National park · Kenya
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Visit the Maasai Mara for a game drive: pay the entry fee (check), fly into the reserve or drive 5 h from Nairobi, and go in the dry season (Jul–Oct) for the Great Migration.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,510 km² (583 sq mi)583 sq mi (1,510 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya eTA is required before arrival; file it at least a week ahead.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Drive on the left. The A104 Nairobi–Nakuru road is the main artery; matatus on it are fast and frequently unroadworthy.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid per person per day and are higher for non-residents; check the current payment method on the KWS site before you travel.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 1,510 km² (583 sq mi)583 sq mi (1,510 km²)
- Figures vary by source: 1,510 km² is the commonly cited area; the Mara Triangle covers about 510 km² (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya's most famous wildlife reserve, known for the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, high densities of predators, and the Mara Triangle's well-managed conservancy. Game drives are the only way to see the park; walking is restricted to camp areas. The reserve is administered by Narok and Trans-Mara county councils, with the Mara Triangle managed separately by the Mara Conservancy.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1961.
Size and age
1,510 km² (583 sq mi)583 sq mi (1,510 km²) · national park since 1961
Figures vary by source: 1,510 km² is the commonly cited area; the Mara Triangle covers about 510 km² (check).
Why go
- World‑renowned wildlife viewing, including the Big Nine predators.
- Witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra each year.
- Explore varied landscapes from riverine forest to open plains.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry, good for game viewing.
- FebDry, still good for wildlife.
- MarShort rains may make some roads muddy.
- AprLong rains, many tracks inaccessible.
- MayRainy, muddy conditions.
- JunStart of short dry spell, occasional showers.
- JulDry, peak of the Great Migration.
- AugDry, migration still strong.
- SepDry, migration tailing off.
- OctDry season continues but conditions may vary — check.
- NovShort rains return, some tracks wet.
- DecDry, cooler evenings.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Migration (wildebeest, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle)Jul–Oct · Largest animal movement on Earth; best seen from vehicle. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Big Nine predators (lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, zebra)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nairobi (Wilson Airport)
Scheduled flight ~30 min to one of the Mara airstrips, then transfer by car to lodge.
0.5–1 h
Open the page →
From Nairobi (road)
Drive 5 h (dry season) via main roads to one of the reserve gates (e.g., Oloololo, Talek) — exact route and gate access check.
5–7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Oloololo Gate (Mara Triangle) | Main entry to the conservancy, vehicle checkpoint, nearby camps. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Talek Gate (Narok side) | Southern entry, access to central plains and many lodges. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Mara River corridor | Riverine forest, hippo and crocodile sightings. | Vehicle only; walking only in designated camp areas. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the reserve (source: Wikidata).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per adult) | Free | person | 2026 estimate — check; varies by nationality and residency. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Vehicle only
- Walking outside designated camp areas is prohibited.
- Firearms
- Carrying weapons is not allowed.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without special permission.
- Guides
- Required for any off‑gate excursions.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mara Serena Lodge
Mid‑range lodge near the Mara River, offers game drives.
Near the park
Keekorok Lodge
Historic lodge inside the reserve, close to the Mara River.
Near the park
Manyatta Camp
Community‑run camp just outside Oloolaimutia Gate.
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Road conditions in rainy season high
Heat and dehydration medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access requires 4‑WD; some gates have paved entry roads.
- Walking trails are limited to camp areas; not wheelchair friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Choose lodges that support community projects and employ local staff.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; refill water bottles where possible.
- Do not purchase 'langur tours' or other wildlife exploitation activities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Maasai Mara National Reserve?
The entry fee varies by nationality and residency — check the latest official tariff before you go.
What are the best hikes in Maasai Mara National Reserve?
The reserve is vehicle-only outside designated camp areas; walking options are limited to short guided walks from your camp or lodge — confirm availability with the reserve or your accommodation.
When is the best time to visit Maasai Mara National Reserve?
The dry season from July to October offers the best wildlife visibility and the Great Migration. January–February are also good with dry conditions and fewer crowds.
Can I walk in the reserve without a vehicle?
Walking is only allowed in designated camp areas or on short guided walks; the rest of the park must be accessed by vehicle.
Is a guide required for a visit to a Maasai village?
Yes, most lodges arrange village visits and charge around US$20 per person; the guide ensures respectful interaction.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Maasai Mara National Reserve
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