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Kenya's Crown Jewel · Kenya

Maasai Mara
National Reserve
Southwest Kenya

Southwest Kenya · 1,510 km² · Home of the Great Migration

Home› Destinations› Maasai Mara
1,510km² Reserve
Big 5Year Round
Jul–OctMigration Peak
2hrFrom Nairobi
40+Camps & Lodges
The Destination

Africa's Most Famous Reserve

The Maasai Mara is Kenya's most celebrated wildlife destination — and for good reason. Sprawling across 1,510 square kilometres of open savannah in southwestern Kenya, it forms a continuous ecosystem with Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Together, they host the greatest wildlife show on earth.

Named after the Maasai people who have called these lands home for centuries, and the Mara River that cuts through its heart, this reserve is synonymous with the dramatic images that define Africa in the imagination: lion prides on rocky outcrops, cheetahs scanning the plains, and the thundering chaos of a wildebeest river crossing.

Why Dawn Safaris Loves It

  • Consistently the best Big Five sightings in Kenya, year-round
  • The world's most dramatic wildlife event happens here every year
  • Diverse range of camps — from budget to ultra-luxury — all within the ecosystem
  • Exceptional Maasai cultural experiences available
  • Hot air balloon safaris over the plains at sunrise
Maasai Mara landscape Migration
Wildlife

What You'll Encounter

The Maasai Mara supports one of the highest densities of wildlife on earth. Here is what you can expect to see:

🦁
Lion
🐆
Leopard
🐘
Elephant
🦏
Black Rhino
🐃
Buffalo
🐊
Nile Crocodile
🐆
Cheetah
🦒
Masai Giraffe
🦓
Zebra
🐗
Warthog
🦅
500+ Bird Species
🦬
Wildebeest

The Big Five

All five of Africa's iconic animals are present in the Mara. Lion sightings are almost guaranteed — the reserve has one of the densest lion populations in Africa. Leopards are most active around dawn and dusk. Elephants roam in large family herds. Buffalo gather in enormous herds on the plains. Black rhino, once critically endangered here, are recovering under intensive conservation efforts.

The Great Migration

Between July and October, over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, cross from Tanzania's Serengeti into the Mara in search of fresh grass. The dramatic Mara River crossings — where thousands of animals launch themselves into crocodile-filled waters — are one of the most extraordinary sights in the natural world.

Season Guide

Best Time to Visit

The Mara is exceptional year-round — but each season offers a different kind of magic. Here's our honest guide to help you choose.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak — Migration & dry season
Good — Great wildlife, fewer crowds
Green season — Lush, birdlife, lower prices

July – October (Peak)

The migration is in full swing. Dramatic Mara River crossings happen almost daily. The dry season means vegetation is sparse, making wildlife easier to spot. Book well in advance — this is the most popular time. Expect cooler nights and warm days.

January – February (Dry)

Excellent wildlife viewing. The short dry season brings good concentrations of animals around waterholes. Fewer tourists than peak season, with slightly lower prices. Warm and sunny — ideal conditions for photography.

June (Dry Season Begins)

The long rains end and the landscape is still lush and green. Wildlife concentrations are building as the dry season takes hold. An excellent shoulder season with fewer visitors and good value on accommodation.

April – May (Green Season)

The long rains bring the Mara alive with colour. Resident wildlife remains excellent. Spectacular for birdwatching, newborn animals, and landscape photography. Significant discounts at most camps — great value.

Practical Guide

What to Expect

Getting There

The Mara is served by several airstrips — Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, Musiara and Serena — with multiple daily scheduled flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport (flight time approx. 45 minutes). Alternatively, it's a 5–6 hour road transfer through the scenic Rift Valley, often stopping at a viewpoint en route.

Accommodation

The Mara ecosystem offers everything from classic tented camps to ultra-luxury private conservancy lodges. Camps outside the reserve in private conservancies offer exclusive game drives with fewer vehicles. We personally vet every property we recommend.

  • Budget: Mara Simba, Enkewa Camp
  • Mid-range: Rekero Camp, Mara Intrepids
  • Luxury: Angama Mara, &Beyond Bateleur
  • Ultra-luxury: Mahali Mzuri, Sanctuary Olonana

Activities

  • Twice-daily game drives (dawn and dusk)
  • Hot air balloon safari at sunrise
  • Guided bush walks (in conservancies)
  • Maasai village cultural visits
  • Sundowner stops on the plains
  • Night game drives (in private conservancies)

What to Pack

  • Neutral clothing: khaki, olive, beige, brown
  • Warm fleece or jacket for early morning drives
  • Good quality binoculars (8×42 recommended)
  • Camera with zoom lens (200mm minimum)
  • High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm
  • DEET insect repellent
  • Wide-brimmed hat
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Health & Safety

  • Anti-malarial medication recommended — consult your doctor
  • Yellow Fever certificate required from endemic countries
  • Vaccinations: Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus advised
  • All our vehicles carry comprehensive first aid kits
  • Nearest hospital: Narok (1.5hr), Nairobi (5hr)

Park Fees

Non-resident fees apply: approx. USD 80 per person per day for the main reserve. Private conservancy fees vary by camp and are typically included in accommodation rates. All fees are included transparently in our quoted packages.

Where to Stay

5 Top Lodges & Camps

Our personally curated selection of the finest accommodation in the Maasai Mara ecosystem — from intimate conservancy camps to benchmark luxury lodges.

★★★★★
Angama Mara
Ultra-luxury. Perched on the Oloololo Escarpment edge — 500m above the Mara Triangle with the most famous view in Kenya. Two camps of 10 tents each.
★★★★★
Mahali Mzuri
Sir Richard Branson's 12-tent private camp in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Outstanding guiding, game-rich private land, extraordinary service.
★★★★
Mara Sopa Lodge
Mid-range classic inside the reserve. Good position, reliable guiding, large rooms. Features in multiple Dawn Safaris itineraries. Excellent value.
★★★★
Rekero Camp
Intimate 9-tent classic camp on the Talek River. Superb location for river crossings during migration season. Warm, personal atmosphere.
★★★★★
&Beyond Bateleur
Historic private conservancy camp — the original luxury Mara camp. Extraordinary game drives, private vehicle, exceptionally experienced guiding team.

All of these properties have been vetted by the Dawn Safaris team. Our recommendation for your specific needs depends on budget, travel dates and the experience you're looking for. Contact us to discuss.

Discuss Mara Accommodation →
Itineraries

Safaris That Include the Mara

All of these itineraries spend time in the Maasai Mara. Click any to see the full day-by-day details.

7–10 Days · From $2,749
The Great Migration
Follow the wildebeest herds and witness the legendary Mara River crossings.
View Itinerary →
6–8 Days · From $2,749
The Big Five Safari
Track all five iconic species across multiple Kenya reserves including the Mara.
View Itinerary →
8–12 Days · From $4,999
Luxury Safari
Exclusive conservancy camps with private guides and extraordinary Mara experiences.
View Itinerary →
Design My Mara Safari →