Luxury Maasai Mara Safaris made for you
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Wildlife as far as the eye can see
Kenya’s legendary Maasai Mara is one of the most famous game reserves in the world. Home to the Big Five, as well as the millions of migrating wildebeest and zebras who thunder across the plain during the Great Migration each year, a luxury Maasai Mara safari is a truly unforgettable experience.
Between July and September, the herds pour into the Maasai Mara from the dry plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The wildebeest must cross the Mara River on the border, marking the most treacherous point in the journey, with hungry crocodiles waiting patiently beneath the surface.
The sound of millions of clattering hooves and the spray of the water as they crash through the river is an incredible sight and one of Africa’s premier wildlife experiences. Our preferred way to experience the Great Migration is from one of the more remote areas, such as the Mara Triangle, where camps such as Wilderness Mara endeavour to offer an immersive wildlife experience in a quieter location, offering an immersive wildlife experience focused on local conservation and community partnerships.
The landscapes here are characterised by seemingly infinite stretches of golden savannah – a quintessential safari landscape that lets the imagination soar with thoughts of the majestic animals that roam here. The Maasai Mara has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife year-round. The Big Five can all be observed here, along with huge pods of hippos basking in the rivers, cheetahs racing across the savannah and giraffes ambling between the acacia trees.
The reserve itself is named after the Maasai people, who inhabit the area, and you’ll have opportunities to learn about their traditions and lifestyle during your trip. The Maasai have been grazing their cattle on these lands for hundreds of years, and this is still common practice for many, while others use their in-depth knowledge of the land to work as guides in some of the Maasai Mara lodges.
Get in touch with our Africa travel designers to start planning your bespoke Maasai Mara safari.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
Watch the Great Migration from the Mara Triangle
Experience the phenomenon of the Great Migration from a quieter perspective at Wilderness Mara or Angama Mara, in the Mara Triangle.
Find all of the Big Five on a guided game drive
Marvel at each of the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalos on an expert-led game drive.
Learn Maasai traditions from a local guide
Learn about Maasai culture and traditions from your knowledgeable Maasai guide.
Float above the savannah by hot air balloon
Float above the plains on a hot air balloon ride, witnessing the remarkable wildlife and scale of the savannah from above.
Spot aardvarks, pangolins and honey badgers
Your local guide will help you to spot rare animals including aardvarks, pangolins, aardwolfs, honey badgers and caracals.
Luxury Maasai Mara safari lodges
There are many incredible places to stay in Maasai Mara. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our safari experts:
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Responsible travel
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Maasai Mara example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Discover more of Kenya
Amboseli
Amboseli is famous. Everyone wants to experience the magnificent views over the border to Kilimanjaro, and feel the romantic atmosphere that comes from being in her presence.
Borana Conservancy
Found at the foot of Mount Kenya and located within the vast Ewaso ecosystem, you’ll find the rugged savannah of the Borana Conservancy.
Chyulu Hills
Nestled between Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks are the Chyulu Hills – one of the world’s youngest volcanic mountain ranges. Stretching for 150km and reaching an altitude of just over 2,000m the landscape is characterised by lush green hills covered in dense cloud forest, solidifed lava flows spilling down the slopes giving away its explosive history.
Kenyan Coast
There are few better ways to finish of a Kenyan safari than with a few final days relaxing on its golden coastline.
Laikipia Plateau
The high plains of Laikipia sit to the north east of the Great Rift Valley, the snowcapped peak of Mount Kenya towering in its southern corner. It is regarded as one of Kenya‘s premier wildlife destinations with big cats, huge herds of elephants and endangered black rhinos roaming the plains.
Lake Nakuru
Nakuru is the second major Rift Valley Lake that you will encounter when driving out onto your safari from Nairobi.
Lamu Archipelago
Authentic yet beautifully exclusive, the Lamu archipelago is the undisputed choice for seasoned travellers who wish to experience the off the tourist radar Kenyan coastline.
Lewa
Lewa is a private conservancy with diverse mix of habitats from grassland plains, forest, wetlands and hills.
Loita Forest
Lying between the two greats of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara parks on the western edge of the Great Rift Valley, this relatively unknown forest “of the lost child” (Loita Naimena Enkiyio) is a microcosm of diverse habitats spanning 330 square kilometres of rolling hills of indigenous forest.
Mara Conservancies
For those seeking a more exclusive safari experience, the conservancies bordering the Maasai Mara National Park offer exceptional game viewing and far fewer visitors.
Meru National Park
Very much like the Samburu, Meru became famous through Joy Adamson’s novel ‘Born Free’ which was published in 1960 and later became a well known movie.
Nairobi
The capital city of Kenya is a busy one, and can be slightly overwhelming after a long flight but is often a necessary stopover for you to visit the special places this beautiful country has to offer as a safari destination.
Samburu
North of the Laikipia Plateau is the scrubby open bushland of the Samburu National Reserve. This is the homeland of the Samburu people who were drawn here by the Ewaso Nyiro River which provided a reliable water source for their cattle.
Solio Private Reserve
Nestled in a valley between the dramatic slopes of Mount Kenya and the rolling peaks of the Aberdare Mountains is Solio Private Reserve. Within the 45,000-acre wildlife sanctuary, 19,000 acres have been set aside as a conservancy geared towards conservation. Solio is Kenya‘s leading rhino breeding sanctuary and it has been so successful, rhinos have been transferred from here to other reserves across the country.
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When to visit the Maasai Mara
The best time to visit Kenya depends on what you’re after.
If you’re in search of the Great Wildebeest Migration, July to October is the best time to go. If you’re looking to spot some rare migratory birds, go between October and April. December to March is the warmest time to visit, and it’s a great time to go on a Maasai Mara safari in search of the Big Five.
The Great Migration
July - October
Rare Migratory Birds
October - April
The Big Five
December - March
Plan your trip to Maasai Mara
Whatever you want from your adventure in Maasai Mara, our team of safari experts are ready to help.
Ask our experts
How do I get to the Maasai Mara?
The easiest way to get to the Maasai Mara is to take a short domestic flight from Nairobi, lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. These safari flights are typically in smaller planes, and luggage is restricted to soft-sided bags with a maximum weight of 15 kilograms. Alternatively, you can take a road transfer, which will take between five and six hours, and enter the reserve through the main gates.
What is special about the Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara is special because of its incredible density and diversity of wildlife. You can expect to spot the Big Five, particularly high populations of big cats. There are around 500 species of birds in the area, which is also famous for its vast, rolling landscapes. The Maasai Mara is also special for its Maasai culture, with the Maasai people playing a key role in many conservancies.
Is Maasai Mara good for family safaris?
Yes, the Maasai Mara is a great destination for family safaris because it offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and luxury family-friendly safari lodges. Kenyan culture is generally very welcoming towards families and lodges offer a range of child-friendly activities. You should bear in mind that there may be age restrictions for game drives, and a private vehicle may be required for families with children under 12 years old.
How many days do you need in the Maasai Mara?
We recommend spending at least three days in the Maasai Mara as part of a longer Kenya itinerary, in order to allow you sufficient time to explore the reserve’s vast, wildlife-filled plains. It’s also possible to combine destinations, spending a couple of nights in the main reserve, followed by a stay at one of the region’s private conservancies.
What wildlife can I see in the Maasai Mara?
The main wildlife you can see in the Maasai Mara are the Big Five: rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes. The reserve is renowned for its high populations of big cats, so you may also see cheetahs alongside lions and leopards. There are also around 500 species of birds to be spotted, as well as huge populations of wildebeest and zebras during migration season.
How often does it rain in the Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara has two rainy seasons. The long rainy season is the wettest time of year, with frequent heavy showers from March to May. The short rainy season lasts from November to December, with short afternoon showers common during this time. The dry seasons are considered the best time to visit Kenya for a safari, and last from January to February and June to October, although rain is still a possibility during this time.
Don't take our word for it
Explore the grasslands and rivers
Speak with our Africa specialists to start planning your own trip to the Maasai Mara.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
