Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve stands as one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries, where the endless golden savannahs stretch to meet dramatic skies in a landscape that has captivated explorers, naturalists, and travelers for generations. Located in southwestern Kenya along the Tanzanian border, the Mara forms the northern extension of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, creating one of the planet’s most significant wildlife corridors.
Renowned worldwide as the stage for nature’s greatest spectacle,the Great Migration,the Maasai Mara witnesses over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, thunder across the plains in their eternal search for fresh grazing. The dramatic Mara River crossings, where desperate herds plunge into crocodile-infested waters, represent some of the most powerful wildlife moments on Earth. Yet the Mara’s magic extends far beyond this annual event, offering extraordinary year-round game viewing that consistently ranks among the finest in Africa.
The reserve’s 1,510 square kilometers encompass diverse habitats, from the iconic open grasslands dotted with distinctive umbrella acacias to the riverine forests along the Mara and Talek rivers, from the dramatic escarpments of the Oloololo (Siria) ridge to the seasonal wetlands that attract countless bird species. This ecological diversity supports an astonishing concentration of wildlife, including Africa’s celebrated Big Five and healthy populations of cheetah, making it one of the best places on the continent to witness the full spectrum of predator-prey interactions.
The Maasai Mara is equally distinguished by its rich cultural heritage. The reserve takes its name from the Maasai people, whose distinctive red shukas and traditional pastoral lifestyle remain integral to the landscape. Many conservancies surrounding the main reserve are Maasai-owned, offering visitors authentic cultural encounters alongside world-class wildlife experiences. This harmonious blend of natural wonder and living culture creates a safari experience that engages not just the eye, but the heart and mind.
From luxury tented camps positioned for front-row migration viewing to intimate lodges offering personalized game drives with expert Maasai guides, the Maasai Mara delivers safari experiences that consistently exceed expectations. Whether witnessing a pride of lions on the hunt, a cheetah teaching her cubs to stalk, or a leopard draped majestically in an acacia tree, the Mara offers moments that transform casual observers into lifelong devotees of Africa’s wild places.
Quick Info
Size:
1,510 km² (583 sq miles)
Established:
1961
Location:
270 km from Nairobi (5-6 hours by road, 45 minutes by flight)
Best Time:
July - October (Great Migration)
Wildlife:
95 mammal species, 570 bird species
Park Fees:
International Visitors:
- Adults:1st January-30th June $100 per person per day
1st July-31st December $200 per person per day
- Children : January- Dec $50 per person per day
East African Residents:
- Adults: KES 1,200 per person per day
- Children: KES 500 per person per day
Note: Fees are only for the national reserve. Private conservancies have separate fees.
