Destinations, Experiences & East Africa TravelThe Masai Mara is in Narok County, south-western Kenya, roughly 225 to 275 km (140 to 170 miles) from Nairobi by road, depending on the gate. Many travelers take the 5 to 6-hour drive to the eastern gates or a 45 to 60-minute flight from Wilson Airport; see our guide to the Masai Mara from Nairobi: distance, drive time and flights. The reserve covers 1,510 km² (about 580 square miles) and joins Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, so the wildebeest herds can move between the two.
This is the starting point for our other Mara guides: reserve versus conservancy, park fees, the best months, the migration, wildlife, where to stay, how many days to allow and what a private trip costs. Each section ends with a link to a deeper guide, and the full list is near the bottom. “Masai Mara” and “Maasai Mara” are the same place; Narok County uses the second spelling.
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Masai Mara quick facts
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Narok County, south-western Kenya, next to Tanzania’s Serengeti |
| Size | Reserve 1,510 km² (about 580 sq mi). The Mara Triangle, 510 km², is part of it. The wider ecosystem with its conservancies is more than 3,000 km² by one research definition |
| Elevation | About 1,500 to 2,180 m (4,920 to 7,150 ft) |
| From Nairobi by road | About 225 to 275 km (140 to 170 miles), depending on the gate |
| Drive time | About 5 to 6 hours to Sekenani and the eastern gates; 6 to 7 hours to the Mara Triangle and Musiara |
| Flight time | 45 to 60 minutes from Wilson Airport, longer with stops |
| Airstrips | About a dozen; each airline serves 8 or 9. Main ones include Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, Musiara, Mara Serena and Kichwa Tembo, so match your strip to your camp |
| Main gates | Sekenani, Oloolaimutia, Talek and Musiara; Oloololo and Purungat Bridge for the Mara Triangle |
| Park fee, non-resident adult | USD 100 a day from 1 January to 30 June; USD 200 a day from 1 July to 31 December |
| Best months | July to October for the migration and dry weather; January and February for dry weather and big cats |
| Migration in the Mara | Usually about July to October, with river crossings busiest from late July to September |
| Rainy seasons | Long rains roughly March to May (April is usually wettest); short rains November and December |
| Wildlife | All of the Big Five; more than 95 mammal species; more than 500 bird species |
| Private Entice trips | From USD 1,420 per person for 3 days. Prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice |
Where is the Masai Mara, and how big is it?
The reserve sits in Narok County at about 1,500 to 2,180 m above sea level, and its southern edge runs into the Serengeti. “Mara” means “spotted” in the Maa language, a reference to the bushy trees that dot the plains. The Mara River, 395 km (245 miles) long, rises on the Mau Escarpment, crosses the reserve and enters Tanzania on its way to Lake Victoria. The Sand and Talek rivers are its main tributaries inside the reserve.
The reserve began as a 520 km² wildlife sanctuary in 1961, and part of it gained national reserve status in 1974. Wildlife does not stop at the boundary: Nature Kenya says about 70 percent of the wider ecosystem’s wildlife lives outside the gazetted reserve.
Go deeper: what the Masai Mara is, the Masai Mara map of regions, gates, rivers and airstrips, and the history of the reserve.
How far is the Masai Mara from Nairobi?
The answer depends on the gate, because the reserve is large and camps are spread across it.
| Nairobi to | Road distance | Typical drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Narok town (last big fuel stop) | 141 km (88 miles) | 2.5 to 4 hours |
| Sekenani Gate (east) | 227 km (141 miles) | 5.5 to 6 hours |
| Oloolaimutia Gate (south-east) | 242 km (150 miles) | About 6 hours |
| Talek Gate (center-east) | 246 km (153 miles) | 5.5 to 6 hours |
| Oloololo Gate (Mara Triangle, west) | 253 km (157 miles) | 6 to 6.5 hours |
| Musiara Gate (north) | About 265 km (165 miles) | 6 to 6.5 hours |
Kilometers come from OpenStreetMap routing, and operator guides give slightly different figures, so treat the full span as 225 to 275 km. Drive times are operator ranges and grow in rain or after road incidents.
By road
The usual route runs west to Rironi, down the Mai Mahiu escarpment into the Rift Valley, through Suswa to Narok, then on to the gates. The 87 km (54 miles) from Narok to Sekenani was rebuilt as tarmac in 2021, but residents blocked it in July 2026 over its poor condition, and KeNHA was patching potholes on the Mai Mahiu escarpment in September 2026. Ask us about current conditions, add about an hour for mud in April, May and November, and start early: the reserve ticket runs from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
If you have a long weekend, our 3-Day Maasai Mara Roar & Roam Safari, from USD 1,420 per person, drives each way; flying one leg gives you more time on the plains. Prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice.
By air
Scheduled light aircraft leave Wilson Airport, about 8 km from central Nairobi and 18 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Allow about 25 minutes between the two airports, and at least an hour in rush hour. Safarilink, AirKenya and Mombasa Air Safari fly to the Mara, and each serves 8 or 9 of about a dozen airstrips, so make sure yours matches your camp: the wrong strip can mean a transfer of about two hours on unpaved roads. Luggage is capped at 15 kg (33 lb) per person, hand luggage included, in soft bags. Our 6-Day Fly-In Big Five Safari (Amboseli and Mara) is built around these flights, from USD 4,043 per person.
Go deeper: Masai Mara from Nairobi and the Masai Mara fly-in safari guide to airstrips, airlines and luggage.
Reserve, Mara Triangle or conservancy?
The Mara is not one block of land under one set of rules. Three kinds of area differ in crowds, rules and fees.
| Narok-side reserve | Mara Triangle | Conservancies | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | The main part of the reserve, run by Narok County Government | The south-western part, west of the Mara River, about a third of the reserve; run by the not-for-profit Mara Conservancy since June 2001 | Land that Maasai landowners lease to camp operators, bordering the reserve |
| Driving rules | Marked tracks only; no off-road driving, night drives or walks | Same, with a five-vehicle limit at sightings | Night drives and guided walks; no self-driving; rules vary by conservancy |
| Crowding | Busiest, especially at river crossings in peak season | Only two accommodations inside | Beds are capped, typically one tent for every 350 to 700 hectares |
| Fees | County reserve ticket | Its own 12-hour ticket | Charged separately; ask whether the camp rate includes them |
Counts of conservancies depend on the definition. The Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association lists 22 conservancies and conservation areas, some outside the core Mara, while other sources count between 14 and 23. Mara North, Naboisho and Olare Motorogi are among the best known.
Go deeper: the reserve versus the conservancies, Mara Triangle versus Greater Mara and conservancy camps.
Masai Mara park fees
Entry is charged per person per day, separately from your camp bill unless your operator includes it. For non-resident visitors, Narok County’s rates are:
| Visitor | 1 January to 30 June | 1 July to 31 December |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident adult | USD 100 per day | USD 200 per day |
| Non-resident child, 9 to 17 | USD 50 per day | USD 50 per day |
| Younger children | Free | Free |
- Validity: a ticket covers 12 hours, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, whenever you enter, and does not carry over a night.
- Departure morning: sources say to leave by road by 10 or 11 am or pay another day. Guests on a morning flight are not affected. Confirm the age cut-off for children aged 8 with your operator.
- Mara Triangle: it sells its own ticket online or at Purungat Bridge, Oloololo Gate and Serena Airstrip, by card or M-Pesa, not cash. Its 2023 notice used the same non-resident rates, so check with the Mara Conservancy.
- Conservancies: fees are separate from the reserve ticket. Ask your camp whether its rate includes them.
- Our trips: park fees are included in our trip prices.
Fees last verified: October 2026.
Go deeper: Masai Mara park fees and conservancy fees explained.
How many days do you need, and what does a private trip cost?
Two nights is the shortest stay that shows you much: one afternoon drive and one full day. If the herds are your reason to go, allow three or four nights. With 5 to 6 hours on the road each way, a 3-day trip is a long weekend. More days does not always mean more Mara: our longer trips add other parks.
| Entice trip | Nights in the Mara | Best for | From, per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Maasai Mara Roar & Roam Safari | 2 | A short break or a first look | USD 1,420 |
| 5 days Masai Mara Migration Safari | 4 | The Mara as the whole trip | USD 2,750 |
| 6-Day Fly-In Big Five Safari (Amboseli and Mara) | 3 | Two parks without a long road day | USD 4,043 |
| 7 Days Maasai Mara Migration Safari | 3 | A first Kenya safari with Lake Nakuru and Amboseli | USD 4,500 |
These are the lowest published rates for each trip: midrange lodges, low season, two sharing. Your quote depends on season, group size and lodge choice, and can be higher. Prices cover a private 4×4 and driver-guide, park entrance fees, accommodation and meals as listed on each itinerary. They do not cover international flights, tips, drinks other than water, travel insurance or extras. A dawn hot-air balloon flight is an optional USD 550 per person, and on the 3-day trip the Maasai village visit costs USD 30, paid on the day.
Budget for tips as well. Asilia suggests about USD 10 to 20 per guest per day for your driver-guide and USD 5 to 15 for the camp team; Expert Africa suggests about USD 20 per tent per day, split between guide and camp.
Pairing the Mara with other places
Many first-time travelers add Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, as our 7-day trip does. For walking safaris and rhinos on private land, read our guide to the Laikipia conservancies; Laikipia holds about 10 percent of Kenya’s wildlife yet has no national park. See also Masai Mara versus Serengeti and the Mara with gorilla trekking.
Go deeper: how many days you need, what a Masai Mara safari costs, how to save on a budget safari and our 3, 5 and 7-day private packages.
Two ways to see the Mara with us
5 days Masai Mara Migration Safari: four nights in the reserve for travelers who want the Mara to be the whole trip. From USD 2,750 per person.
7 Days Maasai Mara Migration Safari: the Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli for a first Kenya safari. From USD 4,500 per person.
Prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice.
Best time to visit the Masai Mara
The Mara has two rainy seasons: long rains roughly from March to May, with April usually the wettest month, and short rains in November and December. June to October is drier and busier. Altitude keeps nights cool. In Narok town, east of the reserve, July has a mean minimum of 10°C (50°F), so dawn drives and balloon flights call for a warm layer.
| Months | Weather | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Usually drier, though rains can come early | Good for big cats; busy in the holiday weeks around late December and early January |
| March to May | Long rains | Quieter months and the lower USD 100 daily park fee, but muddy tracks and extra time on the road |
| June | Usually drier | Herds can arrive from mid-June after good rains |
| July to October | Dry | Herds usually in the Mara; busiest months, higher camp rates and the USD 200 park fee |
| November to December | Short rains | Herds start heading south in early November; green landscape, fewer visitors until the festive weeks |
The Great Migration in the Mara
One herd of wildebeest, with zebra and gazelles, circles between Tanzania’s southern Serengeti and the Mara. It is usually in Kenya from about July to October, with crossings of the Mara River, where crocodiles wait, busiest from late July to September. Timing follows rain and grass, so it shifts. In 2021 Kenyan officials said dry weather had delayed the herds in Tanzania, and arrivals can come as early as mid-June after good rains. No operator can promise a crossing on a given day.
How many animals? Tanzania’s wildlife research institute counted 1,366,109 wildebeest from the air in March 2023, give or take 231,741, while a 2025 satellite study of August images estimated fewer than 600,000. Published estimates range from about 0.3 to 1.4 million, depending on the method and year. Calving happens from January to March on the southern Serengeti plains, in Tanzania, not in the Mara.
Go deeper: best time to visit the Masai Mara month by month, the Great Migration calendar, Mara River crossings and Masai Mara weather.
Wildlife in the Masai Mara
All of the Big Five live here: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino. Lions are the surest sighting; leopard and rhino take luck and a sharp-eyed guide.
- Lions: the Mara Predator Conservation Programme counted 481 lions over one year old in 2025, in a 2,713 km² area covering the reserve and nearby conservancies, or 17.5 per 100 km². Density was highest in the Ol Kinyei, Naboisho and Olare Motorogi conservancies.
- Cheetahs: 16 resident independent adults in the same area in 2025, up from 12 in 2024. The survey calls the resident population “concerningly low”, though more cheetahs pass through over a year.
- Leopards: found wherever there are trees to climb.
- Black rhino: roughly 50 to 60 according to recent monitoring; the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reported 57 in March 2026. The Mara is one of only two unfenced indigenous eastern black rhino populations.
- Others: more than 95 mammal species and more than 500 bird species, almost 60 of them raptors, including Kenya’s national bird, the lilac-breasted roller.
Go deeper: the Big Five, lions, cheetahs and leopards, the Masai Mara wildlife list and birding.
Things to do in the Masai Mara
Game drives
In the reserve, wildlife activity runs from sunrise to sunset on marked tracks. Most days are a morning and an afternoon drive, or a full day with a picnic lunch. Because every trip is private, you decide when to leave camp and how long to stay with a sighting.
Hot-air balloon
Flights launch around sunrise, last about an hour and usually end with a breakfast on landing. Minimum age is about 7 or 8 and height about 1.2 m, depending on the operator, and wind can cancel a flight. If you fly on your departure morning, a full-day park fee may apply. Our optional balloon flight is USD 550 per person. See Masai Mara hot air balloon safari: cost and how to add it.
Walks and night drives
Neither is allowed in the reserve. Conservancies offer them: walks are led by an armed ranger, and at Mara North night drives use red filters in designated areas and end by 10:00 pm.
Maasai village visit
A visit to a manyatta, a Maasai homestead, can include dances, a guided walk, crafts and conversation with elders. Photography is welcome, but ask first. The USD 30 fee on our 3-day trip is paid on the day.
Go deeper: game drives, visiting a Maasai village ethically and photography safaris.
Where to stay in the Masai Mara
Where you sleep decides how long you drive each morning. The Mara had fewer than 10 lodges in the late 1970s and nearly 200 by 2016, so there is a camp at every budget.
| Area | What it offers | Examples listed by safari directories |
|---|---|---|
| Outside the gates (Sekenani, Talek, Oloolaimutia) | Budget and mid-range camps with no extra conservancy levy, close to a gate | Greenwood Safari Camp, Semadep Mara Camp, Sekenani Camp, AA Lodge Mara |
| Reserve, Talek River and south-east | A mix of larger lodges and upper mid-range to luxury camps | Mara Intrepids, Fig Tree Camp, Keekorok Lodge |
| Mara Triangle and Oloololo side | West of the Mara River; the Mara Conservancy lists only two properties inside the Triangle | Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Little Governors’ Camp inside; Kichwa Tembo, Kilima and Mara River Camp near Oloololo Gate |
| Conservancies | Fewer vehicles, night drives and walks; usually the higher-priced camps | Mahali Mzuri, Kicheche Mara Camp, Saruni Mara, Porini Mara Camp, Naboisho Camp |
These are examples from directories, not a ranking, and availability changes, so we confirm each camp when we quote. Our standard camps sit inside or beside the reserve. Conservancy camps are generally priced higher, and we confirm each camp when we quote.
Go deeper: where to stay in the Masai Mara, luxury lodges and camps, mid-range tented camps and budget camps.
What to pack
- Warm layers and a windproof jacket for dawn drives and balloon flights.
- A soft duffel bag within 15 kg (33 lb) if you fly. Keep power banks and spare batteries in hand luggage.
- Binoculars, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- A light rain jacket, essential from March to May and in November.
- Small, newer US dollar notes for tips; older notes may be refused.
- No drone: drones are generally prohibited in parks and reserves without permits.
Go deeper: the safari packing list for Kenya.
Entry, health and safety
Entry. Kenya now uses an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of visas. Apply on the official portal, etakenya.go.ke, at least two weeks ahead and never later than 72 hours before arrival. The fee was last reported at USD 30 per traveler; the portal shows the current figure. Your passport needs six months’ validity and two blank pages. From 5 October 2026, the UK Foreign Office says most visitors staying under 12 months need Kenyan Government-provided travel health insurance, bought during the eTA application, although Kenya’s Ministry of Health has said qualifying cover from home can be uploaded instead. Follow what the portal asks.
Health. The CDC says malaria occurs in all parts of Kenya below 2,500 m, including game parks, and the Mara sits below that height. Ask a doctor or travel clinic about prophylaxis, the yellow fever vaccine and routine shots. Medical services in rural areas are limited, so consider air-evacuation cover such as AMREF Flying Doctors.
Advisories. Travel advice for Kenya changes, sometimes quickly. Check your own government’s latest advice (for example travel.state.gov, gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice or smartraveller.gov.au) before you book and again before you fly, and ask us: our planners brief every guest on current health and travel advice. Our guide to health and safety in the Masai Mara covers vaccines, malaria and the current advisories.
Go deeper: Kenya eTA and entry requirements and Masai Mara safety, health and malaria.
Visiting the Mara responsibly
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics figures reported by Business Daily show visits to the Mara falling from 420,000 in 2023 to 213,000 in 2025, yet crowding at river crossings remains a concern: in August 2025 a tourism warden and a wildlife guide described dozens of vehicles crowding the river during crossings. Researchers and conservancy managers name fencing, land subdivision, farming and crossing crowds as the main pressures. Choose a guide who gives herds space, follow each area’s rules (Mara North allows no more than five vehicles at a sighting) and ask before photographing people.
Go deeper: the Maasai people and the history and conservation of the reserve.
All our Masai Mara guides
The basics
- What the Masai Mara is
- Masai Mara map
- 25 Masai Mara facts
- History of the reserve
- Reserve versus conservancies
- Mara Triangle versus Greater Mara
- Masai Mara versus Serengeti
- The Maasai people
- Visiting a Maasai village
When to go
- Best time to visit
- Weather month by month
- Great Migration calendar
- Mara River crossings
- Great Migration complete guide
- How to plan a migration safari
- Calving season versus migration season
- When the migration is late or thin
- Low season in the Mara
Wildlife
- Big Five in the Mara
- Lions
- Cheetahs and leopards
- Wildlife list
- Birding
- Photography safari
Getting there and costs
- Masai Mara from Nairobi
- Fly-in safari
- Park and conservancy fees
- Safari cost
- Budget safari
- How many days you need
- Booking, payments and cancellations
Where to stay
- Lodges, tented camps or budget
- Luxury lodges and camps
- Mid-range tented camps
- Budget camps
- Conservancy camps
- Family safari
Practical advice
- Kenya eTA and entry rules
- Is the Mara safe?
- Packing list
- Your first day on safari
- Game drives
- Etiquette and tipping
- Is the Mara worth it?
Compare and combine
- Mara versus Amboseli versus Samburu
- Kenya versus Tanzania versus Uganda
- The Mara and gorilla trekking
- Laikipia vs Masai Mara: which safari is right for you
- Laikipia and Masai Mara safari itineraries
Get your free safari quote in 6 hours
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A planner in our Nairobi office replies within 6 hours with a day-by-day itinerary, the camps we suggest and a fully itemised price. No payment is needed to enquire.
Prefer to talk? WhatsApp or call +254 799 871 255.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Masai Mara from Nairobi?
About 225 to 275 km (140 to 170 miles) by road, depending on the gate: 227 km to Sekenani and 253 km to Oloololo by routing software. Allow 5 to 6 hours to the eastern gates and 6 to 7 hours to the Mara Triangle and Musiara. The flight from Wilson Airport takes 45 to 60 minutes.
How many days do you need in the Masai Mara?
At least two nights, and three or four if you want a full migration experience. By road, the 5 to 6-hour journey each way makes a 3-day trip tight, so consider flying one leg.
When is the best time to visit the Masai Mara?
July to October for the migration and dry weather, though it is also the busiest and priciest time. January and February are usually dry and good for big cats. April and May are quieter, with muddy tracks and the lower USD 100 daily park fee.
How much does a Masai Mara safari cost?
Our private trips start from USD 1,420 per person for 3 days, USD 2,750 for 5 days and USD 4,500 for 7 days, depending on season, group size and lodge choice. Park fees are included; international flights, tips, most drinks, insurance and the USD 550 balloon flight are not.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
Most visitors need an approved eTA before they fly, applied for on etakenya.go.ke, plus a passport valid for six months. Newer rules also require Kenyan travel health insurance for most visitors, so check the portal.
Can you see the Big Five in the Masai Mara?
Yes. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino all live in the Mara. Lions are the easiest; black rhino numbers are small, roughly 50 to 60, so a sighting needs luck.
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