Best of Masai Mara

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Masai Mara
The vast Masai Mara National Reserve in western Kenya offers some of the most impressive wildlife watching on earth. Amid sun-baked grasslands dotted with acacia trees, you can spy thundering herds of wildebeest and zebras, watch lions stalk their prey and spy elephants and other oversized species gathering at watering holes. Apart from animal encounters, the Masai Mara is a great place to learn a bit about the Maasai on cultural visits to small communities. 

Visiting from July through August gives you a front-row seat to the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest and tens of thousands of zebras and other animals cross the savannah in search of fresh grass. Daily excursions offer you fine vantage points, and help you spot the big five (lions, elephants, rhinos, cape buffalo and leopards). For a loftier view, you can take a hot-air balloon ride and photograph animals on the move. By night, you can go for a game drive and hear the sound of cackling hyenas and roaring lions under star-filled skies.
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Zebra and Wildebeest on the Mara River
Explore the Masai Mara Game Reserve - 5 Days

Explore the rich ecosystem of the Masai Mara Game Reserve with daily safaris and the option for hot air balloon rides above the river valley. You'll start in Nairobi with a quick tour of the city, then head to the park where you'll enjoy observing the Great Migration across the Mara River. Along with expert guides, you'll look for the Big Five populations, spotting giraffe, lion, hippo, and zebra from game drives, and elephants from the comfort of your camp's viewing lounge.

Morning mist in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Map of Safari and Gorilla Trek in Kenya & Uganda  - 10 Days
Safari and Gorilla Trek in Kenya & Uganda - 10 Days

Welcome to the African wilderness! On this guided tour of Kenya and Uganda, you'll visit Amboseli National Park, go on a safari in the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, and get to know the Maasai people in their villages. Then cross the border for an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—it's the wildlife viewing experience of a lifetime.

Roaring lion
Wildlife and Culture in Kenya: Nairobi, Maasai, Mara River - 5 Days

Perfect for those looking to combine cultural experiences with wildlife safaris, this trip starts in the bustling city of Nairobi where you'll visit a women's cooperative pottery factory, a giraffe conservation center, and an elephant rescue. Next you'll head out into the African bush and stay in luxury tents near the Mara River where you can witness the annual Great Migration under the guidance of the Maasai tribe. Enjoy daily safaris and game drives, viewing animals such as lion, cheetah, antelope, giraffe, hippo, and more.

Pack the most wildlife into your short safari adventure with game drives in the Masai Mara
Map of Kenya Safari Highlights: Nakuru, Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha - 5 Days
Kenya Safari Highlights: Nakuru, Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha - 5 Days

Have under a week to spare for the safari adventure of a lifetime? Not a problem when your destination is Kenya. Enjoy five action-packed days, starting with Lake Nakuru, whose wetland ecosystem is a haven for wildlife ranging from flamingoes to rhinos. Continue on to the savanna plains of Masai Mara to spot lions, leopards, and other specimens before finishing with water safaris at Lake Naivasha and a trip to marvel at the soaring cliffs of Hell's Gate.

Mt. Kenya
Ultimate Kenya: Mt. Kenya Trek & Maasai Mara Safari - 12 Days

This active, 12-day adventure includes some of Kenya's best outdoor experiences. After sightseeing in Nairobi, spend several days hiking to the top of Mt. Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa. This amazing and challenging experience is followed by several days of safari and wildlife-spotting activities, as well as cultural immersion in the Maasai Mara.

Elephants in Masai Mara National Park
Map of Kenya Wildlife & Culture Tour - 5 Days
Kenya Wildlife & Culture Tour - 5 Days

This exciting Kenyan adventure combines three key destinations known for wildlife and culture. You'll transfer to Lake Naivasha from Nairobi to get friendly with non-predatory wildlife. Next, drive to a cultural camp and learn about the distinct Maasai lifestyle. Then continue east to the Mara River, where you'll experience private safaris while searching for elephants, zebras, and lions—best viewed during the Great Migration (July through September).

Wildebeest Crossing Mara River
Discover the Great Migration at Maasai Mara - 6 Days

Explore the wildlife of Kenya at the Maasai Mara Nature Reserve on the Mara River by spending three days following expert guides and observing the wildebeest, zebra, and crocodiles that make the Great Migration so fascinating. You'll explore different vantage points and take incredible photos and videos of the migration in action. To end the trip, you'll discover Lake Naivasha by bike, boat, or hot air balloon, and view its hippo population.

See lions in the wild hunt for buffalo
Map of Kenya Wildlife Safari - 10 Days
Kenya Wildlife Safari - 10 Days

This exciting 10-day itinerary allows you to truly discover Kenya's diverse wildlife and dramatic landscapes. Your trip will start in the bustling central city, Nairobi before you depart for the countryside and visit Amboseli National Park, which is home to Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Over these 10 days, you will also see the most famous Kenyan parks, including Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, and Maasai Mara, which are home to thousands of wildlife species as well as incredible hiking trails and viewpoints.

Lake Victoria from above
Kenyan Culture & Wildlife: Lake Victoria, Kisumu, & Maasai Mara - 8 Days

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world, giving you plenty to explore on this eight-day itinerary. Dive into lake life on Rusinga and Mfangano islands, stroll the streets of Kisumu city, and safari through the famous Maasai Mara reserve as you enjoy a spectrum of what Kenya has to offer.

Girl on safari in Kenya
Map of Kenya Family Safari: Nairobi, Nakuru, Maji Moto, Masai Mara - 8 Days
Kenya Family Safari: Nairobi, Nakuru, Maji Moto, Masai Mara - 8 Days

This eight-day safari tour of Kenya includes a range of wildlife and cultural activities that will appeal to both kids and adults. The itinerary fits a lot into a little more than a week, but you have enough time in each place to take it easy and not exhaust the younger members of the family (or the older ones!) Enjoy game drives in the unparalleled Maasai Mara Reserve, spend time with Maasai people in their villages to better understand their way of life, and have close encounters with a wide range of wildlife.

Experience the remarkable diversity of species in the Masai Mara National Reserve
Map of Kenya Safari Highlights: Nairobi, Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha - 10 Days
Kenya Safari Highlights: Nairobi, Masai Mara & Lake Naivasha - 10 Days

Journey to East Africa and experience the natural and cultural highlights of the continent in one of the best places for it: Kenya. Perfect first-timers, this safari adventure will take you both on and off the beaten path, starting with game drives around the capital city of Nairobi, followed by a deeper dive into the legendary Masai Mara, ancestral home of the Maasai people. Then venture to the wetland ecosystem of Lake Naivasha, where boat tours get you up close to hippos, crocs, and more.

A camel at Diani Beach
Map of Best of Kenya: Landscape, Safari, & Beach - 12 days
Best of Kenya: Landscape, Safari, & Beach - 12 days

If you want to experience all of Kenya's top destinations—while also getting the chance to lay back and relax—this exciting 12-day itinerary is for you. You'll start the trip in the bustling capital Nairobi before departing for Kenya's national parks to discover majestic landscapes, see the Big Five, spot diverse bird species, visit chimpanzees, watch an animal migration at Maasai Mara, swim in turquoise blue water, and more.

You're sure to spot lions on game drives through Masai Mara National Reserve
Map of Kenya National Parks & Wildlife Safari - 7 Days
Kenya National Parks & Wildlife Safari - 7 Days

This one-week adventure celebrates the best of Kenya, from its rich culture to its dramatic landscapes and exotic wildlife. After a night in the dynamic capital of Nairobi, a private driver will take you to some of the country's star locales, including Lake Nakuru National Park, the Great Rift Valley, and the legendary Masai Mara Reserve. At each, you'll spot Big Five safari animals, flocks of flamingoes, wildebeests, and much more— plus soar over the African savanna in a hot-air balloon!

Marathoner Catherine Ndereba looking out over Iten
Map of Running Experience in Kenya - 10 Days
Running Experience in Kenya - 10 Days

Runners will delight in this active tour of Kenya. The itinerary features three nights in the small town of Iten, known as the "Home of Champions," a safari in the country's best wildlife reserve, and a few days to relax on Diani Beach. You'll spend an afternoon watching Olympic athletes and elite marathoners train at Kamariny Stadium, enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the Mara River, and swim in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Come face to face with  rhinos
Map of Kenya Wildlife Photography Safari  - 21 Days
Kenya Wildlife Photography Safari - 21 Days

This 21-day trip is a wonderful fit for photographers looking to see the African landscape and its impressive wildlife. Visit 10 different parks and conservations to find the big five–lions, buffalos, elephants, and leopards. Bask in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest in Africa, and Mt. Kenya, the second-highest in Africa. Along the way you'll also see the Great Rift Valley and meet local people, making the entire itinerary a "photographer's paradise" and an incredibly memorable trip to Africa.

Ride a hot-air balloon over Serengeti National Park
Map of Wild East African Odyssey: Savannas & Beaches in Kenya & Tanzania - 21 Days
Wild East African Odyssey: Savannas & Beaches in Kenya & Tanzania - 21 Days

Experience the splendor of East Africa on a three-week journey to two of its most gorgeous and biodiverse countries: Kenya and Tanzania. Meet rescued animals, like elephants and giraffes, in Nairobi, then see these animals in the wild on game drives. After a hot-air balloon trip over the golden savannas of the Masai Mara Reserve, you'll cross into Tanzania for more safari fun, including at the "Cradle of Mankind," Ngorongoro, before wrapping up with snorkeling and sunset cruises in Zanzibar.

Spot big cats like cheetahs as you race across Kenya's national parks on safari
Map of East Africa Safari Adventures & Gorilla Trecking: Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda - 21 Days
East Africa Safari Adventures & Gorilla Trecking: Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda - 21 Days

Enjoy a three-week wildlife and cultural adventure in East Africa, a region abounding with national parks, reserves, and tribal communities. The safari truck awaits as you set off into Kenya's most famous parks, like Masai Mara, to spot elephants, lions, cheetahs, and more. Then, cross into Tanzania for more thrilling game drives on the Serengeti and the volcanic crater at Ngorongoro before continuing deep into the Ugandan rainforest to witness the last remaining wild mountain gorillas in the world.

Elephant in Amboseli National Park
Wildlife & Culture in Kenya - 14 Days

Explore nature and wildlife in Kenya with safaris and visits to Maasai villages in several national parks, starting with the famous pink flamingos at Lake Bogoria and Lake Nakuru. Watch Maasai Mara's Great Migration from land and air in an optional hot air balloon ride, then visit the giraffes of Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha. Search for the Big Five and enjoy scenes of elephants grazing below Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park before returning to Nairobi to visit the Giraffe Center and Kazuri bead workshop.

Rhinos in Kenya, one of the so-called "Big Five"
Map of "Big Five" Safari Experience - 10 Days
"Big Five" Safari Experience - 10 Days

Explore Kenya's wildlife, landscapes, and native culture on this diverse 10-day itinerary. After taking in sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley, you'll go on safari tours in Lake Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve. Then you'll have the chance to tour a Maasai village, visit a pair of national parks, hike to the summit of Mt. Longonot, and see elephants in the wild at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Cheetah
Map of Kenya Wildlife & Culture Adventure - 10 Days
Kenya Wildlife & Culture Adventure - 10 Days

Kenya offers a wealth of natural and cultural attractions, and you can experience them both on this 10-day tour. Have the chance to spot a huge range of wildlife by visiting the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the unparalleled Maasai Mara, and beautiful Lake Naivasha. Spend time with the local Maasai people at a special camp, where you can learn about their lifestyle and camp out with them the traditional way. In 10 days you'll get an exciting taste of the best of Kenya.

This epic two-week safari features some of Kenya's best elephant-spotting locales, including Amboseli National Park
Map of Kenya Safari Highlights: Nakuru, Masai Mara, Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo — 14 Days
Kenya Safari Highlights: Nakuru, Masai Mara, Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo — 14 Days

For culture, natural beauty, and exotic wildlife, you can't do better than Kenya. It's home to ancient ethnic cultures, like the Maasai people, plus many national parks and reserves—one of which runs right up to Nairobi's city limits. This ultimate two-week itinerary is packed full of adventures, including safaris in Nairobi National Park, Masai Mara, and Amboseli, hand-feeding giraffes, marveling at the red elephants of Tsavo, traveling to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, and much more.

Spotting giraffes on safari
Map of Kenya Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trek - 2 Weeks
Kenya Safari & Uganda Gorilla Trek - 2 Weeks

This two-week itinerary includes some of the best wildlife encounters and safari experiences that East Africa offers. In Kenya, you'll spend time at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the only remaining northern white rhinos in the world, and experience cultural immersion with Maasai people while staying in a camp near the Maasai Mara. Then fly across the border to Uganda to spend an incredible day hiking and looking for gentle mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Zebras grazing in Kenya
Map of Kenya Wildlife Safari & Cultural Immersion - 7 Days
Kenya Wildlife Safari & Cultural Immersion - 7 Days

Enjoy the best natural and cultural experiences that Kenya has to offer in a quick but comprehensive seven-day tour. After a day exploring the attractions of Nairobi, hit the ground running at the Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the finest wildlife areas in the country. Get a close-up experience of local Maasai culture and the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp, an authentic example of how the Maasai people live and work these days. End with a bang, at the world-renowned Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve, where you'll enjoy several morning and afternoon safari expeditions, for the greatest chances of seeing the Big Five, and much more.

Visit Lake Nakuru to see the flocks of flamingoes
Map of Epic Wildlife Adventure in Kenya & Tanzania - 21 Days
Epic Wildlife Adventure in Kenya & Tanzania - 21 Days

Dive into Kenya and Tanzania's cultural and natural wonders on this three-week itinerary, starting with a tour of Nairobi led by a former street kid. Visit elephants and giraffes at two sanctuaries before embarking on thrilling game rides in three national parks. Transfer to Arusha in Tanzania, where more wildlife adventures, a hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti, and a Maasai cultural experience await. Finish back in Nairobi for a bean-to-cup coffee experience at a nearby estate.

Elephants in Amboseli National Park
South Africa Adventure & Kenya Safari - 14 Days

You can see South Africa and Kenya on this wide-ranging two-week tour around both countries. Start in Cape Town, where you'll hike to the top of Table Mountain, taste locally produced wines, and see whales and penguins in their natural habitats. Then cross the border to Kenya, where national parks and lakes rich with wildlife await. You'll enjoy multiple safari days, spotting elephants, giraffes, and lions in the wild. You'll also have the chance to interact with local people during a visit to the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp.

A lion naps in the Maasai Mara
Best of Kenya: Wildlife & Beaches - 9 Days

No need to choose between wildlife safari or beach vacation—on this diverse 9-day Kenyan itinerary you'll get the best of both worlds. After landing in Nairobi, you'll spot hippos and flamingos on a boat tour of Lake Naivasha, embark on an unforgettable safari into the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and experience life in a traditional Maasai village. End your adventure by heading to the coast, where you can relax and recharge on the white sands of Diani Beach.

A lilac-breasted roller
Map of Kenya Birdwatching & Safari Trip - 14 Days
Kenya Birdwatching & Safari Trip - 14 Days

With more than 1,100 species of birds, Kenya is a paradise for birdwatchers. This 14-day itinerary will take you through some of the country's most beautiful landscapes to see a wide variety of birds in their natural habitats. Begin with a free day in Nairobi before transferring to Samburu Reserve for your first guided safari. Then you'll take a birdwatching hike up Mount Kenya, tour the Elsamere Conservation Center, and see hundreds of flamingoes at Lake Elmenteita. End your trip with multiple days in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Camels on Diani Beach in Kenya
Map of Wildlife and Beaches of Kenya  - 10 Days
Wildlife and Beaches of Kenya - 10 Days

Offering a mix of active adventures, cultural sightseeing, and relaxation, this 10-day tour of Kenya has something for everyone. Enjoy a safari experience in Maasai Mara National Reserve, interact with baby elephants at an elephant orphanage, and learn about Maasai traditions at Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp. Wrap up with a few days on the white sands of Diani Beach before heading back to Nairobi.

Lions
Map of Luxury Safari in Kenya - 12 Days
Luxury Safari in Kenya - 12 Days

Travelers who enjoy the finer things in life while getting out into nature will love this 12-day luxury safari tour in Kenya. Stay in some of the country's most beautiful and distinctive safari lodges and city accommodation, including the unique Giraffe Manor, where you can get up (very!) close to the beautiful creatures.  Meet Maasai people and learn about their lives at the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp. Spot a wide variety of animals and birds at numerous wildlife reserves, including buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, lions, and much more.

Other popular travel destinations in Kenya
Nairobi · Nakuru · Maji Moto · Amboseli National Park · Samburu Reserve · Diani Beach · Nanyuki · Lake Naivasha · Laikipia · Tsavo National Park · Mombasa