Masai Mara

The Masai Mara is Kenya’s best-known game reserve and one of the most rewarding places in Africa to watch wildlife. Open grassland, riverine woodland and the Mara River create ideal conditions for lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and hippo, and the reserve is a stronghold for black rhino.

Why go on a Masai Mara safari

• Big cats: lions and cheetahs are regularly seen on open plains, so game drives often end with close, unhurried sightings.
• The Great Migration: from roughly July to October, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti, facing crocodiles at the Mara River.
• Maasai culture: the reserve borders community conservancies where you can arrange a respectful visit to a Maasai village.
• Extras: sunrise hot-air balloon flights (optional) and bush breakfasts add to a classic Kenya safari.

Best time to visit the Masai Mara

The Mara is a year-round destination. July to October is peak season for the migration and needs early booking. From January to March the plains are green and calmer, and wildlife viewing remains strong. Heavy rains usually fall in April and May, when some camps close or offer lower rates.

How to get to the Masai Mara

Most travellers drive from Nairobi in 5 to 6 hours, with the final stretch on rough tracks, or fly from Wilson Airport to an airstrip inside the reserve in under an hour. Many guests combine the Mara with Amboseli, Lake Naivasha or a beach stay at Diani.

Safaris that include the Masai Mara

• 6-Day Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safari 2027
• 4-Day Masai Mara Migration Safari 2027
• 6-Day Amboseli, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara Safari
• 12-Day Kenya Safari & Diani Beach Holiday

Want a different length or lodge style? Tell us what you have in mind and we will design a Masai Mara safari around your dates and budget.