Nairobi To Masai Mara Safari
Planning a Nairobi to Masai Mara tour? Nairobi is East Africa’s busiest international safari entryway and the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the best safari destinations, among other parks in Kenya. Nairobi alone has a number of attractions that make it worth exploring in its own right. It even has its own National Park, which is an admirable part of Kenya’s incredible wildlife destinations. But Masai Mara is another thing altogether. The scale, variety and complete beauty of Masai Mara’s wildlife offering and rolling savannah grasslands make this one of the best places to see wildlife anywhere in Africa. Even if you visit nowhere else on safari, you simply can’t miss the Masai Mara, and getting here very often means passing first through Nairobi. A Nairobi-to-Masai Mara trip also depends on your safari budget because the decision alone can shift your budget by hundreds of dollars. Travelling from Nairobi to Masai Mara by road or by air also makes a big difference in relation to time and costs.
Safari Packages To Maasai Mara
A private safari in Masai Mara is without question the best wildlife adventure experience in the world and this is certainly not an over statement but pure facts. Masai Mara is home to some of the most diverse collection of animals, not just the ‘Big Five’ but also the ‘Big Nine’ most of which can be seen during a safari tour in Masai Mara. Though the wildebeest migration season from July to September is the highlight of the year, a Masai Mara safari is a rewarding experience all year round. We have listed several 2026 and 2027 Masai Mara tour packages below which range from budget holiday tours to luxury Fly-In Safaris staying at boutique Tented Camps. You can also check some of our recommended Kenya safari itineraries here, you can also speak to us directly and we’ll help you plan a Masai Mara & Kenya safari, around your travel wishes and budget.
Maasai Mara Road Safari Tours
The most popular way of travelling to Masai Mara is by road typically starting and ending in Nairobi, with the choice of vehicle being a 4×4 Landcruiser Jeep with open rooftop. The trip from Nairobi to Masai Mara typically takes 5 to 6 hours with stoppage times in between, and also depending on which lodge has been booked for your safari tour. One of the benefits of a Masai Mara safari by road is the typically lower tour cost as well as getting to see more of the real Kenya countryside and its environs. The most common way to travel to the Masai Mara by road is by booking a guided private drive-in safari. All Masai Mara safaris start from Nairobi and allow you to include multiple other destinations in Kenya beside the Masai Mara. Extended typical Kenya safari itineraries usually include overnight stays in Amboseli National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park. Please contact us if you are interested in an extended safari itinerary, we are happy to assist!
The road is presently tarred all the way from Nairobi to Masai Mara, and notably, the distance varies depending on which gate or entry point of Masai Mara you want to access. Generally, the drive to Masai Mara takes 5.5 hours for most eastern or Narok side park entry gates and this includes a couple of brief stops enroute for a fuel stop and washroom break in the small town of Narok.
Maasai Mara Fly-In Safari Tours
Opting for Masai Mara fly-in tours or Masai Mara flying safari packages? These are also known offer the most convenient way of getting to Masai Mara within an hour from Nairobi and are good if staying at certain Masai Mara safari lodges and camps which are remote. Flying to Masai Mara is usually an all-inclusive packaged tour with everything well taken care of from stays to private safari drives. Flights take off from Wilson airport in Nairobi twice daily and upon arrival at the airstrip in the Mara, guests are received and transferred to their respective camps or lodge in Masai Mara, just in time for lunch. Flying to Masai Mara is a more convenient option, but also costly. There are several airlines flying from Nairobi to Masai Mara airstrips, and several of these offers twice daily return flight to the reserve, with a one-way flight taking approximately 1 hour. Almost all these flights take off from Wilson airport in Nairobi (as opposed to the JKIA international airport) and you need only be at the airport about 45 mins prior to the flight. The types of aircraft used for flights to Masai Mara include propellor planes with seating capacities ranging from 40 seaters for DeHavilland Dash 7 and 8 aircraft to 13 seater Cessna Caravans. Passengers are limited to 15 kilos of carry on and check in luggage combined.
Maasai Mara Safari Vehicles
So which type of safari vehicles is used from Nairobi to Masai Mara tours? There are two basic types of vehicles used for safaris in Kenya and generally in East Africa for that matter and these are the mini-safari tour vans and the 4×4 safari jeeps with open rooftops, the Toyota Landcruiser vehicles (4WD safari vehicles). All the two types of safari vehicles have built in, pop-up game viewing roof hatches which the Driver opens once on a game drive inside the park or reserve, UHF Radio Calls and Cooler Boxes. The safari tour vans cost much less than the four-wheel drive safari vehicles. It should be noted that the 4×4 safari vehicles have the advantage of ground clearance or off-road ability. Both types of safari vehicles typically seat a maximum of 7 passengers with 6 being ideal and 8 passengers being the upper limit with an extra seat fitted into the vehicle. Luggage restrictions apply. These are the same types of safari tour vehicles used in Kenya and Tanzania for wildlife safaris, have a chat with us today and learn more about our tourist vehicles.
Top 10 Things To Do In Masai Mara Park
There are many safari activities in Masai Mara which range from luxury safari experiences such as Hot Air Balloon flights over the plains where you can see wildlife down below, to less costly bush meals and nature walks or wildlife treks. Some of the most popular activities in Masai Mara are brief visits to a traditional Maasai tribal village during which travellers get a glimpse into the unique way of life of these nomadic peoples.
Things To See & Do In The Masai Mara
1. Experience The Masai Mara On Game Drives
A true wildlife haven blessed with a year-round, rather overwhelming concentration of wild animals, the Masai Mara certainly doesn’t disappoint. Explore on twice-daily private game drives with expert guides who will uncover the wonders of the Mara.
2. Explore Masai Mara On Foot
Go on a guided walking safari in Masai Mara – reconnect with your spirit of adventure and follow in the footsteps of ancient explorers and local herdsmen on a once-in-a-lifetime guided walking safari. Heighten your senses without the thought of using the safari vehicle – listen to the crickets, breathe the fresh air, view the limitless horizon and appreciate the African soil on the soles of your shoes.
3. Explore The Skies In A Hot Air Balloon In Masai Mara
Awake before dawn and go on a life-changing Masai Mara hot air balloon safari high above the Mara plains. Soar peacefully and enjoy the magnificent bird’s eye view of all the animals below. This extraordinary experience concludes with an unforgettable, hearty champagne breakfast in the middle of the Mara.
4. Visit The Maasai On A Community Visit
No tour to the Masai Mara would be complete without an authentic cultural experience that gets you up close and personal with the fascinating Maasai people. They will invite you into their humble mud and stick manyattas (homesteads) and reveal their pastoral world and ancient, time-honoured traditions.
5. Go On A Horseback Safari
On your trip to Masai Mara, like the explorers of old, this is a truly unique way to experience the Mara. Once again without the use of the safari vehicle, it is a refreshing way to explore the vast landscape. Imagine galloping past dazzles of zebra, journeys of giraffe and, if the time is right, the mighty herds of the Great Migration.
6. Witness The Great Migration Safari In Masai Mara
Plan a safari holiday to Masai Mara around the migration. This is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic spectacles of the natural world, the Masai Mara Great Migration crossing is the annual trek of two million herbivores across the Serengeti/Mara ecosystem. Although the enormous herds of rumbling wildebeests can be seen year-round, the world-famous, eye-catching Masai Mara River crossings (July to October) are an absolute must for every wildlife enthusiast’s bucket list.
7. Private Sundowner In Masai Mara
Recreate your best safari moments on a private sundowner experience. Passionate film fanatics and romantics at heart can retrace the steps of Meryl Streep and Robert Redford and visit the exact locations of some of the movie’s most famous scenes.
8. Celebrate The Sunset With Maasai Warriors
Drive up onto the top of Oloololo escarpment for the most unforgettable sundowners overlooking the vast Mara plains, as well as the Serengeti in the distance. As the sun gently dips over the horizon, stand around a blazing fire, complete with delicious snack and a full bar and bartender, and watch in awe as Maasai warriors perform their traditional song and dance.
9. Photograph Lions In ‘Big Cats’ Territory
The Masai Mara boasts one of the highest lion densities in the world, so it should come as no surprise that the world-famous nature documentary, Big Cat Diary, is filmed in the Mara. Set out in search of the legendary Marsh pride and the beloved, oh-so photogenic, Scarface himself.
10. Go On A Photographic Safari In Masai Mara
Be the envy of the Mara in one of our state-of-the-art, fully customized photographic safari vehicles. They boast unobstructed views, 360°-degree swivel chairs, a fully-stocked personal bar and air conditioning – this is the ultimate photographic experience, and the wildlife certainly plays its part as photographic subjects.
How Much Time Do I Need For A Masai Mara Safari From Nairobi
The more time you have for exploring the Masai Mara the better your safari experience. If you start your safari drive here from Nairobi to Masai Mara, it will take half of the day to get to the Mara, and half a day to get back. If you fly from Nairobi’s to Masai Mara, then you can be in Masai Mara in just over an hours’ time. This gives you the advantage of spending more time doing game-viewing drives. With 1 (one) or 2 (two) full-days in Masai Mara, you could get to know one of the areas inside the reserve really well, or enjoy getting to know one of the conservancies that surround the Mara. With 3 or 4 days in Masai Mara, you could explore two or more areas of the park or a couple of the nearby private conservancies, or a combination of the two. With a 5 days tour to Masai Mara, you could now say that you know the Masai Mara well.
Can I See All Big Five Animals On A Masai Mara Safari
Masai Mara is the best place to see the big five, this is without doubt home to the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. All of these can be seen in you are staying in Masai Mara for 3 nights or 4. There are rhinos in the park, but they can be elusive at times: your best chance of seeing plenty of them is in the Mara Triangle, or going on a safari to Lake Nakuru Park and Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Another option if you really want to see all Big Five safari animals as part of your trip is to visit Nairobi National Park before or after traveling to the Mara. Nairobi National Park is one of the best places in Kenya to see white or black rhino. Even if you don’t see the Big Five, there will still be lots of wildlife highlights. The Big Five animals were actually labeled by hunters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to describe the animals that were most dangerous to hunt. In the Mara there are many other exciting animals to see, including cheetah, zebra, giraffe and so much more.
Is It Best To Drive Or Fly From Nairobi To The Masai Mara
There is no harm in doing both, it all comes down to your safari budget, how much are you willing to spend for the flights? The two main considerations when deciding whether to drive or fly are time and money. On the one hand, flying to and from the Masai Mara is a great use of your time. It gets you from Nairobi to the Masai Mara three or four times quicker than it takes to drive the same distance. This is especially important if you only have a few days on safari and you want to maximize the time you spend looking for animals rather than traveling around. And best of all, the views you can enjoy on your air safari to Masai Mara, something simply wonderful. The main problem of flying to Masai Mara is that it is expensive, and it can be beyond the reach of those looking for a more affordable Kenya safari. If you do end up on a safari, driving from Nairobi to Masai Mara, remember that you’ll have more time to see Kenya up close and more opportunities to meet locals, and other experiences if you travel by road to Masai Mara.
How Much Does A Masai Mara Safari From Nairobi Cost
The cost of a Masai Mara safari from Nairobi is from US$200 to US$250 per person per day for a budget safari, and this can rise to around US$600 per person per day or even more for a luxury Masai Mara safari. The cost of Nairobi to Masai Mara safari will also differ greatly across the many tours and packages on offer. While planning, check whether your flights or road transfers to and from the Masai Mara, and the daily park fees of US$200/100 per adult per day, are included depending on the safari season. Other things that can affect the cost of your Masai Mara safari include your accommodations – mid-range safari lodges cost a lot less than the ultra-luxurious safari camps or the luxury tented camps. Many of them have suite-sized tents with wooden floors, en suite bathrooms, a private terrace and luxury furnishings, and some even have their own swimming pool. Also important is the time of year when you plan to travel to Masai Mara. High season in the Masai Mara covers most of the year, running from July to December and low season starts from January to June.
Best Time To Visit The Masai Mara
When to visit Masai Mara – at night, and for early morning game drives, warm clothing is needed – with woolly hats and warm gloves. Masai Mara in late March-May bring downpours; you’ll get some cheap deals though if you’re traveling during this time. The shorter rainy season happens in November – with less safari disruption, a greener landscape and again, cheaper safari prices. The best time to visit the Masai Mara to see the migration is July-October; another popular time is late September to October, or even late June, to witness the wildebeest without the crowds.
Best Months To Visit Masai Mara
Visiting Masai Mara In January and February
These three months are pretty hot and dry. Since water is scarcer this time of year, just head for a waterhole for excellent wildlife viewing. Don’t forget to look towards the skies as well, it’s also bird migration season.
Going To Masai Mara In March – April & May
This time of year is known for the ‘long rains’ or as the wetter of Masai Mara’s two rainy seasons. It’s still hot during these months, but it’s especially rainy during the month April. On the up-side, the rains ring in a regeneration of local vegetation turning the Masai Mara all shades of green.
Visiting Masai Mara From June – July – August – September & October
Pleasant temperatures, warm and dry weather, and mostly clear blue skies above. Perfect weather for wildlife safaris and therefore a popular time for safari travel to the Masai Mara.
Going On A Safari In Masai Mara In November & December
The last two months of the year ring in the ‘short rains’ or less intrusive of the two rainy seasons. Expect overcast, cloudy skies and rain showers in the afternoons. Temperatures are still high, although the mornings can be rather chilly.
Best Masai Mara Safari From Nairobi
On your Big Five tours in Kenya and Tanzania, you will see the (lions, leopards, elephant, rhino and buffalo). Expect to see lots of other wildlife against a backdrop of beautiful African landscapes featuring Africa’s highest mountains (Kilimanjaro and Mt.Kenya ), Ngorongoro Crater, the vast stretching grasslands of the Masai Mara and Serengeti, and top East African beaches. Experience a combined kenya & tanzania parks safari where adventure knows no limit.The best Kenya safari packages for the Chinese market.
8-Days Kenya Safari and Beach Holiday
per person
$1.00-
Experience Optional Activities Hot Air Balloon Rides, Sundowners, Night-Time Game Drives with this premium package.
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Inclusion This package covers Accommodation, Daily Meals, Park Entry Fees & Local Transfers to ensure a worry-free trip.
6-Day Fly-In Safari Kenya
per person
$1.00-
Experience Optional Activities Hot Air Balloon Rides, Sundowners, Night-Time Game Drives with this premium package.
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Inclusion This package covers Accommodation, Daily Meals, Park Entry Fees & Local Transfers to ensure a worry-free trip.
10-Day Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari
per person
$1.00-
Experience Optional Activities Hot Air Balloon Rides, Sundowners, Night-Time Game Drives with this premium package.
-
Inclusion This package covers Accommodation, Daily Meals, Park Entry Fees & Local Transfers to ensure a worry-free trip.
