Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Africa

Mexico City to Kenya: Nairobi and the Maasai Mara

Mexico City → Nairobi → Maasai Mara

Maasai Mara
"Masai_Mara_at_Sunset.jpg" by Danijel Mihajlovic, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Nairobi skyline from Gem Hotel (Nairobi)
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Great Migration safari Best season (general guide): Jul–Oct

The Maasai Mara is Kenya's best-known reserve, and from July to October the Great Migration crosses into it from the Serengeti. This plan spends two nights in Nairobi and four in the Mara. From Mexico City you'll connect through Europe, the Gulf or Addis Ababa.

Nairobi National Park lies on the edge of the city, so you can see giraffes and rhinos with the skyline behind them. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre are popular visits, and the Karen Blixen Museum is nearby.

From Nairobi, a long road journey or a light aircraft takes you to the Mara. Game drives start early, when the light is best and the animals are most active. Lion, elephant and buffalo are common sights, and many camps offer guided walks with Maasai guides.

The migration is a natural event, so its timing changes each year. The Mara River crossings often peak in August and September, but they are never guaranteed explain. Plan at least three full days in the reserve to give yourself the best chance of seeing one.

Pacing: in the Mara, choose a camp near where the herds are expected that month, as distances in the reserve are large. Bring neutral-coloured clothes, binoculars and a warm layer for early drives. Check the Sheldrick elephant orphanage's visiting times and book ahead.

Light aircraft have strict luggage limits, usually in soft bags, so check before packing. Ask a travel clinic about malaria prevention before you go.

Nairobi is a large and busy city, so plan transfers in daylight and use a hotel or registered driver. Two nights there gives you time to recover from the flight before the early starts in the Mara.

Suggested outline

  1. Mexico City

    Start

  2. Nairobi

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    The national park on the city's edge, the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre.

    Nairobi National Park
    "Lions_of_Kenya_02.jpg" by flightlog, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  3. Maasai Mara

    Overland · 4 nights suggested

    Four nights of game drives in the reserve during the migration season.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Nairobi — Arrive· Mexico City → Nairobi (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Nairobi — Elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre or Nairobi National Park
  3. Day 3 · Maasai Mara — Road to the Mara; afternoon game drive· Nairobi → Maasai Mara (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Maasai Mara — Full day of game drives
  5. Day 5 · Maasai Mara — Morning drive; optional walk with Maasai guides
  6. Day 6 · Maasai Mara — Last game drive
  7. Day 7 · Maasai Mara — Travel home from Maasai Mara· Maasai Mara → Nairobi (overland), then Nairobi → Mexico City (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Nairobi

More about Nairobi →

Plan the trip: Nairobi

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Maasai Mara

Nearest airport: Nairobi Search fares · Nairobi ↗

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.