Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The Maasai Mara is one of Kenya’s best-known safari destinations, celebrated for its wide-open savannah, abundant wildlife and the seasonal movement of wildebeest and zebras across the wider Mara–Serengeti ecosystem. Located in Narok County in southwestern Kenya, it offers the kind of classic safari many travellers picture: game drives across grassy plains, big cats resting in the shade and wildlife gathering around rivers.

The Mara is worth visiting beyond migration season, too. Resident wildlife—including lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes and other plains animals—makes it a rewarding destination throughout the year, although sightings and animal movements can never be guaranteed.

Things to do in the Maasai Mara

What makes the Maasai Mara special?

The Mara is part of a much larger ecosystem that continues across the border into Tanzania’s Serengeti. Wildlife moves in response to rain, water and fresh grazing—not according to a visitor’s itinerary. The Great Migration is one remarkable part of this living system, but the Mara’s resident wildlife, landscapes and Maasai cultural context make it meaningful beyond a particular season.

A useful distinction when planning your stay

The Maasai Mara National Reserve and the surrounding private conservancies are not the same thing. They have different access arrangements and rules. Some conservancies may offer activities such as guided walks or night drives that are not permitted in the National Reserve. Your accommodation location can therefore affect the experiences included in your safari. Check the specific camp, conservancy and itinerary before booking.

When is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara?

The Mara can be visited year-round.

• Migration season: Many travellers plan for roughly July to October, when migrating herds may be in the Mara. Exact timing and locations change each year.

• Other months: Resident wildlife and birdlife still make for rewarding game drives. The scenery and viewing conditions change with the rains and grass growth.

• For photography: Consider the light, your preferred wildlife subjects and how much time you can spend on game drives—not only the migration calendar.

If the Great Migration is your main reason for travelling, build flexibility into the itinerary and remember that a river crossing is never guaranteed.

How to get to the Maasai Mara

The Maasai Mara is in southwestern Kenya, in Narok County.

• By road: Travel from Nairobi towards Narok and onward to your chosen reserve gate or accommodation. The journey time varies with the route, road conditions and where you are staying.

• By air: Scheduled or chartered light-aircraft flights may serve airstrips in the Mara area. The appropriate airstrip depends on your camp or lodge.

• Plan around your accommodation: The Mara is a large landscape. Choosing where to stay helps determine the best route, gate or airstrip and the time available for game drives.

Combine the Maasai Mara with other Kenya destinations

Plan your Maasai Mara safari with Unlimited Safaris Collections

Whether you are visiting Kenya for the first time, hoping to see the Great Migration or looking for a longer wildlife-and-culture journey, we can help you choose a route and stay that suit your interests, travel dates and budget.

Ready to explore the Maasai Mara? Contact Unlimited Safaris Collections to start planning your Kenya safari.