Ask any wildlife lover or photographer about their dream destination, most of them would say Maasai Mara National Reserve . Well, Maasai Mara in Kenya is a bucket list destination of almost every jungle safari enthusiast. This reserve in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border is a natural home of wild lions, elephants, cheetahs, zebras and hippos.
The Great Migration is one of the most awaited times of the year when wildebeest traverse. And the regions nearby are covered with villages, where Maasai people live in harmony with the wildlife.
Having said this, a Maasai Mara safari experience could be a costly affair for many. But today, we are going to tell you how you can save thousands and plan a budget trip to Maasai Mara (INR 2 Lakhs). This practical and well-researched plan will allow you a 6-day/5-night trip from India (a 3-day Maasai Mara safari) that keeps a single-traveller budget well under INR 2 Lakhs.
Read on:
Best time to visit (to save big bucks)
The best and the most exciting period is between July and October because of the Great Migration), but this is also the peak season making accommodation, food and other basic necessities highly costly. Park fees surge. So, it is suggested to plan between off or shoulder season which are between January and March, April and June. This is the time when park fees are lower and safari packages are considerably cheap.
How much you’ll have to pay for the tickets
Airfare (India (Delhi) ↔ Nairobi (Kenya): Budget roundtrip fares often start around INR 35k–INR 40k, if booked in advance/sales
Kenya e-visa: According to the official portal (evisa-to-kenya.info), roughly INR 3,000 for tourist visa (Do check the official portal before you apply).
Park entry fees: The park charges around INR 8,815 per (non-resident adult per day) in OFF season according to Maasai Mara Travel guide.
Budget safari package begins (3 days/2 nights or 3 days/3 nights options): Group or budget tented-camp packages typically range INR 26,440– INR 57,288 per person, depending on inclusions (meals, transfers, number of game drives). Choose shared-vehicle or group travel to save more.
Sample budget for single traveller for 2 days inside the reserve
Plan: 6 days/5 nights, 3-day Maasai Mara safari
Return airfare: INR 35,700
Budget 3-day safari package (this includes accommodation + 2 full game drives per day): INR 39,700
Park entry fees (2 days inside reserve): INR 17,600
Accommodation in Nairobi: It is likely that you’ll be spending a night before and after the safari in Nairobi. So choose a budget guesthouse. A mid-range hotel would cost around INR 5,000– INR 6,000 per night with breakfast.
Insurance and Health: Keep a budget of around INR 7,000–INR 8,000 for travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, and malaria prophylaxis (don’t ignore these).
Miscellaneous Expenses: Keep INR 8,000–INR 10,000 for food, airport transfers, tips for guides, souvenirs, and small activities may add another.
Total: Well much under INR 2,00,000
Tips for travellers
Book flights early, like much earlier (if possible 3–6 months before). Flight sales are available from Mumbai/Delhi/Bengaluru.
Choose group travel for safaris. They are the cheapest as private vehicles are costly
Compare packages before booking from different websites.
Carry local cash (KES) for tips and shopping as plastic money acceptance can be limited in some regions.
In short, if you plan much ahead, a Maasai Mara trip can be done on a budget from India. All you have to do is plan smartly. With advance booking, group travel, and budget accommodations, you can enjoy wildlife without exploding your bank balance!
Disclaimer:
1) On the day of writing this article, the USD estimate was near INR 88/US$1. Because these exchange rates are subject to change, convert when you book).
2) The prices mentioned in the article are according to recent market rates and are subject to change. The visa fee prices are taken from the official website and are subject to change
