M A S A I M A R A
N A T I O N A L R E S E R V E
A n ‘ O u t o f A f r i c a ’ E x p e r i e n c e
M A S A I
M A R A
N A T I O N A L
R E S E R V E
A n ‘ O u t o f A f r i c a ’ E x p e r i e n c e
Every year, about 2 million animals follow the rains and their ancient instincts on an epic, 3 000-kilometre (1 900-mile) journey. Witnessing one of the death-defying river crossings is like watching a live National Geographic film.
Thanks to a mild climate, wide open spaces and an abundance of wildlife, the Masai Mara delivers sensational safari experiences any time of the year. It’s a sanctuary for the likes of elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and the Mara’s celebrated big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah.
From floating silently over the Wildebeest Migration’s mega-herds in a hot-air balloon to cultural experiences with the local Maasai, these kinds of experiences are found nowhere else on Earth.
Every year, about 2 million animals follow the rains and their ancient instincts on an epic, 3 000-kilometre (1 900-mile) journey. Witnessing one of the death-defying river crossings is like watching a live National Geographic film.
Thanks to a mild climate, wide open spaces and an abundance of wildlife, the Masai Mara delivers sensational safari experiences any time of the year. It’s a sanctuary for the likes of elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and the Mara’s celebrated big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah.
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your gorilla trekking with a Great Migration safari in East Africa or a beach getaway in Zanzibar. If you’re coming all the way, you might as well experience everything that has Africa to offer!
See the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and more wildlife found only in Africa, with expert guides who'll get you so
close you can hear them breathe.
Walking safaris, hot air balloon safaris, cultural interactions with
local people- all safari activities support conservation and communities. The ultimate win-win.
Enjoy being off-the-grid and truly away from it all with private plunge pools and spa facilities at intimate lodges in some of the most remote parts of the world.
Sip sundowners as giraffes stroll across the hot pink horizon, and sample gourmet African dishes and wines over fireside dinners while the sounds of the bush serenades you.
The best trips combine Africa's top destinations. Easily go from the African bush to buzzy Cape Town or an idyllic Indian Ocean island- with all the details and transfers taken care of.
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your Masai Mara safari with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Uganda. The same goes for crowning your trip along Kenya’s gorgeous coast or on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
There are dedicated airstrips that service most of Kenya’s national reserves and private conservancies. The best safaris are fly-in itineraries, which eliminate the need for long road transfers – meaning more time on safari!
Despite some camps being situated in remote wilderness locations, they still offer superb amenities like private plunge pools, spas and gyms. You can even find silver chandeliers and copper bathtubs in the middle of the Masai Mara.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly Kenya's most notable and revered reserve. Its sheer size – extending to and eventually joining Tanzania's Serengeti National Park – and stringent anti-poaching systems have made it famous for its thriving lion, cheetah, and leopard populations.
USD per person per night
From lunar-like desert landscapes and open grasslands to riverine forests and papyrus-lined canals, Botswana delivers the very best in land and water safari experiences. Combine luxury and adventure in some of the world’s most remote locations, while the magical sights and sounds of Africa leave you with memories you’ll cherish forever.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly Kenya's most notable and revered reserve. Its sheer size – extending to and eventually joining Tanzania's Serengeti National Park – and stringent anti-poaching systems have made it famous for its thriving lion, cheetah, and leopard populations.
USD pppn
Serengeti
Tanzania
January–March & June–October
Dry Season:
The weather is usually mild and dry from January to March, and most of the safari crowds are absent. June to October is safari’s high season; the Serengeti is busy, but weather conditions are perfect and the Wildebeest Migration’s dramatic river crossings take place. Although the sheer size of the Serengeti will give you a soul-stirring sense of space, the areas around the Migration’s river crossing points can get busy. If you want to be close to the action yet enjoy some serenity, we suggest staying in an adjacent private reserve.
Green Season:
November–December
The ‘short rains’ season relieves the dry mid-year winter. Clouds build up in the mornings and break in spectacular, but generally short-lived, showers in the late afternoons. Migrant birds return from the northern hemisphere and resident plains game give birth, which means the predator action is thrilling.
Migration Season:
December–September
The herds usually cross the Grumeti River in the western Serengeti between about May and July, then move towards the Mara River in the north to cross into the Masai Mara between about July to October. November's short rains trigger the herds
to move back to the Serengeti to give birth before calving season, which takes place from January to March and is renowned for bitter-sweet predator action.
Highlights
Consider Adding …
Kenya’s Beaches
Relaxing along Kenya’s dazzling tropical Indian Ocean coastline is one of the best ways to end your safari. From family-friendly resorts to exclusive beach villas, the country’s coastline offers excellent accommodation and superb diving and snorkelling spots.
Serengeti National Park
Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Wildebeest Great Migration, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must-add to any Kenya safari itinerary.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Home to a shallow soda lake, Nakuru is the place to go for the best chance to see Kenya’s famous flocks of flamingos. But there’s also great game viewing on hand: rhino and hippo are among the heavyweights spotted around and in the lake.
Consider Adding …
Safari happens almost everywhere you look in Tanzania. It’s been a way of life in East Africa’s second-largest country for decades. From the classic savannah destinations of the Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater to the beaches and coral reefs of Zanzibar, a Tanzania safari delivers one massive experience after another.
Kenya’s Beaches
Experience a safari vacation in Kenya, the place where safari travel originated. The best Kenya tours and safaris include Big 5 game viewing, incredible natural beauty, and cultural encounters, often combining Kenya’s top attractions with Tanzania and the tropical beaches of the Kenyan coast.
Serengeti National Park
The name alone is likely to conjure up images of spice markets, palm-fringed beaches and white-sailed dhows on a turquoise sea – and happily the reality doesn’t disappoint. Lying only a short distance off the Tanzania coast but at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Zanzibar has long been at the centre of the Indian Ocean experience in East Africa.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Days
The definitive East Africa adventure, this superb 8-night luxury fly-in safari combines the four most celebrated game reserves in Kenya and Tanzania. Your tour encompasses the vast open plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara, the delightful diversity of Tanzania’s Lake Manyara, the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater and the rolling grasslands of the Serengeti. Arguably the most spectacular game viewing itinerary in Africa, this is the journey of a lifetime. Ideal for seasoned and first travellers alike, this wildlife and gourmet adventure combines easily with a romantic Indian Ocean island getaway to make a perfect honeymoon itinerary.
$9200
Days
Combining Kenya’s arid Samburu savannahs with the lush grasslands of the Masai Mara means a wide diversity of wildlife and scenery as well as different cultures and experiences to look forward to. And with three different lodges on an 8-day itinerary, this tour is ideal for those looking to make the most of their time in Kenya. Accommodation on this safari takes the form of elegant tent camps with facilities such as swimming pools, spa treatments and private dining. The distances between destinations are taken care of by short flights, enabling you to enjoy as much time on safari as possible – perfect for couples and honeymooners.
$5500
Consider Adding…
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
This trip is perfect for couples or honeymooners. Each accommodation on this safari is an elegant tented camp with facilities such as swimming pools, spa treatments and private dining. The distances between destinations are taken care of by short flights, enabling you to enjoy as much time on safari as possible. You can look forward to a unique rhino tracking adventure and seeking out the Special 5 – Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, long-neck gerenuk and Somali ostrich – in Samburu, plus incredible game viewing in private conservancies along the Masai Mara.
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e. key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity). As a guideline, South Africa safaris can range anywhere from approximately 450 USD per person per night in low season to over 1 550 USD at the finest lodges in high season.
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e. key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity). As a guideline, Masai Mara safaris can range anywhere from approximately £255 per person per night in low season to over £1 000 at the finest lodges in high season.
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives and other excursions, like walking safaris and cultural village visits, will all be included. To operate in such remote areas at such a high level of hospitality, it takes some serious logistics and often means guest-to-staff ratios of more than 5-to-1. Not to mention many accommodations offer services like laundry, so you can pack light and travel easy.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities (like hot-air balloon rides and spa treatments) and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e. key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity). As a guideline, Masai Mara safaris can range anywhere from approximately £255 per person per night in low season to over £1 000 at the finest lodges in high season.
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives and other excursions, like walking safaris and cultural village visits, will all be included. To operate in such remote areas at such a high level of hospitality, it takes some serious logistics and often means guest-to-staff ratios of more than 5-to-1. Not to mention many accommodations offer services like laundry, so you can pack light and travel easy.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities (like hot-air balloon rides and spa treatments) and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
How Much is a Masai Mara Safari?
"One of my all time favourite places in the world. The location of the ’Great Migration’ (from August through to October) and home to Africa’s big 5, the Masai Mara is a beautiful, wildlife-rich savannah landscape that offers a true African experience. It steals the hearts of many that visit and is a bucket list destination, without a doubt!"
"One of my all time favourite places in the world. The location of the ’Great Migration’ (from August through to October) and home to Africa’s big 5, the Masai Mara is a beautiful, wildlife-rich savannah landscape that offers a true African experience. It steals the hearts of many that visit and is a bucket list destination, without a doubt!"
Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa. We spend our own holidays on safari, and understand what goes into making every trip a once in a life-time experience.
We have first-hand knowledge of every single destination, lodge and activity we recommend. We spend more than 365 days a year on safari to ensure you get the best, unbiased advice.
Our size and trusted relationships with Africa’s top operators gives us access to the best possible rates. If you find a better quote for your itinerary, let us know and we’ll match it.
As an African company, we ensure 100% of the money from your safari stays in Africa, supporting local communities and conservation projects, making a difference long after you return home.
Book with us and we’ll be alongside you from our first chat, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, whenever you need it.
Your money is safe with us. All our clients are protected by our supplier default insurance and our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.
Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa. We spend our own holidays on safari, and understand what goes into making every trip a once in a life-time experience.
We have first-hand knowledge of every single destination, lodge and activity we recommend. We spend more than 365 days a year on safari to ensure you get the best, unbiased advice.
We have first-hand knowledge of every single destination, lodge and activity we recommend. We spend more than 365 days a year on safari to ensure you get the best, unbiased advice.
As an African company, we ensure 100% of the money from your safari stays in Africa, supporting local communities and conservation projects, making a difference long after you return home.
Book with us and we’ll be alongside you from our first chat, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, whenever you need it.
Your money is safe with us. All our clients are protected by our supplier default insurance and our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.
5/5
5/5
Go2Africa was the perfect choice... We worked with Nicole from beginning to the end and she were so helpful in creating the perfect itinerary for us. From flights, to accommodations, to transfers, and tour guides, everything was perfect...Nicole was able to work within our budget and on all of our
wants/needs.
Honeymoon of a lifetime!
This is our 3rd safari booked with Go2Africa and I'm always amazed at the personal attention to detail that goes into planning. We gave Jessica a general area we wanted to visit and a wildlife wish list of animals we wanted to see…It was unbelievable. Once again, Jessica did such an amazing job with selecting the camps that were perfect for us…
Knocked it out of the park again!
The family had an experience that exceeded our expectations. At each critical change point of the journey (flights, transport, accommodation) the arrangements played out perfectly. The experiences at each location were perfect and we took home so many memories and things to share. Thank you! Job well done.
Perfectly executed
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Also Consider Kenya
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu is an arrestingly beautiful, rocky landscape that heralds Kenya’s vast northern deserts. It’s the traditional homeland of the Samburu people and a haven for the unique Special 5: Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, long-neck gerenuk and Somali ostrich.
Amboseli National Park
With its perennial wetlands flourishing beneath towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is the best place in East Africa to see massive herds of elephant. If you’re looking for that iconic postcard image of wildlife against a Kili backdrop, this is the place to get the shot.
Laikipia
The high plains of Laikipia are increasingly recognised as one of Kenya’s
best safari regions. It’s home to some of the country’s most encouraging conservation success stories like Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a sanctuary
for black and white rhinos as well as Grevy’s zebra.
Kenya Beaches
Relaxing along Kenya’s dazzling tropical coastline is one of the best ways to crown your safari. From family-friendly resorts to exclusive beach villas, the country’s coastline offers excellent accommodation and superb diving and snorkelling spots.
Here are some of our best packages,
all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
The definitive East Africa adventure, this superb 8-night luxury fly-in safari combines the four most celebrated game reserves in Kenya and Tanzania. Your tour encompasses the vast open plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara, the delightful diversity of Tanzania’s Lake Manyara, the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater and the rolling grasslands of the Serengeti. Arguably the most spectacular game viewing itinerary in Africa, this is the journey of a lifetime. Ideal for seasoned and first travellers alike, this wildlife and gourmet adventure combines easily with a romantic Indian Ocean island getaway to make a perfect honeymoon itinerary.
$9200
Samburu National Reserve
Combining Kenya’s arid Samburu savannahs with the lush grasslands of the Masai Mara means a wide diversity of wildlife and scenery as well as different cultures and experiences to look forward to. And with three different lodges on an 8-day itinerary, this tour is ideal for those looking to make the most of their time in Kenya. Accommodation on this safari takes the form of elegant tent camps with facilities such as swimming pools, spa treatments and private dining. The distances between destinations are taken care of by short flights, enabling you to enjoy as much time on safari as possible – perfect for couples and honeymooners.
$5500
Browse our Masai Mara Resources
Browse our Masai Mara Resources
7 DAY KENYA'S LAIKIPIA & MASAI MARA
• Track black rhino & the Big 5
• Fly fishing & flying safaris
• Witness the Great Migration in season
• Experience Maasai & Swahili culture
• Off-road game drives
FROM
$4 000pp
13 DAY TANZANIA FLY-IN CRATER, MIGRATION & ISLAND
• All inclusive fly-in safari experience
• Arguably some of Africa’s best game viewing
• Visit Lake Manyara’s tree-climbing lions
• Explore the natural wonder of Ngorongoro Crater
• Witness the wildebeest migration across the Serengeti
• Dive the coral reefs of a tropical island
FROM
$10 000pp
13 DAY PRIVATE GUIDED BOTSWANA & KENYA FLY-IN
• Fly between camps in a Pilatus PC-12 light aircraft
• Private, award-winning guide throughout
• Stay at Relais & Chateaux properties
• Excellent predator sightings
• Best of Botswana & Kenya
• Only 6 places available – ideal for exclusive-use
FROM
$40 000pp
Green Season: November – December
The ‘short rains’ season relieve the dry mid-year winter. Clouds build up in the mornings and break in spectacular – but generally short-lived – showers in the late afternoons. Migrant birds return from the northern hemisphere and resident plains game give birth, which means the predator action is thrilling. Landscapes are lush and green, which makes for perfect photography conditions.
Migration Season: July – November
The popular Mara River crossings – when the Migration moves from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara – can happen anywhere between July and October. Just as the rains are unpredictable, so too are the river crossings. The herds will enjoy the Mara’s fresh grazing until about December, when they move back to the Serengeti to give birth.
Dry Seasons: Jan - March & June - October
The weather is usually mild and dry from January to March, and most of the safari crowds are absent. June to October is safari’s high season – Kenya’s national parks and reserves see high visitor numbers, but weather conditions are fantastic and the Wildebeest Migration’s dramatic river crossings into the Mara take place. Staying inside the Masai Mara National Reserve means you’re a stone’s throw from the Migration’s action, while staying in a neighbouring private concession a little further away from the Migration hot spots means you can easily get to all the action but also retreat to tranquillity.
The Kruger
South Africa’s biggest and best-known national park is home to the country's greatest diversity of animals and exquisite safari lodges on private game reserves. As one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa, it boasts healthy populations of wildlife and highly sought-after sightings of cheetah and wild dog. But the Kruger’s pièce de résistance is the almost guaranteed encounter with the super-celebrities of the safari circuit: Africa’s iconic Big 5.
Dry Season:
May–Oct
The dry winter season is considered the best time to go to Kruger for game viewing. Vegetation is low and sparse, making animals easier to spot and follow, and wildlife will not move far from remaining water sources at this time of year. It’s a very comfortable time for a safari with few mosquitoes around, little if any rain, and pleasant temperatures.
Highlights
Green Season:
Nov–Apr
The summer’s afternoon thundershowers transform the Kruger into a beautiful, thriving green landscape that makes for superb photography. Game viewing is still good – with many young summer-born animals around it's a predator's paradise – and it's the best time to visit the Kruger for bird watching plus safari-and-beach holiday combinations.
Despite some camps being situated in remote wilderness locations, they still offer superb amenities like private plunge pools, spas and gyms. You can even find silver chandeliers and copper bathtubs in the middle of the Masai Mara.
There are dedicated airstrips that service most of Kenya’s national reserves and private conservancies. The best safaris are fly-in itineraries, which eliminate the need for long road transfers – meaning more time on safari!
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your Masai Mara safari with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Uganda. The same goes for crowning your trip along Kenya’s gorgeous coast or on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
Dry Seasons:
The weather is usually mild and dry from January to March, and most of the safari crowds are absent. June to October is safari’s high season – Kenya’s national parks and reserves see high visitor numbers, but weather conditions are fantastic and the Wildebeest Migration’s dramatic river crossings into the Mara take place. Staying inside the Masai Mara National Reserve means you’re a stone’s throw from the Migration’s action, while staying in a neighbouring private concession a little further away from the Migration hot spots means you can easily get to all the action but also retreat to tranquillity.
Jan–Mar
Green Season:
The ‘short rains’ season relieve the dry mid-year winter. Clouds build up in the mornings and break in spectacular – but generally short-lived – showers in the late afternoons. Migrant birds return from the northern hemisphere and resident plains game give birth, which means the predator action is thrilling. Landscapes are lush and green, which makes for perfect photography conditions.
Nov–Dec
Migration season:
The popular Mara River crossings – when the Migration moves from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara – can happen anywhere between July and October. Just as the rains are unpredictable, so too are the river crossings. The herds will enjoy the Mara’s fresh grazing until about December, when they move back to the Serengeti to give birth.
Jul–Nov
June–Oct
Everything is about relationships. Fortunately, we've built great ones working with the top names in Africa for more than 20 years.
Everything is about relationships. Fortunately, we've built great ones working with the top names in Africa for more than 20 years.