Kenya · National reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
River crossings, big cats and endless grass
Size
About 1,510 km² (plus conservancies)
Location
South-west Kenya
Best time
Jul–Oct; good all year
Known for
Great Migration · Big cats
About the reserve
Kenya's most celebrated wildlife country
The Maasai Mara is the northern end of the Serengeti ecosystem: rolling grassland, acacia-dotted ridges and the Mara and Talek rivers, all watched over by the Oloololo escarpment. It is named after the Maasai people, who have grazed cattle here for centuries, and the word mara, meaning spotted, for the patchwork of trees and shadows on the plains.
Around the reserve, private conservancies such as Naboisho, Olare Motorogi and Mara North are leased from Maasai landowners. They limit vehicle numbers and allow night drives and guided walks, so combining the reserve with a conservancy stay gives you both the big sightings and a quieter, more personal safari.
Highlights
Why visit the Maasai Mara
The Great Migration
From about July to October the herds arrive from Tanzania and cross the Mara River.
Big cats
Some of Africa's best lion, leopard and cheetah viewing, all year round.
Balloon safaris
Lift off at dawn over the plains, then land for a champagne bush breakfast.
Maasai culture
Visit a Maasai community and conservancy that protects wildlife and land together.
When to visit
Wildlife is excellent all year. July to October brings the migration and river crossings, with the most visitors. January to March is dry, green and quieter with plenty of newborn animals. April and May are the long rains, with lower prices and some muddy roads.
Wildlife you may see
Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, black rhino (rarely), hippo, crocodile, giraffe, topi, wildebeest, zebra, spotted hyena and more than 450 bird species.
Getting there
About 5–6 hours by road from Nairobi, or a 45–60 minute scheduled flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to one of the reserve's airstrips. Easily combined with the Serengeti by light aircraft.
Visit with Asili
Safaris to the Maasai Mara
Plan your Maasai Mara safari
Tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll pick the right side of the Mara, and the right camp, for that month.
Enquire now