It’s amazing what you can pack into two days on safari – with a multitude of wildlife, the sounds of nature away from civilisation, beautiful landscapes and welcoming hospitable people. From awesome animal sightings, to comfortable accommodation in spacious tents with all amenities, to campfires under the starry sky, you won’t waste a single second during your Kenyan safari holiday. Don’t worry, you’ll certainly get some well-deserved rest, too!

Here’s a taster of how you could spend 48 hours at the Porini Mara Camp in Kenya:

Karibu Kenya! Welcome to Kenya!

You’ve landed at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport—welcome to Kenya! You’ll be greeted on arrival by one of our friendly Gamewatchers Safaris team who will transfer you (by private vehicle) across to Nairobi Wilson (domestic) Airport. From here you take your 60 minute scheduled flight to Ol Seki Airstrip in the heart of the Maasai Mara region.

As time is of the essence, flying is the most efficient way to transfer you to the Porini Mara Camp. And not only does it save time, it also gives you awe-inspiring aerial views of the African bush.

After landing, your safari adventure truly begins as members of the camp staff await with their 4×4 safari vehicle ready to take you the short distance to camp.

Take some time settling into your “home away from home” for the next couple days.

You’ve never seen a campsite quite like this before! Your spacious tent – of a high-quality, insect-proof design and raised on a wooden platform – comes complete with two double beds, dressing table, storage areas for your luggage, and en-suite facilities (flushable WC and a hot-water shower!). Camping never looked so good.

After dropping off your bags and getting settled in your room, relax in the Mess Tent, maybe browse through the bookshelf and learn of some of the flora and fauna that you will soon discover. Later enjoy a lunch prepared by the camp’s professional chef. Get to know your fellow camp-mates and other Porini Mara Camp team members, who can answer any questions you may have or give some insight about the camp and its surrounding scenery and wildlife.

Take a stroll through the savannah on a bush walk with Maasai Warriors.

Take a walk with your Maasai Guides to get a glimpse of their unique way of life and to learn something new. Learn about how to use the local flora and fauna in daily life, how to track animals, and how to live a sustainable existence.

Ready to get going on your game drive?

The moment has finally arrived—you are going on your first game drive! Today you’ll have the opportunity to see many animals in their natural habitat in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy and the adjacent Naboisho Conservancy. The area is teeming with wildlife, including cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, a pride of over 20 lions and some resident leopards. One of the perks of staying at Porini Mara Camp? You get access to both of these conservancies and the many animals that are safe inside them.

Be sure to have your binoculars and camera ready as you never know what stunning sights you may see while on safari!

What’s more special than seeing the sun set over the savannah?

It’s been a long (but amazing!) day. What’s a better way to end it than with a cold beverage in hand while watching the sunset on the savannah?

Your guide will take you to a scenic spot where you’ll have a perfect panoramic view of the African sunset. Imagine seeing giraffes or elephants grazing across the grassland below as those last golden rays fade below the horizon. Not many in this world can say they’ve seen such a beautiful sight.

Drinks (like local Tusker beer, wine, gin, vodka and tonics, and soft drinks) take this already amazing evening event to the next level. It’s a wonderful time to reflect on the day’s events and photograph the African sunset.

When the sun goes down, the animals come out to play…

Tonight, experience a completely different kind of safari—a night game drive on the way back to Camp. Many of the animals in Kenya are nocturnal, meaning they are most active when the sun goes down and the only lights are the stars and moon. An eerie but exciting mood sweeps across the savannah as the hyenas, lions, and other predators are on the prowl for their prey.

These special drives are not allowed in the big parks and reserves—they are a special treat for those who stay in camps within the Mara conservancies. The camp vehicles use spotlights with red filters (which avoid dazzling the animals) so that you can see the wildlife in this unique animal encounter.

Wine and dine back at camp – then stargaze under the African night sky.

After a night-drive back to camp, dinner is served! And not your typical “campfire” meal—your camp’s chef prepares a feast fit for a king. Only the best and high-quality ingredients are used to ensure a delicious dinner. There is even home-baked bread served that’s fresh and flavorful.

As you eat and have a glass of wine or other drink of choice, take time to talk with your fellow campmates. Where are they from? What wildlife sightings did they experience? What was their favorite part of the day?

After dinner the evening continues with drinks around the campfire. High above, there’s a sight rarely still seen in this world—a starry sky unaffected by light pollution this deep in the African bush. Thousands of twinkling lights adorn earth’s “natural ceiling”—talk about some good mood lighting!

Awaken to the warbling call of the Mara’s song birds.

Your second day on safari begins with a melodious awakening from the songbirds of the Mara. It’s an early rise, but your camp hosts will deliver your choice of hot beverage to your tent. This will assist you in getting ready for your day’s adventures, especially if you’re feeling a little jet-lagged from your journey the day before.

The sunrise is spectacular on the savannah. The early morning provides a great opportunity to see animals out and about as it is cooler and their day is just starting. Take advantage of these morning hours to appreciate all that the African bush has to offer.

Round-off the morning with a hearty breakfast including fresh fruits, cereals, bacon and eggs and home-baked bread.

Or perhaps you’re looking for a more “sensational” start to your second day on safari?

If you think the sunrise is something special from the ground, just wait until you see it from the air. Guests have the option to take a sunrise hot air balloon safari, complete with a champagne breakfast. Can it get any better than that?

Hover over the savannah and get a glimpse of Africa that only birds usually get to see. You’ll be going slow enough that you’ll have plenty of time for pictures (and you’ll want plenty of them!), but still get to cover a good amount of land during your hour in the air.

After you descend back to the ground, a bountiful breakfast awaits, which includes a crisp flute of champagne. There really is nothing that can compare to this sensational start to your second day on safari.

Go in search of the Big Five in the Conservancies and Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Many who go on safari hope to observe as many of the Big Five as they can. In the Mara conservancies, there’s a great chance you will see at least four of them (Lion, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, and Leopard). Although the rhino is not often seen, you never know what animals you will come across while on safari!

During certain months of the year, the Great Wildebeest Migration moves into the Mara. Thousands upon thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and other grassland animals travel from the Serengeti to the Mara region; it is considered one of the Natural Wonders of the World.

Lunch is served picnic-style in the bush. And as mentioned, you never know what creatures will be lurking nearby while on safari in the African savannah (as evidenced towards the end of this video).

After a well-deserved rest at camp, head back out on safari to Ol Kinyei Conservancy.

The heat of the afternoon isn’t a great time to see animals—they are all resting and tucked away into dark dens or shady spots under the acacia trees. So do like the animals and enjoy a few hours of rest at camp to catch up on that book you’ve been meaning to read or simply take a nap.

Time to take your fully-charged self back out into the bush for a late afternoon/early evening game drive. Ol Kinyei Conservancy is home to many animals, but one of the most exciting is the cheetah. With sprinting speeds of up to 75 miles per hour, be sure to have your camera at the ready in case you come across this marvellous mammal.

End your final evening at Porini Mara Camp with a serene sundowner, night drive and dinner back at camp.

After a good night’s sleep you’ll awake on your final morning to take a last game drive in the Conservancies, followed by a farewell breakfast. Relive your favorite moments with your fellow campmates and members of the Porini Mara Camp staff. You may have to leave the camp today, but your memories will last a lifetime.

Not ready for your safari to end?

Nairobi Tented Camp

If 48 hours wasn’t enough for you on safari, you can absolutely continue your adventure by adding on extra nights or other camps to your stay. Travel to a different reserve or conservancy for a chance to see animals that don’t necessarily roam in the Mara (i.e. the rhino, which can definitely be seen in Ol Pejeta Conservancy).

An exceptional camp that can be added to your safari is Nairobi Tented Camp. As it’s conveniently just 20 minutes away from both Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and Nairobi’s International Airport, it makes a great alternative to a city hotel and you’ll be able to see more wildlife and make your departing flight with ease.

Perhaps two days in the bush was all you needed to see the safari sights you wanted to see. The beaches of Kenya cannot be missed while visiting the East African country. The perfect way to end your safari is with some rest and relaxation by the turquoise blue Indian Ocean. Lounge on the pearly white beaches, with a drink in hand and not a care in the world. We can arrange flights directly from the Masai Mara to the coast – and later back to Nairobi – and we offer a broad range of lodges, villas and hotels in the best resorts including Malindi, Watamu, Mombasa, Diani and Lamu.

Ready for a safari of your own?

Ready to see thousands of stars above your campfire? How about watching a cheetah chasing after its prey as fast as a Corvette? If you’re ready for an outstanding 48 hours on safari, click here to get in touch. Or if you’re just looking for more information, sign up for our email course.