Masai Mara National Park is one of the largest park in Kenya, located in Narok Town. Masai Mara is famous for the Wildebeest Migration, an historic event whereby millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the infamous Mara river once every year from Tanzania Serengeti National Park.
This always happens once every year between July and October. During the crossing, hundreds of wildebeests are trapped in the river making it delicacy for the tens of crocodiles along the Mara river.
Masai Mara National Park also boasts of its rich cat encounter rates, and has been earmarked as the best park to have sightings of animals such as cheetahs and leopards, which are rare to spot in other parks in Kenya and Tanzania.You can experience the great migrations as well as other sightings with an ideal number of stay in the park being between 5 and 8 days safari.
This makes photography effortless especially if you would wish to capture those wildebeest migration moments.
If you would wish to have game viewing throughout the year, then Masai Mara National park is the best option.
The Masai Mara eco-system is an ideal choice since it supports herds of herds that is all year round even if its outside the Migration period. If in case you enjoy birding experience, the Masai Mara is the best place for you to visit. Masai Mara National Park has recorded over 470 species of birds among them being giant raptors, vultures, busters among others. For the best birdwatching experience in Masai Mara National Park, the most ideal months to visit are during short rains (November to April) and from July- Oct when there are plenty of scavengers within vicinity.
For a signature birding safari experience in Masai Mara, you may opt to visit key bird habitats such as the open plains of savanna on the Mara Triangle, Naibosho and Olare conservancies.
Whether you are planning to visit Masai Mara for the first time or you have done it several times, there is always something that will definitely blow your mind. Each day in the park is a unique experience of lifetime to witness unique events within the eco system.
Masai Mara is located in South- Western Kenya within Rift valley in Narok county. The park ideally boarders Tanzania’s Serengeti to the South, which makes it famous shared ecosystem.
There are various option that one can choose to reach Masai Mara, mainly by road or air. For convenience, you can take a direct flight to Masai Mara from Wilson Airport. Light craft normally lands at airstips that are near the lodges with common ones being Kichwa Tembo,Serena Mara South, Keekorok and Ol Kiombo.
There are various airstrips at the park for transfers depending on the accommodation option that one is choosing.
If you opt to travel by road, it takes approximately 6-7 hours drive from Nairobi and is approximately 6 hours drive. The last stretch of the road is not paved and basically made of gravel and can slow down the arrival time especially during rainy season.
Yes, you can have your stay within the conservancies or at private conservancies that boarders the park. When you choose for a stay at the conservancies, you may have options of conservancies such as Naibosho conservancy, Mara North, Ol Kinyei and Mara Triangle conservancy areas.
It is important to also note that the Masai Mara Park fees are paid separate from the Conservancy fees.
For a classic Masai Mara Migration Safari in 2026, the prime months to visit are July to October. During these months, savanna land becomes dry and short grassed. The predators are also very active any Mara crossings happens at any time during these months.
The second best time to visit Masai Mara National Park is between January and February which is ideal for great predator viewing. Besides, it is a great time for predator viewing and the park at this time becomes less crowded.
Normally, the long rains happens between March and May and during these time, it is less favorable to visit Masai Mara National Reserve. During this time, the roads in park becomes muddy and impassable.
In addition, it becomes harder to reach Masai mara using flight because of weather.
In November, Masai Mara experience short rains. This time is best to visit since the accommodation rates are cheaper and you would most likely save some coins during your safari.
Stay in Masai Mara for 2 Night is basically a thrilling teaser but a 7 Days in Masai Mara is where the real deal is. When you choose a full week stay for a safari, you will automatically be logged into between 12-13 unhurried game drives, prime sunrise hot air balloon experience without altering game viewing time.
Splitting your stay in Masai Mara between private conservancy and the main reserve allows for distinct habitats coverage. It is quite ideal for photograph.
The Masai Mara Park entry rule stipulates that entry tickets are valid from 6.00 am to 6.00pm.If you leave the park after the day cut off time, that is 11.00 am, you will be charged an extra full day park fees.
Another applicable guidelines at the Mara concerns the use of private vehicle in the park. As of mid 2024, the Narok county government enforced a crack on private vehicles inside the park and banned all vehicles without license to enter the park.
When it comes to off-roads, speed limits and drones, there are various stipulations in regards to it. In accordance to the zone rules, off-road driving is strictly prohibited in the park. Night driving is also not allowed and the speed limit is 50km/h.
Many people ask whether the use of drone is allowed inside the park. Well, the simple answer is yes but you would require the approval of Civil authority of Kenya in order to use drones inside Masai Mara.
For 2025 and 2026, the Park Fees for Masai Mara has been categorized into two, January to June and July to December.
January- June costs $100 per person
July-December Costs $200 Per Person
For children between 9-17yrs, the park fees costs $50 per child and under 8 years kids entry is free.
If you are planning to spend 2025 or 2026 on safari to Masai Mara, expect to spend between $150 and $400 per person per day.
For Mid Range safari option, the approximate amount to spend ranges between $300 and $600 per day depending on season and also the type of accommodation.
Luxury and Ultra-luxury safari normally attract rates ranging between $600 and $1500+. In those rates, you are most likely to get to
