Game viewing is excellent all year round with elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe grazing wearily while big cats lurk hungrily in the grass.
A Masai Mara safari is famous for excellent sightings of lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The highlight of any Masai Mara safari in Kenya is however the arrival of the massive herds of wildebeest and zebra between August and November. These mega herds arrive as part of the wildebeest Great Migration between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. Lucky safari adventurers will get to witness the adrenaline-fuelled crossing of the Mara River, a life-and-death drama that plays out between the wildebeest and hungry crocodiles that lie in waiting.
- Great Migration Mara River Crossing: Wildebeest and zebra crossing the crocodile-infested Mara River in the Great Migration spectacle.
- Hot-air balloon safari: For something extra special, experience the splendor of the Masai Mara plains and the huge herds from a bird’s eye perspective.
- Big Cats: Renowned for its big cat action, cheetah, leopards, and lions can all be seen in the Masai Mara.
- Culture and History: Get to know the Maasai People. Visit local villages to experience the traditional Maasai culture.
- Bird watching: With over 500 recorded species in and around the Masai Mara National Reserve, this is a birders' paradise.
Potato/patato, tomato/tamato: The spelling of Masai can be hotly debated with many believing that it is 'Masai' when referring to the national park or reserve and 'Maasai' - which translates as one who speaks Maa when talking about the people.
The Great Migration, also known as the Wildebeest Migration, is on many a bucket list, and deservedly so. It is the top attraction in Masai Mara National Reserve.
The spectacle of hundreds of thousands of animals kicking up dust as they move across the endless plains and cross crocodile-infested rivers is breathtaking.
The Great Migration actually occurs all year as the animals follow the rains in a circular pattern. The most dramatic part of it - between July and September - is when the animals cross the rivers heading from Tanzania into Kenya's Masai Mara.
The herbivores of the Serengeti migrate across the southern plains, closely followed by the predators including large prides of lions.
The wildebeest follow a set circular route each year, which they have been doing for over a million years, followed by many of the other species and, of course, the predators. It is impossible to give exact dates and times as, each year, these differ according to rainfall that year.
In general, the animals spend from December to May on the lush plains of the southeast Serengeti, grazing, fattening up, and having their babies in February. In late May/early June, the rains on the plains stop, and the animals head northwest to the area around the Grumeti River and from there (July/August) to the Masai Mara. It is this migration route that provides much drama, as the animals have to cross both the Grumeti and Mara Rivers, where crocodiles lie in wait. The animals then remain in Kenya until the short rains start in November when they make their way back down south.
For a detailed explanation of timing see When is the Best Time to Visit Masai Mara?
Find out more about the migration in The Great Migration in Africa: Need to Know
Witnessing the Masai Mara savannah and wildlife from a hot-air balloon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not ideal for game-viewing or photography, a balloon safari will give you a sense of scale not afforded by regular terrestrial excursions.
Beginning in the cool hours of dawn, hot-air balloons are launched to float effortlessly across the vast plains. While inflating the balloons is a noisy affair the experience of gliding above hordes of wildebeest and troops of elephants can be serene.
Flights last around an hour and usually come with a pre-flight coffee and a post-flight bush breakfast. A balloon safari will cost around $500 USD p/p.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the southwest of Kenya, along the northern border of Tanzania.
The Masai Mara is part of the larger Serengeti-Mara ecosystem spanning Kenya and Tanzania. Host to the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem runs from the Mau Escarpment above Kenya's Rift Valley all the way to Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater. Kenya's Masai Mara is divided into three broad areas by the Talek and Mara Rivers: The Mara Triangle, the Musiara sector, and the Sekenani sector.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is the jewel in Kenya's safari crown. Immortalized by wildlife documentaries the world over, Kenya's Masai Mara is sought after by thousands of people every year. The Masai Mara National Reserve is located in Narok County in the southwest of Kenya. The game reserve covers an area of 1510 km² or 583 mi² and lies within the Great Rift Valley.
Sharing a border with Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara National Reserve is government owned and run. This means that the reserve is subject to a number of rules and regulations that affect both tourist numbers and behavior. For a start, anyone can pay fees and have access to the Masai Mara National Reserve. However once in the reserve, safari vehicles are restricted to the roads, night drives are prohibited and there are no game walks offered. No cultural experiences are offered within the reserve and cattle grazing by local communities is forbidden. During the high-season migration months from July to October, the Masai Mara National Park gets very busy and there is no restriction on the number of vehicles at wildlife sightings.
However, being in the Masai Mara National Reserve puts you closer to the Great Migration river crossing points on the Mara and Talek Rivers. You will also be closer to the very popular hot-air balloon launching sights and there are plenty of safari bush camps within the reserve to accommodate the vast numbers of East African safari tourists.
The Mara Triangle is the unfenced westerly wedge of the national reserve. Its borders are formed by the Mara River to the east and the Oloololo Escarpment to the northwest and Tanzania's Serengeti to the southwest.
The Mara Triangle is also the hotspot of the Great Migration action as this is where the migratory herds of ungulates enter the Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania. The ultimate highlight of any Kenyan safari is seeing the Mara River crossing.
Though owned by the Masai Mara National Reserve, since 2001, the Mara Triangle has been run and managed by the non-profit Mara Conservancy. One of the benefits of this arrangement is that within the Mara Triangle, it is possible to escape the congestion that accompanies the high season east of the river.
Made up of 1450 km² or 560 mi² of land that is owned by over 14500 Masai landowners, the expansion of the Masai Mara National Reserve to surrounding conservancies has been a conservation game changer.
These concession areas are leased by local Maasai communities to private safari companies and are serviced by tented camps which share traversing rights. The big drawcard of these conservancies is the sense of exclusivity.
Tourist numbers are tightly controlled and vehicle numbers at wildlife sightings are restricted to 5. Because of the low-impact tourism model, wildlife is often more abundant in these areas. Fences within these conservancies are usually to keep wildlife out rather than the traditional model of fencing the wild.
While you must enter the Masai Mara National Reserve to see the full-scale of the Great Migration and river crossings, within the conservancies guided walks are offered, and night drives are allowed. Another bonus is that visitors to the national park are not permitted in the Masai Mara Conservancies, conservancy visitors are however able to cross into the national park.
Within the conservancies, staff and rangers are often recruited from within the local communities. The positive spinoff is that you are likely to have better cultural interactions with local Maasai. Being with the people on their land adds an element of authenticity that can be further enhanced by taking advantage of organized cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages (these are always purely optional).
The partnerships formed with local communities were first explored in 2005 and have positively grown and developed since then. Today there are 15 wildlife conservancies engaged with 39 tourism partners. Income generated through safari tourism benefits the local communities directly which in turn benefits conservation efforts.
A Masai Mara safari delivers open plains punctuated by large herds and excellent predator action. Though many visitors travel to Kenya's Masai Mara for the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Mara is a fantastic all-year-round safari destination.
On safari in the Masai Mara, you can expect to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), and more. The sweet short-grass savannahs of the Mara River basin are jam-packed with wildlife. Thousands of antelope from tiny dik-diks to gazelles and eland intermingle with zebra, wildebeest, and other large herbivores like giraffes, buffalo, and elephants. Home of Disney's Big Cat Diaries, the Masai Mara is renowned for its large prides of lions, cheetahs, and leopards as well as spotted hyenas and jackals. In recent years with the success of conservation efforts, African wild dogs - the rarest and most elusive of them all - have returned to the area, albeit seen infrequently.
For avid birders, the Masai Mara is home to around 450 resident species including large terrestrial species like ostriches and kori bustards, almost 60 species of raptors including the impressive bateleur, long-crested eagle and vultures as well as a plethora of smaller colorful and diverse species like lilac-breasted rollers and violet-backed starlings. The best time for birding coincides with the wet season from November to April when European and North African species descend on Masai Mara to breed.
Though millions of migratory wildebeest and Burchell's zebra move through Masai Mara from the Serengeti between July and October, the Masai Mara is a fantastic all-year-round safari destination. There is plenty of resident wildlife within the park and the classic safari scenery puts on a show that is worth experiencing in its own right.
Undoubtedly the best time to visit the Masai Mara is during the dry season of June to November. This is when game viewing is at its best. The famous Great Wildebeest Migration begins around July and is in full swing by August. The wildebeest mill about the Mara until October when they begin to leave with some stragglers departing as late as November. Much of the movements of the Great Migration are dependent on Kenya's seasonal rainfall patterns. With all things 'wild' timing comes with a bit of luck and it's best to carefully consult and plan with one of our safari experts.
For the Masai Mara birding bonanza, look to travel between November and April. This is the 'wet' season where afternoon showers are common. It is also a low safari season meaning better rates and lower volumes of traffic. It is the best time for birding because in addition to the regular savannah species, the European and north African seasonal visitors have arrived too. This is a birder's paradise with over 500 documented species.
That said, the Masai Mara is home to an abundance of resident (not migratory) wildlife all year round. Add to this the temperate climate and other nearby safari gems and the Masai Mara is considered an incredible year-round safari destination.
No matter when you visit, you are guaranteed an unbelievable African safari vacation.
Kenya’s summer temperatures range between 20°C / 68°F and 34°C / 93°F. Winter safari temperatures range from 18°C / 64°F to 29°C / 84°F.
Kenya has two rainy seasons: mid-March to June affectionately called the “long rains” and then the “short rains” from October to December.
The cost of a Masai Mara safari can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the season, level of comfort and style of accommodation, duration, and exclusivity. For a bargain, budget, no-frills safari you can expect to pay around US$299 per person per night at a quiet off-peak time of year. To do a Masai Mara safari in style with peak season attractions and exceptional guides you can expect anything in the range between US$ 600 and US$2000 per person per night. It is best to do some research and find the best option for your budget and desired experience.
Most international flights will arrive at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO). This is the busiest transport hub in East Africa. Located 11 miles/18 km from Nairobi’s central business district, Jomo Kenyatta is serviced by airlines from around the world. Most Kenyan safaris start here.
15 km/9 miles from Jomo Kenyatta, is Wilson Airport (WIL). Kenya Fly-in Safaris to the Masai Mara all depart from Wilson. It is a good idea to leave enough time between your international arrival and domestic departure as it can take up to 90 minutes to travel between the two airports.
Nairobi to the Masai Mara is about 255km / 158 mi. There are a few different options for getting to Masai Mara National Reserve from Nairobi but by far the most convenient is to fly direct. Flying is the quickest and will allow you to maximize the time you spend on safari in the actual Masai Mara. With over 60 flights a week with several different domestic carriers, flying makes a lot of sense.
Be aware that these are small propeller-powered light aircraft that carry between 15 and 40 passengers. Baggage allowance is limited to around 15kg (including carry-on luggage). Make sure that you know what to expect when booking with one of our safari travel experts and check these details before you depart.
The road to the Masai Mara is mostly tarred and in good condition bar the last hour or so. A popular option is to drive the 225km / 158 mi to the eastern entrances; Sekenani, Talek, or Ololaimutia. This drive takes roughly 6 hours. Add an extra 30 to 45 minutes to get to the Musiara or Oloololo gates on the western side of the reserve. Though a slightly longer journey, the Oloololo gate is closer to the Mara Triangle.
The cheapest route is to take the almost 14-hour train, bus, and taxi option.
Safari vehicles in Kenya generally fall into two categories; Safari Tour Minibuses or 4X4 Safari Jeeps. The Masai Mara safari experience is no different.
The Safari Tour Vans are more budget-friendly and seat around 7 people. They come standard with a pop-up roof and sliding windows, a UHF radio for relaying and receiving game-spotting info, and a cooler box. The Safari Vans lack the clearance of a 4X4 and there are luggage restrictions.
The Safari Jeeps are usually Toyota Landcruisers or less commonly Landrovers. These vehicles also seat around 7 people and have luggage restrictions but they do have 4X4 capabilities. If you are going to one of the privately run conservancies you are likely to be in a Safari Jeep. Safari Jeeps can be either closed or open-sided but will also have pop-up roofs, UHF radios, and cooler boxes.
When planning your Masai Mara safari it pays to think about what you want from your safari. If proximity to the Great Migration is your primary focus then you will want to stay in the Masai Mara National Reserve. However, if you are happy to soak in the ambiance of an African safari without the crowds then it might be worth staying in the conservancies. The upside of the conservancies is that you can still do day trips into the Mara Triangle to catch a wildebeest river crossing without having to prolong the melee.
Remember that both options have fantastic game viewing. When deciding on where to stay within the Masai Mara ecosystem stay open to the possibilities and pros and cons of both the conservancy and Mara-proper camps and lodges. Talk to a safari consultant about tailor-making your Masai Mara safari to suit you.
When packing for your Masai Mara safari in Kenya, remember that your luggage will be restricted to 15kg for a fly-in safari. Paying careful attention to your packing list of lightweight but sensible items is key. The way to think about your Masai Mara safari packing list is in layers.
Early morning game drives in open vehicles can be chilly. You will need a warm hat and perhaps even gloves and a scarf if you are prone to cold. A lightweight puffer jacket or fleece with a hard or soft shell should do the trick. Things do warm up pretty quickly so it's important to be able to shed your jacket and have something lightweight and cool underneath. A cool shirt that is breathable is essential. Zip-off trousers can easily convert from trousers to shorts leaving you cool and comfortable. When evening falls and you head out on a game drive, think of this process in reverse.
Colourwise you keep your palette to natural hues–beige, greens, browns, and khakis are best. You want to avoid both black and white, as well as loud colors. White gets grubby very quickly, black gets very hot and attracts mosquitoes at night, and loud colors like bright yellow or red frighten or agitate animals and attract bees.
Closed comfortable shoes are best for your days on safari and a good pair of sneakers or trainers are perfect. Unless you plan on doing any actual hiking, hiking boots are unnecessary. For time spent in camps and lodges, a pair of flip-flops can be a comfortable addition.
Is Masai Mara safe? Yes. Visited by thousands of safari enthusiasts every year, the Masai Mara is a safe safari destination.
Before you travel, visit your local travel clinic and find out well in advance what vaccinations are required. This is a changing landscape and does require forward planning.
Kenya is a malaria region but prophylactics are both effective and accessible in your home country. To remove any anxiety in this regard it is advisable to take your medication with you.
The African sun can be severe. A hat and sunscreen are highly recommended and it's always a good idea to stay well-hydrated.
Don't forget to pack your preferred insect repellent to keep the bugs at bay.
Your safari guides are trained, and extremely knowledgeable, and their top priority is to keep you safe in the wild. Always listen to their advice about how to behave and what to do while on safari.
Even in fenced camps, it is a good idea not to walk around alone at night. If at all possible always have a guide escort you to your tent.
Food always attracts animals so it's a good idea not to keep it in your room or tent.
Find out more about traveling to Kenya in our Kenya Travel Guide
Our month-by-month is a rough guide and while we try to be as accurate as possible, shifting weather patterns do make the weather difficult to predict. Ditto the movements of wild animals that follow their own rhythms.
One of the warmest months in the Masai Mara, January is the best time for birding enthusiasts. Late afternoon showers cool the savannah in short bursts and migratory birds from Europe and North Africa flock to the plains. January in the Masai Mara is also the start of the calving season.
The explosion of life that started in January continues through February until March. February is comparatively quiet and a great time to witness prides of lions hunting on the open plains. Expect wide open spaces and an 'exclusive' feel particularly in the private conservancies that are part of the Masai Mara.
March is a muddy month. Many lodges begin to close for the low season while heavy afternoon thundershowers keep things dramatic with occasional flooding.
April is a "long rain" month. Typically cool (but still warm by European standards), April is a wet, low-season month. Mara lodge and camp options are limited as many close for the low season.
May is still wet and cool and by this stage, many roads are more like muddy rivers. Rivers on the other hand flood their banks and getting around is slow and sticky. May is definitely the month for a fly-in safari.
The long rains come to an end in June. A much drier month, June in the Masai Mara is the start of the high season. Cooler weather and lush green landscapes make this one of the best times for a Masai Mara safari. Neither the hordes of wildebeest nor the entourage of tourists has arrived though the buzz of expectation is palpable.
The early-bird migrating wildebeest begin to arrive in the Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania. July is pleasant, warm, and dry. Wildlife in general stays close to their watering holes making July an excellent Masai Mara Big 5 safari month. Be prepared for crowds as this is the Kenyan safari high season.
Cool and dry, August is the month for the great migration. Massive herds as far as the eye can see and incredible game viewing. Lucky safari goers may get to witness the notoriously unpredictable herds attempting the famous Mara River crossing in a life-or-death cameo that plays out every year.
Still dry, September in the Masai Mara is all about exceptional safari game viewing. The Great Migration is still in full swing and the big cats are in action.
Hot and dry, October is often the hottest month. Wildebeest herds mill around the open plains grazing the last of the dry grass, waiting for the next leg of the Great Migration to begin.
The short summer rains begin in November, triggering the final leg of the Great Wildebeest migration cycle. The massive herds move south again, heading for the calving grounds of the Serengeti. Though wet, the afternoon showers are short and followed by clear skies making for an otherworldly drama. This is also the start of the birding season.
December is quieter than the peak-season months but the national reserve can get busy with festive season tourists.
The Masai Mara is situated in the Great Rift Valley in southwestern Kenya. It covers over 1 500 km2. The southern part of the park forms part of the border with Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. This border is unfenced, allowing the animals to roam freely and ensuring that the Great Migration is not hindered.
Besides its iconic never-ending plains dotted with Acacia trees, the park also has areas of riverine forest along its rivers - the main ones being the Sand, Mara, and Talek Rivers.
Amongst the plains are small, rocky hills (koppies/kopjes) and, in the west, the Esoit Oloololo escarpment, Itong Hills in the north, and Loita Hills in the east.
The Mara basin has been inhabited by nomadic hunter-gatherers for millennia. Cushtic-speaking people arrived about 2000 years ago and the Masai themselves in the late 17th century. While evidence of the stone-age tools and structures can be seen in the conservancy districts in the north, the Maasai arrived from the region of South Sudan with iron-age technology and superior military nous. They quickly established themselves as the dominant tribe.
The civil war in the mid-nineteenth century and the rinderpest outbreak of 1891 decimated both the Maasai's herds and populations of buffalo, wildebeest, and other grazing herds. The first European hunting safaris that passed through the Mara before World War I, found the area uninhabited. Filled with thick bushes that encouraged tsetse fly (and discouraged cattle because of sleeping sickness), the Mara became a hunting zone for the next 50 years.
In 1948, today's Mara Triangle was designated as a game reserve which was then extended east of the Mara River in 1961. At this point, the population of lions was counted at 9 and the need to protect the wildlife from hunting was growing. The shape of the park today was fixed in 1984.
The story of the Mara ecosystem can be traced through wildebeest numbers which post World War II numbered perhaps 250 000 rose to around 1.3 million in the late 70s and has perhaps halved today. Scientists and conservationists are unsure of the causes of recent declines or whether they are natural dips in a much greater cycle.
Since 2005 the Masai Mara has been expanding gradually through the addition of conservancies, forging better relationships and lasting partnerships with conservation and sustainability at their core. The park is run to ensure co-existence between the game park and the local inhabitants. Don't be surprised to see cattle grazing along the periphery of the park, unfenced from the wild animals in the park!
This land was populated by the Maasai from about the 17th or 18th century. The Maasai people are pastoralists, who traditionally measured their wealth in cattle and children.
Known as fierce warriors, the Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal, with decisions being made by the elders (men). One of the most well-known tribes of Africa due to their involvement in tourism in Kenya, they are also highly recognizable with their statuesque figures and bright robes.
An experience well worth seeking out is a performance of the traditional warrior dance, the ipid.
Several places offer visits to traditional Maasai villages and most of these will include a demonstration of this incredible dance performed by the warriors, which involves them leaping impossibly high into the air!
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a must-see for every traveler to Kenya and the sheer abundance of wildlife in this top national park will not disappoint.
We feature affordable Masai Mara safari packages that range from 3-day Fly-in Safaris (visiting Masai Mara only) to epic Africa Overland Tours that include Masai Mara on longer journeys (of one to almost two months) via many countries. There are a variety of budget Masai Mara Safaris to choose from, including camping and lodge safaris, small group tours, family safaris, overland tours, safaris for seniors, luxury camping safaris, and more.
For an affordable Private Safari in Masai Mara contact African Budget Safaris. Our experienced travel consultants are experts at designing custom safaris tailored to your unique needs and budget.
Our friendly travel experts are here to help you plan and choose the best Masai Mara safari for you (at no extra charge) so get in touch with us today.
Use the Google map to explore Masai Mara.
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