Introduction

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s best-known safari destination. Its open grasslands, frequent predator sightings, and the famous Great Migration make it special. As part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, you can see big cats, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and many other animals all year.

Your experience in the Maasai Mara depends on where you stay and when you visit, from the open plains near Musiara to the Mara River and the western escarpment. At Halo Safaris & DMC, we help you choose the right Maasai Mara safari, whether you want a classic road trip, a luxury Maasai Mara fly-in, or a private conservancy adventure.

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Size, Location and Brief History

Size: The Maasai Mara National Reserve covers about 1,510 square kilometers (583 square miles). With nearby private conservancies owned by Maasai families, the whole ecosystem spans over 3,000 square kilometers. You can read more about conservancies here.
Location: The reserve is in southwestern Kenya, in Narok County, along the Great Rift Valley. It borders Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the south.
Nearest Major Towns: Narok Town (approx. 90 km to the northeast) and Sekenani.
Establishment & History: The Mara was first set up as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961, covering 520 km². It was later expanded and became a Game Reserve in 1961 and again in 1974. Today, management is shared between Narok County Council and the Mara Conservancy. The Narok sector (main reserve) is managed by the County Government of Narok, while the Mara Triangle is managed by Mara Conservancy Limited for the county government.

Various Gates

You can enter the Maasai Mara National Reserve through several official gates around its border. The best gate for you depends on where your lodge is located:

Sekenani Gate: Located on the eastern border of the reserve, on the outskirts of Sekenani Town. This is the primary access point for travelers arriving by road from Nairobi via Narok. It is ideal for lodges in the eastern central reserve.
Talek Gate: Found in the north-central part of the reserve near Talek village, this gate sits in the open savannah next to the well-known Talek River, which separates the eastern and western areas of the Maasai Mara.
Oloolaimutia Gate: This gate is at the far eastern end of the reserve, near Oloolaimutia Town in the hills. It is the main entry point for budget camps and lodges east of the main reserve.
Musiara Gate: This gate is on the northeastern side of the Maasai Mara, just east of Oloololo Gate and across the Mara River. It serves camps in the northern sector and the well-known marshlands.
Oloololo Gate: This gate is in the northeastern part of the Maasai Mara, just south of a Mara River tributary. It is the main entrance to the Mara Triangle.

Terrain

The Maasai Mara has a wide variety of landscapes, creating different ecological zones:

Open Grasslands: Cover the central plain, providing clear views of wildlife grazing and predator-prey interactions.
Riverine Forests: Lush vegetation along the Mara and Talek Rivers, supplying crucial cover for leopards, elephants, and hippos
Acacia Woodlands: Scattered across the savannah, these trees create the classic 'out of Africa' look.
Oloololo Escarpment: This steep cliff marks the western edge of the reserve and offers wide views across the Maasai Mara.
Kopjes: These are old granite rocks that rise above the plains. Lions and cheetahs often use them as lookout points.

Airstrips

If you choose a fly-in safari, several all-weather airstrips serve different parts of the Mara:

Keekorok Airstrip (IATA: KEU): located southeast of Maasai Mara National Reserve, giving easy access to Lonwalet Hill and Ol Tukai Hill. Serves lodges such as Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sarova Game Lodge, Sekenani Camp, Mara Sopa Lodge, Mara Topi Safari Lodge
Mara Serena Airstrip (IATA: MRE): Largest civilian airstrip in the reserve. Serves Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Mara Triangle camps.
Musiara Airstrip (IATA: MDR): Located in the northernmost region of the reserve. It serves Governor's Camp, Moran Camp, Serian Camp, Little Governor's Camp and Neptune Mara Rianta Camp.
Ol Kiombo Airstrip (IATA: OLX): Located north of Talek River. Serves Mara Intrepids, Mara Explorer, Fig Tree Camp, Porini Lion Camp
Kichwa Tembo Airstrip (IATA: KTJ): Located in the northernmost region of the reserve. Serves camps like Kichwa Tembo, Bateleur, and Kilima.
Ngerende Airstrip (IATA: MSC): Serves clients staying in various camps like Ngerende Island Lodge, Kicheche Mara Camp, Mara Safari Camp, Saruni Camp, Lokoswan Camp, and Richards Camp.
Olare Orok Airstrip (IATA: OLG): Located within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy to the north of the Reserve. Serves all the lodges and camps within the Orok Conservancy.
Mara North Airstrip (IATA: HKR): Located inside Mara North Conservancy, serving Kicheche Mara, Saruni Mara and Saruni Wild Camps
Angama Airstrip (IATA: ANA): Mainly serves Mara Angama Lodge, Mara West Camp
Ol Seki Airstrip (IATA: OSJ): Located in Naboisho Conservancy

Top Safari Activities

Day Game Drives: Daily morning and afternoon game drives in 4x4 Land Cruisers to explore the open plains.
Hot-Air Balloon Safaris: An early morning flight over the Mara, ending with a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Guided Walking Safaris: Take a bush walk with Maasai guides. These are mostly allowed in private conservancies.
Cultural Village Visits: Visit local Maasai communities to learn about their customs and crafts.
Night Game Drives: Look for nocturnal animals on drives allowed only in private conservancies, not in the main reserve.

What is the cost of a typical safari to Maasai Mara?

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Price Details (Per Person, Double Occupancy)

Budget Safari (costing between $250 and $500 per person): Shared transport in the form of a Land Cruiser, budget camps, group safaris; with the park fees not included.
Mid-range safari (between $550 and $950 per person): tented camps or lodges located near the reserve, with transport provided by 4x4 Land Cruisers, but park fees are not included.
Luxury Safari (an additional cost of $1,200 per person each day): These involve flying in, staying in high-end lodges, providing all-inclusive food and beverages, including private game drives in luxury 4x4 Land Cruisers, and include park fees.

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