Masai Mara Game Reserve

Rolling hills, sprawling savannahs, dramatic river crossings, and more wildlife and adventure than any movie could ever portray—welcome to the Masai Mara, home to the lions of ‘Big Cat Diary,’ the temporary residence of the ‘Great Migration,’ mighty Maasai warriors, and some of the most luxurious safari lodges on earth.

The Masai Mara features a stunning kaleidoscope of wild and rugged landscapes, warm and welcoming people, and an exciting array of creatures – big and small. World famous for hosting the epic Great Migration, the Masai Mara welcomes 1,5 million wildebeests onto its sprawling savannahs each July through October. The Reserve and conservancies are brimming with life and offer safari travelers various activities. Whether you take to the skies for a high-flying hot-air balloon adventure at sunrise or hit the road for a 4×4 safari, you’ll leave the Masai Mara with unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories.

Going on a Masai Mara safari

Part of the fun of going on a safari is planning it. We’ve been there—and know how it feels. As avid travelers, we imagine you have many questions while planning your trip to the Masai Mara. Few places are as unspoiled, adventurous, and authentic as the Mara ecosystem.

Reading up on the Masai Mara, learning what you might encounter, and exploring your accommodation options—we’ve done most of the work for you and created this site to help you find all the answers to any questions you may have. To top it off, we’ve brought together a top-notch collection of Masai Mara safari lodges and camps for you to choose from. Naturally, we’re only an e-mail or message away if you need extra help planning your safari.

 

About Masai Mara & conservancies

From the Great Migration to close encounters with African big cats, the Masai Mara is a must-see for every safari traveler. Take to the crystal blue skies for a bird ‘ s-eye view of the golden African plains and their many inhabitants. For a more up-close and personal encounter, embark on a thrilling jeep safari among the area’s lions, elephants, and other wildlife. The Masai Mara National Reserve and conservancies never fail to entice and excite.

 

The quintessential African safari dream

Ask someone to describe their dream of going on an African safari, and you’ll probably hear the same answer nine out of ten times. People dream of being in awe by wildebeest-spotted savannahs, having their breath taken away by unexpected lion encounters, and having their hearts thump in excitement while watching a thrilling chase between predator and prey. The Masai Mara National Reserve and Conservancies are among the best places to have this African safari dream come true.

 

Why visit Masai Mara?

Close your eyes and envision a gentle rolling savannah stretching out as far as the eye can see. Imagine countless wildebeests and zebras grazing lazily right in front of you. The feeling is humbling and inspiring, all wrapped into one. The Masai Mara is known for the world’s highest concentration of wild animals. More than 40% of Africa’s larger mammals can be found here. However, there’s more to the Masai Mara than endless plains. Aside from the main Masai Mara National Reserve proper, a dozen community conservancies, several group ranches, and several Maasai villages exist.

 

Masai Mara conservancies

The Greater Masai Mara area comprises the Masai Mara National Reserve, an unfenced reserve where animals are free to roam, but it also consists of several conservancies. Maasai families privately own these pieces of land. Safari lodges lease the land from the Maasai, allowing these Maasai families to invest in their communities by funding education or development initiatives. Occasionally, you will see Maasai farmers and their grazing cattle at the conservancies. Introducing these conservancies has been a win-win situation for the environment and the Maasai. Land once overgrazed by cattle is now being rewilded, and the Maasai can invest in their communities through their earnings from the conservancies. Learn more about the different Masai Mara conservancies.

 

The Great Migration

Every year, from July through October, the Masai Mara becomes the backdrop of one of the most spectacular wildlife shows on earth – the Great Migration. The sight of so many animals dotting the plains is almost inconceivable. The rolling savannah’s sunburnt grasses become home to more than 1.5 million zebra, wildebeest, and antelopes trekking from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of greener pastures and water. The Great Migration is unique to the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. There is nothing else quite like it. There are no guarantees, but if you would like to witness this breathtaking spectacle at the Masai Mara, keep the following in mind:

Mid-July: The herds enter the Masai Mara and embark on their fateful crossing of the Mara River. Crocodiles and hippos living on the river’s banks are only two of the dangers the wildebeests and zebra encounter upon crossing the river.

September – October is the time of year when you will see a mind-blowing number of wildebeest enjoying their labor feasts on the endless Masai Mara plains.

Learn all about the Great Migration

 

African Big Cats

During migration season, African big cats come to life. The endless stream of migrating prey offers the big cats seemingly infinite meal options. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs grow stronger during this time of year and can have healthy little ones with plenty of food to grow. There is quite a few lion pride in the Masai Mara that have lived in the area for decades. Females are permanent members of the pride; however, the male lions get chased out of the group by other male lions. At night, you may even hear a deep roaring of male lions warning other males to stay away from their territory. For the best chance of seeing a lion on the prowl in search of prey, head out on an early morning or late afternoon safari, and you may see one of the females in action. 

 

Masai Mara landscape

The Park was named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area. ‘Mara’ means ‘spotted’ in the Maasai (Maa) language. Upon visiting the Masai Mara, it won’t be hard to understand how this area got its name. The short, bushy trees that dot the landscape give it a ‘spotted’ look. The Greater Masai Mara ecosystem is massive. It amounts to almost 1510 square kilometers. The area is bordered by the Serengeti in the south, and to the north, east, and west lie Maasai ranches. Although the riverbanks of the area’s three rivers (The Sand, Talek River, and Mara River) are lined with shrubs and trees, most of the Reserve is made up of open grassland spotted by an occasional flat-topped acacia tree. There are two distinct rainy seasons: April – May (the long rains) and November – December (the short rains).

 

History of the Masai Mara

The Park has only been a wildlife sanctuary for approximately 50 years. It was initially established in 1961, and at the time, it consisted of only 520 square kilometers (which included the Mara Triangle). Later, the amount of land covered in the sanctuary expanded, and in 1974, the area received National Reserve status. A portion of the land was returned to local communities, and currently, the Mara ecosystem consists of 1,510 square kilometers. The Maasai people have always relied on their land to feed their cattle and to provide for their families. Thanks to establishing the Reserve as a protected area for the conservation of wildlife and wilderness and the areas designated as conservancies, the Maasai can sustain their way of living and improve their quality of life.

 

How to get to Masai Mara

Rugged and remote, yet easily accessible.

Start with a flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. After that, it is entirely up to you. Are you in for an adventurous road trip and ready to deal with a few bumpy roads along the way? Or would you prefer a quick and easy air transfer to the airstrip closest to the safari lodge where you will be staying? Below, we’ll share some info to help you decide what’s best.

Getting to Masai Mara by air

International air travel

The recommended port of entry when traveling to the Park is Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) in Nairobi. NBO Airport is East Africa’s most significant hub, so many convenient flight options are available. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Swiss all operate flights from major airports worldwide. Regional flight options (including flights to neighboring countries and Southern African destinations) are also available.

Domestic air travel

The favored route for a Masai Mara fly-in safari is from Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL). From here, there is a short flight (between 45 and 60 minutes) to the Mara. For this reason, flying into the Masai Mara is our recommended mode of travel. Although road conditions have improved recently, considerable road stretches are still deplorable. There are several airstrips in and around the Masai Mara to fly into. Which one you fly into will depend on where you decide to stay during your safari. Flights to the Mara are operated by airlines such as SafariLink and AirKenya. Upon your arrival at the airstrip closest to your accommodation, a safari vehicle will be waiting to take you to your Masai Mara safari lodge. The good news is… you are now in the Masai Mara – so you can start spotting wild animals by air during your flight and on the ground while in the safari vehicle taking you to your camp. Read all about flights to Masai Mara.

Flying from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Tanzania is also possible. Direct flights (mostly in high season) are also available from the Kenyan coast (Mombasa and Diani) and other national parks in Kenya, such as Amboseli National Park and Samburu National Reserve.

The most critical Masai Mara airstrips

Here is a quick list of the significant airstrips located in the Masai Mara:

• Keekorok
• Serena
• Musiara
• Mara North
• Ol Kiombo

Getting to the Masai Mara by road

Masai Mara drive-in safaris

The most common way to access the Park is by road or by booking a guided drive-in safari. Drive-in safaris start from Nairobi and allow you to include multiple other destinations in Kenya besides the Masai Mara. Extended classic Kenya safari itineraries usually include overnight stays in Amboseli National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in an extended safari itinerary, and we will be happy to assist you!

Masai Mara self-drive safaris

Although not recommended, the Masai Mara is accessible when traveling

by (rental) vehicle. Please keep in mind that careful planning is necessary when driving yourself. A 4×4 vehicle is required to access all roads throughout the year. Kindly note that we do not assist self-driving visitors.

Masai Mara National Reserve gates

Taking the correct gate into the National Reserve is essential to save time getting to your accommodation. Five main gates lead into the Masai Mara National Reserve: Sand River, Talek, Sekenani, Musiara, and Oloololo. These final two gates are a bit further away and will take an additional 30 minutes compared to the other gates. All gates open at 6.00 am and close at 6.00 pm.

Entry fees Masai Mara National Reserve

Visitors are required to pay park fees. 

Updated entry fees for 2024: Beginning 1st January 2024, the Narok County Council has revised the Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees. For visits between 1st January 2024 and 30th June 2024, adults are required to pay US$ 100 per day, while children aged 9 to 17 years pay US$ 50 per day. From 1st July 2024 to 31st December 2024, the adult fee increases to US$ 200 per day, with the child rate remaining at US$ 50 per day. Additionally, under the 12-hour rule, guests departing the Reserve after 10:00 am or partaking in a morning activity on their departure day will incur an extra day’s entry fee.

Entry fees Masai Mara conservancies

Entry and conservation fees for staying at one of the Masai Mara conservancies differ from the above rates. These fees range between US$80 and US$120 per person per day. Olare Motorogi Conservancy, for instance, currently charges US$100 per person per day. We will always include these fees when booking a stay at one of the conservancies.

Kindly note that all the above rates and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Immigration and visa information: Kenya

Most international travelers require a visa when arriving in Kenya. We recommend applying for your visa before coming to limit your time waiting in a queue after arrival. A single-entry e-visa is valid for up to 90 days and costs US$51 per person. For more information regarding visa requirements, we recommend reviewing information from the Kenyan embassy in your country of residence. An e-visa application should be made through The Directorate of Immigration Services website.

Traveling to Serengeti National Park (or vice versa)

Traveling to Serengeti National Park is more complicated than one would hope, as the Bologonya (or Bologonja) border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania linking both reserves is closed indefinitely. As a result, we do not recommend traveling via land (road transfer or self-driving) from the Mara to the Serengeti or vice versa (via Isebania or Namanga border posts).

Although flying between the Mara and Serengeti is not ideal, it is still the most time-efficient and convenient mode of travel. One needs to cross the border between the two countries, but none of the airstrips in the Mara (and Serengeti) offer border facilities. Two flight routes are available when traveling from the Mara to the Serengeti.

Safarilink (Kenya) and Coastal Aviation (Tanzania)offer the first route that allows travelers to fly from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti camps in Tanzania. This route is accessible through the Migori airstrip (on the Kenyan side) and Tarime airstrip (on the Tanzanian side), near the Isabania border post. The connection involves a road transfer between the two airstrips, providing a relatively convenient option for guests wanting to experience the Masai Mara and Serengeti.

Please note that this service may only operate during high season and requires a minimum of two passengers per flight. The schedule starts with Safarilink picking up guests from various airstrips in the Masai Mara and arriving at Migori at 12h00. After a road transfer via the Isabania border post for immigration clearance, passengers connect onto the Coastal Aviation flight to the Serengeti, departing at 14h00 from Tarime.

The second option, which we recommend, involves traveling back to Nairobi Wilson (WIL) and connecting to a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). This option incurs the least hassle, as flight operations are reliable, and no overland transfer is required between airstrips, unlike the Migori / Tarime option. Additionally, this option allows you to stay overnight in Nairobi to catch your breath after your safari experience in the Mara before continuing your safari in Tanzania.

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