A Breathtaking Wonder

MAASAI MARA SAFARIS

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on Earth, offering incredible game viewing throughout the year. Famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration—once hailed as the eighth wonder of the world in 2007—it’s a must-see experience. Whether you choose a tented camp, luxury villa, safari lodge, or hotel, your stay should reflect the uniqueness of the destination. Privacy and comfort are just as important as adventure.

Accommodation Factors To Consider

The Desired Adventure

Accommodation on the Maasai Mara National reserve will give a visitor :

Stay and hospitality from the National reserve
A day time game drive.
Experience the river crossings and the great wildebeest migration from the front row.
Maasai cultural walks from the neighbourhood.
Alternative accommodation on private conservancies will give you a rare experience with night game drives up to 22h00.
Guided walks.
Off-roading.
Transfers to and out of the national park.
Private accommodation.
Maasai cultural walks.
Help contribute to the local’s wildlife and environmental conservancy work.

Time Of Year

The Maasai Mara offers exceptional wildlife viewing all year round, with resident species—including the Big Five—regularly spotted in both high and low seasons. The high season, from June to November, brings the dramatic wildebeest migration, peaking between July and October. While the migration herds aren’t present during the low season, game viewing remains excellent, and many lodges offer discounted rates. With a variety of accommodation options—from private conservancies to lodges in the main reserve—it’s important to plan your visit based on the experience you’re after.

Travel Advice

Welcome to our ever-developing travel advice, as we tailor-make your Maasai Mara holiday. Get deeper knowledge of the Maasai community conservation efforts and their culture in Kenya.

Book Early for the Migration

It is advisable to make early bookings before camps fill up along the Mara river crossings and migration hot spots. Guests often fully book up to a year in advance. Book early to get strategic accommodation and front-row seats during the July to November migration period.

The Hot-Air Balloon Experience

A hot-air balloon safari over the vast Mara’s open plains is a Maasai Mara specialty and delivers an unforgettable bird’s-eye view over the wildebeest migration. Get our travel advisor to book you up for this safari!

Meet The Locals

Contribute to the local community by booking the right way and enjoy the real Maasai cultural interaction that’s genuinely natural and benefits the local community. Why get a fake once-in-a-lifetime experience? We recommend accommodation and operators that do it the right way for an unparalleled, meaningful and uncontrived holiday experience.

Go Stay Private

The Maasai Mara National Reserve can become crowded during the peak season (July to November), especially around the wildebeest migration. For a more exclusive experience, consider staying in one of the private conservancies bordering the reserve. These areas offer excellent game viewing, fewer vehicles, and activities not allowed in the main reserve—such as off-road safaris, night drives, and guided nature walks. By staying in a conservancy, you also support local communities and contribute directly to vital conservation efforts.

For more practical info on travel, visit our Kenya Travel Advice page.

Flights and Getting Around

Welcome to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi—Kenya’s main international gateway for travelers heading to the Maasai Mara. From Nairobi, most safari flights depart from Wilson Airport, a smaller but busy domestic airport. A short scenic charter flight will take you directly to the reserve, where you’ll land at one of the local airstrips. From there, your adventure continues with a transfer to your safari lodge or camp in a 4×4 Jeep, Land Cruiser, or Land Rover.

Safari Vehicles

In Kenya, guided road transfers and game drives are typically done in closed 4×4 vehicles such as Toyota Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, or Jeeps. These vehicles are designed for long-distance travel, featuring large windows and pop-up roofs for optimal game viewing and photography. Most have three rows of seating and are ideal for traversing the country’s extensive road networks. If you’re flying directly into the Masai Mara, your transfers are often done in open-sided vehicles, offering an immersive safari experience right from the airstrip.