Maasai Mara National Reserve

All About Maasai Mara National Reserve

Discover Maasai Mara National Reserve

This National Park is Located in 

A world wonder destination in Kenya, Africa, Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to quite famous and phenomenon wildlife and activities. Hosting some of the famous big cats, the lion prides as Scar, Notch Pride, marsh Prides, Lolparpit, and Cheetah families such as Malaika, The Tano Bora Coalition, and many others.

Maasai Mara National Reserve is situated in the southwestern region of Kenya and is an expansive landscape of gently rolling African savannah covering an area of 1510 square kilometers, adjacent to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the south.

This reserve is a distinctive wildlife conservation area renowned for its stunning natural diversity and is regarded as the top safari destination in Kenya, providing visitors with countless reasons to explore this animal haven. The park is home to large populations of Lions, Cheetahs, Elephants, Rhinos, African Buffalo, Wildebeests, Giraffes, Zebras, and many other species, living freely in their natural environment amidst the vast Kenyan wilderness stretching out for miles.

It is no wonder that travelers from around the globe flock to this destination to embark on a Maasai Mara Safari, especially since the reserve has been recognized as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. In terms of the name’s origin, ‘Masai’ is derived from the Maasai tribe, the area’s nomadic residents, while ‘Mara’ translates to ‘spotted’ in their language, referring to the many flat-topped acacia trees, shrubs, and bushes that populate the landscape throughout much of the reserve.

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Maasai Mara National Reserve Park Entry Fee

New Maasai Mara Park Entry Fee Structure:

Effective from January 1st, 2024, the updated entry fee structure is designed to accommodate two distinct travel seasons: January 1st to June 30th and July 1st to December 31st. For non-residents, the revised fees are delineated as follows:

Maasai Mara Non-Residents Park Fees

(Accommodated inside or outside the Park) – Per Day

Adults (July – December) Per Person USD 200
Adults (January – June) Per Person USD 100
Children (9-17 Years) Per Person USD 50
Students Per Person USD 50

Maasai Mara Citizens Park Fees

(Accommodated inside or outside the Park) – Per Day

Adults Per Person Kes 3000
Children (9-17 Years) Per Person Kes 1000
Students Per Person Kes 1000

Maasai Mara East African Residents Park Fees

(Accommodated inside or outside the Park) – Per Day

Adults Per Person Kes 4500
Children (9-17 Years) Per Person Kes 2000
Students Per Person Kes 2000

Camping Fee (Per Person / Per Day)

Camping Fee Kenyan Citizen East African Citizens / Residents Non-Residents
Adults KSH 1,000 KSH 2,000 USD 40
Child (9-17 Yrs) KSH 200 KSH 1,000 USD 20
Students KSH 200 KSH 1,000 USD 20

Vehicle Entry Fees

Below is a table showing Vehicle Entry Fees to enter MMNR and Mara Triangle;

ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT MEASURE RATE
Vehicle Entry Charges – Per Day
Less than 6 Seats Per Vehicle KSH 1,000
6 – 12 Seats Per Vehicle KSH 1,500
13 – 24 Seats Per Vehicle KSH 3,500
25 – 44 Seats Per Vehicle KSH 4,500
45 – Above Seats Per Vehicle KSH 5,000
Truck Entry Charges – Per Day
1-3 Tonnes Per Vehicle KSH 1,500
4-7 Tonnes Per Vehicle KSH 3,000
8 Tonnes & Above Per Vehicle KSH 4,000

Best Time to Visit Maasai Mara National Reserve

Generally, Kenyas Maasai Mara is best to visit in the dry-season months of July – October when the parks are dry and wildlife viewing is dramatic, easy, and action-packed.

The best time to visit the Masai Mara is between July and August. Although it’s still okay to visit other months, the best prime season is between July and August during the great wildebeest migration.

  • The best time to visit the Maasai Mara for general wildlife viewing is from January to March.
  • The high season is highly visited during Christmas and school holidays.
LOW SEASON: HIGH SEASON: PEAK SEASON:
1st April to June 15th and 15th Nov to 15th Dec

If you are looking for an intimate exclusive safari but affordable Kenya Safari, this is the best time to visit.

The best places to visit include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks.

Jan 10th to 1st April and 1st Nov to 15th Dec

One of the most considered seasons to travel and visit East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Easy to spot the big five and the big cats of the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Samburu other major parks.

15th June to 30th Oct, 15th Dec to 10th Jan

An action-filled season to witness the great wildebeest migration and crossings in Kenya is during this season.

In case you are looking for the best adventures, then this is the best fit for you

Low Season

High Season

Peak Season

How to get to Maasai Mara National Reserve

How to Get to Masai Mara

As a prime destination in Kenya, Masai Mara can be accessed in various means. Its 5 Hours drives from Nairobi if you drive in our 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeeps. And its 45 min to 1-hour flight transfer from Nairobi to Masai Mara. The Reserve has numerous airstrips and serves many flights from either Nairobi (Flying Safaris from Nairobi) or Mombasa (Flying Safaris from Mombasa) for guests visiting. The main gates used to Access the reserve are, Sekenani Gate, Ololoo Gate, Musiara Gate, Talek Gate, Ololaimutia Gate.

The Masai Mara Reserve offers Authentic safari experiences such as the rough terrains, river crossings, and vast plains sightings. This gives you a reason to admire more of African Safari experiences and calls for another visit. Our Safari Guides are experts in traversing this rough terrains and professional in handling your journeys across our major parks in East Africa.

Best Places to Stay in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Mara Bushtops Camp

Mara Bushtops Camp

Mara Bushtops is set within our own private wildlife reserve. Alongside the Masai, access to the Conservancy is exclusive to

Encounter Mara Camp

Encounter Mara Camp

Encounter Mara Camp is located in the 20,234-hectare Mara Naboisho Conservancy of southwest Kenya, the camp also sits alongside the

Mara Ashnil Camp

Ashnil Mara Camp

Ashnil Mara Camp overlooks the confluence of the Mara and Olkeju Rivers, with forty luxury tents set amongst the riverine

Gallery of Maasai Mara National Reserve

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In this case, we request our guests booking with us, to bring an extra back of supplies. This can be in terms of books, sports materials, and any other items that would change the lives of these kids. 

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