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The wind whistles in the thorn trees. On a solitary acacia, a vulture ruffles its feathers. Above are endless skies to match the seemingly endless horizons. This must be the Masai Mara, home to the greatest animal show on Earth.

The Mara Game Reserve, as it was originally known, was established in 1961. Today, it’s one of the best-known wildlife areas in Africa, home to healthy big cat populations and an abundance of plains game, bolstered by the arrival of millions of wildebeest during the Great Migration. Visit at any time and you have a good chance of seeing lion, elephant, cheetah, Masai giraffe and buffalo, as well as varied birdlife, hippo and crocodiles along the rivers.

Masai giraffe mother and babyThere’s a reason the Masai Mara National Reserve is so well known and popular with visitors. Point a camera and in one shot you might capture dazzles of zebra and a scattering of impala, wildebeest and gazelles, elephant marching in a line and lanky giraffe nibbling the acacia trees, all against a backdrop of distant hills and vast open plains.

Everything's big here: it’s a landscape of rolling plains and rounded hills, of groves of acacia woodland and dense thickets of scrub. The reserve is bisected by the Mara River and its tributaries, which are margined by lush riverine forest and the site of spectacular river crossings during the migration.

The reserve’s southern boundary is contiguous with Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, which shares the Great Migration herds. It has been developed on the lines of a national park, where, unlike in the bordering conservancies, human settlements are unable to intrude and game-viewing is restricted to game drives and horse riding safaris.

Male lion, Masai MaraOn your twice-daily game drives, your guide will try to find the animals you most want to see, whether it’s lion (the Masai Mara is home to the largest lion population in Kenya), species not found elsewhere in the country, such as topi and roan antelope, or birds such as kingfishers, hornbills, secretary birds and raptors.

During the Great Migration (usually between July and October), you can focus your game drives along the Mara River, where, as well as river crossings, you have a good chance of seeing predators picking off the weakest of the herds. It’s worth noting that the reserve gets very busy during these months and river crossings are near-impossible to predict, requiring huge amounts of patience.

At any time of year, you still have a chance of seeing all of the Big Five, though leopard seem to be skilled at keeping a low profile. You can also stumble across cheetah, either solitary females (sometimes with cubs) or male coalitions peering over termite mounds.

Most vehicles in the park will focus on spotting these key species. But, sometimes, the best game drives are where you don’t have a set animal goal in mind and simply see what’s out there, sticking to quieter corners for a more laid-back, authentic experience.

Best time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara, while known for its Great Migration months of July to October, is abundant in all manner of wildlife year-round. You’re most likely to experience rain between March and May, but it shouldn’t impact on your safari experience and the reserve will have fewer visitors at this time.

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Audley Travel Specialist Mike

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Masai Mara National Reserve by contacting one of our Kenya specialists

Suggested itineraries featuring Masai Mara National Reserve

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Masai Mara National Reserve, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Masai Mara National Reserve

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Masai Mara National Reserve

    Our expert guides to exploring Masai Mara National Reserve

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Masai Mara National Reserve, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Masai Mara National Reserve at its best.

    • Kenya safaris: the Masai Mara and beyond
      Elephant in the Masai Mara

      Kenya safaris: the Masai Mara and beyond

      Kenya safaris: the Masai Mara and beyond

      The thunder of wildebeests in the Masai Mara, the peaceful silence of the bush in Samburu National Reserve, and wildlife drives in the shadow of Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park... Kenya boasts some of the world’s best safari experiences.

      7 min read

      Read this guide
    • The Big Five in Kenya
      Rhino mother and calf, Laikipia

      The Big Five in Kenya

      The Big Five in Kenya

      Home of the Masai Mara and Lewa Wilderness Conservancy, you'll have countless opportunities to spot the Big Five in Kenya. With a range of first-class lodges, you can embark on traditional game drives and walking safaris in search of these magnificent animals.

      2 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Masai Mara National Reserve

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Masai Mara National Reserve. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • Main Area, Kicheche Mara Camp, Masai Mara
      Responsible Choice

      Kicheche Mara Camp

      Masai Mara National Reserve
      First Class
    • View from tent, Kicheche Naboisho Camp, Masai Mara
      Responsible Choice

      Kicheche Naboisho Valley Camp

      Masai Mara National Reserve
      First Class
    • Kicheche Bush Camp, Masai Mara
      Responsible Choice

      Kicheche Bush Camp

      Masai Mara National Reserve
      First Class

    Ideas for experiencing Masai Mara National Reserve

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Masai Mara National Reserve, and which use the best local guides.

    • Hot Air Balloon Flight in the Masai Mara
      Hot Air Balloon over the Masai Mara

      Hot Air Balloon Flight in the Masai Mara

      Hot Air Balloon Flight in the Masai Mara

      Watch out for the giraffe hiding in the trees, antelope on the plains and roosting birds. As the sun comes up the views are superb — one of the most beautiful sights in Africa.

      View details