Safari Planning, Travel Guides & Practical AdviceThis Masai Mara safari FAQ answers the questions travellers ask before they book: how far the reserve is, what the park fees are, how deposits work and what happens if you cancel. The reserve is about 225 to 275 km (140 to 170 miles) from Nairobi depending on the gate, a drive of 5 to 7 hours or a flight of about 45 minutes to an hour. For the wider picture, start with our Masai Mara safari guide.
Booking, payment and cancellation answers below come from our own booking terms and payment plan pages. Where those pages say nothing, we say “ask us” rather than guess.
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At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Distance from Nairobi | About 225 to 275 km (140 to 170 miles), depending on the gate |
| By road | About 5 to 7 hours, longer in rain |
| By air | About 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Park fee, non-resident adult | USD 100 a day from 1 January to 30 June; USD 200 from 1 July to 31 December |
| Deposit | 30%, non-refundable, when you accept your proposal |
| Final balance | At least 60 days before travel |
| Cancellation | In writing; the charge rises as travel nears |
| Entry | Kenya eTA and a valid passport; most visitors also need Kenyan travel health insurance |
Planning your Masai Mara safari
How much does a Masai Mara safari cost?
Our 3-Day Maasai Mara Roar & Roam Safari starts from USD 1,420 per person and the 5 days Masai Mara Migration Safari from USD 2,750 per person. These are midrange, low-season, two-sharing prices. The final cost depends on season, group size and lodge choice, and your quote lists every line.
When is the cheapest time to go?
Park fees halve in the first half of the year: USD 100 a day from 1 January to 30 June, against USD 200 from 1 July to 31 December. Lodge rates also change with the season, so ask us to compare two sets of dates.
How many days do I need?
The road is the deciding factor. A drive takes 5 to 7 hours each way, so a longer stay spreads that effort over more game drives, while a flight of about an hour makes a short stay practical. Tell us your dates and we will suggest a length.
What do I need to enter Kenya?
Most visitors need an eTA before arrival, applied for online at etakenya.go.ke. The fee was USD 30 per traveller when we last checked. Apply about two weeks ahead and never later than 72 hours before you land. UK guidance asks for a passport valid at least six months after arrival, with two blank pages, and says most visitors must now hold Kenyan government-provided travel health insurance. Reports differ on whether home-country cover can be uploaded instead, so follow the eTA portal. Rules vary by nationality; our guide to Kenya eTA and entry requirements has more.
Getting to the Masai Mara
How far is the Masai Mara from Nairobi?
It depends on the gate you use. Narok, the last large town and fuel stop, is about 140 km from Nairobi.
| Gate | Road distance from Nairobi | Usual drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Sekenani | About 225 to 230 km | 5.5 to 6 hours |
| Talek | About 230 to 245 km | 5.5 to 6 hours |
| Oloolaimutia | About 240 km | About 6 hours |
| Musiara | About 265 km | 6 to 6.5 hours |
| Oloololo (Mara Triangle) | About 255 to 275 km | 6 to 6.5 hours |
Distances are road estimates from several sources; times are operator ranges that allow for normal stops.
Should I drive or fly?
Flights from Wilson Airport take about 45 minutes to an hour, against 5 to 7 hours by road. Flying saves most of a day each way. Driving gives you wide views over the Rift Valley as the road descends the Mai Mahiu escarpment. Ask us to quote both so you can compare.
What are the roads like, and when should we leave Nairobi?
The Narok to Sekenani road is paved but in poor repair in places, and July 2026 reports describe it as deteriorating. Rain can add about an hour. Leave Nairobi early: the reserve ticket runs from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, and one operator guide says there is no entry after 6:30 pm. Ask us for current conditions before you travel.
Park fees on a Masai Mara safari
What are the Masai Mara park fees?
| Visitor | Fee per person per day |
|---|---|
| Non-resident adult, 1 January to 30 June | USD 100 |
| Non-resident adult, 1 July to 31 December | USD 200 |
| Non-resident child, 9 to 17 years | USD 50 |
| Younger children | Free (confirm age 8 with us) |
Narok County Government sets these fees. Kenyan citizens and East African residents pay lower rates in shillings. Fees last verified: October 2026. Our guide to Masai Mara park fees covers conservancy fees too.
How long is a park ticket valid?
It is a 12-hour ticket, valid 6:00 am to 6:00 pm whatever time you enter, and it does not carry over overnight. A fee is charged for each day in the reserve, including for guests lodged outside it. On the departure morning by road, sources give a 10 am or 11 am cut-off before an extra day is charged, so plan to be out by 10.
Is the Mara Triangle different?
Yes. The Mara Triangle, run by the Mara Conservancy, sells its own 12-hour ticket. If you stay there, the Conservancy says you pay at Purungat Bridge, not Sekenani Gate. It accepts M-Pesa and cards, not cash. We could not read its 2026 amounts, and its 2023 notice used the same USD 100 and USD 200 rates, so check with the Mara Conservancy.
Are park fees and the balloon ride in my price?
Your itemised quote shows what is included, so ask us about any line. A hot-air balloon flight is an optional extra at USD 550 per person. At some camps a balloon flight on your departure morning also needs a full-day park fee, so ask what applies to your dates.
Two Masai Mara trips to price first
- 3-Day Maasai Mara Roar & Roam Safari: a short first visit for travellers with limited time. From USD 1,420 per person.
- 5 days Masai Mara Migration Safari: more days in the reserve for travellers who want a slower pace. From USD 2,750 per person.
Prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice.
Booking and payments
How do I book a Masai Mara safari?
Send us your dates and who is travelling. A planner in our Nairobi office replies within 6 hours with a day-by-day itinerary, suggested camps and an itemised price. You book by accepting the proposal and paying the deposit.
How much is the deposit, and when is the balance due?
Our booking terms ask for a 30% non-refundable deposit when you accept your proposal. The final balance is due at least 60 days before travel. A booking made within 60 days of travel needs full payment at confirmation.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, by agreement. The booking terms say the balance may be paid under a structured plan. Our flexible payment plan describes a 20% deposit, interest-free monthly instalments and final payment at least 30 days before travel. Those figures differ from the 30% and 60 days above, so ask which applies to your trip and get it in writing.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Our booking terms and payment plan pages do not list payment methods, so ask us when you receive your proposal.
Cancellations and changes
What is the cancellation schedule?
All cancellations must be in writing. The non-refundable share rises as travel nears.
| Days before travel | Non-refundable |
|---|---|
| 91 or more | The 30% deposit |
| 90 to 60 | 50% of the total cost |
| 59 to 31 | 75% of the total cost |
| 30 or fewer | 100% of the total cost |
Can I change my dates or guest names?
You can ask. Changes to dates, itinerary or guest details may incur additional charges, must be requested in writing and depend on availability. Tell us before you pay if your dates are uncertain.
What if weather, airlines or events beyond your control disrupt the trip?
Our terms say we are not liable for delays, cancellations or changes caused by circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, natural disasters, political unrest and airline disruptions. We strongly advise comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, delays and baggage.
On safari
What health precautions should I take?
See a travel clinic well before you fly. The CDC says malaria transmission occurs in all areas of Kenya below 2,500 m (8,200 ft), including game parks. It generally recommends yellow fever vaccination for travel outside Nairobi and a few regions, though a certificate is only demanded if you arrive from a risk country. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are also advised. Tell us about medical conditions and dietary needs when you book.
Can I visit a Maasai village?
On the 3-day trip a Maasai village visit costs USD 30, paid on the day. On the 10-day trip it is included.
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
Do I have to pay anything to get a quote?
No. Payment starts only after you accept the proposal and pay the deposit.
How early should I book?
The balance is due at least 60 days before travel, and bookings inside 60 days need full payment at confirmation, so enquire well ahead. Early planning also leaves time for your eTA, insurance and vaccines.
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Our booking terms strongly advise comprehensive cover, and UK guidance warns that insurance may be invalid if you travel against government advice. Separately, most visitors need Kenyan government travel health insurance. For air evacuation, AMREF Flying Doctors’ Maisha Tourist plans start at USD 16 for 15 days in Kenya; confirm current prices at flydoc.org.
Do children pay park fees?
Children aged 9 to 17 pay USD 50 a day and younger children are free; confirm the fee for an 8-year-old with us. Give us each child’s age when you ask for a quote.
Is it safe to travel to the Masai Mara now?
Advice changes quickly, so check your government’s guidance before you pay. As of 25 October 2026, Kenya has confirmed Ebola cases linked to Nairobi, and the Nation reports the US raised its Kenya advisory to Level 3 on 19 October. The UK’s advise-against areas are on the Somalia border and north-east coast, not the Mara, and none of the reports we read place a case in Narok County. If you are unsure, ask us before paying the deposit.
Photo: Tourist Vehicle by Ann-Kristin Mueller, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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