Masai Mara Safaris – Masai Mara National Reserve

Location

The Masai Mara National Reserve, sometimes known as Maasai Mara, is located on Kenya’s western border with Tanzania.

Size

Masai Mara National Reserve is approximately 580 square miles.

History

Established in 1961, the Masai Mara was a much smaller reserve of 200 square miles. The reserve massively expanded over the years and was given National Reserve status in the 1970s with a section of the land returned to the local Maasai community, creating cohabitation between humans and wildlife. The reserve’s location and vast quantity of wildlife makes it one of the most popular game reserves in Kenya today.

Entrance Fees & Permits

The cost to enter the Masai Mara National Reserve is $100 per adult (January–June) and $200 per adult (July–December). Children (9–17 years) $50 per child per day and children (0–8) free. Rates are per 12-hour day.

Hours of Operation

The four currently open gates of the Masai Mara National Reserve are open daily between 6am and 6pm.

How to Get There

By Road

Masai Mara National Reserve is located 260 miles from Nairobi, the drive time via the A104 takes approximately six hours. There are four main gates into the reserve, namely: Talek, Sekenani, Musiara and Oloololo.

By Air

A flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Masai Mara National Reserve will take approximately 54 minutes.

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

The winter months of June, July and August present dry, cooler weather with temperatures averaging around 75°F in winter, rising to around 80°F in Kenya’s summer. The reserve sees sunshine year-round and has two distinct rainy seasons. The short rains fall in November and December, while the long rains fall in April into early May.

Avoiding Crowds

An ideal time to experience the incredible wildlife complement of the Masai Mara National Reserve while avoiding crowded plains and lodges is to enjoy a safari in the reserve in the fall months of May and early June and again in Kenya’s spring months of September and October. Game viewing is still exceptional with fewer visitors on the reserve. Birders will want to visit in January and February, just after the short rains and just before the long rains start towards the end of March.

Value for Money

With such a wide variety of accommodation to choose from, experiencing a safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve can definitely be considered value for money. From larger, group and family-friendly lodges to intimate luxury tented camps, there are accommodation options to suit all visitors.

Wildlife and Landscapes

Popular Wildlife Sightings in Masai Mara National Reserve

One major draw to experiencing the Masai Mara National Reserve is to have a chance to witness the great wildebeest migration, which takes place around July each year. The vast complement of wildlife makes the Masai Mara National Reserve one of the best game reserves in Africa. Home to the “Big Five” and a myriad of plains game, safari experiences are exceptional, with the reserve a flurry of vehicles and wildlife action during the peak season between July and September.

The Terrain

The Masai Mara National Reserve comprises mostly vast open grassland with areas of acacia trees set together to create a forest-like area. The Siria Escarpment of the East Rift Valley forms a border on the western part of the reserve with the Talek, Mara and Sand Rivers running through the reserve, providing water for the land and a great number of wildlife in the reserve.

Experiences

Game Drives

Open 4×4 safari vehicles are the most popular means of experiencing the wonders of the Masai Mara National Reserve, many lodges offering this experience in the early morning and late afternoon. Some game drives will be conducted in closed 4×4 vehicles with a pop-up roof, operated by local safari ground operators. There is the option to spend a full day in the reserve, a picnic lunch packed to be enjoyed in a quiet location out on the plains of the reserve.

Guided Walking Safaris

While walking safaris or bush and trail walks are not permitted within the main Masai Mara National Reserve, there is the option to enjoy a walk of around one to two hours with a Masai guide or professional safari guide in one of the conservancies or smaller private reserves within and around the greater Masai Mara National Reserve.

Adventure In The Wild Safaris invites you to explore the breathtaking landscapes and remarkable wildlife of Masai Mara National Reserve.