The Complete Maasai Mara Safari Guide

The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, renowned for its diverse ecosystem, abundance of wildlife, and the famed Great Migration. Its rolling plains, dotted with acacia trees and stretching into endless horizons, create a picturesque setting for every adventure. Whether witnessing a lioness pursue her prey, savoring a bush breakfast beneath an acacia tree, or sharing stories around a campfire, the Maasai Mara promises an unforgettable travel experience.

Essential Information

Best Time To Go

There are two primary safari seasons: the dry season (June to October) and the wet season (November to May), with the dry season being optimal for game viewing. The Great Migration typically begins in July, with the peak of the action occurring in July and August when the wildebeest make their dramatic river crossing.

How Many Days

The ideal safari length is 3 to 4 days, offering enough time for multiple game drives and diverse wildlife encounters. While 2 days can still provide a chance to spot the Big Five, a 5 to 7-day safari allows for extra activities such as a hot air balloon ride or a Maasai village visit.

How to Prepare

Visa: All visitors to Kenya will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). It currently costs $50 and takes a few days to process, no physical copy is required.

Vaccines: Yellow Fever vaccine is required and you mist present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Although not required, malaria pills are recommended.

Packing Essentials

Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and comfortable clothing in neutral colors, as dark colors can attract Tsetse flies. A packable puffer is recommended for the cooler mornings. If you're planning a walking safari or nature walk, closed-toe boots are ideal, otherwise sneakers will suffice. Be sure to bring essential items such as sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle, power bank, and a backpack or tote to carry with you during game drives.

Nairobi

Nairobi is the gateway to your safari with options to either take a connecting flight or drive to the Maasai Mara. If you decide to spend some time in the city, visit the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. These conservation centers help endangered species like the Rothschild giraffe and orphaned elephants.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust only takes a number of visitors daily, reach out beforehand to secure your spot.

Have dinner at Carnivore, known as "Africa's Greatest Eating Experience," serving unlimited amounts of game meats like ostrich, crocodile, and antelope, as well as more familiar options like beef, chicken, and lamb skewered on large metal spits and roasted over an open flame.

Day Trip: Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley stretches over 6,000 kilometers from the Middle East to Mozambique.

Hell's Gate National Park: Located 1-2 hours from Nairobi, this park is known for its geothermal hot springs and towering cliffs. Predators are rarely seen, allowing visitors to explore the park on foot or bike. Fischer's Tower is said to have influenced the design of Pride Rock in The Lion King.

Lake Nakuru: The heart of the Great Rift Valley particularly famous for its flamingos. A boat ride provides an opportunity to view their pink hues along the shores, alongside hippos and crocodiles lounging on the shore.

Getting to Maasai Mara

By Road

Cost: $100–$300 per vehicle, one-way (private transfer or shared van).

Duration: 5–6 hours from Nairobi.

By Air

Cost: $200–$400 per person, roundtrip.

Duration: 45 minutes from Wilson Airport, Nairobi.

Accommodation

Many travelers opt for packaged tours, which bundle accommodation, meals, and transportation.

Luxury Lodges and Camps

Cost: $400–$1,500 per person, per night.

Amenities: Spacious suites or tents, private decks, gourmet dining, and premium game drives.

Examples: Angama Mara, Governor’s Camp, JW Marriott Maasai Mara

Mid-Range Lodges and Camps

Cost: $200–$400 per person, per night.

Amenities: Comfortable accommodations with essential amenities, buffet-style meals, and shared game drives.

Examples: Ashnil Mara Camp, Keekorok Lodge

Budget Camps

Cost: $50–$150 per person, per night.

Amenities: Basic tents or cabins with shared facilities.

Examples: Mara Explorers Camp, Enchoro Wildlife Camp.

Park Fees

The Maasai Mara National Reserve requires an entry fee that supports conservation efforts and local communities.

Non-Resident Adults: $200 per person per day.

Non-Resident Children (9-17 years): $50 per day.

Rates shown are current as of 2025

Wildlife Encounters

• The Great Migration: Witness the chaos as millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River, with waiting predators watching closely.

  
  

  

  
  

• The Big Five: Lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo. Lions, elephants, and buffalo are commonly seen, while leopards are occasionally spotted, and rhinos are notoriously hard to find.

• Big Cat Sightings: Lions, cheetahs, and leopards can be found stalking their prey or relaxing in the sun.

• Bird Watching: Over 500 species, including ostriches, make the Mara a birding paradise.

Typical Safari Days

Option 1: Full-Day Game Drive

Some safaris provide the option of a full-day game drive to venture deeper into the reserve. This option covers more ground within an eight-hour timespan, from the Mara River to the riverbanks, home to crocodiles and hippos. It’s the best choice to see the Great Migration.

Option 2: Morning and Afternoon Game Drives

The benefit of a morning and afternoon game drive is the opportunity to spend the cooler early hours for wildlife viewing, returning to camp for a meal and rest during the hottest part of the day, then venturing out again for a sunset drive.

Bathrooms: When you let the guide know, they will begin to look for a secluded spot, driving around the area to ensure no wildlife is around. Tip: Don't wear a bodysuit.

Morning

Your day starts early with a wake-up call and a hot cup of coffee or tea. Some camps start before sunrise, but others begin between 7 to 8 AM. You'll embark on a game drive at the best time to spot predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, as they are most active during the cooler hours.

Afternoon

If you've chosen the full-day game drive, you'll have a bush lunch - a meal set up in the wild, often under an acacia tree, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bush.

If you opted for the morning and afternoon game drives, you’ll head back to your lodge or camp for a hearty breakfast or lunch. Take a dip in the pool, enjoy a spa treatment, or unwind on a deck overlooking the plains. As the temperature cools, you’ll head out again.

The afternoon drive often brings the best chance to find herbivores grazing and predators preparing to hunt. You may spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, and the famous wildebeest heading to waterholes. As the sun sets, enjoy a refreshing sundowner at a scenic spot, with the landscape covered in golden hues.

Bathrooms: When needed, inform the guide, and they will find a secluded spot, checking the area to ensure no wildlife is nearby. Tip: Avoid wearing a bodysuit for convenience.

Evening

After returning to camp, enjoy a gourmet candlelit dinner. Many lodges offer a campfire experience, guided night walks, or a Maasai dance performance to end the night.

Optional Activities

Hot Air Balloon Safari: Provides a breathtaking aerial view of the Mara’s vast plains and wildlife, witnessing herds of elephants, giraffes, and wildebeests from above. Ends with a champagne breakfast in the wild.

Maasai Villages: Learn about traditional Maasai life, including their colorful attire, dance rituals, and unique beadwork. Many camps work closely with local communities, ensuring visits are respectful and beneficial.

Guided Nature Walks: Explore the reserve on foot and get up close to the plants, animal tracks, and insects.

Night Game Drives: Spot nocturnal wildlife and see predators in action as the darkness sets in.

Foods to Try

Nyama Choma: Kenya’s version of barbecued meat, a popular dish for gatherings.

Chapati: A soft, flatbread that is a common accompaniment in meals.

Ugali: A dense, cornmeal porridge that accompanies most meals.