A Masai Mara safari in Kenya is one of the most popular wildlife adventures in the world… and for good reason! It’s world-renowned as a top location for spotting the Big 5 animals and it is simply teeming with lions, leopards, cheetahs, and elephants, along with a rich array of Africa’s other iconic wild animals. Add the showstopper - The Great Migration of Africa, dubbed the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth - and you understand why it is a must-visit.
For nature enthusiasts and African safari lovers, a Masai Mara safari is a true bucket-list adventure, so here’s how to enjoy it for less…
African safari adventures are never cheap, but Kenya, traditionally, has been one of the more affordable countries in Africa to spot wildlife in. However, at the time I’m writing this article, entrance fees across Kenya’s national parks have just been increased significantly. As a result, Kenya is now a more costly destination to safari in. With these Kenyan price hikes in place, it’s even more important for us budget-conscious travellers to do everything we can to bring down our safari costs where we can.
Luckily for you, this blog is jam-packed with expert money-saving tips on how to do just that; so, from one budget-savvy adventurer to another, I’ve got you covered.
Read on and discover how to plan a life-changing Masai Mara safari to this famous Kenyan national park that won't break the bank…
The incredible Masai Mara National Reserve (often fondly referred to simply as the Mara) is famous across the globe for its Great Migration.
Between July and October, people flock here to see huge herds of animals make the epic journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, across the perilous Nile crocodile-infested Mara River, on their way to the greener plains of Kenya.
The Great Migration is an unbelievable spectacle, but you’ll pay a premium to visit at this time!
In the Peak Season (from July to December) the Masai Mara entry fee is US$ 200 per person per day (and US$50 for children aged 3-16 years). But, during the Green Season (from January to June) park entry fees will only set you back $100 per person per day (and half that for children aged 3-16 years).
However, steer clear of migration season, along with school holidays, and you’ll easily avoid the biggest crowds and the peak prices.
As such, choosing another time to visit the Masai Mara is definitely the best option for your budget and luckily, this national park offers year-round world-class wildlife spotting, so there’s lots of choice!
The months of January through March are known as ‘Lion season’. This is when the Mara’s plains are brimming with new lion cub life following the mating season. Young wildebeest, zebra and other herbivore calves can also be spotted dashing through the landscape at this time and are often closely followed by big cats, searching for some easy prey! This makes January, February and March the perfect time to see a huge range of young animals and hunting action in the Masai Mara.
After this period follows the cheapest months to visit the Masai Mara - namely April through mid-June (excluding the Easter period) - which is known as the ‘Green season’. This is when the rains come to this part of Kenya and transform the parched savannah into lush and vibrant green plains. Despite the wet climate at this time of year, there are still great safari opportunities and, since most travellers choose to visit the Masai Mara during the Great Migration, lodges and camps lower their prices significantly.
The months from November to February are also considered low season but are less rainy than the “long rains” season of March, April and May, so can provide better safari conditions - a good middle-ground option in my opinion!
It might seem surprising, but the most budget-friendly way to visit Masai Mara National Reserve is actually as part of a group safari tour. That’s because tour companies can access group discounts on accommodation and game drives, which individuals simply can’t.
This means you can rarely get the same level of discounts if you try to do a Masai Mara safari independently!
Yes, unlike most destinations in the world, the Masai Mara is a travel spot where taking a tour is actually one of the cheapest ways to visit! This makes guided Masai Mara safari tours the best option for budget-conscious travellers like you and me. Plus it guarantees you some friends to share the amazing Masai Mara safari experience with too!
Some tour companies will include international flights into Nairobi as part of their Masai Mara itinerary, to save travelers the hassle of organizing this component of their trip.
But arranging your flights yourself and then choosing a tour that starts in Nairobi (Kenya’s capital) instead, will save you a lot of money. Sorting out your own flights to Kenya, and your own base in Nairobi, will allow you to find both the cheapest flights and accommodation before joining your Masai Mara safari tour.
You’ll also be granted a day or two to explore Nairobi - visit the Langata Giraffe Center or Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, and embark on some of its amazing day trip options, such as a cycling safari in Hell’s Gate National Park!
Some travellers choose to avoid the rough roads that go between Nairobi and the Masai Mara, by flying directly to the Masai Mara, which has a tiny landing strip. But you’ll of course pay more for this, so to do a Masai Mara safari for less, choose a tour that departs from Nairobi and travels to Mara by road.
This is a pro tip I’ve picked up along the way! Yes, taking a safari tour with an African-based tour company really can help you do a Masai Mara safari on a budget. And that’s because these local companies often have useful connections and on-the-ground knowledge that external organizations don’t.
In general, African operators know about (and have access to) a far wider selection of lodges and camps, offering a range of accommodation options that suit all budgets. They can also often access better deals and discounts using their connections too!
So if you’re looking for an African-based tour company that knows how to get the best deals, has lots of options to suit all budgets and has links with local, on-the-ground guides, then I highly recommend African Budget Safaris, who I’ve travelled with across several African countries, including Kenya.
I loved my trips with them, which were brilliantly organized, amazing value and so much fun!
I know they have a big range of tour options that include Masai Mara safaris, starting from and ending in various East Africa locations, and cater to the most frugal travellers.
Tented camps are by far the best accommodation option when it comes to balancing the best prices in the Masai Mara with a good level of comfort!
Tented camping safaris generally involve you staying at semi-permanent camps, with feature walk-in safari tents that have proper beds and other basic furniture in them.
The camps usually also have tented or thatched communal lounges and dining areas set up for you to relax in too, along with campfire and bathroom facilities. These tented safari camps can range from quite basic setups to fancy tented suites with en-suite bathrooms and more luxury facilities, so there are usually plenty of options to suit all budgets.
Lots of safari tours include this kind of accommodation option, which is friendly on the budget and offers a sense of an amazing African adventure too, but has much better levels of comfort compared to basic camping - just what you want!
The cost of your safari will, of course, be influenced by the number of days you are planning to stay in the Masai Mara National Reserve and the number of game drives you’ll take there.
Park entrance fees were charged by the day, until recently. Now they are charged by 12 hours, so the more time you spend in the reserve, the more you pay.
It’s also important to note that you pay for your Masai Mara game drives on top of the park entrance fee, so be aware of this! Two game drives - one at dawn and one at dusk - are generally recommended to give you the best chance of seeing a variety of wildlife without breaking the bank.
Until now, the best value way to safari in the Masai Mara was to stay in accommodation just outside the park’s entrance (rather than inside it, where some camps are located) and to take one game drive at dusk and then one the next morning at dawn. That’s because the park’s entrance fees included access across 24 hours, meaning you could enter the park twice for 2 game drives (one at dusk and one at dawn) within the same 24-hour ticket.
However, Kenya Parks, who manage the Masai Mara and Kenya’s other national parks, have just changed the entrance fees to include access for only 12 hours (rather than 24). This change makes it substantially more expensive to take game drives on different days here. So, if you're planning on visiting the Mara independently, ensure you’re not paying double what you anticipated when you’re booking! A full day in the park is your best option in terms of getting in a morning and afternoon game drive within 12 hours.
If you’re travelling as part of a guided tour, then the good news is you’ll be informed about the park entrance fees upfront. And with many budget safaris your itinerary will be planned to keep costs down - another great reason to grab a tour! After all, a good tour company will know how to get the best deals for you and, as I mentioned above, this is usually going to be the best way to experience the Masai Mara on a budget!
One of the popular things to do at the Masai Mara is a dawn hot air balloon safari, which delivers breathtaking views over the iconic plains below.
However, these views do come with a big ticket price! Not to mention an early rise!
To get similarly magnificent views, for a much lower price, opt instead for sundowner drinks at the beautiful Oloololo Escarpment of the Masai Mara instead.
A stunning viewpoint that towers over the plains below, heading here for golden hour, when the light is incredible, is the ideal way to soak up the epic views and memories of your time in the Mara with an ice-cold gin and tonic!
With views like this as the sun sets, you’ll have no regrets about plumping for this over a balloon ride, and will be pleased with yourself that you’ve found another way to see the Masai Mara for less!
My top tip for saving money on your Masai Mara Safari is to visit the private conservancy areas bordering Masai Mara National Reserve.
The national park entry fee increases have not affected prices in the Masai Mara Conservancy Areas in Kenya which makes them even more appealing than they already were. These private wildlife areas include Naboisho, Olare Motorogi & Ol Kinyei Conservancies. The conservancies share unfenced borders with the Masai Mara proper, enabling wildlife to roam freely across the boundaries.
On Masai Mara Conservancy Safaris, you’ll still be able to take a day safari in Masai Mara National Reserve if you have your heart set on entering the official national park. But, with all these private conservancies have to offer, you can happily pass on the extra expenses without losing out.
The allure of the conservancy areas is a more exclusive safari experience where visitor numbers are limited to guests at the handful of intimate camps. Plus you can embark on guided walking safaris and even night game drives - both of which are not allowed in the national park itself. Now, add to this the lower entry costs and choosing a private conservancy becomes a win-win scenario.
Now that you know our 8 Top Money-Saving Tips for doing a Masai Mara safari on a budget, let's get planning! Contact African Budget Safaris to start planning your ultimate African safari on a budget.
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