Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Great Migration is usually in the Maasai Mara between July and October, when large herds of wildebeest and zebra move north from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

Mara River crossings are possible during this period, but their timing varies from year to year. We recommend choosing a camp with good access to the herds and allowing several nights rather than planning around a particular crossing date.

Every Maasai Mara safari we plan is tailor-made, so cost depends on your camp, the season, trip length and whether you stay in the National Reserve, a private conservancy, or both, with peak Migration months and conservancy camps at the higher end. Pricing generally covers accommodation, meals, guided activities and park fees, but usually excludes international flights and gratuities, so speak to a Travel Expert for a figure shaped around your dates.

We recommend spending at least three nights in the Maasai Mara, although four to five nights is ideal if you'd like to combine the National Reserve with a private conservancy.

Three nights give your guide time to explore the area properly without making the visit feel rushed. An extended stay is particularly worthwhile during Migration season, when wildlife movements are unpredictable and additional days can improve your chances of witnessing a river crossing.

The easiest way to reach the Maasai Mara is usually by light aircraft from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to one of several airstrips serving the reserve and surrounding conservancies.

A guided road transfer is also possible, although the journey takes considerably longer and road conditions can vary.

Most international visitors arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is separate from Wilson Airport. We plan sufficient connection time between the two, or recommend an overnight stay in Nairobi when it makes sense for your itinerary.

Night game drives are not permitted inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Game viewing there takes place during daylight hours.

However, selected private conservancies, including Mara North and Naboisho, allow night drives under their own operating rules. These can offer opportunities to observe nocturnal animals and a different side of the Mara's wildlife.

The Maasai Mara is particularly well known for its lion, leopard, and cheetah populations. Elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelope, hyenas, hippos, and Nile crocodiles are also found here throughout the year.

The Mara forms part of Kenya's Big 5 safari circuit, although rhinos are much less commonly seen than the other four members. If rhino sightings are a priority, we may recommend combining the Mara with another Kenyan conservation area.

Birdwatching is excellent  year-round, especially during the greener months when migratory species add to the resident birdlife.

Comfortable layers in neutral colours are your best bet. Early-morning game drives in the Maasai Mara can be surprisingly chilly, while afternoons are often much warmer.

Pack lightweight shirts, comfortable trousers or shorts, a fleece or warm jacket, closed shoes, and a hat. You don't need to be entirely outfitted in beige, but muted colours are generally more practical than bright clothing.

Pack light, particularly if you're flying to the Mara by light aircraft. Alongside your clothing, useful essentials include sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera, prescription medication, and a small day bag.

A soft-sided travel bag is usually preferable for bush flights. Many safari airlines have baggage limits of around 15kg, including hand luggage, although allowances vary by operator and route.

The Maasai Mara is a well-established safari destination with experienced guides, professional lodges, and established tourism infrastructure. As with any international journey, safety conditions can change, so current government travel advice and local guidance should be considered before departure.

We work with trusted local partners and arrange appropriate transfers, with road journeys planned carefully.

The Maasai Mara is also a malaria-risk area. Speak to your doctor or travel-health clinic about recommended precautions and preventive medication, and take measures to avoid mosquito bites during your stay.

Both are excellent safari destinations, but they offer different experiences.

The Maasai Mara is particularly appealing for shorter Kenya safaris, concentrated big cat viewing, private conservancies, and the usual July-to-October Migration period.

The Serengeti is considerably larger and offers access to different stages of The Great Migration across more of the year, including the calving season in the southern plains.

If the Migration is your main interest, we'd recommend choosing according to the expected herd movements during your travel dates. Otherwise, it comes down to the kind of safari and wider itinerary you'd enjoy most.

Yes. The Maasai Mara and Serengeti form part of the same wildlife ecosystem, and combining them gives you the opportunity to explore two different sides of this remarkable landscape.

The route does require careful planning, however. Although the parks share a border, travelling between them isn't as simple as driving directly from one safari camp to another. Flight connections, border formalities, and transfer arrangements need to be considered.

The Maasai Mara also combines well with Kenya's northern reserves, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha, or with a few days on the Indian Ocean coast.