7-Day Ol Pejeta & Maasai Mara Conservation Safari

Wilderness Alternative Expedition signature journey

A conservation-led safari pairing rhino country on the Laikipia plateau with the predator-rich plains of the Maasai Mara. Two nights at Ol Pejeta bring white and black rhino, community conservation and views toward Mount Kenya; four Mara nights provide the patient field time that serious wildlife watching deserves.

Why this journey works

Ol Pejeta and the Mara complement each other rather than repeat the same experience. The conservancy adds rhino conservation, open northern landscapes and optional behind-the-scenes activities. Flying from Nanyuki to the Mara when the seasonal direct service operates prevents an unnecessary return to Nairobi; when schedules require it, the connection is made efficiently through Wilson Airport.

Journey at a glance

• Two nights at Ol Pejeta with rhino conservation and Laikipia wildlife
• Seasonally direct Nanyuki–Mara flight, or a practical Wilson connection
• Four nights in the Maasai Mara for patient predator and elephant watching
• Private 4×4 field programme and low guest-to-window ratio
• A conservation narrative with strong photographic variety

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi to Ol Pejeta: north to the Laikipia plateau

Drive north through Kenya’s fertile central highlands, with Mount Kenya appearing when the weather clears. Enter Ol Pejeta Conservancy in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. The open plateau supports elephant, buffalo, lion and plains game, but rhino conservation gives this landscape its particular significance. End the day with the mountain light fading behind acacia country. Meals: Lunch and dinner. Overnight: Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Day 2 — Ol Pejeta: wildlife and conservation in context

Begin with an early game drive when predators and rhino are more active. Later, visit the conservancy’s rhino or chimpanzee conservation facilities according to operating hours and your chosen programme. Some specialist experiences require advance booking and may carry an additional charge. The afternoon returns to the field, allowing time for elephants, jackals, hartebeest and the quieter details of Laikipia. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight: Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Day 3 — Nanyuki to Maasai Mara by scheduled air service

After breakfast and a short drive if timing permits, transfer to Nanyuki airstrip. Fly to the Maasai Mara on the direct seasonal service when operating, or connect efficiently through Wilson Airport. Meet your Mara guide at the airstrip and begin game viewing immediately on the way to camp, crossing a landscape that feels wider and softer than the Laikipia plateau. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight: Maasai Mara.

Day 4 — Maasai Mara: first full day in the field

Leave before the plains warm. Your guide reads tracks, bird behaviour and the direction of moving herbivores to decide whether to settle with a known pride, search riverine cover for leopard or follow cheetah country across open ground. Carry a picnic when distance makes a full day worthwhile, or return to camp for a slower midday interval. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight: Maasai Mara.

Day 5 — Maasai Mara: habitat, patience and light

Explore a different sector today—perhaps river crossings and woodland, perhaps rolling plains and low ridges used by cheetahs. Good safari guiding is as much about staying as searching. When animals rest, the vehicle is positioned without pressure; when behaviour changes, you are already there. Wildlife cannot be guaranteed, but time in the right habitat changes the odds. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight: Maasai Mara.

Day 6 — Maasai Mara: the freedom of a fourth night

A fourth Mara night removes the anxiety of a last-chance drive. Revisit a compelling sighting, look for a species missed earlier or simply follow the morning’s unfolding story. An optional balloon safari may be reserved in advance at additional cost. The final evening is deliberately unhurried, with sundown over the grasslands before dinner. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight: Maasai Mara.

Day 7 — Final game drive and flight to Nairobi

Take a last dawn drive, return for breakfast and transfer to the airstrip. Fly to Nairobi Wilson Airport, where the safari concludes. We can arrange onward airport transfer, a Nairobi hotel or an extension elsewhere in Kenya. Meals: Breakfast.

Your safari rhythm

The first two days mix game drives with conservation-focused experiences booked in advance. In the Mara the pace becomes more fluid: early starts, picnic days when sightings are distant, and quiet waiting rather than constant driving. The private vehicle remains yours for the Mara programme, normally with no more than four guests for clear sight lines.

Transport and timing

Private road transfer from Nairobi to Ol Pejeta. On Day 3, transfer to Nanyuki airstrip for the scheduled service to the Maasai Mara. Direct Nanyuki–Mara flights are seasonal and timetable-dependent; at other times the routing connects through Nairobi Wilson Airport. The final Mara–Wilson flight completes the safari.

Road times are approximate and can change with traffic, weather and road conditions. Scheduled flight times and routing are reconfirmed for your travel dates. If an airline changes its timetable, we adjust the operating plan while preserving the journey’s essential character.

Accommodation approach

We match the route to well-run camps and lodges in the right wildlife area—not simply the most familiar name. Your proposal can be shaped around intimate tented camps, family rooms or a more luxurious stay, subject to availability and the season.

What is included

• Private safari transport and game drives in a custom Land Cruiser
• Services of an experienced English-speaking safari guide
• Accommodation and meals as confirmed in your final proposal
• Park and conservancy fees listed in your confirmed quotation
• Airport, hotel and airstrip transfers shown in the itinerary
• Scheduled internal flights where explicitly described in the final proposal
• Drinking water in the safari vehicle

What is not included

• International flights, visas and travel insurance
• Premium drinks, laundry and personal purchases
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities unless specifically included in writing
• Any hotel, meal, transfer or flight not stated in the confirmed proposal

Private safari pricing

Private safari — priced for your dates and group.

Season, accommodation, group size, room configuration, park fees and flight availability all affect the final cost. We provide a clear, itemised proposal after confirming your travel dates and priorities.

Plan this journey

Email info@wildernessalternativeexpedition.com or WhatsApp +254 743 789 655. Tell us your dates, group size, preferred comfort level and the moments you most hope to experience.

Explore the Maasai Mara guide · Compare areas and places to stay · Start a private safari conversation

Wildlife movements and sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed. Every itinerary remains responsive to current conditions, guest comfort and sound guiding judgement.