Masai Mara National Reserve is the most popular tourist destination in Kenya, and one of Africa’s top 5 National Parks, and it is for a number of reasons. Known for the Great wildebeest Migration, spectacular landscapes, diverse wildlife, a plethora of birds, and unforgettable experiences. One of the best ways to experience the Masai Mara’s natural beauty, wildlife, and avifauna is through a “Masai Mara Reserve safari”. However, many travelers have no idea how to go about planning for an unforgettable trip. If this is you, worry not, as our ultimate guide explores everything you need to know about their incredibly popular safari destination, including the best time to visit, the top things to see and do, and the available accommodation options.

Masai Mara National Reserve’s location, size, and History.

Named in honor of the pastoralist tribe (Masai), who are the ancestral inhabitants of the area after migrating from the Nile Basin, this Reserve is one of the unmissable destinations on African safaris.

Located in Southwestern Kenya, in Narok County, the Masai Mara Reserve is one of Africa’s unmissable safari destinations, especially if you are seeking to embark on Big Five safaris and to watch the Great wildebeest Migration. Currently covering an area of 151000 hectares, is Maasai Mara is nestled in the Great Rift Valley and is part of the Greater Serengeti ecosystem.

Originally starting as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1961, covering only 52000 hectares (this included the Mara Triangle), the Masai Mara area was converted into a Game Reserve with a size of 182100 hectares to include the Eastern section. This was in the same year, and management was still under the Narok County Council.

Thirteen (13) years later (in 1974), the Masai Mara gained a “National Reserve” status with over 15900 hectares of its area being given back to the surrounding local Maasai community. In 1976, an additional 16200 hectares of the Reserve were removed, reducing it to its current area of 151000 hectares in 1984.

Today, the 151000-hectare Masai Mara ecosystem comprises the stunning Mara Triangle and the neighboring Mara Conservancies that include the popular Mara North, Naikara, Oloiren, Siana, Ol Derkesi, Olkinyei, Ol Chorro Oirowua, Lemek, Maji Moto, and Koiyaki.

Drained by 3 rivers- the Mara, Sand, and Talek Rivers- the Masai Mara National Reserve’s landscape is also marked by open savannah grasslands, acacia trees, and swamps.

Top things to see in Masai Mara National Reserve

Wildlife

The Masai Mara National Reserve is a Kenyan wildlife wonder, home to the Big Five Game. Here you will see one of the highest populations of Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, Leopards, Rhinos, and lions. Other special creatures such as Wildebeests, bat-eared fox, bush babies, Common warthogs, Thomson’s gazelles, Oribis, copper-tailed monkey or red-tailed monkeys, African hare, dwarf mongoose, Masai giraffes, klipspringer, cheetahs, Olive baboons, hippos, Topis, serval cats, dik-diks, Defassa waterbucks, zebras, impalas, duikers, jackals, foxes, bushbucks, honey badger, and many others will be encountered in this Protected Area.

Birdlife

The Masai Mara National Reserve is also a haven for birders, with over 470 species of birds recorded in the Protected Area. In the varying natural habitats, you will be introduced to several species that include African pygmy kingfisher, the Eastern grey plantain eaters, African pygmy-falcons, African green pigeon, Ross’s Turacos, blue-napped mousebirds, African live pigeon, blue-spotted wood-dove, black cuckoos, African wood-owl, Eurasian nightjar, Abyssinian scimitar bill, African grey hornbill, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Rufous-napped lark, bearded woodpecker, Pel’s fishing owl, emerald-spotted wood-dove, golden-tailed woodpeckers, Horus swift, green wood hoopoe, grey-headed kingfisher, Klaas’s cuckoos, Grey woodpeckers, giant kingfisher, and many others.

Other unmissable species during the Masai Mara birding expeditions include black & white casqued hornbill, broad-billed rollers, European rollers, European bee-eaters, pennant-winged nightjar, lilac-breasted rollers, Southern ground hornbill, Tambourine dove, spot-flanked barbet, white-throated bee-eaters, Usambiro barbet, banded martin, ostriches, long-crested eagles, marabou storks, Gull-billed tern, white-browed coucal, Verreaux’s eagle owl, barn owl, pearl-spotted owlet, square-tailed nightjar, little swift, pied kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, woodland kingfisher, lilac-breasted rollers, white-fronted bee-eaters, red-fronted tinker bird, Rufous-necked wryneck, , Fischer’s sparrow lark, and grey-rumped swallow, among others.

Safari adventures in the Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara National Reserve provides a wide array of safari adventures for travelers looking to experience its diverse wildlife, birds, and exceptional landscapes. Here are some of the top safari adventures to enjoy here;

Experiencing the Great Wildebeest Migration

Discover the spectacle of the wildebeest migration between Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Each year from January to December, these two safari destinations host one of Mother Nature’s most thrilling events: the Great annual migration. For the Masai Mara plains, this natural wonder occurs between July and October, involving river crossings in the Mara River. This phenomenal natural wonder draws wildlife enthusiasts from all over the World to witness the majestic journey of the plains involving millions of wildebeests alongside hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles as they travel between the two ecosystems.

Game drive safaris

Game drives are also popular safari adventures in the Masai Mara National Reserve, involving visitors discovering the protected Area in open-roof 4X4 Safari vehicles to appreciate the beauty of the Reserve and spot a variety of wildlife species. Done early in the morning or late afternoon when animals are more active, these adventures provide sights and sounds of the Big Five Game, Masai giraffes, common warthogs, impalas, servals, and many others.

Birding safaris

The Masai Mara National Reserve is home to 470 bird species, making it a wonderful destination for birders. There are opportunities of undertaking guided birding safaris or exploring the Protected Area on your own to spot the plethora of bird species, including Ostriches, lesser honey guide, dusky nightjar, montane nightjar, Nubian woodpeckers, speckled mousebirds, secretary birds, swamp nightjar, striped kingfisher, scaly-throated honey guide, spot-flanked barbet, speckled pigeon, red-capped lark, and many others.

Hot air balloon safaris

For a serene aerial bush perspective, you can undertake one of our early morning and afternoon hot air balloon flights over the Masai Mara National Reserve. Herds of big mammals (especially Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, and others), prides of lions, antelopes, and varying landscapes are often enjoyed during these tours.

Guided walking safaris

Guided walking safaris are a wonderful way to get up close and personal with the Masai Mara’s wildlife and experience the spectacular natural environment. These adventures are done with an experienced armed Ranger guide to not only ensure safety (from stray animals) but also help in exploring the stunning vegetation, as well as spot smaller animals such as insects and birds.

Cultural safaris

The Masai Mara National Reserve safaris are just about wildlife, but also an opportunity to enjoy cultural tours through the Masai local communities to learn about their history, culture, and traditions. Also tour their traditional homesteads (known as Manyattas/Bomas), Museums, and be entertained in cultural songs and dances.

Best time to go for a Masai Mara Reserve safari

 There is no bad time to go on a Masai Mara Reserve safari, as each season offers different merits and demerits, as well as unique experiences.

Most of our visitors prefer visiting the Masai Mara National Reserve in the dry season- June to September, December to February. During these months, game viewing is at its peak as wildlife converge around the limited water sources, hence making them easier to spot. Also, this season, especially in July and August, is the best time for watching the great wildebeest migration, especially the river crossings in the Mara.

Much as the rainy/wet/green season (March to May, October to November) offers its natural beauty, animals tend to disperse due to the abundance of water and fresh green pastures, thus making wildlife sightings less frequent. This season, therefore, coincides with the low season, where visitor numbers are reduced, hence less crowding along game tracks. Additionally, some Lodges provide low-season rates, hence allowing visitors to save some extra bucks on Kenya safaris.

All in all, for the most vivid wildlife encounters, aim for the dry season, and for a cheaper Masai Mara safari, aim for the wet season.

Where to stay in/around the Masai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara National Reserve offers a wide range of accommodation options in its different regions of north, east, south, and west.

For Northern Mara, you can stay at Porini Mara Camp, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Kicheche Bush Camp, Mara River Lodge, Ngare Serian, Mara Plains Camp, Ngerende Island Lodge, Ol Seki Mara Camp, Fairmont Mara Safari Lodge/Camp, Loyk Mara Camp, and Naboisho Camp, among others.

For the Eastern Mara region, some of the available options are Entumoto Safari Camp, Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Siana Springs Camp, Mara Bush Top, Mara Leisure Camp, and the Fig Tree Camp, among others.

Mara South accommodation options include Cottars Bush Villa, Enkewa Mara Camp, Sala’s Camp, and the Sand River Masai Mara Camp, among others.

The accommodation options in Mara West are Angama Mara, Engai Wilderness Lodge, Sanctuary Olonana Camp, Mara Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, and many others.

Getting to the Masai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya

Set in the southwestern side of the country, the Masai Mara National Reserve is accessible by both air and road. Here are some of the options for getting to the spectacular safari destination.

By road

The Masai Mara National Reserve is approximately 6 hours from Nairobi City, and is mainly reachable via the Narok route. Depending on the region you are visiting, the Masai Mara access gates are Oloolaimutia Gate, Musiara Gate, Talek Gate, Sekenani Gate, and Oloololo Gate.

• Self-Drive: You can rent a 4X4 Safari vehicle in Nairobi or any other major City in Kenya and drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
• Guided safari: There is also an option of hiring a safari vehicle with a driver for your movements to/from, as well as through the Masai Mara National Reserve.
• Public transportation: There are public buses and minibuses (Matatus) that travel from Nairobi City to nearby Towns of Narok or Sekenani Gates, then you can continue to the Park by private means.

By air

There are several airstrips in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Depending on the area/region you are visiting, you can fly to Ol Kiombo Airstrip, Shikar Airstrip, Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, Mara North Airstrip, Ngerende Airstrip, Keekorok Airstrip, Olare Orok, and the Maasai Mara Cottar’s Private Airstrip (in the Olderkesi private conservancy).