Why Go on a Masai Mara Safari?
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
Every year, about 2 million animals follow the rains and their ancient instincts on an epic, 3 000-kilometre (1 900-mile) journey.
Witnessing one of the death-defying river crossings is like watching a live National Geographic film.
Superb Year-round Game Viewing
Thanks to a mild climate, wide open spaces and an abundance of wildlife, the Masai Mara delivers sensational safari experiences any time of the year.
It’s a sanctuary for the likes of elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and the Mara’s celebrated big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah.
One-of-a-Kind Experiences
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your gorilla trekking with a Great Migration safari in East Africa or a beach getaway in Zanzibar.
If you’re coming all the way, you might as well experience everything that has Africa to offer!
Exclusive Lodges & Camps
Despite some camps being situated in remote wilderness locations, they still offer superb amenities like private plunge pools, spas and gyms.
You can even find silver chandeliers and copper bathtubs in the middle of the Masai Mara.
Quick & Easy Transfers
There are dedicated airstrips that service most of Kenya’s national reserves and private conservancies.
The best safaris are fly-in itineraries, which eliminate the need for long road transfers – meaning more time on safari!
Convenient Add-ons
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your Masai Mara safari with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Uganda.
The same goes for crowning your trip along Kenya’s gorgeous coast or on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
The Wildebeest Migration, Big 5, Cultural Experiences & More
The Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly Kenya’s most notable and revered reserve. Its sheer size – extending to and eventually joining Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park – and stringent anti-poaching systems have made it famous for its thriving lion, cheetah, and leopard populations.
From $500 USD
per person per Night Sharing
From $700 CAD
per person per Night Sharing
From $1,100 AUD
per person per Night Sharing
From €1,050 EUR
per person per Night Sharing
From £850 GBP
per person per Night Sharing
From R16,000 ZAR
per person per Night Sharing
Consider Adding...
Kenya’s Beaches
Experience a safari vacation in Kenya, the place where safari travel originated. The best Kenya tours and safaris include Big 5 game viewing, incredible natural beauty, and cultural encounters, often combining Kenya’s top attractions with Tanzania and the tropical beaches of the Kenyan coast.
Serengeti National Park
Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must-add to any Kenya safari itinerary.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Home to a shallow soda lake, Nakuru is the place to go for the best chance to see Kenya’s famous flocks of flamingos. But there’s also great game viewing on hand: rhino and hippo are among the heavyweights that can be spotted around the lake’s shores.
When To Go To Kenya
Dry Seasons: Jan - Mar & Jun - Oct
The weather is usually mild and dry from January to March, and most of the safari crowds are absent. June to October is safari’s high season – Kenya’s national parks and reserves see high visitor numbers, but weather conditions are fantastic and the Wildebeest Migration’s dramatic river crossings into the Mara take place. Staying inside the Masai Mara National Reserve means you’re a stone’s throw from the Migration’s action, while staying in a neighbouring private concession a little further away from the Migration hot spots means you can easily get to all the action but also retreat to tranquillity.
Green Seasons: Nov – Dec
The popular Mara River crossings – when the Migration moves from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara – can happen anywhere between July and October. Just as the rains are unpredictable, so too are the river crossings. The herds will enjoy the Mara’s fresh grazing until about December, when they move back to the Serengeti to give birth.
Migration Seasons: Jul - Nov
The popular Mara River crossings – when the Migration moves from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara – can happen anywhere between July and October. Just as the rains are unpredictable, so too are the river crossings. The herds will enjoy the Mara’s fresh grazing until about December, when they move back to the Serengeti to give birth.
Masai Mara Safari Trip Ideas
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
East Africa’s Mara, Crater & Serengeti Migration
The definitive East Africa adventure, this superb 8-night luxury fly-in safari combines Kenya and four of Tanzania’s most celebrated game reserves.
Beginning with the vast open plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara, then over to Tanzania for the delightful diversity of Lake Manyara, the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater and rolling grasslands of the Serengeti. Arguably the most spectacular game-viewing itinerary in Africa, this is the journey of a lifetime.
This adventure will take you on thrilling game drives, night drives and fascinating guided walks. It will provide exceptional views of diverse east African landscapes, cultures and wildlife. Filled with bucket-list experiences, including the option of adding on a hot-air balloon safari for a unique perspective of the vast Serengeti plains.
Ideal for seasoned and first-time travellers, couples and families alike, this wildlife and gourmet adventure combines effortlessly with a romantic Indian Ocean island getaway to make a perfect honeymoon or family safari and beach itinerary.
Destinations
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Lake Manyara
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Serengeti National Reserve
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $13,250 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $21,200 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €20,150 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £16,100 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R298,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
Kenya Big Five & Rhino Tracking Safari
Under the vast blue skies of East Africa, which are painted with wisps of white clouds tinged pink and gold by the rising sun, you awake to the sounds of the birds in Tanzania, where the Arusha Coffee Lodge welcomes you to Big 5 country.
There is even more to see and do on this 8-day holiday: venture to Lemala Ngorongoro on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most famous places and a World Heritage Site. The crater’s caldera is filled with about 30 000 animals, making for some of the easiest game viewing anywhere on the continent and the place where you are most likely to see all of the Big 5 in a single game drive.
Then, between December and March, set up camp at Lemala Ndutu at the permanent marsh in Ngorongoro Crater, which boasts the best seats in the house for the Great Migration.
From July to October the camp moves to Lemala Mara in the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River. Here, you get an uninterrupted view of the great herds of wildebeest and zebra splashing across the crocodile-infested river.
Destinations
- Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Lemala Ngorongoro
- Lemala Mara Camp
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $7,900 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $12,650 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €12,000 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £9,600 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R178,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
How Much is a Masai Mara Safari?
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e., key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity).
From $350 – $1250 per night
What Costs Are Included?
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives, and other excursions like walking safaris and cultural village visits will all be included. To operate in such remote areas at such a high level of hospitality, it takes some serious logistics and often means guest-to-staff ratios of more than 5 to 1. Not to mention many accommodations offer services like laundry, so you can pack light and travel easy.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities (like hot-air balloon rides and spa treatments) and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
Ashley Gerrand
"One of my all time favourite places in the world. The location of the ’Great Migration’ (from August through to October) and home to Africa’s big 5, the Masai Mara is a beautiful, wildlife-rich savannah landscape that offers a true African experience. It steals the hearts of many that visit and is a bucket list destination, without a doubt!"
Why Travel with Go2Africa
Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa.
When you travel with us you’re assured of the Big 5 Guarantee.
We are African
Since 1998 we've tailored unforgettable African safari holidays for over 200 000 travellers, that leaves a lasting positive impact.
We Know Because We Go
We have first-hand knowledge of every destination, lodge and activity we recommend from our 1 000+ carefully selected safari partners.
We Are With You All The Way
We take care of every detail, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, until you return safely home.
You Are In Expert Hands
With the most awarded Top Travel Specialists in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler and led by one of Travel & Leisure's A-list specialists, you are in expert hands.
Complete Financial Protection
Our clients are fully covered by our supplier default insurance, and our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.
Making A Positive Impact Together
Every journey with us makes a meaningful positive impact by creating sustainable solutions, enabling people and nature to mutually thrive together.
Our Partners
Everything is about relationships. Fortunately, we’ve built great ones working with the top names in Africa for more than 20 years.
What Our Clients Say
