Ol Pejeta & Masai Mara Luxury Conservancy Safari (6 Days)

An Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari pairs two of the most rewarding wildlife areas in Kenya in one six-day luxury journey. You begin at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home of the last two northern white rhinos and the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, then continue to the private conservancies of the Masai Mara for big cats, a guided bush walk and a night drive. The price starts from USD 3,900 per person, and this guide explains the route, the day-by-day plan, the wildlife and the practical details.

Why Choose an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari?

Most itineraries to the Masai Mara focus on the Mara alone. The Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari route adds a second landscape and a second kind of encounter. Ol Pejeta is a conservancy where rhinos are protected by dedicated rangers, and you can learn about the conservation work as well as see the animals. The Mara conservancies then give you the exclusive, low-density game viewing that has made them so popular with luxury travellers.

Here is what an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari offers.

• The last northern white rhinos: meet the two remaining animals with their rangers and learn why their story matters.
• A large black rhino sanctuary: Ol Pejeta has the biggest black rhino population in East Africa, which makes sightings far more likely than in most parks.
• A chimpanzee sanctuary: a visit to the rescued chimpanzees adds a different kind of wildlife experience.
• Exclusive Mara conservancies: fewer vehicles, more space and the freedom to leave the roads.
• Walking and night safaris: activities that are not allowed in many national reserves are available in the conservancies.
• Strong conservation impact: your fees help to protect land, wildlife and local communities.

Because both areas are conservancies, an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari shows you a different side of safari. The focus is on protection, research and community partnership, as well as on animals. If you value that, this trip is a good fit.

Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari Route at a Glance

The route covers two regions in six days. You spend two nights at Ol Pejeta, then fly to the Mara for three nights, and fly back to Nairobi on the last morning.

• Day 1: Nairobi to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, with an afternoon game drive
• Day 2: Rhinos and the chimpanzee sanctuary
• Day 3: Fly to the Masai Mara’s private conservancies
• Day 4: Big-cat game viewing and a guided bush walk
• Day 5: A night drive in search of nocturnal wildlife
• Day 6: Fly back to Nairobi for departure

Day-by-Day Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari Itinerary

Days 1 and 2: Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Day 1, Nairobi to Ol Pejeta. You drive or fly from Nairobi to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, on the Laikipia plateau, and enjoy an afternoon game drive. The conservancy is large, with open grassland, acacia woodland and wide views towards Mount Kenya. Your guide will start by looking for the species that make Ol Pejeta distinctive, including rhinos, Grevy’s zebra and a large variety of plains game. Lions and cheetahs also live here, so keep your eyes open.

Day 2, rhinos and chimpanzees. Today is for the conservancy’s most famous residents. You visit the northern white rhinos with their rangers, who explain the animals’ history, the security around them and the work being done to protect the species. Then you look for black rhinos on the plains, where Ol Pejeta’s large population gives you a good chance of an encounter. In the afternoon you visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, where rescued chimpanzees live in a large protected area. Ol Pejeta also has lions, cheetahs, buffalo and elephants, so every drive has the potential for surprises. For a short version of this stay, see our Ol Pejeta day safari.

Days 3 to 5: The Masai Mara Conservancies

Day 3, fly to the Masai Mara. You fly from Ol Pejeta or Nairobi to a private conservancy in the Masai Mara, depending on the schedule, and settle into your luxury camp. An afternoon game drive introduces you to the area’s open plains, river lines and wildlife. For more about the reserve itself, read our Masai Mara safari guide.

Day 4, big cats and a bush walk. Conservancy game drives are quieter and more flexible than in the main reserve, because fewer vehicles are allowed and guides can leave the tracks. You search for lions, cheetahs and leopards, and spend time with the plains game that supports them. Later you can join a guided bush walk with a ranger, who shows you the smaller details that you cannot see from a vehicle, such as tracks, insects, plants and the signs of animals that have passed.

Day 5, night drive. After a day of drives and rest, you head out after dark in search of nocturnal wildlife. With a spotlight, your guide looks for animals that are hard to see in daylight, including hyenas, civets, genets, bush babies and, with luck, a leopard on the hunt. Night drives are permitted in the conservancies, which makes them one of the special features of this route.

Day 6: Departure

Day 6, fly back to Nairobi. After breakfast, and an early drive if time allows, you fly back to Nairobi for your onward flight. If you would like to extend, you can add a beach stay or another park, using our Kenya safari packages as a guide.

Rhinos at Ol Pejeta: Why This Stop Matters

Few places in the world offer the chance to see both northern white and black rhinos in a single morning. Rhinos are among the most threatened large animals in Africa, because of poaching for their horns. At Ol Pejeta, armed rangers and monitoring teams protect the animals around the clock.

The two northern white rhinos are the last of their kind, and their story is one of the most important in modern conservation. Scientists are working on methods to bring the species back, but the future is uncertain. Seeing the animals, with the rangers who look after them, is a moving experience that stays with most travellers.

The black rhino sanctuary tells a more hopeful story. Black rhinos are also critically endangered, but Ol Pejeta has managed to build a strong population, and the numbers have grown over the years. Your guide will explain how the conservancy monitors, protects and relocates the animals.

Luxury Conservancy Game Viewing in the Masai Mara

The Mara’s private conservancies are land that is leased from Maasai families and managed for wildlife, with strict limits on the number of beds and vehicles. This approach has created areas with an excellent density of animals and a very different feeling from the busy parts of the national reserve.

• Fewer vehicles: sightings are shared by a small number of cars, so you can stay with an animal for as long as you like.
• Off-road driving: guides can leave the track for the best view, within the conservancy rules.
• Walking safaris: guided walks give you a new way to experience the bush.
• Night drives: after dark the wildlife changes, and you see species that sleep through the day.
• Community benefit: your fees support the Maasai landowners and the rangers who protect the area.

For readers who would like to compare more luxury options, our luxury Kenya safari page shows other routes and our Fly-in Masai Mara luxury safari is a shorter alternative.

How an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari Compares With a Mara-Only Trip

Many travellers ask whether it is worth splitting a week between two areas. For most people who care about variety, the answer is yes. A Mara-only trip gives you more time with big cats, but an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari gives you a second ecosystem, a different set of animals and a stronger sense of conservation in action.

• Wildlife range: rhinos, chimpanzees and Grevy’s zebra at Ol Pejeta, then lions, cheetahs and leopards in the Mara.
• Landscapes: the highland plateau and its views towards Mount Kenya, followed by the open Mara plains.
• Activities: the conservancy stay adds walks and night drives that standard reserve trips often cannot offer.
• Pace: two bases mean one fewer long journey than a multi-park road safari, especially when flights are used.
• Story: you leave with a clearer understanding of how conservation is funded and managed in Kenya.

If your main goal is to see as many big cats as possible, you could spend extra nights in the Mara. If you want a richer and more varied journey, this route is a stronger choice. We are happy to compare both options in a quote so that you can decide.

Accommodation and Pace on This Safari

The Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari includes five nights of accommodation: two in the Ol Pejeta area and three in the Mara. The Mara stay is in exclusive conservancy lodges and camps, chosen for their location, service and the activities they offer. Rooms are private and comfortable, and the camps are small, so the experience feels personal.

We confirm the exact camps in your written quote. You can browse the style of stay we offer on our page of Kenya lodges and camps.

The pace of the Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari is gentle. Two of the transfers can be made by air, which saves time, and the days include game drives in the early morning and late afternoon, with time to rest in the middle. The guided walk is easy and at a slow pace. This Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari suits couples, families with older children and anyone who values comfort alongside wildlife.

Best Time for an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari

Both Ol Pejeta and the Mara can be visited all year, but the seasons change the experience.

• January and February: hot, dry weather with excellent game viewing and fewer visitors than the peak months.
• March to May: the long rains bring green landscapes and lower prices, with some muddy tracks and occasional heavy showers.
• June to October: the dry season and the best overall time. The Great Migration reaches the Mara from July to October, which makes these the busiest and most expensive months.
• November and December: short rains, fresh scenery, excellent birdwatching and a festive peak at the end of the year.

Rhinos at Ol Pejeta can be seen in any month, so an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari works all year, and the conservancies in the Mara give good wildlife viewing whether or not the migration is present. If the migration is your priority, see our Great Migration photographic safari.

How Much Does an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari Cost?

This Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari starts from USD 3,900 per person. The final price depends on the season, the lodges and the number of travellers. Conservancy camps are priced higher than standard camps because of the limited number of beds, and the cost also reflects the flights in the plan. Larger groups share the vehicle and guide, so the cost per person can be lower. For a broader guide to budgeting, read our guide to how much an African safari costs.

What Is Included and Not Included

Included:

• Park entrance fees
• A luxury safari vehicle
• A professional guide
• Airport and hotel transfers
• Bottled drinking water
• A morning game drive

Not included:

• International flights
• Kenya visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Meals unless specified
• Personal expenses

Please ask us to confirm exactly which flights, meals and activities are covered in your written quote.

What to Pack for an Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari

• Neutral clothes in khaki, olive or beige, plus a warm layer for early mornings and night drives.
• Comfortable closed shoes for the guided bush walk.
• A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen.
• Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards.
• Insect repellent and any medication your doctor recommends.
• A soft-sided bag, because light aircraft have strict luggage limits.

Evenings on the Laikipia plateau and in the Mara can be cool, particularly on night drives, so a fleece or light jacket is useful even in the dry season.

Visas, Health and Safety

Most visitors need an electronic travel authorisation for Kenya before they arrive, so apply online ahead of your trip and check the current rules for your nationality. Malaria is present in much of Kenya, so speak to your doctor about prevention. A yellow fever certificate is only needed if you arrive from a country where the disease is present. Take out travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation. On walks and night drives, you are always accompanied by an experienced guide or ranger, and you must follow their instructions at all times. For official information, see Magical Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari FAQs

Who is this Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari for?

It suits couples, families with older children and anyone who wants luxury, conservation and big-cat game viewing in one trip. It is especially good for travellers who care about rhinos and about how their fees are used.

Can I really see the last northern white rhinos?

Yes. Visits take place with the conservancy’s rangers, who manage the encounter and explain the work being done. The rhinos are protected closely, so the visit follows the rangers’ rules.

Is a walking safari safe?

Walks are led by an experienced guide and an armed ranger where required, and the group stays together. They are gentle and aimed at the details of the bush. Ask us if you have any mobility concerns.

Can I add other destinations to the route?

Yes. Many guests extend the trip with Amboseli or a beach stay. You can see another luxury combination in our Laikipia and Loisaba conservancy luxury safari page.

Is the Ol Pejeta Masai Mara safari suitable for children?

Yes, for older children who enjoy wildlife and can sit through long drives. Some camps have minimum ages for walks and night drives, so tell us the ages when you enquire. For a family-focused option, see our Family luxury safari.

Book Your Ol Pejeta Masai Mara Safari

Send us your dates and group size, and we will reply with a written, itemised quote and a suggested plan. A deposit secures your lodges and flights, and we send final documents and packing advice before you travel. You can also explore a private Kenya safari tailored to your own plans.