Maasai Mara Safari Guide 2026: Great Migration, Park Fees & Where to Stay

By Thomas · Updated 20 October 2026 · 2 min read

TL;DR

The Great Migration is usually in the Mara from July to October, with river crossings most likely in August and September
Conservancies cap vehicle numbers and allow walks and night drives
Flying from Nairobi takes under an hour, driving five to six hours
Park fees are high, so check whether they are included in your safari price

Type: Wildlife
Where: Kenya
Time needed: 3-4 nights
Admission: about US$100-200 per adult per day depending on season (2026), conservancy fees extra, check before you go

The Maasai Mara National Reserve covers about 1,500 square kilometres of rolling grassland in south-west Kenya, along the border with Tanzania. It is the northern end of the Serengeti ecosystem and has one of the highest densities of big cats in Africa. Lions, cheetahs and leopards are seen on most trips, along with elephants, giraffes, buffalo and hippos.

It is the centrepiece of most Kenyan safaris, and for a few months each year it hosts one of the planet's great wildlife spectacles.

What you'll see

From around July to October, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra move north from Tanzania's Serengeti in search of fresh grazing. The famous crossings of the Mara River, with crocodiles waiting, are unpredictable: herds can gather on the banks for hours and then turn back. Patience and a good guide make all the difference.

Outside migration season, the resident wildlife is still superb, and prices and crowds drop. Many visitors take a dawn hot-air balloon flight, followed by a bush breakfast. Maasai communities live around the reserve, and many camps arrange village visits; choose one run with the community's involvement.

Visiting

Reserve or conservancy: the main reserve, including the Mara Triangle in the west, can get busy around sightings in peak season. The private conservancies that border it, such as Olare Motorogi, Naboisho and Mara North, limit vehicles and allow off-road driving, guided walks and night drives. Fees go directly to Maasai landowners.
Fees: non-residents pay around US$100-200 per adult per day depending on the season (2026), with the higher rate in peak months. Conservancy fees are usually included in camp rates.
How long: three nights is a good minimum; four lets you explore more widely and improves your chances of a crossing.
Best time: July to October for the migration, January and February for dry weather and fewer visitors. April and May are wet, and some camps close.

Getting there

Light aircraft fly from Nairobi's Wilson Airport, and sometimes from Jomo Kenyatta, to airstrips across the Mara in about 45 minutes to an hour, with camps meeting each flight. By road, it is around five to six hours from Nairobi, often via the Rift Valley.

Where is Maasai Mara?

Open in OpenStreetMap · -1.49000, 35.14389

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see a river crossing?

Usually August and September, though crossings can happen any time from July to October. Timing depends on rainfall and cannot be guaranteed.

Is the Maasai Mara or the Serengeti better?

The Mara is smaller and easier to reach, with excellent cat sightings. The Serengeti is vast and holds the migration for most of the year. See our first safari guide for a comparison.

Can I do the Mara on a budget?

Yes. Group camping safaris from Nairobi cost much less than fly-in camps, though you spend longer on the road and share the vehicle. Make sure park fees are included in the price.

Written by

Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor

Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.