Guide to Masai Mara national park is an insight into the different aspects that make Masai Mara a mist visit destination in Kenya. Kenya is recognized among the best wildlife destinations on the African continent, this magical country is home to plenty of wildlife including the Big Five and playground for Great Wildebeest Migration. 

About Masai Mara national park

Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the amazing conservation areas hosting some of huge wildlife populations in Kenya, the reserve is also the most famous reserve in Kenya and among best wildlife destinations in the world.  Masai Mara National Reserve also known as Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in the South-west of Kenya, the reserve spans an area of 1,500 square kilometers forming the northernmost part of the Mara – Serengeti ecosystem, joining with Serengeti national park across the border in Tanzania. 

Masai Mara National Reserve also borders many private conservancies operated by the local Maasai people, these conservancies include Mara North Conservancy, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Lemek Conservancy, Olderkesi wildlife Conservancy, Mara Triangle and Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy.  Masai Mara National Reserve is an Africa safari dreamland encompassing rolling hills, arid plains, endless savannah plains and the Masai people.  About Masai Mara National Reserve  Masai Mara National Reserve has been recognized as the ultimate destination in Africa for wildlife viewing and jungle safari, in addition to abundant wildlife, Masai Mara is graced with spectacular landscapes and Masai village – home of the Masai people one of the few tribes in the world with cultures and traditions intact.  Masai Mara National Reserve is an incredible destination for birding, game viewing, guided nature walks and camping under the stars.  Basic Information About Masai Mara National Reserve  Area – 1,510 square kilometers  Location – Southwestern Kenya, Rift Valley Province  Elevation – lies between 4,875 and 7,052 feet Best Time to Visit Masai Mara National Reserve  Masai Mara National Reserve is an all year round safari destination as game viewing is excellent throughout the year, however the best time to go for a safari is during the dry season starting from late June to October. During the dry season, chances of sighting the wildlife are high as animals congregate near waterholes and river to drink water and also cool off.  The most popular time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve is during July and August, these months offer the highest chances of seeing the wildebeest migration. The downside of this period is that it is the busiest and most expensive period to travel to Masai Mara.  When planning to visit Masai Mara National Reserve, it is important to know about the two rainy seasons, expect long rains from April to May and short rains in November and December. The advantage of going for a Masai safari in wet season is that the scenery is green and migrate birds are present joining the resident specie.  Getting to Masai Mara National Reserve  There are several ways to get to Masai Mara National reserve and the most popular ones are by air and by road.  By Air: Chartered and scheduled domestic flights are available from Wilson Airport in Nairobi City, it is a flight of about 45 minutes from Wilson to Masai Mara airstrips including Keekorok Airstrip, Serena Airstrip, Musiara Airstrip, Ol Kiombo Airstrip, Ngerende Airstrip and Kichwa Tembo Airstrip.  By Road: Masai Mara National Reserve is approximately 224 kilometers from Nairobi City to the reserve, you can use with public or private means to get to Masai Mara.  Note: When you book a safari with Jewel safaris, private transportation is included in our quotation and your guide will pick you up from the airport upon arrival or from your hotel in Nairobi and head to the reserve for your safari.  A drive from Nairobi City to Masai Mara National Reserve is approximately 4 – 5 hours through Narok town where you will have a stopover at the view point for amazing sightings of the rift valley escarpments.  Things to do in Masai Mara National Reserve on a Kenya Safari  Masai Mara National Reserve is a very rewarding Kenya safari destination offering several memorable activities to do on your safari 

• Spot the Big Five

Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the best places in the world to see the Big Five, the endless plains of the reserve host huge prides of lions, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, rhinos and leopards which you will spot during the game drives making the reserve a perfect destination for the African safari. 

Other animals you will see during the African safari in Masai Mara National Reserve include giraffes, gazelles, wildebeests, elands, hartebeests, African wild dogs among others.   

1. Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration 

  Seeing the Great Wildebeest Migration is a once in a lifetime sight to behold, in July and August, the Masai plains are full of wildebeests, zebras and antelopes which between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti national park in Tanzania.  Every year, over 2 million wildebeests and ten thousands of gazelles and antelopes embark on an annual migration in the Mara Serengeti ecosystem in search for water and green pastures following an old route, River crossing at Mara River is the most exhilarating event of the migration to watch.  While crossing the Mara River, there is always a high risk of wildebeests being snatched away and feasted on by crocodiles in the muddy waters and other predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs and African wild dogs.  

• Camping or Glamping in Masai Mara 

Camping or glamping is a wholesome experience providing visitors with a chance to get closer and also experience nature to its fullest, there are plenty of camping sites around the Mara River banks offer this mind-blowing experience. 

• Hot Air Balloon – soar over the endless plains of Masai Mara 

Conquer the skies of Masai Mara National reserve at sunrise and get an eye’s view (360-degree views) of the panoramic views over the endless plains and a chance to spot wildlife including the predators as they hunt, large herds of wildebeests on their annual wildebeest migration.  At the end of this mind – blowing experience, you are treated a champagne breakfast in the bush.  Bush Walks  No experience can offer you the finer details of nature, plants and birds of Masai Mara National reserve that guided bush walks. Leave your vehicle behind and explore the wilderness of Masai Mara on foot, with experts and armed rangers for protection you will be able to see enough game including giraffes, elands, wildebeests, lions, leopards, elephants among others.  Cultural Experiences     The Maasai People are one of the few tribes with authentic cultures, traditions and norms which have not been destroyed by technology and modernity. These people used to inhabit in the area today known as Masai Mara national reserve, currently the live along the borders of the park and it is possible to visit them while on a Maasai safari. On the visit, you will get a special insight into the rich culture of the Masai tribes, be entertained by local dances and drama performances by Maasai Warriors, listen to their beautiful stories about this beautiful land and the interact with the elders. 

Best Accommodation in Masai Mara National Reserve  In Masai Mara National Reserve, there is a variety of accommodation facilities situated in and around the border of the reserve. Some of the best accommodations in the reserve are as follows 

• Cottar’s 1920’s Safari Camp 
• Mara Bush Camp 
• Kilima Camp – Masai Mara 
• Mara Serena Safari Lodge 
• Royal Mara Safari Lodge 
• Keekorok Lodge 
• Masai Mara Sopa Lodge 

Frequently Asked Questions About Masai Mara National Park Is Masai Mara safe? Yes, Masai Mara National Reserve is a safe destination to visit as well as Kenya as a country.  How many hours’ drive is it from Nairobi to Masai Mara? From Nairobi city, it is a drive of approximately of 4-6 hours.