Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara safari from Nairobi

There are two ways in. By road it is roughly 270 to 290 km, and the drive takes five hours or a little more, depending on where your camp is. By air, scheduled light aircraft from Nairobi's Wilson Airport reach the Mara airstrips in about 40 to 50 minutes. Flying gives you most of a day back; driving costs less and shows you the country on the way.

Masai Mara at a glance

• Where: Narok County in south-west Kenya, running straight into Tanzania's Serengeti
• Size: about 1,510 km2
• From Nairobi: about five hours by road, or 40 to 50 minutes by air
• Our Masai Mara safari tours: 27 itineraries of 3 to 14 days. The lowest published price is US$4,490 per person for the 9 Days Kenya Cultural Tour (checked 6 November 2026); the others are quoted for your dates and group size.

Masai Mara safari packages by length

Short Mara safaris: 3 to 5 days

If Kenya is a short trip or an add-on, these spend most of their time in the Mara: the 3 Days Kenya Luxury Safari, the 4 Days Maasai Mara Lodge Safari, the 5 Days Masai Mara Migration Safari for the river crossing months, and the 5 Days Kenya Express Safari.

A week in Kenya: 6 to 8 days

A week lets you pair the Mara with other parks. The 7 Days Magical Kenya Safari adds the Aberdares, Samburu and Lake Nakuru; the 7 Days Kenya Classic Air Safari flies between parks instead of driving. Couples look at the 6 Days Masai Mara Honeymoon Package, and photographers at the 8 Days Kenya Photographic Safari.

Longer Kenya journeys: 9 days and more

For more time on foot or across the country, see the 9 Days Rift Valley Walking Masai Mara Safari, the 11 Days Explore Kenya Safari and the 14 Days Kenya Adventure Safari. To finish on a beach, the Kenya safari and Zanzibar beach holiday runs 10 days.

Every one of these is private, so the days, camps and pace can change. Tell us your dates and we will adjust the trip that comes closest.

Where is the Masai Mara and what is it like?

The Masai Mara National Reserve lies in south-western Kenya and borders Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. It covers about 1,510 square kilometres and sits between roughly 1,500 and 2,170 metres above sea level.

Landscape

The ground is mostly gently rolling grassland and acacia woodland. "Mara" means spotted in the Maasai language, a reference to the shrubs and trees dotted across the plains. Rocky outcrops stand against the horizon, often ringed by dense bush. The two main rivers, the Mara and the Talek, are lined with riparian forest. There are a few permanent rivers, many seasonal streams and the occasional lush swamp, and the nearby escarpments make a classic African backdrop.

Conservation history

The reserve was declared in 1961 and takes its name from the Maasai people who live here and the Mara River. It forms the northern part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and shares the largest mammal migration on earth with Tanzania. The Mara Triangle is managed by the Mara Conservancy, and the rest by Narok County Government. The recovery of black rhino here after near-extinction counts among the notable conservation successes.

Places worth visiting in the Masai Mara

Inside the reserve

• The Mara, Talek and Sand rivers. During the Great Migration they are the stage for high drama as huge herds run the gauntlet of strong currents and hungry predators. See our Great Migration safaris.
• The Mara Triangle. Privately managed, with a more exclusive feel. All of the Big Five are often seen in this scenic area.
• Musiara Swamp. Lush vegetation and year-round water make it a magnet for birds and animals.
• The Oloololo and Siria escarpment. It forms the western edge of the reserve and gives the most dramatic views over the plains.

Near the reserve

• A Maasai village visit. The Maasai are key partners in managing the reserve, so a visit helps you understand both their culture and their part in conservation.
• Loita Hills. Just east of the reserve, popular for hiking and cultural experiences.
• Nguruman Escarpment. Forests, waterfalls and hot springs, with abundant birdlife.
• The conservancies. Private areas such as Olare Motorogi and Ol Kinyei sit alongside the reserve.

Masai Mara park rules and visitor numbers

The Mara is Kenya's most visited wildlife area. Accommodation is plentiful in and around the reserve, for different budgets. Most visitors join guided game drives and nature walks. It is busiest from June to October, although it is open all year.

All visitors must follow the instructions of the rangers and respect the rules, including:

• Do not harm, harass or feed wildlife.
• Do not litter or make excessive noise.
• Stay on the tracks and follow your guide's instructions. Leave the vehicle only at designated points.
• Keep to the speed limit of 50 km/h.
• Night game drives are not permitted inside the reserve. They are offered in some private conservancies and camps around it.

Most trips begin in Nairobi, and your guide will brief you on the current rules for each area.

Best time to visit the Masai Mara

July to October is the classic time to go. It lines up with the usual migration period, so expect more visitors and higher prices. The reserve is good in any month, with all of the Big Five present.

At altitude, the Mara can feel cooler than you expect so close to the equator. Days are generally pleasant, in the mid to high twenties Celsius, and nights are cool.

For a month-by-month view, see our travel by month guide, or look at Kenya for places to pair with the Mara.