Bencia Africa Adventure – A Three-Day Safari – My Review
About My Three-Day Safari with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari
In December 2022, I went on a three-day safari to Maasai Mara (Masai Mara) National Reserve with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari. This is my honest Maasai Mara safari review of that three-day experience, from booking on WhatsApp with Alfred, to game drives with George and meals by Chef John. I had originally booked with a different company but switched to Bencia after corresponding on WhatsApp with Alfred, one of the company’s employees. This page offers an unbiased review of my Maasai Mara safari with Bencia Africa Adventure.
Trip at a Glance — 3-Day Maasai Mara Safari with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari
- Dates: December 2022 (3 days / 2 nights)
- Operator: Bencia Africa Adventure Safari — WhatsApp booking with Alfred
- Guide & Crew: George (guide/driver), Chef John (meals)
- Camps: Enkorok Tented Camp (semi-luxury) & Miti Mingi Eco Camp (budget)
- Vehicle: Pop-Top Safari Van (5 guests, window seats for all)
- Included: Park entry, guide, vehicle, meals (tips extra)
- Not included (optional): Ranger-guided Mara River walk (~KES 1,000 / ~$7.74 tip), Maasai village visit (KES 2,000 / ~$15.48).
- Total paid: $638 (about $40 more than my original booking)
- Route notes: Nairobi → Great Rift Valley viewpoint → Maasai Mara (long, bumpy road; common overheating on steep hill)
FAQs: Maasai Mara Safari with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari
Is a 3-day Maasai Mara safari enough?
Yes. I spent 12 full hours inside the reserve on Day 2 and still had a 90-minute game drive on Day 1, which was plenty for lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and more.
What’s the real drive time Nairobi to Maasai Mara?
It took me about nine hours with traffic, stops, and rough road sections (including a Great Rift Valley viewpoint break). Expect a long, bumpy ride either way.
What was included with Bencia—and what cost extra?
My package included the park entry, vehicle, guide, and meals. Not included were tips, the optional ranger-guided walk (~KES 1,000) and the Maasai village visit (KES 2,000).
How were the accommodations—Enkorok vs Miti Mingi?
Enkorok Tented Camp felt close to a standard hotel room (24-hour power, ensuite, hot water). Miti Mingi Eco Camp was budget: close-set tents, noisy neighbors, and I experienced a plumbing leak—but meals by Chef John were excellent.
Van vs Land Cruiser—did the pop-top van work well?
Yes. With only five passengers, everyone had a window and we could all stand under the pop-top for clear views. Our van overheated once on a steep hill (a common issue), and George handled it quickly.
Did the guides follow ethical wildlife viewing practices?
In my experience, yes. George followed the rules, avoided harassing animals, and had us wait our turn at sightings—still getting us great photography angles.
Why I Switched – Private Room Guarantee & Responsive WhatsApp Communication
The reason I switched companies days before my safari began was accommodations. The company I first booked with messaged me saying I would be sharing an accommodation with one or two random people—something not mentioned in the package description and not something I wanted.
I began reaching out to various companies on WhatsApp and came across Bencia Africa Adventure Safari. After talking to Alfred, I knew they would go above and beyond to make sure I had an amazing time at Maasai Mara National Reserve. Alfred contacted numerous tented camps and lodges to ensure I’d have the best accommodations and confirmed I would not be sharing a room.
I ended up booking a three-day safari with two different accommodations. The first night I would stay at Enkorok Tented Camp (a semi-luxury option). The next night I would be at a budget accommodation, the Miti Mingi Eco Camp. The cost of this package was $638, only about $40 more than my original booking.
Alfred confirmed that I would be picked up at my hotel in Nairobi at 7:30 am by George, who would be our guide. I highly recommend Bencia Africa Adventure Safari. I’ve been on over 100 tours, and this one definitely ranks in my top five. Below are photos of some of the animals I saw during my three-day Maasai Mara safari.
Bencia Africa Adventure - A Three-Day Safari - My Review - Table of Contents
- About My Three-Day Safari with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari
- Getting to Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodations at Maasai Mara – A Review of Enkorok Tented Camp
- Accommodations at Maasai Mara – Miti Mingi Eco Camp
- The Bencia Africa Adventure Safari Van
- Bencia Africa Adventure Safari – My Experience at Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Visiting a Maasai Village
- Maasai Mara Tours and Packages
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Getting to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Nairobi Pick-Up and Check-In at Bencia Africa Adventure Safari
On the day of my safari, George arrived just after 7:30 am. Already in the van were two friends from Japan who would be joining the tour. George explained we needed to stop at the Bencia Africa Adventure Safari office to pick up two other passengers and so the Japanese travelers could pay for their tour.
We arrived at the office, and I decided to visit the office as well. I wanted to thank Alfred for his help and give him a tip. When I booked the tour, I thought I needed to pay the park entry fee separately. Alfred explained that everything was included except tips.
After about ten minutes, we returned to the van. Joining us was a newlywed couple from Nairobi who had lived in Kenya their whole lives but had never visited Maasai Mara.
Also joining us was John, who would serve as the cook for those staying at Miti Mingi Eco Camp.
The Drive to Maasai Mara
The trip to Maasai Mara is not that enjoyable—and that’s not a knock on Bencia Africa Adventure Safari. Nairobi traffic is intense, and it takes close to two hours to get out of the city. Just outside Nairobi, the road descends into the Great Rift Valley, where I experienced some of the worst traffic I’ve ever seen. Thankfully, right as I was starting to feel nauseous, we stopped at a Great Rift Valley viewpoint. The 20 minutes of fresh air was exactly what I needed.
Great Rift Valley Viewpoint – Scenic Overlook & Rest Break
I really enjoyed the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. The valley looked unlike anything I’d seen before. I was also relieved to see that in about 5 kilometers, the ride would flatten out for a bit and hopefully my stomach would settle. At the viewpoint, I bought a bag of chips and a Coke Zero to help calm my stomach.
For about the next two hours, the ride was much more comfortable. I fell asleep and woke as the van was coming to a stop. I hoped we were at lunch, but quickly realized the van was having mechanical problems. We had just climbed a massive hill, and the engine overheated. Ours was one of over twenty vehicles that had overheated at the top.
Thankfully, local mechanics on motorcycles came by with engine coolant. Within 45 minutes, our van was running again and we were back on our way to Maasai Mara National Reserve. While the mechanic worked, I enjoyed watching the Maasai herding cattle across the road.
Lunch Stop – Restaurant Olare & Gift Shop
Around 2:00 pm, we arrived at Restaurant Olare for lunch. It was prepaid and served buffet-style. George told us to take about 30 minutes to eat and browse the attached gift shop.
The food at Restaurant Olare was excellent—slow-cooked beef with rice, vegetables, and noodles. I also bought carved animal sculptures from the local Maasai. Had I known there would be many more opportunities—at lower prices—to purchase these items, I would likely not have bought anything.
The next three hours of the drive were pretty miserable. Shortly after lunch, the road becomes dirt and is very bumpy. George did his best to give us a smooth ride, and I tried to keep my lunch down by sticking my head out the open window.
The Road to Maasai Mara Video
Below is a video I created showing the road conditions during the last two hours to Maasai Mara.
Arrival and a Maasai Traffic Jam
We arrived at Maasai Mara National Reserve around 5:00 pm. George said we were going to stop at Miti Mingi Eco Camp so the four other tourists could check in. Once they were checked in, we would enter the park, and after a short safari, he would take me to my accommodation. We did get slowed by what George called a “Maasai Traffic Jam.”
It was a long journey, almost nine hours with traffic and stops, but we finally arrived at Maasai Mara National Reserve. George took our passports and purchased our tickets to enter the reserve. While we waited, we were bombarded by Maasai selling crafts and sculptures. I ended up purchasing quite a few items for about 1/10th of the price I had paid at the gift shop. We saw quite a few animals during the 90 minutes we spent inside the park. The next day would be a full-day safari lasting 12 hours.
Maasai Mara Accommodations – Enkorok Tented Camp (Review)
I spent one night at Enkorok Tented Camp and one at Miti Mingi Eco Camp. I thoroughly enjoyed Enkorok and my stay in the Simba tent. Each tent had multiple beds with mosquito nets, 24-hour electricity, a shower, and a toilet—very similar to a standard hotel room.
Room & Amenities – Hot Water, Pressure, Clean Facilities
The shower at Enkorok had good water pressure and plenty of hot water—I just had to let it run for about five minutes to heat up. Next to the shower was a cabinet and sink, and there were plenty of towels. The flush toilet inside my tent was very clean.
Dinner – Christmas Eve Buffet
The night I stayed at Enkorok was Christmas Eve, and dinner was buffet style—rice, noodles, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and grilled steak. Throughout dinner, one of the Maasai sang Christmas carols while playing the guitar.
Accommodations at Maasai Mara – Miti Mingi Eco Camp (Budget)
The next night I stayed at Miti Mingi Eco Camp, a budget camp that was not nearly as enjoyable. The tents were within a few feet of each other, and my neighbors were quite loud throughout the night, which made it tough to sleep.
Also, the plumbing in my tent leaked, which meant I had to walk through a few inches of water to use the toilet. I didn’t take photos, but picture a small gray tent with two beds and a shower and toilet.
Meals by Chef John – Dinner & Breakfast
I did enjoy the meals at Miti Mingi Eco Camp, which were cooked by Bencia Africa Adventure Safari’s chef John. Most visitors ate from a community buffet. Many came over and wanted to eat our food, which was expertly prepared by Chef John.
The Bencia Africa Adventure Safari Van
I really enjoyed the Bencia van. In addition to the front seats, it had three rows. With only five passengers, everyone had their own window. The windows slide open, and the pop-up roof allowed an undisturbed view of Maasai Mara wildlife.
Pop-Top Viewing – Room to Stand & Photograph
All five of us could stand comfortably to view and photograph wildlife at the same time.
En-Route Overheating – Common Hill Issue
My only complaint is that the van overheated on the way to Maasai Mara. It seemed many vehicles overheated on that hill, and George quickly took care of it.
Bencia Africa Adventure Safari – My Experience Inside Maasai Mara
The highlight of my three-day Maasai Mara safari with Bencia was the second day. We spent 12 full hours in the reserve, including a lunch stop expertly prepared by Chef John.
Wildlife Sightings – Lions, Cheetahs, and More
Our guide George did everything he could to help us see as many animals as possible. He used a CB radio to coordinate with other guides, which helped us find active wildlife. George and Bencia said they couldn’t promise lions or cheetahs—but within two hours, we saw a pride of lions on the prowl, which George said was “very rare.”
Ethical Guiding – Rule-Following & Animal Welfare
I appreciated that George followed the park rules and never harassed the animals. He positioned us for great photos without crowding wildlife, unlike some vehicles that tried to drive at the animals. From my experience, Bencia Africa Adventure Safari is a reputable company that cares about customers and animal welfare. Sometimes we had to wait our turn at sightings, and I valued George’s professionalism and fairness.
Border & Mara River Stop
As we searched for elephants, I asked George how close we were to Tanzania. My map showed we were within a few miles of the border. George said we could go to the border and that I could walk into Tanzania—a fun way to technically add another country to my list.
After the Kenya/Tanzania border, we drove to the Mara River, where we ate lunch.
Ranger-Guided Walk – 30 Minutes, Tip KES 1,000 (~$8)
We also took a 30-minute guided hike along the riverbanks. This was the only part not included in the initial cost. I tipped the guide 1,000 Kenyan Shillings (KES) (about $8). He was an armed park ranger prepared to keep us safe if animals threatened us.
Animals We Saw in Maasai Mara
I have an entire page dedicated to the animals I saw with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari.
During my tour, I saw: lions, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, baboons, Cape (African) buffalo, hyenas, impala, gazelles, topi, ostriches, crocodiles, warthogs, mongoose, and a variety of birds. The only animals we didn’t see were leopards and rhinos, which George said are extremely rare.
Maasai Mara Video Highlights
I also have a video that highlights my Maasai Mara Safari with Bencia African Adventure.
Visiting a Maasai Village
On the final day, before returning to Nairobi, we visited a Maasai village. The cost was 2,000 Kenyan Shillings (KES) (about $16). It was a unique experience learning about Maasai society and watching a ceremonial dance. I was invited to join, which I did—definitely outside my comfort zone.
I recommend adding the Maasai village visit: it’s affordable and lasts about 30 minutes. The Maasai tribe I visited runs Miti Mingi Eco Camp, and I was happy to support them and learn about their culture.
Maasai Mara Tours and Packages
You can book my exact tour with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari, by clicking HERE. If you book directly through their website, I will not receive a commission.
Linked below are various Maasai Mara Safari packages. They are booked and arranged by the company Viator. Viator uses many different companies so you may not be booked with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari.
Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a package using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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