“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance.” - Mufasa

The Lion King was probably one of those OG movies of our childhood, a time when the word OG didn't even exist.

But did you know, deep in Kenya, a country in East Africa with a diverse geography known for its savannas and mountains and deserts, exists the real setting of The Lion King. This is where wild beasts roam free and move by instinct, by memory, by routes older than the humans.

That's Masai Marai for you!

The Masai Mara is a protected National Reserve that lies in South-West Kenya and is a part of the greatest Serengeti ecosystem. The park is spread across 1510 sq km of area, an area presumed to be as big as London and New York combined. The reserve borders the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania from the south, allowing travellers to cover both Kenya and parts of Tanzania on a single trip. Customise your Tanzania tour along with our Kenya tour packages and get ready for an unforgettable journey.

The Masai Mara is home to the richest wildlife population on earth and offers an epic adventure that is bound to feed the souls of lovers of adventure and exotics. The reserve is nature’s heartbeat, where animals follow a path older than the map itself, especially during the Great Migration (July to October).

For many travellers, the Great Migration is the best time to go to the Masai Mara. However, aside from that, the reserve offers something unique during every season.

Let us take a quick look:

There’s truly no wrong season to visit the Masai Mara, but the experience changes beautifully throughout the year.

Ideally, the best time to visit the Masai Mara is between July and October, when the Great Migration brings over thousands and millions of wildebeests, zebras, elands and gazelles trekking from the southern Serengeti to the Masai Mara. It is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles and a highlight of our Kenya-Masai Mara Safari Packages.

The Lion Season (January to March)

This is when the Masai Mara shifts into what many call the Lion Season. Right before the rainy season, when the grasses start to thin out, wildlife is much easier to spot. Throughout the plains, the baby boom is at its peak, with young calves roaming the prairie, offering an excellent chance to witness prides in action.

The Green Season (March to May)

This is when the long rains breathe life back into the savannah after the long, dry season. Constant showers turn the landscape lush and green, flourishing with birdlife and predator-prey action. This period also comes with quieter parks and higher discounts. The abundance is perfect for young impalas, antelopes and other herbivores who attract predators of all kinds with high-speed chases.

Dry Season (June to October)

The Mara enjoys its Dry Season between June and October. The time overlaps with the Great Migration, making it one of the best times to go to the Masai Mara. The great migration is an iconic safari must-see, ideal for game viewing as wildlife gathers around water sources and lush vegetation.

Short Rains (November and December)

The Short Rains refresh the plains without disrupting everyday activities. This season is short and offers sightings of the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo).

Masai Mara Park Entry Fees

Adults: USD 100 in off-season (January - June) and USD 200 during peak season (July - December)

Children (9-17 years old): USD 50 per child

Note: The ticket has a 12-hour validity. The entry fee may vary seasonally and may change as per the Maasai Mara Management Plan, Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem Management Plan and the County Government of Narok Physical & Land Use Development Plan. Always check the latest rates before booking your trip.

Where to Stay in the Masai Mara?

Despite being in the wilderness, the Masai Mara has some of the finest accommodation options. You can choose from simple tented camps or lounges for a budget-friendly stay, good food and amazing views of the savannah. Some of the best resorts in Masai Mara, Kenya, offer an immersive experience in luxurious boutique properties, in close proximity to the wilderness, complete with gourmet dining, private guided tours and unbeatable exclusivity.

Here is a list of the best lounges and resorts in the Masai Mara, Kenya

Porini Mara Camps

Location: Ol Kinyei Conservancy, located within the Great Masai Mara Ecosystem

Key Features:

• Access to some of the best day and night game views
• Environmentally-friendly, no concrete Eco-Camps that are solar powered
• Guided nature walks with KPSGA-certified safari guides
• Staffed by the local Masai community
• Stay funds contribution goes directly to conservation and community preservation initiatives

Mahali Mzuri

Location: Olare Motorogi Conservancy, part of the Maasai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem
Key Features:

• Small-scale luxury safari camps with first-hand views of the Masai Mara ecosystem.
• Camps are situated on a ridge above the Talek River
• Offers a laid-back and relaxing experience with a lounge area, an infinity-edge swimming pool and spa tents
• Access to early morning and evening game drives
• The conservancy is brimming with wildlife and adventure starts at the front door with elephants and wildebeests, lions, zebras and leopards roaming within the borders of the conservancy
• The best time to visit Mahali Mzuri in the Masai Mara is during the Great Migration

Mara Expedition Camp

Location: Acacia Forest, Masai Mara

Key Features:

• One of the best resort and safari accommodations in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
• Spacious, air-tented suites with private decks, overlooking the African bush
• Located in the big-cat territory of the Masai Mara
• Luxurious, rustic interiors that offer unforgettable game views, especially during the great migration and lesser-known migration from the Loita Plains

Basecamp Wilderness

Location: Around the Saddle Valley Rim, Naboisho Conservancy

Key Features:

• Easy access through Ol Seki airstrip
• Boutique camps that empower local communities by employing people from the Masai community
• The camps are thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind and decorated using locally sourced materials and traditional techniques, solar-powered lighting and eco-friendly amenities.
• Embark on game drives and reforestation drives with experienced Maasai warriors

Little Governors’ Camp

Location: Masai Mara Musiara Sector

Key Features:

• Easy access through Musiara Airstrip
  Take a short boat ride across the Mara River or hike through the woods to get to the camp
• Surrounded by thick riverine forests and wide-open plains offering majestic views of the wilderness and safari game drives
• Prime area to view the big cats and a wide variety of waterbirds and waders

In our Masai Mara Kenya tour packages from India, we provide comfortable and convenient accommodation, allowing you more time to enjoy your tour rather than spend time on miscellaneous aspects.

Some Helpful Tips

• Planning a 3-4 day trip is ideal if you want to soak in the charm of the Mara. This will give you enough time for game drives, relax in the lap of nature, and visit the most iconic places in the Masai Mara.
• Mornings can be chilly while afternoons get warm, so pack smart. Bring layers, sunscreen, insect repellent, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and of course, a good camera or binoculars for those up-close wildlife moments.
• Stay in the conservancy inside the main reserve.
• The drive from Nairobi to the Masai Mara is one of the best things to do in the Masai Mara, Kenya. The drive usually takes 5–6 hours but offers incredibly scenic views, despite the bumpy ride.
• If you prefer to save time, you can opt for a short one-hour flight that lands on airstrips right inside the park.
• Sunrise is the best time for sightings and golden-hour shots when the animals are the most active.
• Game drives can be long. Pack water and snacks to stay energised.
• If you’re booking one of our Masai Mara tour packages, look for ones that include multiple game drives and time in both the central reserve and conservancies for a fuller experience. We can also plan a Customized Holiday for you and curate an itinerary that matches our preferences and budget.

Wildlife doesn’t follow a schedule. Sometimes the most magical moments are unexpected.

The land is majestic and resilient, and it is always the best time to visit the Masai Mara. It is important to stay patient and take time to enjoy the moment.

Getting There

By Air

Most travellers coming from abroad land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and take a short 45-60 minute flight from Wilson Airport to airstrips in the Masai Mara.

Major airstrips located in the Masai Mara-

• Keekorok
• Serena
• Musiara
• Mara North
• Ol Kiombo

Air travel is quick, easy, and gives you views of the Masai Mara as you fly over the plains. These daily flights drop you right inside the reserve, making it the quickest way to start exploring the wild.

By Road

If you prefer a scenic route, the 5-6 hour drive from Nairobi takes you through the beautiful Rift Valley. The ride is slightly bumpy but perfect for those who enjoy slow travel.

You can book our Kenya-Masai Mara safari packages for a more relaxed tour experience. We take care of everything from transfer to accommodation and everything in between.

 

FAQs

Q1. Does the Masai Mara sound different during the Great Migration?

The reserve takes on a distinct soundscape in migration months, with constant low rumbles from wildebeest herds, zebra calls, and heightened predator activity. Many travellers say it feels like the landscape itself is “humming”.

Q2. Can you stargaze clearly inside the reserve?

Absolutely. Because of minimal light pollution, the Mara is one of East Africa’s underrated stargazing spots. On clear nights, the Milky Way is strikingly visible above the plains.

Q3. Do animals recognise safari vehicles over time?

They do. Wildlife in the Mara becomes habituated to the silhouette and sound of safari vehicles, often treating them as neutral moving objects. That lets you observe close behaviour without disturbing them.

Q4. Is it possible to experience silence in the Mara?

Yes, especially at dawn and in lesser-visited conservancies. The silence is only broken by soft winds and distant animal calls, making it one of the most profound aspects of visiting.

Q5. Are there areas of the Mara where technology barely works?

Several regions, particularly deep inside the reserve, have a very weak signal. It’s one of the few destinations where “digital detox” happens naturally without trying.