Maasai Mara Safari with a Baby: First Wildlife and Rough Roads

Julie

2025-04-11

Maasai Mara Safari with a Baby: First Wildlife and Rough Roads

Our first day on safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara with a baby—wild roads, gazelle and a well-timed diaper change before the game drive!

Main Journey

The long-awaited Maasai Mara safari day finally arrived.
We woke up refreshed after a surprisingly cozy night in our private room. It was so peaceful that it felt like all the exhaustion from the airport melted away in our sleep.

We checked out and waited for the tour vehicle to pick us up. Because our Nairobi accommodation was a bit outside the city center, I was worried they might not find us easily. I even emailed the host’s phone number to the tour company just in case. But thankfully, they replied saying they’d been to this exact place before. Relief… and honestly, a little surprise.

Though our original pickup time was 8:30 AM, we were the last ones to be picked up. The van finally arrived around 9:20 AM. Inside were two Americans and three British students—our safari companions.

As we drove through Nairobi’s outskirts, I couldn’t help but look around—finally seeing in daylight the neighborhoods we passed last night in the dark. What a contrast. Some areas were just as chaotic as I imagined, others more calm and lively.

About 30 minutes into the drive, we stopped briefly to admire the view of the Great Rift Valley. The landscape stretched far beyond the horizon—no tall buildings, just wide-open beauty. Sweetie looked out over the valley too, enjoying the wind and space.

While the viewpoint was scenic, it was also a classic tourist trap. If you wanted to use the restroom, you had to go through a maze of souvenir stalls. Carved giraffes, zebra masks—same trinkets we saw in Namibia, Zimbabwe… it’s like Africa shares one massive gift shop.

We hopped back in the van and continued the drive. The road turned rough—not just bumpy but bone-shakingly unpaved. For kilometers. The whole vehicle rocked like we were on a theme park ride.

But then—our first glimpse of wildlife. A herd of female Thomson’s gazelles grazing right near the road. Just like that, the safari had begun.

After passing through the Maasai tribal villages—with men wrapped in red shukas walking gracefully through the grasslands—we finally reached our safari accommodation. It was a glamping-style tent lodge, simple but charming.

We were told we had 30 minutes to check in before the first game drive. Just as we were about to leave the tent, Sweetie suddenly started grunting. Poop time. Honestly, perfect timing. Better here than bouncing around in a safari truck!

Events

Left Nairobi and joined our safari group
Stopped at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint
Survived Kenya’s infamous unpaved safari roads
Had a rough lunch (thank goodness for leftover KFC!)
First wildlife spotted: wild Thomson’s gazelles
Arrived at our glamping camp near Maasai Mara
Sweetie nailed her poop timing right before the game drive 😅

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Use email to coordinate pickups.
Especially if your accommodation is outside major tourist zones, email the host’s number to the tour company in advance. It can save a lot of confusion.

Pack emergency meals.
Today’s buffet lunch was… rough. Luckily, we had leftover KFC in our bag. Always keep something safe and familiar on hand, especially for you and your baby.

Safari with a baby? Totally doable—if you’re flexible.
Timing Sweetie’s naps, meals, and even diaper changes can be tricky on safari days. But somehow, she always adjusts. Like today—her diaper change right before we left saved us all.

Expect bumpy roads.
Seriously, these roads are next level. Make sure your baby is securely strapped in with extra head support. A carrier or padded neck pillow helps!

Local Travel Tips

The Great Rift Valley Viewpoint:
Touristy, yes—but worth a stop. The view is breathtaking. Just be prepared to pass through a souvenir maze to use the toilet!

Kenyan safari roads are no joke.
They’re long, rocky, and exhausting. Bring snacks, water, and brace yourself. It’s part of the experience.

Bring USD for everything safari-related.
Whether it’s tipping guides or buying souvenirs at stops, USD is king. Don’t expect to swipe a card for much.

Skip the buffet if you can.
Unless you really love bland goat stew. Having your own snacks or simple meals saved us more than once.

Travel Reflections

Today was everything we dreamed—and everything we didn’t expect. The drive was long and exhausting, the roads wild, and the food questionable. But seeing gazelles out in the open, riding through the savanna, and arriving at a cozy tent in the middle of nowhere—it was magic.

Sweetie continues to amaze us with how adaptable she is. From riding through dusty roads to adjusting nap schedules, she’s in this journey with us 100%. And her poop timing? Legendary.

I can’t believe we’re actually here. Tomorrow, the real safari begins.