African safari tours and adventures range from affordable to luxurious, to bucket-list vacations and once-in-a-lifetime holidays..
Flight Bookings
Volunteer Programs
Create an account to add things to your wishlist and access your bookings from any device..
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of Africa’s most famous parks and it’s undoubtedly one of the continent’s best places to see animals. The wildlife viewing is superb throughout the year. The grassy plains and regular rainfall support a huge population of herbivores, in turn attracting many predators. All three big cats are relatively easy to see. The yearly wildebeest migration coming through the park is one of the world’s most amazing wildlife spectacles.
The Wildebeest Migration
The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is where 2.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles follow the rains in search of new grass every year. They make their way from Serengeti National Park (in northern Tanzania) to the Masai Mara, and they usually cross into Kenya in July or August. Although the timing is never guaranteed, August and September are when you’re most likely to see the herds undertaking the famous crossing of the Mara River in Kenya. They slowly head back into the Serengeti around October.
Scenery
Grassland savannah dominates the landscape in the Masai Mara, but pockets of acacia woodland, riparian forest around the Mara River, and rocky hills intersperse the plains. The Maasai word ‘Mara’, meaning spotted, refers to these dots in the landscape. In the north, the Oloololo Escarpment (also called the Siria Escarpment) marks the northern boundary of the Mara. The stunning views from the top take in the whole ecosystem.
Best Time to Visit
The Dry season (June to October) is the best time to visit the Masai Mara. The roads haven’t yet deteriorated because of rain, and thirsty animals crowd around the local waterways. The second half of the Dry season is often when the incredible annual wildebeest migration passes through. January and February, the interlude between the short and long rains of the Wet season, is also a good time to visit.
From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day
From: June to October (For general wildlife viewing) and August to October (For wildebeest migration)
From: June to October and December to March
From: 1,510km² / 583mi²
Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s flagship park. Three of the Big Five are commonly seen, but leopard sightings are more occasional, and black rhinos are difficult to find (they can sometimes be spotted in the northern section of the Mara Triangle). The reserve is one of the best in East Africa for big cats, and smaller predators such as bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals, and spotted hyenas are also present. Antelope include impala, reedbuck, Thomson's gazelle, eland, and topi, while buffalo, elephant, and giraffe are relaxed and easily spotted.
Wildlife Highlights
The legendary wildebeest migration is one of the world’s most amazing wildlife encounters. Every year is different, but sometime in July and August (and even as late as September), millions of animals leave northern Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and head into the Masai Mara. The crossing of the Mara River along the way is one of the most spectacular moments of the migration. Around October, the migration slowly heads back into Tanzania again.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara is good throughout the year, but the months from June to October are relatively dry and offer the best general wildlife watching. The best months for the wildebeest migration are August to October. It should be noted that, although the pattern is well known, the exact timing of the migration varies from year to year as the animals move with the rain looking for greener pastures.
Due to the altitude, the climate in Masai Mara National Reserve is slightly colder and wetter than might be expected this close to the equator. Daytime is pleasant with temperatures in the mid to high twenties Celsius (mid-seventies to low eighties Fahrenheit), while it cools off significantly at night.
Dry Season –June to October
This is an enjoyable time to be in the park with lovely weather. Typically there are sunny days and it’s rarely very hot. Don’t forget to pack warm clothing for early morning game drives.
Wet Season –November to May
There are many overcast, cloudy days. Afternoon showers are the norm. Daytime temperatures don’t vary much. Early mornings have temperatures around 14°C/57°F. Bring warm clothing.
Your entry point to Kenya will most likely be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9 mi southeast of the capital city Nairobi.
Most people fly to the Masai Mara.
If you’re driving, Masai Mara National Reserve is 270km/168 mi west of Nairobi. The road to the reserve is paved all the way from Nairobi to Sekenani Gate, and the driving time is about 4 to 5 hours*. If you’re driving to the northern end of the Mara (including to the Mara North and Mara Triangle conservancies), there’s an unpaved stretch of 70km/43 mi soon after leaving Narok, although there are plans to seal the road.
It’s also possible to drive from Lake Nakuru National Park. The distance is about 235km/150 mi and the driving time is roughly 6 hours*.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Flights
If you’re on a package tour, you will probably find that charter flights between parks are booked by your tour operator.
There are at least nine airstrips in the reserve and in the surrounding conservancies, all catering to different lodges. Most domestic flights, including flights to the Masai Mara, leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4 mi south of Nairobi. Scheduled flights can be booked via several domestic carriers:
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
This website uses cookies. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies Privacy Policy
Arusha
Tanzania - Arusha