Masai Mara National Reserve is a large wildlife reserve in Narok, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It was named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who moved to the area from the Nile Basin. Their depiction of the area when looked at from afar: “Mara” means “spotted” in the local Maasai language, because of the short bushy trees which spot the landscape.
The reserve is considered the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas covering more than 1,500 km it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kenya. It is located in the Great Rift Valley in open grassland. Wildlife is most focused on the reserve’s western escarpment.
About Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara is one of the wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa, with its populations of leopards, cheetahs, African bush elephants, and lions. Also, it hosts the Great Migration, which secured it as one of the Ten Wonders of the World, and as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
Normally, the Great Migration happens in July depending on the weather as the wildebeest Move in large numbers crossing river Mara from Tanzania. The Greater Mara ecosystem encloses areas known as the Mara Triangle, several Maasai group ranches, the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and Maasai Mara conservancies.
History of Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara was originally founded in 1961 and at the time it consisted of only 520 square kilometers (which included the Mara Triangle). Thereafter, the amount of land covered in the sanctuary expanded, and in 1974 the area acquired National Reserve status. A portion of the land was returned to local communities and now, the Mara ecosystem consists of 1,510 square kilometers.
Also, the Maasai people have consistently depended on their land to feed their cattle and to provide for their families. Thanks to the establishment of the reserve as a protected area for the conservation of wildlife and wilderness and the areas designated as conservancies, the Maasai can maintain their way of living and enhance their quality of life.
Fairmont Mara Safari Club Maasai Mara National Reserve
Fairmont Mara Safari Club is your gateway to the world’s most iconic safari destination, as it is set in the northwestern corner of the Maasai Mara, at the foot of the Aitong Hills in the Olchoro Oirowua Conservancy. The reserve is home to each of the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo)as well as the annual wildebeest migration.
In between game drives, soak up the sunshine beside the outdoor swimming pool, sample global cuisine scheduled with ingredients fresh from our Maasai Mara hotel garden at Kifaru Restaurant, or unwind on the private deck of your luxury safari tent.
Also, all rooms are equipped with four-poster beds that evoke the romance of the Golden Age of adventure and exploration– with the added advantage of every modern comfort from electricity to hot water. Destination adventure and wedding events with a difference are hosted in our conference tent.
Maasai Mara National Reserve Tourrs
Safari Vehicles
- There are two basic types of Safari Tour vehicles used in Kenya and Tanzania for wildlife and adventure safaris. These are the 4×4 Toyota Landcruiser Jeeps and the Tour Minibus / Van. Both of these have game viewing roofs which are opened when on Safari, UHF radio calls ( useful for locating wildlife in the park and for logistics), and are fully safari customized.
- Independent tourists who wish to book their own hotels and lodges while in Kenya can also lease these tour vehicles with Driver ~ Guides for their local transport essentials.
Fly ~ In Safari Tours
- This is ideal for tourists planning to visit Masai Mara while wanting to avoid the 5 to 6-hour road trip from Nairobi. Rather, we can offer a flight package Safari with a one-hour flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi taking you to Masai Mara.
- Also, the flight is on a light aircraft ranging in seating from 15 to 40 passengers depending on the airline booked and passenger loads.
- Upon arrival in Masai Mara a Driver-Guide and vehicle are waiting to welcome you for the start of Safari. Passenger baggage is limited to 15 kilos per passenger. These fly-in Safaris in Kenya are usually executed as group tours meaning your Safari vehicle will not be on a private basis unless we specially request for an exclusive vehicle at extra cost.
Road Safari Tours
- This is the most famous means of getting to the reserve, typically beginning and ending in Nairobi, with the choice of the vehicle being a 4×4 Landcruiser Jeep or the less costly Safari Minibus (Tour Van). Typically, the trip from Nairobi to Masai Mara takes 5 to 6 hours depending on which Camp has been booked for your tour.
- The benefit of a safari by road is the lower tour cost as well as getting to see and experience more of the real Kenyan countryside. The downside is that stretches of road on the route are in below-average state.
Maasai Mara National Reserve’s best Hotels
Resian Mara Camp
- Resian Mara Camp in Talek features 3-star accommodations with a shared lounge, a terrace, and a bar. The property provides a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen, airport transportation, and free WiFi.
Muthu Keekorok Lodge, Maasai Mara, Narok 5 stars
- Muthu Keekorok Lodge, Maasai Mara, Narok is the first property located in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and it presents traditional accommodations with private patios.
Fairmont Mara Safari Club
- Overlooking the Mara River, home to hippos and crocodiles, all tents at Fairmont Mara have a private veranda. An outdoor heated pool with a bar, game drives, and massage tents are provided.
Mara Sunset Camp
- Mara Sunset Camp is offering accommodations in Masai Mara. This 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with also a private bathroom.
Cheetah Tail camp
- Cheetah Tail Camp is offering accommodations in Mara Simba. This 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom.
The Peaceful Den
- The Peaceful Den provides accommodations in Ololaimutiek. Featuring room service, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. The hotel has both free private parking and free WiFi.
Alama Camp Mara
- Located in Ololaimutiek, Alama Camp Mara offers 5-star accommodations with a bar a garden, and a restaurant. A hot tub and a car rental service are available for guests.
Olimba Mara Camp
- Located in Mara Simba, Olimba Mara Camp has free WiFi throughout the property. Each room at the 3-star hotel has river views, and guests can enjoy access to a garden and to a bar.
Mara Empiris Safari Camp
- Mara Empiris Safari Camp has a terrace, a restaurant, a garden, and a bar in Ololaimutiek. This 4-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. All rooms are also equipped with a balcony.
Eco Mara Tented Camp
- Eco Mara Tented Camp has a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace, and a restaurant in Ololaimutiek. This 4-star hotel presents room service.
What to do at the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Many activities make the Mara a spectacular travel destination.
Balloon safaris
- The balloon safari gives you a magical birds-eye view of the stretching savannah. These rides which often take place in the wee hours of the morning, are even more epic as you get to catch the sunrise whilst watching scores of animals below you. Most balloon safaris culminate with an outstanding champagne breakfast.
Walking safaris
- A guided walking safari through the untamed beauty of the Mara is another worthwhile experience. The guides are often very knowledgeable so each step you take brings a new fact about the world-famous Mara game reserve. The walk is an adventurous way to interact with the Mara locals and come up close and personal with some of the animals.
Game drives.
- The Mara is also a perfect location for exciting game drives through the reserves. During these drives, you will come across a plethora of animals and get wonderful views of the vast savannahs and 8 plains of the Mara Game Reserve.
Sundowners
- Catch the scintillating view of the sun as it goes down as you enjoy a soothing cold drink while watching it go down the horizon. This is certainly one of Mara’s most breathtaking experiences.
How to get to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve is about 270 km from the capital Nairobi City and takes about 4-5 hours by road or 40-45 minutes by flight. The road is great for the most part as it is affordable. There is a section from Narok town to Sekenani Gate that is a dirt road but fairly good. The other road through Lemek and Aitong town is not good at all and very bumpy.
Most visitors come to Maasai Mara as part of a Safari package from Nairobi or in a Hire Car. The park has well-established internal roads and tracks. Accessing areas outside the reserve is only possible using basic public transport, and discovering your way around can be challenging. The Mara Triangle is serviced by two all-weather airstrips– Kichwa Tembo, and Mara Serena. The primary road access into the Triangle is through Sekenani Gate and Narok.
Best Time To Visit Masai Mara Reserve
With the wildebeest migration in JULY – OCTOBER, this is the best time to see this incredible movement of animals. Although it is not guaranteed that the wildebeest get to Maasai Mara, it has yet to let us down. Also, December to February are great times as it is dryer and good for the Big Cats.
Maasai Mara National Reserve Contacts
- Attraction Type: Wildlife
- Category: National Reserve, Wildlife Conservancy, Birding Site
- Region: South Rift
- City / Town: Narok
- Telephone: 254 50 22551 254 50 22220
- Email: info@narokcountycouncil.org
- Website: http://www.narokcountycouncil.org/narok/masai-mara
- Entrance Fee: Yes
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