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Maasai Mara National Park

  • Masai Mara National Park, Kenya

game vehicle driving along a path through savannah
Last updated: 22 September, 2024

Alongside the neighbouring Serengeti just south in Tanzania, the Maasai Mara is Kenya’s finest game reserve and the best place in East Africa for a Big Five safari.

The scenery is spectacular, fringed by an escarpment, dotted with hills, and split by the Mara River, inhabited by those famously enormous crocodiles. Big skies, grasslands stretching to the horizon, acacias silhouetted in the sunset – it’s the stereotypical African scenery most safari-goers dream of.

When the remarkable wildebeest migration passes through its 1,800 square kilometres (from August to October), grasslands heave with millions of wildebeest and zebra – and big prides of lion, as well as hyena, leopard and cheetah, enjoying the moving feast. It’s a great spectacle, but being among the creatures is like being in a big herd of cows – only millions of them. If they’re not there, it’s still brilliant.

There is no better way to see the vast expanse of wilderness than from the air – particularly in a floating balloon, at dawn. Expensive, yes, but worth the splurge.

The best way to feel the wild is to be on foot – not permitted in the main reserve. For bushwalking, stay in a neighbouring conservancy and walk with a Maasai. You’ll also be able to visit a village to learn about how man, cattle and wildlife have adapted to live alongside one another – and see the ‘adumu’, the famous traditional jumping dance.

The main drawback – it’s uncomfortably touristy. Everyone wants to come here – in high season there will be as many vehicles as animals.

Orientation

Bordered by the rain-catching (and animal-attracting) Rift Valley escarpment to the west, this vast reserve was called Mara (or ‘spotted’) by the Masai because of the look of its grasslands: dotted with trees, bushes and scrub.

The east, with its Ngama Hills, is the most densely touristed due to its proximity to Nairobi and good roads.

The most popular areas for wildlife-watching are the grassed Mara Triangle, bordering the rivers, and the Central Plains.

Tours, tickets & transfers

17

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

3 Days Maasai Mara Guided Safari from Nairobi

  • Nairobi

3 Days Maasai Mara Guided Safari from Nairobi

Viator

3 Days Maasai Mara Guided Safari from Nairobi
This forms one of the unmissable safaris in Kenya and lends you the chance to visit central wildlife and safari destination at an affordable price. The phenomenal wildbeeste migration which is a spectacular event only seen in Maasai mara is the 8th wonder of the world. This is a budget safari whereby you will join other people in a customized safari vehicle for easier game viewing and Photography. Its a small group so the maximum number of people is 7. We dont use big track but smaller customised cars for easy access and offroad driving The tents are all ensuite with a toilet, bathroom, bed, linen and mosquito nets. They also have Hot water and electricity to charge your Phones and Camera. We are the only Company in Nairobi with a GUARANTEED daily departure since we own the cars and the camps. Even if its 1 person the tour will depart. No last minute cancellation because of lack of quorum as is the case with Most companies.

Price $195

Min age 0

Rating 4.46 / 5 [174 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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3 days group joining safari to Maasai Mara with a Land Cruiser Jeep

  • Nairobi

3 days group joining safari to Maasai Mara with a Land Cruiser Jeep

Viator

3 days group joining safari to Maasai Mara with a Land Cruiser Jeep
Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people. This is the ONLY tour available in the market that is still a group safari but with Landcruiser 4WD JEEP

Price $222

Min age 3

Rating 4.76 / 5 [113 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Maasai Village Experience Day Tour

  • Nairobi

Maasai Village Experience Day Tour

Viator

Maasai Village Experience Day Tour
You might have had numerous encounters with the Maasai people while on safaris but most of the time, that is staged authenticity where they put up a show for you but after you leave, they transform more than expected. An authentic experience of any tribe in Kenya cannot be found close to tourist routes. In this tour, you get to interact with the authentic Maasai's day-to-day life far away from the safaris and the National parks. This becomes more of an experience than a tour as you participate maasais do daily. You get to appreciate your conventional comfortable life more. From cooking ugali in a manyatta, beadwork, lighting a fire traditionally, milking a goat, dancing, singing and jumping with the Maasai people, you get to do them all.

Price $100

Min age 1

Rating 4.92 / 5 [63 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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6-Day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli Safari

  • Nairobi

6-Day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli Safari

Viator

6-Day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli Safari
A value for money safari that combines top 3 safaris. Maasai Mara, known for almost guaranteed sightings of the Big 5: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino. Maasai Mara is especially popular for the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest which occurs from July to October. Lake Nakuru is a national park with an elevation of 1754 meters above sea level. It is home to a huge population of pink flamingos and 400 species of birds; while Amboseli is known for the large herds of elephants and most especially with its stunning view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Price $2,460

Min age 18

Rating 4.89 / 5 [46 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

The time that everyone wants to go is during the Great Migration, between August and November – it is then that millions of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle migrate north from the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing. It rains in April and May, and sometimes in November – best avoided, as it can rain for days. June is a great time to visit, as it’s not too hot or crowded and prices are lower. You won’t get the migration, but will still see good game, and considerably fewer tourists.

Getting there and away

Driving from Nairobi will take five to six hours, and then another few to get to the more peaceful north west; four-wheeled-drive cars are essential. There are several small airstrips in the reserve, and regular charter planes from other parts of the country. It is not possible to fly directly over the border from the neighbouring Serengeti; you have to go through international border controls at Nairobi airport.

Getting around

The park has an extensive network of dirt roads, and can you self-drive in your own vehicle, but why would you? Experienced safari guides working from the many camps offer the best chance of seeing the game, plus they offer fascinating insights into the wildlife and local people. Most camps provides guided game drives and bush walks in the package.

Where to stay

The most crowded spots are in the east and game-rich central grasslands, which is why the conservancies to the northwest are increasingly popular for those wanting a wilder experience. These private conservancies, bordering the main park, have lower visitor numbers, but the game viewing is still just as good. You can also do activities like bush walking, night game drives and off-road viewing not allowed in the main park.

Small, intimate camps, with good guides who do walks, are the best to feel, smell and get the sense of the wild wilderness. That’s what makes a safari magical. Private concessions, such as Grumeti Private Reserves, are expensive because they restrict visitor numbers, so yours may be the only vehicle around a kill or a lion pride.

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