MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
The Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destination and one of the most iconic safari landscapes in Africa. Endless golden savannahs, acacia-dotted plains, winding rivers and extraordinary concentrations of wildlife create the quintessential African safari experience.
Renowned for exceptional year-round wildlife viewing, the Masai Mara is home to the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and an impressive variety of birdlife. Its abundance of predators and dramatic wildlife encounters have made the Mara a favourite destination for wildlife photographers, filmmakers, celebrities and safari enthusiasts from around the world.
The Great Migration in the Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is perhaps best known for the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Each year, vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and other plains game move between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of fresh grazing.
The dramatic Mara River crossings, usually associated with the migration season in the Masai Mara, are among the most anticipated safari experiences. Wildebeest gather along the riverbanks before plunging into the water, navigating strong currents and crocodiles while lions, leopards and other predators wait across the surrounding plains.
While the Great Migration attracts visitors from around the world, the Masai Mara remains an outstanding year-round safari destination, with resident wildlife and excellent predator sightings throughout the seasons.
Private Conservancies – A More Exclusive Masai Mara Safari
Surrounding the main reserve are a collection of private Masai Mara conservancies, established through partnerships with local Maasai landowners, communities and conservation organisations. These conservancies play an important role in protecting wildlife habitats while creating sustainable economic benefits for surrounding communities.
Visitor numbers and accommodation are deliberately limited within many conservancies, creating a more private and exclusive safari experience. With fewer vehicles around wildlife sightings, guests can enjoy a slower and more intimate connection with the wilderness.
A luxury safari in a Masai Mara conservancy can also offer experiences that are generally restricted within the main national reserve, including night game drives, guided bush walks, off-road wildlife viewing in designated areas and intimate bush dining experiences. This makes the conservancies particularly appealing to honeymooners, photographers and travellers looking for a more secluded luxury safari.
Experiences Beyond the Game Drive
There are many ways to experience the Masai Mara beyond a traditional game drive. Rise before sunrise for a hot-air balloon safari over the sweeping plains, enjoy breakfast in the bush, spend an afternoon photographing wildlife, or end the day with sundowners as the African sun disappears beyond the horizon.
Guests can also participate in meaningful Maasai cultural experiences, gaining insight into the traditions, heritage and contemporary lives of communities that have lived alongside wildlife in this landscape for generations.
The Mara is equally known for its remarkable collection of luxury safari camps and lodges, ranging from intimate tented camps hidden within private conservancies to sophisticated properties offering private plunge pools, fine dining, wellness experiences and highly personalized guiding.
Why Visit the Masai Mara?
The Masai Mara combines extraordinary wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, conservation, culture and some of Africa’s finest safari accommodation. Whether you are visiting Kenya for the first time, planning a honeymoon, travelling as a family or searching for an exclusive photographic safari, the Mara offers experiences that stay with you long after you return home.
If you have ever imagined waking to the sounds of the African wilderness, watching lions cross an open plain, floating above the savannah at sunrise or enjoying a sundowner surrounded by endless views, you have probably been dreaming of the Masai Mara.
Mahali Mzuri Safari Camp Masai Mara
Mahali Mzuri Safari Camp, Sir Richard Branson’s 12-tented luxury safari camp located in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy in Masai Mara.
Prepare to forget everything you know about camping as you settle into your tent and enjoy panoramic views of the Kenyan bush. Each comes with its own private viewing deck, roomy sleeping space and en-suite bathroom.
Saruni Mara
Saruni Mara is a small, boutique lodge in the Masai Mara. It features five elegant cottages, one family villa and one private villa.
Nestled in a secluded valley in the heart of Mara North Conservancy. An exclusive, private wildlife concession bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Sala’s Camp Masai Mara
Sala’s Camp is a tented camp that combines tradition with comfort and it’s a model of understated, intimate luxury. Sala’s Camp offers space, comfort and great views as well as an amazing safari experience.
The camp can accommodate up to 18 guests in seven luxury tents including a spacious honeymoon tent, which can also accommodate a family of up to four.
Sala’s Camp is one of the original Camps in Masai Mara to witness the great wildebeest migration. It has become renowned for delivering an authentic Masai Mara safari experience with exceptional personalized service and fine dining.
Seamlessly combining a traditional ‘under canvas’ safari experience with contemporary comfort, including private plunge pools and glass fronted tents, Sala’s Camp offers an unforgettable and magical Mara retreat.
Sanctuary Olonana Masai Mara
Sanctuary Olonana is immersed in this magnificent wildlife haven, 14 chic, contemporary suites are designed with clean lines and an organic feel, with floor to ceiling glass doors that fold open onto Mara River views.
Featuring plush king-sized beds, overhead fans and an indulgent daybed on the deck for the ultimate relaxation, three suites offer an extra room which is ideal for families.
Angama Mara
Angama, inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’. Located high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara is a remarkable owner-run safari lodge overlooking Kenya’s Maasai Mara, considered by many as the loveliest game reserve on the continent.
Entim Mara
Entim Mara is designed to give you the friendliest, most intimate, luxury safari camp experience and the best wildlife safari in the Masai Mara.
Its prime location along the Mara River is unrivalled for seeing and photographing animals all year around.
Ilkeliani Camp Mara
Ilkeliani Camp Mara is an elegant oasis in the centre of the world famous Maasai Mara. The redesigned camp overlooking game-filled plains has stylish new tented suites, a selection of viewing decks, and a wealth of enticing activities. Dedicated to privacy and personal service, the team offers a sophisticated safari experience.
Elewana Sand River Mara
Elewana Sand River Mara situated on a secluded and picturesque site, Sand River Masai Mara replicates the heyday of exclusive permanent tented camps. It is the sister camp of Tortilas Camp in Amboseli and Elsa Kopje in Meru National Park
Hemingways Ol Seki Mara
Ol Seki Hemingways Mara is located in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy which borders the Masai Mara National Reserve. This safari camp is one of the best upscale Camps in Kenya .
There is a choice of nine exclusive tents in which to host you accompanied by some breathtaking views and the warmest Kenyan hospitality you could wish for.
Pearl Mara Safari Camp
Pearl Mara offers a unique fusion of adventure and luxury, perfectly nestled in nature. Experience complete privacy, tranquility, and comfort in the heart of the wilderness.
Experience the ultimate comfort and privacy with spacious, beautifully appointed suites. Each suite offers stunning views, a private deck, and a personal butler to attend to your every need.
The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara
Set in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp brings the legendary Ritz-Carlton approach to service and contemporary luxury into one of Africa’s most extraordinary wilderness destinations. Elevated amongst the trees along the Sand River near the Kenya–Tanzania border, the camp overlooks the wider Serengeti–Mara ecosystem and is beautifully positioned for year-round wildlife viewing and the seasonal Great Migration.
Olare Mara Kempinski
Explore the African wilderness from our 5-star luxury tented camp in Masai Mara. Nestled in its own private conservancy, the camp promises luxury whilst delivering a classic under-canvas safari experience with unrivalled close-ups of Kenyan wildlife.
Bateleur Camp Masai Mara
and Beyond Bateleur is located outside of the northern part of the Mara Triangle, on the edge of the Oloololo escarpment. It sits where the riverine forest and the Mara plains meet, providing an authentic dose of African wildlife all year round.
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
Set on a private concession, with abundant iconic wildlife and panoramic Masai Mara views, andbeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp dazzles with its contemporary safari feel. It’s timeless interiors that are simple yet sophisticated and stylish, the Camp enhances guests’ sense of privacy and enjoyment.
Ishara Mara
At Ishara, deep in the wilderness of the Masai Mara National Reserve, there’s a new dimension of connection to be discovered. Serene and secluded, the River Suites at Ishara Mara are thoughtfully placed with unobstructed views of the river and expansive savanna from every corner of the spacious room.
Each of these River Suites offers both indoor and outdoor showers while the decks boast outdoor vintage bathtubs.
The camp provides an exceptional spa experience where you can enjoy treatments in the comfort of their suites and a rejuvenating yoga session. Ishara is a place to reconnect with oneself, to re-energize the soul with moments of calm and tranquility.