A safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve
A safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve : The stunning national reserve in Kenya that borders Tanzania’s Serengeti is known as the Masai Mara, or simply the Mara as most Kenyans refer to it. For first-timers, it can be difficult to understand how the Mara ”works” – which entrance gates to use, which roads to avoid to get there, and what fees to pay.
We hold your hand through this self-drive travel guide to Masai Mara so you can explore this top-notch Kenyan safari park in comfort and readiness.
Together with a few smaller private conservancies, the larger Masai Mara ecosystem is divided into three sections:
Masai Mara National Reserve: The majority of visitors enter the reserve from Narok town via the Sekenani gate. Further points of entry are the Purungat Mara River Gate (south), Musiara Gate (north), and Oloolaimutia Gate and Talek Gate (east). At any of these gates, permits can be obtained upon arrival. Credit card or MPESA Mobile Money are accepted forms of payment.
Mara Triangle: You have to pay your entry fees at the Oloololo Gate, which is the main entrance. But at Sekenani Gate, a transit permit needs to be obtained.
Mara North Conservancy: This conservancy, which is located north of the Mara Reserve, specializes in providing luxury camps that are better suited for all-inclusive game drive packages than for independent travelers.
Private Conservancies: A number of private conservancies, the largest of which is Naboisho, border the three main sections. If you choose to stay in a lodge situated within a private conservancy, an automatic conservation fee will be added to your hotel bill. If you choose to camp in one of the conservancies, you will still need to pay entrance to the National Reserve and the Triangle, which are home to the majority of the wildlife.
Can I explore the Masai Mara on a self-drive trip?
A driver-guide can help you navigate the park and spot wildlife better. You can also hire a local guide if you just want to hire one for the Masai Mara. A local guide’s fees are about $25 per day. We are pleased to put you in touch with reputable local guides who can take care of driving in the Masai Mara to ensure you have the greatest possible Mara experience.
The world’s most well-known safari parks are arguably Tanzania’s Serengeti and Masai Mara. However, some of the roads that get you to these tourist attractions are among the worst in Kenya. Furthermore, it can be difficult to figure out where to go because the Mara Reserve’s trails are poorly marked, making it simple to get lost. Therefore, we think that adding a driver-guide to your road trip adventure would be a great way to explore this park.
Travel durations and road conditions to the Masai Mara Nairobi to Narok (the Mara Reserve’s gateway town): about four hours on a tarmac road that is smooth.
The C12 is the fully tarmacked route that is recommended. Allow two hours to get from Narok to Sekenani Gate (main gate to Mara Reserve). If you’re heading to Sekani gate, don’t take the C11, even if Google Maps tells you to. It’s a rough road that will damage your car and take a lot longer. Rather, stay on the C12, and if you want to visit Maji Moto, turn left at the Maji Moto Eco Camp sign.
The C13 Route connects you to the Musiara and Talek Gates of the Masai Mara National Reserve as well as the Oloololo Gate of the Mara Triangle. The trip should take about seven hours. But because of the bad state of the road, we highly advise you to avoid it whenever possible.
We advise focusing only on the Mara Reserve and the Mara Triangle for the greatest possible self-drive experience in the Mara.
Are there campsites in the Masai Mara?
Camping inside the Masai Mara is an indelible wilderness experience, and we strongly recommend it.
The Maasai Mara Triangle offers three public campsites Oloololo, Eluai, and Iseiya. No advance booking is required for these public campsites.
There are no public campsites within the Mara Reserve. Near Sekenani, Talek, or Oloololo Gate, just outside the park, are camping options to consider.
Another traveler, Mark Davies, talked about his camping trip in the Mara Triangle:
“Mara Triangle camping is genuinely remarkable. In comparison to the main Masai Mara National Reserve, a self-drive trip is highly recommended as it provides a more manageable and straightforward navigation experience. Oloololo has restrooms, showers, and a small cooking area, but Eluai does not. Everyone is eager to share game knowledge, and the rangers are exceptionally amiable.”
When to visit the Maasai Mara?
All year long, the Maasai Mara provides excellent wildlife viewing. The ideal time to visit the Masai Mara is dependent upon your preferences: a sense of wilderness or the wildebeest migration. You’ll follow your preferences as the seasons change:
Peak Season (mid-June to September): The popular wildebeest migration falls during this time, which is also the Mara’s peak season. Although it can be fascinating to see millions of wildebeests, the sight brings a large number of tourists to the region. There are many safari vehicles scattered across the landscape, and mobile camps by the river get pricey. Furthermore, while we recognize the desire to record unforgettable moments like a crocodile snatching a wildebeest it is extremely difficult to schedule such an occurrence around your visit.
Then during the rainy season; But this time of year offers great chances to explore the Mara with less crowds and better wildlife viewing for the independent traveler. During this time, the Masai Mara’s lodges offer reduced rates, requiring fewer reservations in advance, and the surrounding area turns a stunning shade of green.
It’s important to note that the Mara Triangle, particularly its western portion, sees the fewest tourists, which increases the likelihood of a more private and serene wildlife experience.