Maasai Mara National Reserve

Location: Southwestern Kenya, bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti
Size: ~1,510 sq km (583 sq miles)
Best Time to Visit:

• July to October – For the Great Migration

• December to March – For abundant resident wildlife and predator sightings

The Masai Mara is world-famous for:

• The Great Wildebeest Migration – Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross from the Serengeti into the Mara between July and October.

• Big Five Sightings – Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino

• Incredible Predator Action – Especially lions, cheetahs, and hyenas

• Diverse Landscapes – Open plains, acacia woodlands, and the Mara River

• Cultural Tours – Learn about the Maasai people and their traditions

• Big Cats: Lions, cheetahs, leopards (often seen hunting)

• Herbivores: Wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, topis, gazelles

• Birdlife: 450+ species including secretary birds, eagles, and ostriches

• Other: Hippos and crocodiles in the Mara and Talek rivers

• By Road: ~5–6 hours from Nairobi (via Narok or Maai Mahiu)

• By Air: 45-minute flights from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to airstrips like Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, or Musiara