Maasai Mara National Reserve

Home of the Masaai and their wild neighbors.

Explore the Maasai Mara, a Kenyan wildlife reserve known for the Great Migration and diverse ecosystems, rich in culture and natural beauty.

4.8

out of 5

Map page

Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, renowned for the annual Great Migration of wildebeest, is a wildlife haven where visitors can encounter the Big Five in their natural habitat. The vast savanna landscape is dotted with acacia trees and crossed by the Mara River, home to crocodiles and hippos. This reserve is not only significant for its biodiversity but also as a conservation area for the Maasai people who have lived in harmony with the land for centuries.

Wildlife Safaris and the Great Migration

Maasai Mara is most famous for the Great Migration, a remarkable natural spectacle where millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle traverse the plains in search of fresh pasture, usually around July to October. During this period, visitors can witness dramatic river crossings and predator-prey interactions. However, the reserve offers spectacular wildlife viewing year-round, with early morning and late afternoon game drives being peak times for animal activity. Encounters with the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – are a highlight.

Maasai Culture

Visitors can learn about traditional Maasai customs, dances, and crafts. Many safari camps and lodges facilitate visits to nearby Maasai villages, known as 'manyattas,' where guests can interact with the Maasai people and gain insight into their way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Hot Air Balloon Rides

For a unique perspective of the Maasai Mara, hot air balloon rides are available at dawn. This is an extraordinary way to appreciate the expansiveness of the reserve and witness wildlife from above. Flights typically end with a champagne breakfast served in the middle of the bush, adding to the memorable experience.

Guided Nature Walks

Guided nature walks are another way to experience the Maasai Mara. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into the smaller flora and fauna, as well as animal tracking techniques. Walking safaris offer a more intimate connection with nature, and details about the ecosystem that might be missed on vehicle-based tours.

Seasonal Weather Patterns and Best Times to Visit

The best time to visit Maasai Mara depends on what you wish to experience. The dry season from June to October is ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water sources. The wetter months from November to May bring lush scenery and newborn animals but may include sporadic showers and challenging road conditions.

Average temperatures during the day in Maasai Mara National Reserve.

January

28°

Feb

29°

Mar

29°

Apr

27°

May

26°

Jun

25°

Jul

24°

Aug

25°

Sep

27°

Oct

27°

Nov

26°

Dec

27°

What people say about Maasai Mara National Reserve

4.8

People

Food

Spaces

Value

Safety

Soumitra Inamdar

Masai mara is a magical place, where nature has extended its beauty beyond our imagination. If you are an animal enthusiast, this place is for you. We went here in early December where the rains start. Rains make this place a beautiful heaven. You get less dust around and the sky is always beautiful and not harsh. Also the grassland becomes greener and that adds to the beauty. If you are a photographer and a bird enthusiast, Nov-Dec is a great time to visit masai mara.
We loved the stay here, accommodation, people and food was very very good. People here are friendly and will help you a lot. We had great experience interacting with locals and they all were friendly. Avoid the souvenir shops here because they charge out of the world prices for small items.
I would definitely love to visit again !!
If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Masai Mara.

Marcus Ståhl

Maasai Mara was an extraordinary safari experience, we traveled there from Nairobi and we stayed in the park for two nights. We were traveling two families with children between 2-5 years old. We booked a package with a local guide called Simon, who has his own safari company (see www.swbtravel.com for more info). Simon helped us to make all reservations for our stay and payment for entrance to the national park etc. That made the trip so much easier.

When traveling with kids comfort is a key, therefore we stayed at a lodge instead of tent camp. We stayed at a camp called Mara Serena Safari Lodge, the pool by the Lodge was very much appreciated by the kids and we stayed in small huts. The service and food was great and family-friendly. The Lodge felt very authentic and the view was just amazing, we were able to see both elephants and giraffes from our room. While staying within the park you have the advantage that the safari and animals is just minutes away.

We went on multiple game rides watching for animals and Simon was able to show us many of the "bucket list safari animals" including four out of the "big five" and many more.

I believe that the trip wouldn't have been as nice experience if it wasn't for our guide. I can definitely recommend booking a private guide. It makes all the hustle go away and you can just enjoy the ride.

We saw no musquitos during our stay but remember to take your malaria meds.

What to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve

The most beautiful national parks in the world

Article from November 2024 with 45 places

The Maasai Mara is a wildlife reserve in southwestern Kenya that is part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem. It is famous for its large populations of African wildlife, including the big five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino), as well as the annual wildebeest migration.

Visitors can go on guided game drives to see the wildlife, hot air balloon rides for a unique view of the reserve, or visit Maasai villages to learn about the local culture. The Maasai Mara is a popular destination, there is multiple lodges and camp sites within the park, staying in the park makes the visit even better. Ask your guide for local recommendations.

National parks of Kenya

Article from January 2024 with 6 places

Maasai/Masai Mara National Reserve is situated in southwest Kenya and is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves. Mara means “spotted” due to the short bushes found in the park. Locally known as the Mara is a large national park in Narok county, Kenya contiguous with Serengeti National Park. Masai Mara National Reserve is home to the big five; the Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephants, and Rhino. The park hosts the great migration and is known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and one of the ten wonders of the world. The climate is gentle, rarely too hot, and well-spread rainfall year-round. The reserve is also home to smaller groups of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and gazelles from the Serengeti in northern Tanzania crossing the great Mara River into Kenya in search of fresh feeding grounds, which takes place in late July-September. Solitary leopards haunt the acacia trees lining the Mara River, while the lions and Cheetahs prowl the savannah plains. The park is also home to 450 different species of birds.

Best national Parks in Africa - Safari Dreams

Article from January 2024 with 10 places

The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is a place of wonder, alive with the raw beauty of nature and the rhythm of life in the wild. This vast land, covering about 1,510 square kilometers, is not just a park; it's a vibrant theatre of nature, playing out scenes of survival, beauty, and the interconnectedness of life.

One of the most compelling reasons to visit the Maasai Mara is to witness the Great Migration. This annual event is one of nature's most awe-inspiring spectacles, where over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles travel in a never-ending cycle of life and death, following the rains in search of fresh grass. The sight of these vast herds moving across the savanna, facing dangers like river crossings and predators, is something that stays with you forever.

Apart from the migration, the Maasai Mara is teeming with wildlife. It's an incredible place to see the "Big Five" – lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos – in their natural habitat. The reserve's rolling grasslands and riverine forests also host cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and over 470 species of birds, making every safari drive a journey of discovery.

What sets the Maasai Mara apart is its deep connection with the Maasai people, who have lived in harmony with the land for centuries. Their rich culture and traditions are an integral part of the Mara experience. Visitors often have the chance to visit Maasai villages, learn about their way of life, and witness their traditional dances and ceremonies.

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The landscape of the Maasai Mara is a breathtaking backdrop to its wildlife. The golden grasslands, dotted with acacia trees and traversed by the Mara River, create a scene that is quintessentially African. The sunrises and sunsets here paint the sky in extraordinary colors, adding to the magic of the experience.

Kenya bucketlist. 3 things you can’t miss while visiting Kenya!

Article from January 2023 with 3 places

Kenya have plenty of National parks and an amazing wildlife for you to explore. But there is only one Maasai Mara and that’s where you should go! Maasai Mara is located about a five hour drive from Nairobi, it’s only 270 km but the roads are far from perfect, but as the old saying ”the journey is a part of the goal”, we recommend you to take the time to get a glimpse of the real life in Kenya. As you probably understand, there are millions of people in Kenya living under very rough circumstances. So the five hour drive will probably give you a stronger feeling of thankfulness for life. We recommend you not to drive yourself, there are plenty of Safari companies offering Safari incl pick up in Nairobi. Except for the most given advantage that you don’t need to drive, you also outsource the administration of paying fees to the park (which can be a hustle), deciding which of all the small shops and cafés along the way you should stop at. As if that wasn’t enough they also take care of booking your accommodation in Maasai Mara.

When you finally arrive we promise you that it will all be worth it. Maasai Mara is over 1500 square km and home to the big five and many many more wild animals. Mara is actually not the biggest reserve in Kenya but probably the most famous, in south Massai Mara is connected to the even more famous national park Serengeti, but that’s on a whole other list as it is located in Tanzania.

Find more national parks of Kenya

If you are traveling here during autumn you will see something spectacular called the great migration. That’s when about 1,7 milion wildebeests are entering the park from Serengeti in the south. Els from that the Mara is renowend for its great population of leopard, cheetah, lion and elephant.

The park is actually named to honor the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area. You will not miss them while you are visiting and it’s also possible to book a visit to one of their villages to get to know a little more about their life and history.