Mzima Springs is better early, before the area gets busier and light turns harsh. The underwater viewing chamber is the draw – sometimes you can see hippos below the surface.
Shetani Lava Flow is interesting but gets hot midday. Wear proper shoes – the rock is rough.
Roaring Rocks for sundowner if you have time. Good views of the Chyulu Hills.
The elephants here roll in red volcanic dust. First time I saw them I genuinely thought something was wrong – they look rusted. It’s normal. Protects their skin apparently.
Day 7
Morning in West, then cross to East. About 2 hours.
East is flatter, more open. The Galana River runs through. If time allows, a late-afternoon drive toward the river from the Satao side can be good – that’s where I’ve seen lions near water.
Lugard Falls is worth a stop. Actually rapids, not a waterfall.
Then 5 hours back to Nairobi. Or 4 to Mombasa if you’re heading to the coast.
Current Fees
Pay via KWSPay eCitizen. Cash stopped working at gates.
Park | Kenyan Resident | Non-Resident | Ticket |
Masai Mara | KES 1,200 | USD 100 (low) / USD 200 (peak) | 12-hour |
Tsavo West | KES 600 | USD 80 | 24-hour |
Tsavo East | KES 600 | USD 80 | 24-hour |
I’d top up your eCitizen account before leaving Nairobi. Payment glitches at remote gates are still common, especially at Manyani and Mtito Andei. Screenshot your balance just in case.
Tsavo Notes
The dust is different from the Mara. Alkaline, sticky. I avoid changing lenses in the vehicle – the dust gets everywhere.
Tsetse flies are worse in some areas. Khaki or stone colors are safer than dark blue or black.
It’s hot. Mid-30s. Build in pool time.
It’s also quiet. After the Mara’s crowds and wildebeest noise, Tsavo feels empty. Some drives you won’t see another tourist vehicle.
Taita Hills Sanctuary makes a good alternative overnight if your routing allows. Different experience – lodges on stilts, wildlife comes to you at night.
One Story
Safari Pitfall | The Hidden Threat | Expert Field Fix |
Alkaline Dust | Sticky glass silt scratches camera lenses | Use blower brushes; never wipe lens dry |
Tsetse Flies | Attracted to dark blue/navy clothing | Wear khaki/stone colors; pack a Stingo pen |
Gate Payments | Network failures at remote park gates | Pre-load eCitizen; screenshot your balance |
Travel Fatigue | 10+ hour direct drives exhaust travelers | Always break the transfer with a Nairobi overnight |
Last August I had clients – a couple from Germany, both in their sixties – who insisted on doing the Mara-to-Tsavo drive in one day. I’d warned them. We left at 6 AM, hit traffic on the Nairobi bypass around noon, reached Ngulia Lodge after 8 PM. They barely spoke to me the last two hours.
Next morning they were fine, and Tsavo delivered – elephants at the waterhole, good light, no crowds. But that transfer nearly ruined the trip for them. It’s why I always break it with an overnight now.
Seven days gives you room to avoid mistakes like that.
Questions
How do I split the time? Equal for balanced experience. Mara-heavy during migration. If shortening Tsavo, I’d lean toward keeping West.
What wildlife? Mara has high density – lots of cats, elephants, wildebeest. Tsavo has lower density but more exclusivity. Different animals too – the red elephants, maneless lions.
First safari? 7 days works. Don’t try to pack in too many stops. Fewer lodge changes usually feels better than rushing between parks.
Why is peak season so much more expensive? Mara park fees double from USD 100 to USD 200 per day. Vehicle rates increase because demand is high. Lodges charge premium rates during migration.
Welcome to Masaimara.co.ke
Thank you for visiting us! We're excited to help you plan an unforgettable safari adventure across Kenya.