One of Kenya’s oldest and most beloved safari destinations, the Masai Mara needs no introduction.
The quintessential African safari destination: 1,510 square kilometres of rolling grassland home to all the Big Five as well as cheetahs, hyenas and millions of grazing herbivores
Witness the greatest wildlife show on earth, the annual migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara of well over a million hungry wildebeest and zebra
Glide above the herds and over the vast plains in a hot-air balloon before landing for a champagne breakfast in the wild
Stay in a private conservancy for a more exclusive experience and in doing so help support both conservation efforts and community-based projects
Enjoy exceptional birdwatching, with over 470 recorded species in the Mara
Famed for its exceptional game viewing, this spectacular reserve embodies many people’s vision of an African safari. Many come to witness the world’s greatest animal migration, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra move north from the Serengeti to the wide-open plains of the Mara in search of food and water, risking fatal encounters with enormous Nile crocodiles and large pods of hippos as they cross the Mara’s rivers. The herds typically arive in July or August, but in all honesty the Mara’s gently rolling grasslands, speckled with acacia trees and low rocky outcrops, provide exceptional game viewing at any time of year, including reliable sightings of all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino).
The Masai Mara’s fame means it can get very busy, so a popular option is to stay in one of the private conservancies that border the official Masai Mara National Reserve, such as Mara North, Naboisho or Olare Motorogi. Each conservancy operates in a slightly different manner but the general idea is to make tourism, conservation and the rights of local people work hand in hand. Most involve the local Maasai landowners leasing the land to a number of high-end lodges, while still being allowed to graze their own cattle. The Maasai receive an income from the camps, which often also provide employment and contribute towards community-development projects. In return, the wildlife can live in peace and guests at the lodges receive a far more exclusive safari experience, enjoying fewer crowds, access to remote areas and the chance to enjoy activities not allowed in the reserve itself, such as walking safaris, night drives and luxurious bush breakfasts.
A stunning tented camp offering an incredibly private safari experience, set on a rocky ridge in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy.
Luxury tented safari camp voted #1 Hotel in the World in Travel + Leisure’s World Best Awards.
One of the first camps in Kenya to witness the arrival of the herds during the Great Migration.
A contemporary camp with a range of accommodation options and facilities, lying right in the path of the Great Migration.
A classic and elegant safari camp tucked away in an ancient riverine forest in a private corner of the Masai Mara.
A luxurious yet unassuming camp where half the fun is getting there - a boat ride across the Mara River followed by a guided trek through a riverine forest into camp.