Overview
The Mara is the northern end of the Serengeti ecosystem. Its open plains make big cats easy to see all year, and from July the migration herds arrive and cross the Mara River.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is the northern part of the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem. Its open grasslands, the Mara and Talek rivers and resident big cats make it Kenya’s best-known safari destination.
Around the reserve, private conservancies leased from Maasai landowners limit vehicle numbers and allow walking safaris and night drives, which are not permitted in the reserve itself.
Highlights
- Lions, leopards and cheetahs
- Mara River crossings
- Balloon flights at dawn
- Maasai community visits
Things to do here
Wildlife to look for
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Wildebeest
- Elephant
- Topi
Good to know
Best time to visit
July – October for the migration
Getting there
About 5–6 hours by road from Nairobi, or a 45-minute flight.
Where to stay
Tented camps in the reserve and in private conservancies around it.
How long to stay
2–4 nights
Key facts
- Size
- About 1,500 km² (reserve), plus surrounding conservancies
- Rivers
- The Mara and Talek rivers
- Ecosystem
- Shared with Tanzania’s Serengeti
Seasons
Migration season (July – October)
The herds arrive from the Serengeti and cross the Mara River.
Rest of the year
Excellent resident wildlife, especially big cats, with fewer visitors and lower rates.
Practical tips
- Stay in a conservancy for fewer vehicles, walks and night drives.
Questions about Masai Mara National Reserve
July – October for the migration.
Itineraries visiting Masai Mara National Reserve
More places nearby
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