Maasai Mara National Reserve
Africa's Greatest Wildlife Stage
Welcome to the Maasai Mara — Africa's most celebrated wildlife reserve. Straddling the Kenya–Tanzania border (where it connects with the Serengeti), the Mara is famous worldwide for its Big Five populations and the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, one of nature's most spectacular events.
Quick Facts
- Location: Narok County, southwestern Kenya
- Size: 1,510 km² (national reserve) plus surrounding conservancies
- Distance from Nairobi: ~270 km (5–6 hours by road)
- Best time to visit: Year-round; July–October for the Great Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration
Between July and October, over 1.5 million wildebeest, 500,000 zebras, and 250,000 gazelles migrate from Tanzania's Serengeti into the Maasai Mara. The dramatic Mara River crossings — where wildebeest plunge through crocodile-infested waters — are among the most thrilling wildlife spectacles on Earth.
Wildlife You'll See
- Big Five: Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino
- Predators: Cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and jackals
- Migration herds: Wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle (July–October)
- Birds: Over 450 species including the lilac-breasted roller and martial eagle
Top Things to Do
- 🦁 Game Drives: Morning, afternoon, and full-day drives with expert Maasai guides
- 🎈 Hot Air Balloon Safari: Sunrise balloon flight over the Mara (additional cost)
- 🏘 Maasai Village Visit: Meet the Maasai people and learn about their culture
- 🦜 Bird Watching: World-class birding year-round
- 📸 Photography: Unparalleled wildlife photography opportunities
Where to Stay
- Luxury: andBeyond Bateleur Camp, Angama Mara, Singita Mara River Tented Camp
- Mid-range: Governors' Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Rekero Camp
- Budget: Mara Sopa Lodge, Mara Intrepids Camp
How to Get There
- By Road: Nairobi to Narok to the park gate (5–6 hours)
- By Air: Scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Mara airstrips (45 minutes)
Why the Maasai Mara is Unmissable
The Maasai Mara is not just a park — it's a living, breathing wilderness experience. Waking up to the sound of lions roaring across the golden plains, watching a cheetah teach her cubs to hunt, or witnessing thousands of wildebeest thunder across the Mara River — these are the moments that make Kenya the safari capital of the world.
Once you've seen the Mara, you'll understand why people return again and again.