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Sunrise over the Masai Mara, with a pair of low-flying hot air balloons and a herd of wildebeest below in the typical red oat grass of the region
Home/Destinations/Africa/Kenya/Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve Tours and Vacation Packages

Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Overview

Take a trip to Masai Mara National Reserve on your Kenya Vacation

Known simply as “The Mara” to locals, Masai Mara National Reserve is a large reserve located in south-western Kenya. The area was named after the Maasai people who were the traditional inhabitants of the land to be discovered on a Kenya safari.

The reserve was established in 1948 as a wildlife sanctuary that covered 520 square kilometres/200 square miles. Today, the reserve covers an area of 1,510 square kilometres/583 square miles and is bordered by the Serengeti Park of Tanzania to the south, the Siria escarpment to the west and Maasai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. Unlike other national parks in Kenya, Masai Mara is not administered by the Kenya Wildlife Service but rather by local authorities and the Maasai people.

Masai Mara is not the largest conservation area on a Kenya vacation but it is certainly the most famous. This is due to the annual Great Migration which is one of the most impressive natural events in the world. Each July approximately 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson’s gazelles, 200,000 zebras, 97,000 topi and 18,000 elands migrate north from the Serengeti plains to the Masai Mara in search of fresh pasture. These animals then return to the Serengeti in October.

Whether witnessing the Great Migration on a Kenyan safari or experiencing the traditional semi-nomadic pastoralist lifestyles of neighbouring Maasai tribes, the reserve is a must-see on any visit to Kenya. 

At a Glance

Languages

English, Swahili

Currency

Kenyan Shilling (KES)

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Odysseys by Goway

Elephant in Samburu National Reserve
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Kenya Odyssey

Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, Samburu National Park, and Nairobi
Discover Kenya on a Goway-exclusive small-group safari, exploring Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara on select departures.
8 days
From US$4,049/p.p.
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Escorted Tours

Lion playing with very young cubs, Masai Mara
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Highlights of Kenya: Masai Mara to Amboseli

Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, and Nairobi
Experience Kenya on a small-group safari through the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, with unforgettable wildlife and landscapes.
7 days
From US$2,955/p.p.
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Escorted Tours

Plains Zebra, Ngorongoro Crater
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East Africa Explorer

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, and Nairobi
Experience the best of Kenya and Tanzania on a small-group safari through the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and more.
13 days
From US$8,060/p.p.
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Leopard hunting in savannah
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The Best of Kenya: Nairobi, Masai Mara & Amboseli

Amboseli National Park, Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, and Samburu National Park
Experience the best of Kenya on an epic safari through Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Tsavo West, Amboseli and more.
13 days
From US$8,049/p.p.
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Stays of Distinction

Xanadu Luxury Villas
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Deluxe Safari & Island Romance: Kenya & Zanzibar

Zanzibar, Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, and Nairobi
Experience the perfect blend of adventure and romance with a Deluxe Kenya safari and Zanzibar escape, combining wildlife with Indian Ocean relaxation.
9 days
From US$12,042/p.p.
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Odysseys by Goway

Leopard in the Masai Mara, Kenya
+1

East Africa Odyssey

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, Samburu National Park, and Nairobi
Discover Kenya and Tanzania on a Goway-exclusive small-group safari through Samburu, the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and more.
14 days
From US$10,979/p.p.
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Masai Mara
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Masai Mara Safari & Seychelles Island Escape

Praslin Island, Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, and Masai Mara
Explore the wonders of a Masai Mara safari paired with a relaxing Seychelles island escape on Praslin.
11 days
From US$11,179/p.p.
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Lions in the Serengeti
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Classic East Africa: Kenya & Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park, and Nairobi
Experience the best of Kenya & Tanzania on an unforgettable safari featuring Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Naivasha.
11 days
From US$10,912/p.p.
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What do the experts say?

David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
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Goway guests can enjoy unforgettable moments like bush breakfasts, night game drives, and personalized safaris in luxury tented camps
David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
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The Samburu Reserve is one of the most colourful game-viewing areas in the country, home to species found nowhere else—like the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra
David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
Learn More About This Expert
In peak months like August, the migration draws huge crowds to the river crossings. But conservancies around the Mara limit vehicle numbers, so you still get intimate wildlife moments
David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
Learn More About This Expert
Kenya offers the best wildlife viewing with the world-renowned Masai Mara, plus unique species only found in places like Samburu.
Bijal Kana

Bijal Kana

Destination Specialist
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I wouldn’t recommend self-driving as Kenya’s roads can be tricky, and they drive on the left side, which can confuse visitors used to North American systems

The Great Migration

The Great Migration is the name for the movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle during the dry season on the East African savanna. The herds move around 2,000 kilometres/125,000 miles from the southern expanse of the Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater to the Masai Mara National Reserve and back down to the southern Serengeti again in search of food and water. Many visitors come for the Wildebeest Migration and the best time to visit the Masai Mara for this famous spectacle is between July/early August and the end of November although due to varying rainfall patterns, the exact timing varies from year to year.

Witnessing the Great Migration is one of the greatest experiences a person can have on their African vacation. Everyone who has the chance to stand up in their jeep and gaze out on thousands of animals moving across the plains should take that opportunity. 

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ExcellentBased on 5,326 Reviews
Verified
Bijal and Martin (tour guide in Kenya) made this the trip of a lifetime. I felt safe every minute of the trip. I did not care for the travel from the Serengeti to Ngorogoro Crater. I felt the last hotel was too far from the crater i was exhausted not wanted to travel to the crater. The travel was absolutely brutal for 6 hoursKathie Becker
Verified
Josie was incredible to work with. She replied to all emails quickly and effectively. She was very knowledgeable and always willing to help. Would definitely work with Josie again!! Clients had an incredible 14 days in Italy with no complaints. A dream vacation!!Chattell Blue
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Our safari in Tanzania was excellent. Brooke Theron, our Goway representative, was easy to work with, responsive and knowledgeable. Our guide in Tanzania, Anwar Razak, was outstanding. His knowledge and his driving ability was impressive. He was also engaging. We enjoyed our time with Anwar. The camps that Goway recommended were comfortable, welcoming and surprisingly luxurious while capturing the essence of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We had a wonderful trip. Jack B.
Verified
My agent Lisa made the booking process easy. Her expertise on the Azores was extremely helpful. Final documents were precise and thorough. Transfers were on time, tours were informative and fun, and the lovely accommodations were well suited to our needs.Christine Hosty
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I am so happy to use Goway for my tour experience while visiting Vietnam during Oct 15 through October 29, 2026. We had 3 very good, thoughtful, and caring guides in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. They were very knowledgeable for each of their respective areas. they all fulfilled every part of our itinerary. I wish to give an extra acknowledgment to my guide in Danang and Hoi An. Mr. Phung Van Hung was very friendly and caring for me. During my stay in Hoi An, I became sick and required a visit to the local hospital in Hoi An. I contacted Mr. Phung, and he graciously offered to take me and stay with me to interpret during my visit for medical care even though he was not working that day. I really appreciate his extra above and beyond service he provided. I really must let Goway know, he is a wonderful guide!George C.
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Suzzette and her team provided exceptional support throughout our year‑long planning process for our Bali group. Despite multiple changes, updates, and last‑minute cancellations, she remained organized, responsive, and solution‑focused. Asia Trails Indonesia delivered a seamless experience from arrival to departure, and our guides, Dayu and Adit, were outstanding; prompt, knowledgeable, and attentive to every detail. The coordination across multiple departure cities, the curated excursions, and the overall flow of the itinerary were executed beautifully. My group thoroughly enjoyed the trip and is already asking about returning. I highly recommend Suzzette as a group coordinator for her professionalism, dedication, and high‑quality service.Anchored Memories Travel
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Mike K. graciously provided us with a perfect itinerary, offering us flexible high quality options for our trip. We added in a few complex details and he maneuvered around them creating smooth transitions. Planning an overseas 11 day trip can be overwhelming and Mike made everything feel easy. I highly recommend!Amy Challgren
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Goway staff was available to us throughout our entire trip to Costa Rica. Their involvement was seamless and surprisingly smooth between them and all of our hotels and tours. We have been totally impressed with their involvement with our travel agent and their complete resolution of the only problem we had during the 2 different international trips that we have taken.Diana McCrory
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Thank you to Goway for a great and enjoyable 7 day tour in China, for our Canadian group of 14! Very special thanks to the local guides in Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing ( Richard, Richard and James) who were second to none! Each was a knowledgeable ambassador for their home city, working hard to ensure our enjoyment and comfort, and to showcase the beauty of each area and its current and historical sites. They very kindly and patiently assisted everyone, and especially accommodated 2 of our group who encountered unexpected wellness challenges. The local bus drivers for our group were experts too, keeping us on time and safe on the roads and highways. Hotels were beautiful, welcoming, well located and appointed, quiet, comfortable and clean. Additional travel arrangements by air and high speed train went off without a hitch. KATHLEEN LLOYD
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This was the first time we used Goway Travel and Brooke Theron was absolutely the best to deal with. Our safari in Africa was fabulous and we were able to have all four questions answered before we left. It was a trip to remember and we would recommend both Brooke and Goway to other who are looking for a great experience. Thanks Brooke and Goway.Joyce Robinson
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