Masai Mara National Reserve

Wildlife

The Mara is above all big-cat country. Lion prides are large and easy to watch on the open grass, cheetah hunt in full view across the plains, and leopard are regularly seen in the riverine forest and along the Talek. The reserve is home to some of the best-studied predators in Africa, with long-running research projects monitoring its lions and cheetahs.

All of the Big Five are present. Elephant and buffalo are common, and the Mara is one of the few places in Kenya with an indigenous population of black rhino; the Mara Conservancy reported a stable population of around 25 to 30 in 2023. Hippo and Nile crocodile crowd the Mara River, and the plains support resident herds of topi, eland, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle, giraffe and zebra, as well as spotted hyena, jackal and bat-eared fox.

Then there is the migration. Each year, more than a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, cross from the Serengeti into the Mara in search of fresh grazing. The Mara River crossings, with herds plunging down steep banks past waiting crocodiles, are some of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet. They are also unpredictable: herds can gather for days before crossing, so patience and an experienced guide make all the difference.

Key wildlife

• Lion
• Cheetah
• Leopard
• Elephant
• Buffalo
• Black rhino
• Wildebeest
• Zebra
• Topi
• Eland
• Giraffe
• Spotted hyena
• Hippo
• Nile crocodile
• Bat-eared fox

Best Time to Visit

Short answer: Jul–Oct. Also good: Dec–Mar, Jun.

Peak Good Quieter

The migration usually reaches the Mara in July and stays until around October, making these the peak months for river crossings and predator action. It is also the busiest time, when park fees are higher and popular crossing points can draw many vehicles. Staying in a conservancy, or visiting early or late in the season, helps keep the experience special.

The Mara is excellent all year, however. Its resident wildlife stays put when the herds leave, and the dry months from December to March bring superb game viewing, fewer visitors and lower park fees from January. June can be lovely too, with the grass still green and the first herds arriving towards the end of the month.

The long rains usually fall in April and May, when some camps close and tracks can become muddy. Short rains arrive in November, typically as afternoon showers that freshen the plains without disrupting much game viewing. Evenings and early mornings are cool throughout the year, as the Mara lies at around 1,500 to 2,100 m above sea level, so pack a warm layer for morning drives.

Getting There

International flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. From Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (WIL), scheduled light-aircraft flights reach the Mara in under an hour, landing at airstrips across the reserve and conservancies, including Keekorok Airstrip (KEU), Mara Serena (MRE), Ol Kiombo and Musiara. Your camp will meet you at the strip, and the drive to camp is often your first game drive.

By road, the drive from Nairobi takes most of a day via Narok, with the last stretch on rougher roads to the gates, the most commonly used being Sekenani and Talek. The Mara also combines easily with other Kenyan parks by air, such as Amboseli for elephants beneath Kilimanjaro or the Laikipia Plateau for rhino and wild dog.

Light-aircraft luggage limits are strict, usually around 15 kg per person in soft-sided bags, and road departures from the reserve should be timed carefully, as leaving after 10:00 can mean paying for an extra day’s entry.

Fees & Access

Entrance fees

Entry fees are set by Narok County and charged per person for a 12-hour ticket (06:00 to 18:00). Non-resident adults pay US$200 from 1 July to 31 December and US$100 from 1 January to 30 June. Children aged 9–17 pay US$50, and children aged 8 and under enter free. Vehicle entry is charged separately.

Guests leaving by road should exit the reserve by 10:00, and those flying out should be at the airstrip by 10:00, or an extra day’s fee applies. The Mara Triangle accepts card or M-Pesa only, with no cash. Conservancy fees are separate and usually included in your camp rate.

Gate hours

Tickets are valid 06:00–18:00 (12 hours).

Health

Malaria risk: Moderate. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarials before you go.

Fees and gate times change. Check the latest rates with the park authority before you travel.

Things to Do

Game drives in open or pop-top vehicles are the heart of a Mara safari. Full-day drives with a picnic lunch let you follow the herds to the river and wait for a crossing without rushing back to camp.

Hot-air balloon flights take off at dawn over the plains, ending with a champagne breakfast in the bush. It is the classic Mara splurge and best booked in advance for the migration months.

Walking safaris and night drives are offered in the private conservancies, where Maasai guides share their knowledge of tracks, plants and the smaller creatures you miss from a vehicle. After dark, a spotlight may reveal aardvark, serval, genet or a hunting lion.

Maasai cultural visits give a respectful introduction to the community that has shared this land with wildlife for centuries, and many conservancy camps support local schools, clinics and conservation projects you can visit.

We do not yet list a Masai Mara itinerary, but it is one of the easiest places to build a safari around. Combine it with the Serengeti for the full migration story, browse our safaris for inspiration, or plan your safari with us.