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Masai Mara Game Reserve

Southwestern Kenya

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara lies in Kenya's Great Rift Valley and consists mainly of open grassland. It borders Serengeti National Park, and together the two areas are part of the annual great migration. The reserve's name honors the Maasai people.

Wildlife in the Masai Mara
Scenery in Serengeti National Park
Wildebeest during the East African migration

Meet the Maasai tribe in the Masai Mara

The Maasai have longstanding ties to this region. In Maa, “Mara” means “spotted,” a name that reflects the scattered trees and shrubs across the grassland. Visitors can learn about Maasai culture by arranging a village visit with local hosts.

Great migration

Wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and other grazing animals move through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of fresh grass. Migration herds are often in the Mara from August to mid-October, and some may cross the Mara River in large groups. Herd timing and river crossings vary from year to year and are not guaranteed.

Masai Mara – Mara Triangle region

The Mara River runs through the Mara Triangle, a well-known area for wildlife viewing. The Masai Mara has more than 95 mammal species and over 400 recorded bird species. Its Big Five are elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo.

Activities in the Masai Mara

  • Game drives
  • Night game drives where permitted
  • Maasai village visits
  • Hot-air balloon safaris
  • Bush dinner, lunch or breakfast

How to get there

A flight from Nairobi to an airstrip serving the Masai Mara takes about 45 minutes. Multiple airstrips serve different areas, so confirm which one is closest to your camp.

There is no customs office at the Tanzania-Kenya reserve boundary. Travel from Tanzania requires an official border crossing and a separate onward transfer.

Climate

Daytime temperatures can be warm during drier periods and cooler when rain falls. Rain is possible from November through May, with heavier periods often around December to January and April to May. Showers may come and go rather than lasting all day; conditions vary each year.

Best time to visit Masai Mara

August to mid-October is a popular time to visit for a chance of seeing migration herds in the Mara. If migration is your main reason for travelling, compare the Mara with the Serengeti for your dates and route. Herd movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.