At a glance
- Best for
- Big-game safari, the Great Migration, balloon flights
- Getting there
- About five to six hours by road, or a short flight to a Mara airstrip
- Time needed
- Three nights is ideal; two at the very least
- Base yourself
- Inside the reserve, in a neighbouring conservancy, or near a gate
When to go
The Mara is rewarding all year. The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra usually reaches the Mara from around July to October, with the famous river crossings often in August and September, though the timing shifts from year to year with the rains. Those months are also the busiest, so book early. Outside migration season, resident wildlife stays put, the plains are quieter and it can be easier to find the stay you want. The long rains, usually around April and May, can make tracks muddy.
Getting there by road
The drive from Nairobi takes roughly five to six hours plus stops, about 260 to 280 kilometres (160 to 175 miles) depending on your route and which gate you use. You leave the city towards Limuru, drop down the escarpment into the Rift Valley, and head west to Narok town, the natural halfway stop. The road is tarmac to Narok and most of the way on, with rougher gravel on the final stretches to some gates and inside the reserve. Until mid-2027, allow extra time for roadworks on the highway out of Nairobi.
For the road trip, our sister company Urban Escape Luxury Cars provides comfortable 4x4s with a chauffeur. One rule matters: the only vehicle in their fleet that may be used on game drives is the Land Cruiser Safari. In any other car, you drive to your lodge and go on game drives in the lodge's own vehicles. Their road trips from Nairobi guide covers the route in detail.
Getting there by air
Light aircraft fly from Nairobi to airstrips across the Mara, usually from Wilson Airport, with some flights from JKIA. The flight takes around an hour, and your camp collects you from the airstrip. Light aircraft have strict luggage limits, typically soft-sided bags only, so check the allowance when you book. We can arrange the transfer to Wilson so the whole day runs smoothly.
Where to stay
There are three broad choices, each with a different feel.
- Inside the national reserve: the classic choice, closest to the action. It can be busy around big sightings in peak season.
- In a neighbouring conservancy: land leased from Maasai communities, where many camps limit vehicle numbers and may offer walking safaris and night drives that the main reserve does not.
- Near a gate, outside the reserve: often the most affordable option, with a short drive in each morning.
Stays range from simple tented camps to luxurious lodges. Ask us for our current, personally vetted picks.
Park tickets
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is managed by Narok County, not the Kenya Wildlife Service. Tickets are now valid for 12 hours rather than a full day, so plan your game drives and entry times together. Kenyan citizens, residents and non-residents pay different rates, so bring your Kenyan ID if you have one. Check the current fees before you travel; many camps include them in their rates.
Making the most of it
- Go out early. Early morning and late afternoon are when predators are most active and the light is best.
- Consider a dawn hot-air balloon flight, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many guests.
- Visit a Maasai community with a respectful guide, and ask before photographing people.
- Pack layers: mornings on an open vehicle are cold, and middays are hot.
- Wear neutral colours, and bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Safaris with children
Many camps welcome families, and some run special programmes for children. Some camps set minimum ages, especially for walking safaris, so check before booking. Three nights gives children time to settle in rather than rushing. Speak to a travel clinic about malaria advice for the Mara well before you go.
Staying safe
Your guide's instructions are the rules: stay in the vehicle on game drives, keep to the camp paths after dark and let staff walk you to your tent at night. Wildlife is wild, and a good guide keeps you at the right distance.
Ready to plan?
Tell us your dates, your budget level and whether you prefer to fly or drive, and we'll put the pieces together. Plan your trip with us, or read our guide to getting around Kenya.
Transport by our sister company, Urban Escape Luxury Cars.
Questions about the Maasai Mara
How long is the drive from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara?
Roughly five to six hours plus stops, about 260 to 280 kilometres depending on your route and gate. Flying takes around an hour from Nairobi to a Mara airstrip.
Can I use a hire car on game drives in the Maasai Mara?
Only the Land Cruiser Safari from Urban Escape Luxury Cars may be used on game drives. In any other car, you drive to your lodge and join the lodge's own game drives.
When is the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara?
Usually from around July to October, with river crossings often in August and September. The timing changes each year with the rains, so treat any date as a guide.
How many nights should I spend in the Maasai Mara?
Three nights is ideal, especially if you drive. Two nights is the minimum to make the journey worthwhile.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
