Masai Mara Safaris

Discover the wonders of Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's most celebrated safari destination. Known for the awe-inspiring spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration, the Mara is a cornerstone of the vast Serengeti ecosystem. Its rolling grasslands, meandering rivers, and towering escarpments create one of the most rewarding wildlife arenas on the planet.

Our Masai Mara safaris epitomize Africa's classic safari adventure, featuring prominently in our top recommended Kenya safari tours. Given its global popularity, we advise booking your Masai Mara adventure well in advance, especially if you aim to witness the wildebeest migration.

Game Viewing / Game Drives & Costs

The Mara's diverse population of resident game, including the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – ensures excellent game viewing year-round. The Mara's big cats, stars of a popular wildlife TV series, add to the allure. Our safari packages include multiple daily game drives, providing an immersive experience of the Mara's wildlife.

Best Time To Visit Masai Mara

The dry season from late June to October is the prime time for wildlife viewing. The wildebeest migration, a highlight of the Mara, typically occurs from July to late November. However, the low season from November to March offers its own advantages, such as fewer tourists, lower rates, and a landscape teeming with newborn animals and migratory birds. The period between January and March is particularly appealing, with mild weather and fewer crowds.

Weather & Climate - Masai Mara

Masai Mara, Amboseli, Meru, Samburu and Tsavo are at a lower altitude and, therefore, warmer in comparision to the Aberdares and Laikipia Plateau which are in the highlands, and a bit colder. The highlands receive a great deal of rain and are very cold in the evening and morning. The climate is pleasantly warm, with cool nights, all year round. Temperatures are slightly higher from October to March, while they are slightly cooler from June to August. At night it can be a bit cold, and the temperature can drop below 10 °C (50 °F), especially from June to August.

Masai Mara Safaris - Wildebeest Migration

The annual Great Wildebeest Migration rolls in between July and October unimaginable numbers of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles flood into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti where they gather to graze and relax on the Mara's plains, which - at about one third of the size of the enormous Serengeti National Park - is more manageable from a game-viewing point of view.

And what a view: the Masai Mara's open grasslands teem with wildlife in every direction, leaving even seasoned safari-goers open-mouthed in disbelief. Read our month-by-month guide to the migration for details that will help you get the timing right.

Masai Mara Safari Cost and Package Prices

Several factors influence the cost of your Masai Mara safari, including park fees, transportation, accommodation type, and travel season. We offer a range of Masai Mara safaris and packages, from romantic escapes to family-friendly adventures, ensuring a memorable experience tailored to your needs.

Don't Compromise on Accommodation

Your choice of accommodation is a cornerstone of your Masai Mara safari experience. A day filled with thrilling wildlife encounters deserves an end that is just as memorable, defined by the comfort and amenities of your lodgings. It's crucial to align your accommodation choice with your specific needs and preferences.

As experts in Masai Mara safaris, we have an in-depth understanding of the range of accommodations available and are ideally placed to recommend the best options tailored to your unique circumstances. If you are a newlywed couple looking for a romantic and secluded spot to celebrate your honeymoon, we can suggest intimate boutique lodges or private tented camps that offer the right blend of luxury and privacy.

Families traveling with children might have different requirements such as larger living spaces, extra beds, kid-friendly meals, and engaging activities to keep the young ones entertained. We can guide you towards family-friendly lodges or camps that tick all these boxes and ensure a pleasant stay for every member of your party.

For those seeking an indulgent experience defined by exquisite luxury, we can recommend top-tier lodges that offer unrivaled opulence in the wild. From sumptuous suites with breathtaking views to personal butler services and world-class dining, these establishments take the safari experience to a whole new level.

Vehicle Matters

The type of vehicle you choose for your safari can significantly enhance your overall adventure. More than just a means of transport, a safari vehicle can deeply influence your wildlife viewing experiences and comfort throughout the trip.

Landcruisers, for instance, are generally more comfortable compared to safari vans, offering greater space and better capacity to navigate rough terrains. When planning your safari, it's advisable to ensure that your chosen vehicle is outfitted with necessary amenities, such as charging ports, enabling you to keep your cameras and phones powered up throughout the journey.

While open-top safari vehicles do provide excellent viewing opportunities - especially beneficial for wildlife photography - you may also consider opting for vehicles with open sides. They lend an even more immersive and thrilling experience, bringing you closer to the wild in a way that traditional vehicles can't quite match.

The choice of vehicle can significantly impact your safari experience, from your comfort during the journey to the quality of your wildlife encounters. When you book your safari with us, do let us know your preferences. We will ensure to accommodate your specific needs, so you get the most out of your adventure in the wild. Remember, there's nothing quite like getting up close with nature!

Road or Air? Your Lodge and Camp Choices

The choice between traveling by road or air to the Masai Mara can significantly depend on your accommodation's location in the park. For example, if you have reservations at lodges like Mara Serena Safari Lodge, nestled deep within the park, you may want to consider air travel. While the drive is scenic, the journey can be quite long due to the lodge's remote location. Flying directly to the park can save you precious time and offer an incredible aerial view of the sprawling savannah.

On the other hand, if you're planning to stay at camps or lodges closer to the edge of the park, a road trip could be an enjoyable experience. This route lets you appreciate the landscapes as they gradually unfold, turning the journey itself into an adventure.

For those who fancy an experience of luxury coupled with convenience, you might want to consider accommodations such as Angama Mara or Cottar's 1920s Camp. These luxury lodges and camps are not just known for their top-notch service and luxury, but also for their proximity to airstrips, making air travel a highly convenient option.

Given these variables, the choice of how to get to the Masai Mara should be closely aligned with your accommodation selection. By entrusting us with the planning of your safari, we'll ensure these details align perfectly for a seamless and memorable experience, saving you from potential logistical headaches.

Exploring Beyond the Maasai Mara

While the Maasai Mara National Reserve stands as a beacon of wildlife conservation and a must-visit destination for safari enthusiasts, it's essential to recognize the impacts of its popularity. The reserve's allure, drawing thousands of visitors each year, poses challenges to both the environment and the quality of the safari experience. As we tread lightly on these precious ecosystems, you could consider alternative destinations that offer equally thrilling encounters with nature, while promoting sustainable tourism.

The Environmental Footprint of Popularity

The Maasai Mara's fame is not without consequences. The sheer volume of tourists, especially during the Great Migration, strains the reserve's infrastructure and disrupts wildlife habitats. The constant parade of vehicles can lead to soil erosion, vegetation damage, and increased pollution. This influx also puts pressure on the local Maasai communities, whose traditional way of life is intertwined with the land.

Embracing Alternatives

The beauty of Kenya lies in its diverse landscapes and wildlife-rich areas beyond the Maasai Mara. By exploring other parks and conservancies, visitors can enjoy unique safari experiences while contributing to the conservation of these areas.

Amboseli National Park: Known for its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large elephant herds, Amboseli offers a serene safari experience. The park's swamps attract a variety of wildlife, providing excellent birdwatching opportunities.

Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks: Together, these parks form one of the largest conservation areas in the world. Tsavo is famous for its red elephants, due to the red dust they bathe in, and the dramatic landscapes ranging from savannahs to volcanic hills.

Laikipia Plateau: This region is a conservation success story, with private and community conservancies working together to protect wildlife. Laikipia offers a more exclusive safari experience, with activities like horseback riding, camel treks, and night game drives.

Samburu National Reserve: Located in the arid north, Samburu is home to unique species adapted to the dry climate, such as the reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra. The reserve's rugged landscape adds to its remote, wild charm.

Incorporating Conservancies into Your Safari

Adjacent to the Maasai Mara are several private conservancies, such as the Mara Naboisho Conservancy and the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. These areas offer a more secluded safari experience, with fewer vehicles and strict wildlife viewing guidelines. Staying in a conservancy also directly supports local communities and conservation efforts. Visitors can combine a stay in one of these conservancies with a visit to the Maasai Mara for a well-rounded safari experience.

What's included in a Masai Mara Safari?

A typical safari package in the Masai Mara will include game drives, accommodation, all meals, and often other activities such as bush walks, sundowners, and bush breakfasts. Be sure to check with our travel consultants to see what exactly is included in your safari package.

How Many Days Do You Need In Masai Mara?

The number of days you spend on safari in the Masai Mara will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of safari you want to do and the other activities you will be engaging in at the mara.

Masai Mara Safari + Game Drives - We recommend 3 nights.

Masai Mara Safari + Game drives + Balloon Safari - We recommed 4 nights.

Allow the 3 nights for game drives and an extra night for the balloon safari that is done at dawn with a champagne breakfast.

Masai Mara Safari + Game drives + Sundowner - We recommend 4 nights. A masai mara sundowner is a special treat where you head out into the bush for some evening game viewing followed by drinks and snacks as the sunsets.

Masai Mara Safari + Game drives + Bush Breakfast - We recommend 4 nights. A bush breakfast is a very special experience where you have a sumptuous breakfast in the bush prepared by your guides. It's a great way to start the day!

Masai Mara Safari + Game drives + Sundowner + Maasai Village Visit - We recommend 4 nights. Maasai village visits are a great way to learn about the local culture and way of life.

Masai Mara Photographic Safari - We recommend 6 Nights.

Great photography takes time and patience. You will want to be in the Mara for at least 6 nights to give yourself enough time to get those perfect shots.

Masai Mara Horse Riding Safari - We recommend 6 Nights. A great riding experience would take you to different camps in the Mara at the end of the 6 nights you would have covered a distance of 240km and had close encounters with lions, elephants, giraffe and other wildlife for what can only be described as heart stopping moments.

Consider combining Masai Mara with other safari parks in order to experience different plant and animal species found in different parts of Kenya. By doing this, you'll get to see a greater variety of wildlife and landscapes, making your trip even more memorable.

Some Suggested Combinations For Your Safari

-Masai Mara and Amboseli: This combination gives you the chance to see some of Kenya's most iconic animals, such as elephants and lions, in their natural habitat. You'll also get to experience the contrast between the lush green landscapes of Amboseli and the dry plains of the Masai Mara.

-Masai Mara and Samburu: This combination takes you to two very different ecosystems. The Masai Mara is home to a wide variety of animals, including the Big Five, while Samburu is known for its rarer species such as the Grevy's zebra and the Somali ostrich.

-Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru: This combination gives you the chance to see some of Kenya's most amazing birdlife. Lake Nakuru is home to millions of flamingos, as well as other waterbirds such as pelicans and storks. The Masai Mara is an excellent place to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

-Masai Mara and Mombasa beach holiday: This combination is perfect for those who want to experience the best of both worlds. After a few days spent on safari in the Masai Mara, you can relax on the beaches of Mombasa. This is a great way to end your Kenyan safari adventure.

-Masai Mara and Laikipia: This combination takes you to some of Kenya's most remote and unspoiled areas. Laikipia is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered black rhino.

-Masai Mara and Mount Kenya: This combination gives you the chance to experience both the wilderness of the Masai Mara and the beauty of Mount Kenya, one of the highest mountains in Africa. Mount Kenya is also situated in Mount Kenya National Park, which is home to a variety of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards and the mountain bongo only found in the mount Kenya area.

-Masai Mara and Tsavo East: This combination gives you the opportunity to see some of Kenya's most iconic animals, such as elephants and lions, in their natural habitat. Tsavo East is also home to a variety of birds, including the sacred ibis, as well as reptiles such as crocodiles.

-Masai Mara and Serengeti: This two parks are extensions of one another just in two different countries. Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. Serengeti's eco-system is unique as its name suggests its an endless plain with a rich concentration of wildlife. The two parks offer an unforgettable safari experience. You can see the big five animals in both parks.

These are just some of the possibilities for combining different safari destinations in Kenya. There are many other combinations that can be done.

Whichever combination you choose, you're sure to have an unforgettable safari experience.

Packing for a Masai Mara Safari

When packing for your safari, consider functionality and comfort. Pack light clothing for hot days and a warm jacket for the chilly mornings and evenings. Don't forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, insect repellent, and personal medication. A pair of binoculars and a good camera will enhance your wildlife-viewing experience. For a full list check out our what to pack for a Masai Mara Safari article.

Dressing for a Masai Mara Safari

It's advisable to dress in layers as temperatures can vary throughout the day. Opt for neutral or earth-toned clothing to blend into the surroundings and avoid attracting insects. A light rain jacket might come in handy during the rainy season.

Shoe Recommendations for Your Masai Mara Safari

Footwear is essential for your comfort. Sturdy, waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots are recommended for game walks. For the lodge or camp, bring a pair of comfortable sandals or flip-flops.

Talk to Us to book your Kenya Masai Mara Safari today. Our travel experts will be happy to help you plan the perfect trip.

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