Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Maasai Mara: a year-round wildlife extravaganza
The Maasai (Masai) Mara in Kenya has year-round wildlife action and safari lodges to suit all tastes.
Visitors are drawn to the drama of Mara River crossings during the famous Great Wildebeest Migration, from August to mid-October, but wildlife action on the Big 5 Mara plains continues throughout the year. Locals in the know prefer the quieter 'secret season' when the big herds (and most tourists) have left, and the resident big cats made famous by the BBC's Big Cat Diary again rule their kingdom.
5 things we love about the Maasai Mara
Great Migration - Mara River crossings: observing hordes of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River during August to mid-October is one of Africa's best safari experiences. One gets caught up in the drama of the moment, the chaos, the celebration of life. And death, as massive crocs and tactical lions gorge on the reckless and the unlucky.
Secret season: from late October to April, witness lush green landscapes and abundant predator action as resident big cats feast on new antelope calves. Enjoy lower visitor numbers, exceptional bird sightings, and cute babies.
Big Five: search for lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & black rhino, plus cheetah, serval, hyena and many other species.
Hot air balloon safari: elevate your Maasai Mara safari with a serene hot-air balloon flight at sunrise, followed by a delicious champagne breakfast on the savannah.
Maasai Mara culture: an authentic Maasai village visit takes you beyond wildlife, fostering a profound connection with their vibrant culture, traditions, and daily life.
Our favourite Maasai Mara safari ideas
All you need to know about the Maasai Mara
About the Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara in Kenya is a year-round safari paradise, offering the drama of the Mara River crossings during the Great Migration (August to mid-October) and excellent wildlife sightings during the remainder of the year.
The Mara (as it is affectionately known) is a wildlife photographer's paradise, thanks to its legendary golden light and year-round high wildlife populations. The reserve and its conservancies host some of the highest predator densities in Africa, which only increase as nomads and vagrants follow the huge herds back and forth through this ecosystem during the seasonal Great Migration.
The backdrop of the Siria escarpment in the west overlooks sweeping savannas, riverine woodlands, and forests on a deceptively flat landscape that extends eastwards towards the Sekenani Hills and northwards towards the Aitong Hills.
The 3,000km² (300,000-hectare) Maasai Mara landscape (national reserve plus community-owned conservancies) is, in essence, the northern extension of the unfenced Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which stretches south into Tanzania to include Serengeti National Park - a combined unfenced area of more than 40,000 km² (4 million hectares).
What wildlife will I see in the Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara offers a year-round wildlife spectacle, including:
The huge Great Migration herds of wildebeest and zebras from August to mid-October. The sheer volume of migrating animals boggles the mind, and the drama of the Mara River crossings, as thousands of animals cross again and again, risking huge crocodiles and swirling waters, is one of nature's most epic encounters.
The Big Five: rhino, lion, elephant, leopard, and buffalo.
A high number of predators. The Maasai Mara hosts significant populations of lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, as well as less commonly encountered species such as servals, bat-eared foxes, and caracals.
An impressive bird tally of about 750 species can be found, including regional endemics such as Jackson’s widowbird, grey-crested helmetshrike, Usambiro barbet and rufous-tailed weaver
Maasai Mara lodges and camps
The Maasai Mara is blessed with a range of luxury camps and lodges, from seasonal bush camps that evoke the romance and adventure of Africa’s golden safari era to authentic tented camps and boutique lodges.
Every property we select for your handcrafted journey meets our exacting standards for comfort, character, and service. Just as importantly, each lodge is deeply committed to protecting the Maasai Mara wildlife, supporting local communities, and preserving the extraordinary ecosystems that make your safari possible.
Check out our Maasai Mara safari ideas above to see some of the hotels, lodges and camps with proven track records that we regularly send our guests to.
Trusted by thousands of ecstatic travellers
✔️ 5-Star Trustpilot Rating ✔️ Condé Nast Travel Specialist Award Winner
✔️ Accredited by SATSA ✔️ 5,000+ Exceptional Safaris Since 1991
Why choose Africa Geographic to plan your safari?
... an unforgettable and life-changing safari for me and my husband in the Kenyan Maasai Mara .... by far the best travel agent with whom we have worked in over 20 years of international travel ... personal, direct, prompt, efficient, and responsive ... extensive knowledge of Africa ... gave us a depth of understanding not usually gained by first-time visitors to a country...
I spent months ... looking for the perfect opportunity for a photo safari for myself and my husband. I found that with Africa Geographic ... who worked with me to arrange for a magical 8 days with Sentinel Mara Camp on the banks of the Mara River. Looking for a perfect safari experience? We can’t recommend Africa Geographic and Sentinel Mara Camp highly enough!
Booking a safari holiday to the Maasai Mara through Africa Geographic was an absolute game-changer for my travel experience. From start to finish, their service exceeded all expectations, and I can't praise them enough for helping me create memories that will last a lifetime. What truly sets Africa Geographic apart is their dedication to creating personalized itineraries ...
Wish you were here?
Frequently asked questions
The Maasai Mara offers a year-round spectacle.
The dramatic Mara River crossings during the Great Migration, August to mid-October, are prime time. This is the peak tourism season, with many tourists and vehicles at the crossing points and predator sightings. The river crossings are all within the national reserve, so crowds are unavoidable. Booking a lodge in a private concession in one of the community reserves means fewer tourists during game drives, except when viewing river crossings. If you wish to view the river crossings, then late September and early October are less crowded than August and most of September.
Alternatively, the 'Secret Season' (late mid-October to April) provides lush landscapes, abundant predator action on new calves, and significantly lower visitor numbers for an exclusive, tranquil experience.
Tanzania (Serengeti National Park) | Kenya (Maasai Mara National Reserve) |
Ten times larger than the Maasai Mara | Dense wildlife in a smaller area |
Great Migration is present year-round, including river crossings in the north (August-mid-October) and peak calving on the southern plains (February–March) | Great Migration from August to mid-October, with Mara River crossings, which occur simultaneously in Tanzania's northern Serengeti during this period |
Vast, open landscapes result in more opportunities to avoid the crowds | Private conservancy system offers exclusive, crowd-free viewing. Note that river crossings occur in the main reserve and are subject to crowding |
Big 5 are present, but combine with an Ngorongoro Crater safari for higher chances of seeing rhinos | Very high likelihood of sighting the entire Big Five (especially with Laikipia and its rhino sanctuaries as an add-on) |
Best for: photographers, wilderness seekers, experienced safari-goers | Best for: first-timers, families, shorter trips |
The Maasai (Masai) Mara is home to all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & black rhino), although rhinos are the hardest to find. Other species, such as cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeest, and zebras, are easily seen. You will also find rare and seldom-seen species such as wild dogs, aardvarks, servals and honey badgers.
Please get in touch with your local GP or travel clinic well before your trip to obtain professional medical advice and discuss up-to-date vaccination requirements for the areas you will visit.
Yellow fever
Kenya is not a yellow fever country, so a yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory. However, if you are entering Kenya from a yellow fever country (such as Rwanda), you will need to present your vaccination certificate upon entry.
Malaria
Malaria is prevalent in many parts of Kenya, and we advise you to consult your GP before you depart about taking prophylaxis. It’s also essential to cover up in the evenings when the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito usually feeds. The malaria incubation period is 1-3 weeks, so if you experience any flu-like symptoms, headaches, aching joints and back or nausea and diarrhoea, it is recommended that you get tested at the earliest opportunity and let the medical people know you’ve recently travelled to Africa.
Our safaris typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 105 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation call with one of our Safari Experts or fill in our 2-minute form with your questions. Our team of experts are here to help! Whether you’re curious about the best time to travel, want to hear first-hand about an experience or need help planning your safari.
Explore more African destinations
Start planning your dream safari
Our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!