Outdoors Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve
An outdoor spot in Maasai Mara, a splurge ($$$$) and worth most of a day (about 8 hours). Best time to go: Jul – Oct.
Why go
Rolling grassland with lions, cheetahs, elephants and, from July to October, the wildebeest migration.
It is one of 8 curated places we feature in Maasai Mara, alongside 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Mara Serena Safari Lodge, 15 km away as the crow flies. Set aside most of a day (about 8 hours) here; it works best as the anchor of a day rather than a quick stop.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Price
- $$$$
- Time needed
- 8 hr
- Best time
- Jul – Oct
Nearby
The 6 closest curated picks in Maasai Mara, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Hilltop lodge in the Mara Triangle whose terrace bar overlooks the Mara River plains.
Drinks · 15 km straight-line - 2Governors' Camp
Classic tented camp on the Mara River in Musiara, serving meals with hippos below the bank.
Food · 23 km straight-line - 3Musiara Marsh
Northern marshland known for resident lion prides and big herds of buffalo and elephant.
Outdoors · 24 km straight-line - 4Governors' Balloon Safaris
Dawn hot-air balloon flight over the reserve, finished with a champagne bush breakfast.
Activity · 25 km straight-line - 5Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Community-owned conservancy bordering the reserve, allowing walks and night drives with fewer vehicles.
Outdoors · 26 km straight-line - 6Oloololo Escarpment
Steep western rim of the Mara Triangle with sweeping views over the plains below.
Outdoors · 26 km straight-line
On these curated routes
Maasai Mara National Reserve is a stop on our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve is our only outdoors pick in Maasai Mara; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Maasai Mara guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in Maasai Mara run from 25°C in May to 30°C in February; April is usually the wettest month. For Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, we suggest: Jul – Oct.
Modelled monthly averages for Maasai Mara from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Maasai Mara weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Maasai Mara National Reserve, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- Kenya
- Coordinates
- -1.48213, 35.12999
- Destination
- Maasai Mara, Kenya
Maasai Mara National Reserve: quick answers
How much time do you need at Maasai Mara National Reserve?
Plan on most of a day (about 8 hours) at Maasai Mara National Reserve. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Maasai Mara National Reserve?
Our pick: Jul – Oct. Insider tip: Full-day drives with a packed lunch reach the river and the far plains.
Where is Maasai Mara National Reserve?
Maasai Mara National Reserve is at Kenya. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Maasai Mara National Reserve?
Maasai Mara National Reserve appears on Kenya & Tanzania Safari, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Maasai Mara National Reserve to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Maasai Mara.
Plan Maasai Mara
- Maasai Mara travel guide 8 places
- Best time to visit Maasai Mara weather by month
- Maasai Mara to Serengeti 100 km straight-line
- Nairobi to Maasai Mara 188 km straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Maasai Mara
- Angama Mara Food
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.