Masai Mara Overview

The Masai Mara Game Reserve is Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destination, famed globally for its abundant wildlife, vast golden plains, and the spectacular Great Migration. Located in the southwestern part of the country, bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the Mara offers unforgettable safari experiences year-round, including sightings of the “Big Five” and authentic encounters with Maasai culture.

This reserve is a must-visit for anyone seeking the quintessential African safari.

Park History

Established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary and later designated as a game reserve, the Masai Mara covers over 1,500 square kilometers of open grassland and riverine forest. Its name honors the Maasai people—the region’s ancestral inhabitants—and “Mara,” meaning “spotted” in Maa, referencing the scattered acacia trees and bush across the plains.

The Mara ecosystem plays a vital role in sustaining the Great Migration and is home to one of the highest densities of predators in Africa.

How to Get There

  • By Road: Masai Mara is approximately 270 km from Nairobi. The drive takes around 5–6 hours depending on the entry gate (Sekenani, Talek, or Oloololo). Roads can be rough, especially during the rainy season.

  • By Air: Daily scheduled flights operate from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to several airstrips inside or near the Mara (e.g., Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, Musiara). Flight time is about 45 minutes.

  • From Tanzania: Travelers can enter via the Isebania border crossing and proceed to the Mara with proper arrangements.

Where to Stay

Masai Mara caters to all types of travelers with a wide range of accommodations:

  • Luxury Camps & Lodges: Mara Bushtops, Angama Mara, Mara Explorer, and &Beyond Kichwa Tembo.

  • Mid-Range Lodges: Ashnil Mara, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

  • Budget Camps: Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Rhino Tourist Camp, Manyatta Camp.

Some lodges are within conservancies, offering exclusive access and low-tourism density, while others are inside the main reserve near key wildlife areas.

Activities & Park Highlights

Wildlife Viewing

The Masai Mara is one of the best places in Africa for big cat sightings—lions, cheetahs, and leopards abound. Visitors can also spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and more than 90 species of mammals.

The Great Migration

From July to October, witness over 1.5 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles cross the Mara River from the Serengeti—a thrilling spectacle of life and death as predators lurk in wait.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris

Soar above the plains at sunrise in a hot air balloon for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the landscape and wildlife, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush.

Cultural Experiences

Visit Maasai villages to experience traditional lifestyles, dances, beadwork, and storytelling. Learn about their symbiotic relationship with wildlife and their role in conservation.

Bird Watching

With over 470 recorded bird species, including lilac-breasted rollers, secretary birds, eagles, and ostriches, the Mara is a paradise for bird lovers.

Nature Walks & Conservancy Activities

Stay in private conservancies (like Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, or Mara North) for walking safaris, night game drives, and off-road adventures that are not permitted in the main reserve.

Best Time to Visit

  • Dry Season (July to October): Ideal for wildlife viewing and the Great Migration. The game is concentrated, and the weather is pleasant.

  • Green Season (November to June): Lush landscapes, newly born animals, and fewer tourists. The migration returns to the Serengeti during this time, but resident wildlife remains excellent.

Tip: Book early for the migration season. Morning and evening game drives provide the best light for photography and optimal animal activity.