Masai Mara
Price Guide Request
Fill in the form below to receive our price guide.
Masai Mara Hightlights
The Masai Mara National Reserve in the south western part of Kenya forms part of the greater eco-system that encompasses the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The Masai Mara (also spelt Maasai Mara) is named for the Maasai people and the Mara River which divides it. The wildlife is not confined within the reserve's boundaries.
There are many conservancies to the north and east of the Maasai Mara National Reserve where over centuries; an almost symbiotic relationship has developed between the Maasai and the wildlife. The reserve is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest every July and August.
The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley. The Masai Mara consists of open savannah, rolling grasslands and undulating hills. The western border is the Esoit Olooloo Escarpment of the Rift Valley, and wildlife tends to be most concentrated here as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224km from Nairobi and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited.
What Sun Safaris Says
At times certain parts the Park can get a little overrun with tourist minibuses, so it is recommended to select your time and destination carefully. The easternmost border is 224 km from Nairobi, and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists.
The park is surrounded by concession areas and tribal lands of the Maasai tribespeople. These are unfenced from the Mara and act as a buffer zone for the National Park and form part of the migration area. There can be as much wildlife roaming outside the park as inside so staying in these private concessions can often be just as rewarding. We recommend Kicheche Mara Camp which is a traditional safari camp situated in a remote corner of the northern Mara plains.
Within the reserve, most of the game viewing activities occur on the valley floor but some lodges conduct walking tours outside the park boundaries. We reccommend the Mara Intrepids Camp or Naibor Camp, both in central locations within the reserve, close to the Talek River.
For an exclusive and more private safari experience Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is a luxury camp in the hills on the western border. Wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal.
Game Viewing in the Masai Mara
The plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular the lion and cheetah. Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, Coke's hartebeest, impala, zebra, buffalo, roan antelope, white-bearded gnu, Oribi, hippo, crocodile, warthog and giraffe are easily spotted on game drives. These and many more species of plains game offer a rich choice of food for the dominant predators - lion, leopard and cheetah which hunt in this pristine wilderness. The Masai Mara is said to have the largest population of lion in Kenya. Large herds of shuffling elephants are often found browsing among the rich tree-studded grasslands with an occasional sighting of a solitary black rhino.
The Mara river traverses north to south heading for its westbound way unto lake Victoria, through the Tanzanian park. Its riverbanks (as well as those of the Mara's multiple tributary streams) are bordered by dense riverine forests where many the reserve's bird species are to be found. It's here, on thebanks of the Mara River, where the migratory herds make their mass crossing.Watch the dramatic spectacle of nature unfold as the wildebeest and zebra, and their young, are driven by their primal instinct to cross the rushing waters of the crocodile infested river, to graze the rich grasslands of the northern Masai Mara
Additionally over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park - secretary bird, hornbill, ostrich, pygmy falcon and vulture to name a few. 53 species of birds of prey have been recorded. The open plains birds include black-bellied harlaubs bustard and Jackson's bustard. The Masai Mara is a National Reserve, not a National Park, which means it is held in trust for the people and managed by the local councils as apposed to the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Comfortable
Mara Plains Camp
Mara Plains Camp is small tented camp located in a private conservancy sharing. It shares an unfenced boundary with the reserve. The private conservancy offers safari guest privacy as well as unrestricted access to the entire reserve.
Elephant Pepper Camp
Elephant Pepper Camp is a small luxurious safari camp located in a private concession in the northern Masai Mara.
Mara Intrepids
The tents at Mara Intrepids camp are raised on stilts and overlook the Talek River, one of the main crossing points during the wildebeest migration. The best time to visit is between July and October.This is a larger camp with with 30 tents.
Sarova Mara Game Camp
Sarova Mara is a very large safari hotel most suited to families. It is located in the southern section of the reserve. The extensive facilities and the fact that it has a fence around it makes it ideal for families.
Governors Camp
Governor's Camp is situated on the east bank of the Mara river in the preferred safari location of the original colonial governors of Kenya. It is ideally located for the wildebeest migration between July and October.
Offbeat Mara Camp
Offbeat Mara Camp is a small and exclusive seasonal tented camp located in a private concession on the Olare Orok River. A great place to enjoy a private safari as well as having unrestricted access to the Masai Mara Reserve.
Kicheche Mara Camp
Kicheche Mara Camp is a traditional tented camp tucked away underneath an orchard of wild olive trees
Serian Camp
Serian Camp is set in the tranquil shade of large Oleadendra and Walburgia trees in the secluded valley flanking the Mara River close to the Siria Escarpment
Ol Seki Mara Camp
Ol Seki Mara Camp is a seasonal camp situated on a beautiful rocky peninsula in the northern Mara, with spectacular views over the savannah plains.
Richards Camp
Richard's Camp is an small tentedn camp situated in the north western Masai Mara. It is run by the owners, giving it a personal feel.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Mara Serena Safari Lodge is a large 74 roomed lodge situated in the Mara Triangle. It is well located for the migration, but mostly used by groups and package tours.
Mara Bushtops
Mara Bushtops is located in a private conservancy, bordering the Masai Mara. It has spectacular views overlooking a valley with the Masai Mara in the background.
Keekorok Lodge
Keekorok is a large comfortable motel-style safari lodge. It has good facilities to suite families or groups, but is not suitable for a small private safari.
Luxury
Karen Blixen Camp
Karen Blixen Camp is set on the bank of the Mara River in a private concession adjoining the reserve. It enjoys open access to the reserve, but also privacy within the concession.
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp is a small eco-friendly camp located in a private concession. It shares an unfenced border with the reserve giving guests unrestricted access to the reserve and the exclusive concession area.
Cottars 1920’s Camp
Cottars 1920's Camp is an exclusive and private concession between the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park. It is a good camp to see the migration as it enters and exits the Masai Mara - between July and October.
Little Governors Camp
Little Governors' Camp was built in 1976 around a small waterhole that teems with wildlife and birds. It has a prime location in the Masai Mara, originally being the favourite safari location of Kenya's governors.
Olonana Tented Camp
Olonana Tented Camp is a luxurious camp situated in a private area of the Mara River at the foot of the Siria Escarpment.
Mara Porini Camp
Mara Porini Camp has 6 guest tents pitched in the shade of the yellow barked acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli, a permanent spring within a private conservancy.
Naibor Camp
Naibor Camp is a luxury tented camp and offers a secluded spot in a prime position overlooking the Talek River in the heart of the Masai Mara. It is ideally located for the migration between July and October.
Il Moran Camp
Il Moran Camp is situated along the banks of the Mara River in the heart of the Masai Mara, perfectly positioned for the migration.
Saruni Camp
Saruni Camp offers a private location in a beautiful valley in the heart of the African bush.
Basecamp Masai Mara
Basecamp Masai Mara is situated on the banks of the Talek River in a private safari concession. The tents offer private verandas overlooking the river.
Mara Explorer
Mara Explorer is an exclusive safari camp and offers 10 luxurious tents with uninterrupted views of the Talek riverbank.
Rekero Camp
Rekero Camp is a seasonal safari camp situated in a ravine forest close to the Mara and Talek Rivers.
Premier
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Kichwa Tembo lies at the base of the Olooloo Escarpment which lies directly in the path of the Annual Wildebeest Migration which passes through between July and October. The camp is in a private concession area.
Campi Ya Tembo
Campi Ya Tembo is a small luxury camp situated in a private conservancy. Exclusive use of the area, great scenery and a superb camp make Campi Ya Tembo one of the best camps in the Mara.
