Masai Mara for a first safari

Masai Mara is one of the best choices for a first safari.

Suitability: ★★★★★

The Maasai Mara is a national reserve in south-western Kenya, contiguous with Tanzania's Serengeti. Narok County manages most of it, while the Mara Conservancy manages the Mara Triangle; private and community conservancies surround the reserve.

Why Masai Mara for a first safari?

• With the Big Five present, it delivers a classic first safari.
• 3–4 days are enough for a good experience.

What awaits you in Masai Mara

• Wildebeest migration and Mara River crossings (roughly July-October)
• Strong lion, leopard and cheetah sightings
• Dawn hot-air balloon flights over the plains
• Walking and night drives in neighbouring conservancies (not permitted in the reserve itself)
• Maasai village visits

Wildlife you may encounter: lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, black rhino, buffalo, giraffes and zebras.

Suggested time on the ground: 3 to 4 days. The reserve lies about 280 km west of Nairobi, roughly a 5-6 hour drive. Scheduled light-aircraft flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport serve airstrips in and around the reserve.

Activities that fit

game drives, walking safaris and cultural visits.

When to go

The best period overall is June to October.

Wildebeest and zebra herds from the Serengeti are usually present from July to October, when Mara River crossings can be seen; exact timing varies each year.

Other destinations for a first safari

• Merzouga Morocco
• Ngorongoro Tanzania
• Pilanesberg South Africa
• Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
• Kruger South Africa
• Ol Pejeta Kenya

Full Masai Mara guideBest safaris for a first safari

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Sources: Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board) - Maasai Mara · Mara Conservancy - Mara Triangle · Climates to Travel - Masai Mara · Weather Spark - Narok
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.