The Great Migration
From around July to October, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra graze the Mara's plains and make their famous crossings of the Mara River.
Kenya Reserves & Conservancies
Masai Mara National Reserve
Rolling golden plains, lone acacias and herds stretching to the horizon: the Masai Mara is where the Great Migration plunges across the Mara River and Africa's big cats rule the grasslands.
- Location
- About 270 km west of Nairobi
- Known For
- Great Migration & big cats
- Birdlife
- Over 400 species
- Best Time
- July – October
Discover the Masai Mara
Kenya's legendary land of spotted plains.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular and celebrated wildlife destinations in Kenya. It lies in southwest Kenya in Narok County, along the Great Rift Valley, and borders Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, forming the northern part of the same great ecosystem. The reserve is named in honour of its ancestral inhabitants, the Maasai people, who described the area as Mara, meaning spotted, for the circles of trees, savanna, scrub and cloud shadows that mark its plains.
This beautiful sanctuary teems with vibrant wildlife. Each year, as part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, over a million wildebeest, together with zebras and gazelles, arrive from the Serengeti and cross the Mara River in a dramatic struggle for survival, braving the gargantuan and ravenous Nile crocodiles waiting in the water. The Mara is a Big Five haven, where large parades of African elephants, prides of lions, herds of buffalo, elusive leopards and rhinos can all be found.
It is also a bird paradise, with over 400 species recorded. Beyond the game drives, travellers can enjoy nature walks and cultural visits to Maasai villages in the surrounding conservancies, explore the sweeping, picturesque plains and visit the Narok Museum on the way in, to learn more about the Maasai and the region.
Why the Masai Mara
Africa's greatest wildlife theatre.
The Mara combines extraordinary predator viewing, the drama of the migration and a living Maasai culture in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Africa.
Big Cat Country
The Mara is renowned for lions, leopards and cheetahs, and big-cat sightings are a highlight of almost every game drive.
A Big Five Haven
Elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards are widely seen, and rhinos survive in the reserve, especially in the Mara Triangle.
Hot-Air Balloon Safaris
Drift over the plains at dawn as the herds spread out below, followed by a champagne bush breakfast.
Private Conservancies
Neighbouring Maasai conservancies offer exclusive game drives, walking safaris, night drives and horseback safaris with limited vehicles.
Maasai Culture
Meet the Maasai in their villages and conservancies, and learn how their way of life is intertwined with the land and its wildlife.
Location
Where is the Masai Mara?
The Masai Mara lies in southwest Kenya, in Narok County, about 270 km west of Nairobi. The drive takes around 5 to 6 hours via Narok town, descending into the Great Rift Valley along the way, and is often broken with a night at Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru. Scheduled flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport reach the many airstrips in the reserve and conservancies in about 45 minutes to an hour.
Although the Mara borders Tanzania's Serengeti, there is no regular tourist border crossing between the two parks. From Arusha, travellers usually fly to Nairobi or drive via the Namanga border to Nairobi (about 270 km, 5 to 6 hours) and continue from there, or link the northern Serengeti and the Mara with flights via Kilimanjaro or Nairobi. Another road option is the Isebania–Sirari border near Lake Victoria.
When to visit
The Masai Mara through the seasons.
Resident wildlife makes the Mara excellent all year, but the timing of the migration shapes the experience.
Migration Season
The herds are in the Mara and river crossings are possible, with outstanding predator action. The busiest and most popular time to visit.
Short Rains
The herds head back south to the Serengeti. Showers green the plains, visitor numbers fall and resident game remains excellent.
Dry & Green
Warm weather and fine game viewing, with many young animals among the resident herds and good big-cat sightings.
Long Rains
The wettest months, with lush grass and very few visitors. Some roads become muddy, but wildlife viewing remains rewarding.
What is the best month to visit the Masai Mara?
July to October is famous for the migration, but every month offers superb wildlife in the Mara.
Warm and fairly dry, with excellent big-cat viewing and quieter roads.
Good game viewing, with young animals among the resident herds.
Dry and warm before the rains, with great value and few vehicles.
The long rains bring lush green plains and very few visitors.
Often wet, but the landscape is beautiful and wildlife remains plentiful.
The rains ease and the first migratory herds may begin to approach from the south.
The migration arrives and the first Mara River crossings often begin.
Peak migration month, with huge herds and frequent dramatic river crossings.
Superb migration viewing and crossings, with intense predator activity.
The herds are still in the Mara, with crossings possible before they turn south.
Short rains begin and the herds start moving back to the Serengeti.
Green and peaceful, with excellent resident game and festive-season safaris.
Explore the area
Discover the regions of the Masai Mara.
From the river crossings to the private conservancies, each part of the greater Mara offers a different safari experience.
The Migration CorridorMara River CrossingsThe heart of the migration drama, where herds gather on the banks before plunging through the river past waiting crocodiles at well-known crossing points.
Western MaraMara TriangleThe western section between the Mara River and the Oloololo Escarpment, well managed and less crowded, with superb plains game, crossings and rhinos.
Central MaraMusiara Marsh & Paradise PlainsClassic big-cat country with marshes, open plains and riverine forest, famous for lion prides, cheetahs and leopards.
Eastern MaraTalek & SekenaniRolling plains and acacia bush in the east of the reserve, with excellent cheetah and lion viewing along the Talek River.
Northern ConservanciesMara North, Olare Motorogi & LemekPrivate Maasai conservancies with limited vehicles, offering exclusive game drives, walking safaris, night drives and horseback rides.
Eastern ConservanciesNaboisho & Ol KinyeiCommunity conservancies known for big cats, intimate camps and close partnerships with local Maasai landowners.
Wildlife
A Big Five haven and big-cat kingdom.
The Masai Mara teems with vibrant wildlife species. Large parades of African elephants, prides of lions, herds of savanna buffalo and elusive leopards are seen across the reserve, and rhinos survive in smaller numbers, mostly in the Mara Triangle. Cheetahs hunt the open plains, while hyenas, jackals and bat-eared foxes are common.
The Mara River and its tributaries hold hippos and the gargantuan Nile crocodiles that lie in wait during the migration. Topis, giraffes, impalas, gazelles, elands and warthogs are everywhere, and the Mara is a bird paradise with over 400 species recorded, from ostriches and secretary birds to vultures and lilac-breasted rollers.
12 animals to look for
Lion
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Throughout, especially Musiara Marsh and the Talek
The Mara has some of the densest lion populations in Africa, with large, well-known prides.
1 / 12
Wildebeest
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Across the plains, July to October
Over a million arrive with the migration, filling the plains and crossing the Mara River.
2 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Riverine forest and rocky outcrops
The Mara offers excellent chances of leopard, often along the rivers and luggas.
3 / 12
Cheetah
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open plains, especially the east and conservancies
The open grasslands are ideal for watching cheetahs hunt.
4 / 12
Elephant
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Woodland, plains and conservancies
Family herds are common throughout the reserve and conservancies.
5 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Marshes and plains
Large herds graze near water and along the marshes.
6 / 12
Black rhino
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Mara Triangle and thick bush
Present in small numbers; seeing one takes patience and luck.
7 / 12
Nile crocodile
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Mara River
Huge crocodiles wait at the crossing points for the migrating herds.
8 / 12
Hippo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Mara and Talek rivers
Large pods crowd the river pools, especially in the dry season.
9 / 12
Zebra
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Across the plains
Plains zebras accompany the wildebeest and are present year-round.
10 / 12
Topi
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Open grassland
A Mara signature, often seen standing sentry on termite mounds.
11 / 12
Spotted hyena
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Plains and around kills
Common and active, especially at dawn and dusk.
12 / 12
Mara River Crossings
The greatest drama in the natural world.
From around July to October, the migrating herds gather on the banks of the Mara River, hesitating for hours before the first animals leap into the water. Thousands follow in a surging torrent of dust and spray, battling the current and running the gauntlet of the gargantuan Nile crocodiles waiting below, while lions and hyenas watch from the far bank.
Crossings can happen at several well-known points along the river, in both the Mara Triangle and the main reserve, and the herds may cross back and forth several times. Patience is key, and an experienced guide who knows where the herds are gathering makes all the difference.
Safaris to 中文
Tours that include the Masai Mara
Itineraries that include the Masai Mara, often combined with Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli and the Serengeti.
Kenya · 7 days
7-Day Kenya Classic Safari
Amboseli · Lake Naivasha · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 8 days
8-Day Kenya Safari (Amboseli, Nakuru, Mara)
Amboseli · Lake Naivasha · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 7 days
7-Day Hartebeest Safari
Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 8 days
8-Day Spirit of Wild Safari
Amboseli · Lake Naivasha · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 10 days
10-Day Kenya's Grandeur Safari
Samburu National Reserve · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 6 days
6-Day Signature Kenya Safari: Majesty of the Mane
Masai Mara · Lake Nakuru
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 8 days
8-Day Through Kenya's Wild Heart: Maasai Lands & Big Five
Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 8 days
8-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari Experience
Samburu National Reserve · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 9 days
9-Day Big Five Signature Safari: Tracks of Legends
Aberdare · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
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Planning your Masai Mara safari?
Tell us when you would like to travel and what you would love to see. A GIP Adventure specialist will time your Masai Mara safari for the migration or the quieter seasons, and combine it with the rest of Kenya or the Serengeti.
Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind the Masai Mara.
For centuries the Maasai have lived alongside the wildlife of the Mara, grazing their cattle on its grasslands and moving with the seasons. Their name for the land, Mara, meaning spotted, describes the patchwork of trees, scrub and cloud shadows across the plains. The Narok Museum, in the gateway town of Narok, tells the story of the Maasai and other communities of the region.
The area was first protected as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961 and later became a national reserve. Unlike Kenya's national parks, it is managed by county authorities, with the Mara Triangle run by a not-for-profit conservancy. Since the early 2000s, Maasai landowners around the reserve have created private conservancies, leasing land to tourism partners. These conservancies protect wildlife corridors, limit vehicle numbers and provide income for local families.
When is the best time to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara?
Usually July to October, when the herds are in the Mara. River crossings are most frequent around August and September, though timings vary with the rains.
Are river crossings guaranteed?
No. Crossings depend on the herds' movements and can happen at any time of day. Spending several days in the Mara gives you the best chance.
How far is the Masai Mara from Nairobi?
About 270 km, or 5 to 6 hours by road, or about 45 minutes to an hour by light aircraft.
Can I travel from Arusha to the Masai Mara?
Yes, usually via Nairobi by road through the Namanga border or by air. There is no regular tourist crossing directly from the Serengeti.
What is the difference between the reserve and the conservancies?
The national reserve is open to all visitors, while private conservancies limit vehicle numbers and allow activities such as walking safaris and night drives.
Can I see the Big Five in the Masai Mara?
Yes. Lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo are seen regularly, and black rhinos are present in smaller numbers.
How many days should I spend in the Mara?
Three nights is ideal, especially in migration season, to allow for river crossings, big cats and a balloon safari.
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