Hotels in Masai Mara

Masai Mara: Kenya's Premier Wildlife Reserve on the Serengeti Ecosystem

The Masai Mara National Reserve covers 1,510 sq km of open savannah in southwestern Kenya, roughly 270 km from Nairobi. It forms the northern extension of Tanzania's Serengeti, and together the two ecosystems host the Great Wildebeest Migration — an annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle between July and October. The Mara River crossings during this period are among the most documented wildlife spectacles on the continent. Beyond migration season, the reserve sustains one of Africa's densest resident lion populations alongside elephant, leopard, cheetah, and buffalo.

Where to Stay

Accommodation clusters in three zones: the Mara Triangle (west bank, managed by Mara Conservancy), the Sekenani corridor near the main gate, and surrounding private conservancies including Naboisho, Ol Kinyei, and Mara North. Private conservancies permit night drives and off-road game tracking that the national reserve does not allow. Properties range from tented camps along the river to lodge-style accommodation 5–15 km from reserve gates.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Charter flights from Wilson Airport, Nairobi take 45 minutes; road transfers run 5–6 hours via the B3 highway.
• Best season: Migration crossings peak August–September; resident wildlife viewing is consistent year-round.
• Currency: Kenya shilling; US dollars widely accepted at camps.
• Pack light layers for cool mornings at 1,500 m elevation.