Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s premier destination most popular for its iconic migration experience and Big 5 game encounters. No destination beats Maasai Mara when it comes to magical African wilderness experiences. Explore our comprehensive guide to Masai Mara which includes location, size, attractions (wildlife & birds), things to do, lodges/camps, and how you can safely get to Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya.
Location & size
Masai Mara is found in the southwestern part of Kenya, Narok County. The reserve lies near the Serengeti National Park. Masai Mara Reserve currently has a land area coverage of 1510 sq. km. It takes its name from the Maasai people who referred it as “Mara.” This nature reserve boasts of its sweeping African savanna plains and abundant wildlife.
The Eastern end of Masai Mara features the sandy Ngama Hills filled with thick bushes and is an ideal place to find the black rhinos. The Northern border consists of the Musiara swamp –known for its incredible sights of leopards, lions, cheetahs, and elephants. The Western border is marked by the Oloololo Escarpment while the Mara triangle lies near the Mara River. The Mara triangle landscape is characterized by vast grassland and is where you can witness a huge profusion of wildebeest.
The Mara Triangle is under the management of the Trans-Mara Country Council. This is a non-profit organization. The southeastern part of the Masai Mara is run by the Narok County Council. The two organizations are in charge of wildlife protection and tourism activities in the reserve.
Masai Mara was established in 1961 when it covered a land area of only 520 sq. km. In 1974, its land area coverage was extended to currently 1510 sq. km and has an altitude range of 1500 to 2170 meters. Today, Masai Mara happens to be one of the biggest game reserves in Kenya with the highest concentrations of wildlife.
What to see
Wildlife
Masai Mara Reserve is most popular for its complete list of Big 5 game (leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes). The reserve also holds a great population of carnivores such as wild dogs, jackals, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, and cheetahs. Overall, Masai Mara protects more than 95 mammal species and others including hippos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and more.
Birds
Masai Mara is a birder’s haven with more than 470 species of birds. Mara Reserve is one of the enriching birding sites in Kenya. Top bird species to find in Masai Mara include ostriches, lazy cisticola, Denham’s bustard, Ayres’s hawk-eagle, African fin foot, Hildebrandt’s starling, purple grenadiers, cinnamon-breasted bunting, African wood owl, Abdim’s stork, red-throated tits, giant kingfisher, secretary bird, and rufous-throated wryneck.
Additional birds of Masai Mara include rosy-throated long-claw, saddle-billed stork, Jackson’s widowbird, grey penduline tit, woolly-necked stork, yellow-throated sand grouse, white-bellied go-away bird, temminck’s courser, Swahili sparrow, silver bird, trilling cisticola, and Usambiro barbet.
The Great Migration
A visit to Masai Mara isn’t complete without witnessing the Great Migration. The Great Migration is not only Masai Mara’s iconic attraction but also a major safari highlight on Kenya tour packages. Experiencing the best of the Great Migration in the Mara plains is usually around July to October.
What to do (Activities)
Exciting things to do in Masai Mara Reserve include the game drives, balloon tours, birding, great migration, nature walks and community visits.
Game drives
Game drives in Masai Mara offer a lifetime opportunity for nature enthusiasts to explore diverse wildlife. Using a 4×4 safari vehicle, visitors get a chance to traverse the endless plains of the Mara Reserve while in search of the Big 5 and other mammals. The available game drive options include the morning session, evening, and night. Each game viewing session has something unique for you to encounter in the diverse ecosystem in the Masai Mara Reserve.
Among the different wildlife to encounter in the Masai Mara include the African bush elephants, gazelles, buffaloes, lions, oribis, hyenas, giraffes, hartebeest, and birds.
Hot air balloon
Balloon excursions are perfect for visitors interested in aerial game viewing. Masai Mara is one place that guarantees you captivating aerial views of your favorite wildlife while you have fun. A complete balloon excursion can take about 1-2 hours although this may depend on the weather conditions.
Bird-watching
Birding is one of the best activities you should expect to be part of Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve. During the bird-watching excursion, expect to come across a diversity of birdlife including yellow-billed stork, tawny eagle, rufous-billed heron, rosy-throated long and magpie shrike, Kori bustards, African fish eagles, sacred ibis, secretary bird, Usambiro barbet, sooty chat, Egyptian vulture, and others.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours allow you to embark on a journey to experience the vibrant cultures of the Maasai people. The Maasai people live adjacent to the Masai Mara Reserve and while here, expect to be entertained by the locals.
Horseback riding
Besides game drives, Masai Mara is also an ideal place to experience the best of the horseback ride. The horseback rides offer an incredible alternative to game viewing in the reserve.
When to visit Masai Mara
Masai Mara Reserve is best visited during the peak dry season which is from June to October. The beauty of peak dry months in Masai Mara is that they fall in the same period for witnessing the Great Migration. You can combine game-viewing tours to see the Big 5 and the Great Migration safaris.
Safari lodges and camps in Masai Mara Reserve
The top 15 safari lodges and camps to book for overnight in Masai Mara include Governor’s II Moran Camp, Sanctuary Olonana, Elephant Pepper Camp, Little Governor’s Camp, Naboisho Camp, Rekero Camp, Angama Mara, Mara Intrepids Camp, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Sala’s Camp, Sand River Masai Mara, Porini Lion Camp, Mara Bush House, Mara River Lodge, and Ashnil Mara Camp.
How to get there
Masai Mara lies in Narok County and getting there can be by road or air. Road travel to Masai Mara Reserve takes about 6 hours starting from Nairobi city. Using air transportation, you can shorten the number of hours to about 1 hour. You land at the airstrip in the reserve or nearby. Top airstrips that service the great Masai Mara National Reserve include Serena, Keekorok, Musiara, Ol Kiombo, and Mara North.