Masai Mara Safari

The Masai Mara is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world, and with good reason. With incredibly high densities of lions, leopards and other predators, it’s a reserve that deserves its place on safari-goers’ bucket lists.

My first visit to the Masai Mara didn’t disappoint. Within hours I’d already seen five cheetahs, countless lions and a huge herd of elephants.

Spend a minimum of 2 nights in the Masai Mara to allow yourself a full day to traverse through this gorgeous reserve.

For a more exclusive experience, consider one of the Masai Mara’s Conservancies.

Quick Facts

Location: The Masai Mara is 6 hours west of Nairobi by road, or a short 1 hour flight away from Wilson Airport. It borders the Serengeti National Park to the south, the two being part of the same ecosystem.

Best Time to Visit: There’s honestly no bad time to visit the Masai Mara. However, as it’s Kenya’s flagship park, visiting outside of peak season will give you a more intimate experience. Visit between October and February for less crowds. Or, if the Great Migration is important to you, between mid-July and mid-October (although it will be busier at this time of year).

Top Tip: The main reserve can get pretty busy in peak times. If you’re looking for a more exclusive experience, consider visiting in shoulder or even low season. I’d also recommend looking at the Masai Mara Conservancies which have stricter regulations on how many vehicles they allow on game drives.

Lion

Common

Elephant

Common

Giraffe

Common

Cheetah

Common

Zebra

Common

Cape Buffalo

Common

Leopard

Occasional

Black Rhino

Rare