Kenya’s iconic wildlife safari destination, the Masai Mara, tells a compelling story of different landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Named in honour after the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of this land, this region attracts travellers with the appeal of its wildlife, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.
The Masai Mara National Reserve, together with the private conservancies developed over the years in partnership between the Maasai people and conservation investors, has resulted in a huge, unfenced area with an excellent year-round concentration of game.
A highlight on the Mara’s calendar is The Great Migration, usually occurring between July and October, when millions of zebras, wildebeest, and Thomson’s gazelle cross the Mara River from the Serengeti in Tanzania, to graze on the sweet grass of the Masai Mara. This is one of the busiest times of the year in the Mara, for wildlife, and visitors.
The private conservancies in the Mara offer a variety of exceptional safari camps and lodges: many are smaller intimate camps, providing a more personalized experience as well as a wider range of activities that include off-road exploring, night game drives, and guided bush walks where you can connect with nature and learn about the natural environment from your experienced guide.
A must-do experience in the Masai Mara is a dawn hot air balloon ride. Imagine being woken up before dawn in your safari camp, going to the launch pad in a safari 4×4, taking off in the hot air balloon and then floating above the Mara as the sunrise paints the sky gorgeous shades of orange, red and yellow. As you journey over the Mara’s landscapes watch the plains below come alive with elephant, zebra and giraffe. This is one of the most memorable bucket-list Masai Mara experiences, complete with a celebration breakfast on landing.
We’ll help you choose whether to stay in the reserve or a conservancy, each option offering a different perspective on the delicate balance between conservation and exploration, and the Maasai people’s culture and legacy.
