The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s most famous reserve, and the most popular safari from Nairobi. You can drive there in a day or fly in under an hour.
Road or air?
By road. Around five to six hours from Nairobi, via the Rift Valley escarpment and Narok. The final stretch to the reserve gates can be rough. Most budget and mid-range safaris go by road in a 4x4 or safari minivan, typically for three days and two nights.
By air. Scheduled light aircraft fly several times a day from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to airstrips inside and around the reserve, in about 45 to 75 minutes. Lodges meet you at the airstrip. Flying costs more, but saves a long day each way - worth it for short trips. Check the baggage limit, which is usually small and requires soft bags.
Reserve fees
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is run by Narok County. In 2026, the daily fee for a non-resident adult is:
- US$ 100 from 1 January to 30 June.
- US$ 200 from 1 July to 31 December.
Citizens, residents and children pay lower rates. A ticket covers one 12-hour day, so a three-day safari means three days of fees. Most packages include fees, but always check.
Conservancies bordering the reserve, such as Olare Motorogi and Naboisho, charge their own fees and limit vehicle numbers, so game drives are quieter.
When to go
- July to October - the Great Migration, when huge herds of wildebeest and zebra arrive from Tanzania and cross the Mara River. The busiest and most expensive time.
- January to March - dry, good game viewing, fewer vehicles.
- April and May - the long rains. Some camps close; prices drop.
Resident predators, elephants and plains game are there all year.
Choosing a package
- Group joining safaris - cheapest, shared minivan and budget camps.
- Private road safaris - your own vehicle and driver-guide, flexible.
- Fly-in lodge stays - lodge or camp with game drives included.
Ask every operator:
- Is the reserve fee included, and for how many days?
- What kind of vehicle - a pop-up-roof minivan or a 4x4 land cruiser?
- Is it a private vehicle or shared, and how many people per vehicle?
- What meals and drinks are included?
Choose a company that is a member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO), and pay by card or bank transfer to the company, not to an individual.
What to pack
Neutral-coloured clothes, a warm layer for early mornings, a hat and sunscreen, binoculars, and a camera. Soft bags if you are flying.