Masai Mara
Game Reserve
One of the best-known wildlife areas in Africa, a Masai Mara safari promises iconic East African scenery and a wealth of wild animals.
Masai Mara Safaris
Lying between the Loita Hills to the east, the Oloololo Escarpment to the west, and Tanzania’s Serengeti to the south, the Masai Mara in Kenya is one of the most famous game reserves in the world.
With wide open plains interlaced with fertile rivers, this is the place to go for a safari that gives you the opportunity to encounter a vast variety of wildlife.
Most people who’ve heard of it know two things about the Masai Mara; firstly that it’s the scene of the spectacular wildebeest migration, and secondly that it’s bristling with tourists. The first is certainly true, the second isn’t always (although if this is a concern the Mara Conservation Area which surrounds the reserve is a great alternative away from the majority of the crowds).
When you come to the Masai Mara, the reality is you’re going to see other traffic – plenty of it in some places. The question is does it matter, and how much can it be avoided? In the Masai Mara, the virtual certainty of seeing the majority of the major mammal species (not to mention the birds) of Africa will, for many people, obscure concerns about seeing others. The viewing is so damn good that it’s worth doing in spite of the crowds.
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- Home to greatest migration on earth
- Classic African safari scenery
- Sweeping plains and epic wildlife
- Acacia trees across the horizon
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Best time to go visitMasai Mara Game Reserve
If you’re keen to witness the wildebeest migration on your Masai Mara safari, the best time to visit is between July and October.
Watching the herds travel up from the Serengeti and make the river crossings is a truly phenomenal spectacle during these months, especially when the plains are dotted with game as far as the horizon.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider planning your trip for another time of year, which may be just as rewarding. Not all game migrates, so it is certainly worth considering the Mara outside of the peak seasons (when the human population also takes a dive).
Late March to early June can be pretty wet and boggy, and with black-cotton soil, that’s not much fun. However, December to February is a good time to visit, but remember to adjust your expectations accordingly — this is not migration time, but there will be high concentrations of predators like lions, and plenty of newborn animals.
Best time to go visitMasai Mara Game Reserve
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Top experiences in the Masai Mara
Big game viewing in Kenya’s Masai Mara
See the best of big game, staying in small camps in outstanding areas of the Masai Mara.
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Our Favourite Camps & Lodges
Spacious and tastefully furnished, the six bespoke tents are equipped with either twin or double beds, one can be made up as a triple if need be.
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A well put together, traditional safari camp, and it’s somewhere you’ll get excellent game viewing and comfortable accommodation.
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The location and hard focus on wildlife at the Valley Camp means that the range of activities available is not extensive.
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The first permanent tented camp in the Mara and enjoys prime location and is great for couples, families and friends wanting to experience the Masai Mara.
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All the Governor’s properties are unfenced so you may find yourself needing to make way for some larger lunchtime guests.
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At the right time of year, you can look out from camp across the plains and see the annual wildebeest migration.
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Mara Plains Camp sits in one of the most prolific predator regions of Africa, just on the northern border of the Masai Mara National Game Reserve.
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Well located, comfortably and stylishly furnished with a high standard of guiding, a great choice if you want a more polished rather than rustic feel to your stay.
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Richard’s Camp has only eight tents tucked away in a patch of woodland close to the Mara River, and this is what makes it special.
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A secluded spot in a grove of Ozoroa and acacia trees, yet the views are spectacular, with the distant Aitong plains framed in a ‘V’ through the hillside pass.
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That Rekero boasts the best guides in the Masai Mara and having one of the prime locations in the Reserve helps too.
Learn MoreMasai Mara Safari (FAQS) NEED TO KNOW
How many days do you need on safari in the Masai Mara?
We would recommend spending at least four days on a Masai Mara safari in order to enjoy all the wildlife within the reserve. However, the length of your stay is entirely up to you. Add a few extra days to ensure you experience the full scope of the park, or cut down if you’re on a tight schedule and want to combine your trip with other sites like the Serengeti. Talk to us so we can put together your personalised itinerary.
Is it possible to explore the Masai Mara without encountering crowds?
It’s common knowledge that the Masai Mara can be bristling with tourists at certain times of year. There will be fewer people around if you visit outside high season. As the game viewing is unbelievably good, most of our clients are adamant that the experience is worth it regardless. However, if you’re keen to avoid other groups, the Mara Conservation Area surrounding the reserve is a great, quiet alternative.
What is the accommodation in the Masai Mara like?
There are plenty of traditional safari camps available in the Masai Mara including Elephant Pepper and Kicheche Mara, in addition to the tasteful Kicheche Bush Camp which comes with an excellent chef who will prepare a delicious variety of African and international dishes. Or if you want something a little closer to home, Acacia House will have everything you need and more. Whatever it is you’re looking for, the Mara is sure to have it.
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A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.