Deciding which area to visit and the best time to travel to the Maasai Mara significantly shapes your experience. The central regions of the Maasai Mara National Reserve are bustling and overcrowded during migration season from early August to November. For a more private experience, the northern Mara private conservancies provide secluded luxury with tented camps and safari suites, alongside exclusive activities like guided walks, night game drives, and stargazing. The eastern region, closer to Nairobi, features larger lodges and hotels catering to scheduled tour groups and travelers seeking convenience.
For top of the range safari lodges in Masai Mara Kenya, see our best Masai Mara safari lodges and camps – Governors IL Moran Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Acacia House and Karen Blixen Camp. These innovative safari destinations in a famous wilderness area embrace nature, blending into their surroundings in Mara.
An exhilarating Kenya tour and safari to the famous Masai Mara includes all flights, transfers and meals. Planning an East African safari during the great Wildebeest Migration, then book world-class accommodation well in advance for your finest adventure yet. Migration river crossings at the Mara River or the best views of the stampeding herds in the great grasslands of the Mara reserve – choose your top spot for the drama in Masai Mara safari lodges.
Mara Plains Camp boasts an intimate spot deep in a forest on the meandering bends of the Ntiakitiak River, a subtle refuge among the wild animals. The camp was created to blend into the beautiful ecosystem and its sweeping views across the plains. The lovely Karen Blixen Camp is ideally positioned to witness the phenomenal Mara River crossing on safari in Kenya. Get front row seats to this spectacular predator-prey interaction and watch as crocodiles gorge themselves on zebra and wildebeest.
Remember that the Maasai Mara offers exceptional game viewing year-round, with a unique charm during the quieter low season without the crowds. While the wildebeest herds are absent, the reserve teems with diverse wildlife and you will have a much more personalised safari experience from November onwards.