I’ve had a lot of pinch-me travel moments since I started traveling in 2011. However, stepping foot in the Masai Mara National Reserve was on a whole different level. This wasn’t just another trip—it was a dream I’ve carried with me for years.
Growing up, I’d watch documentaries of lions hunting on the savannah and wildebeests braving river crossings, wondering if I’d ever see it all with my own eyes. And then suddenly, there I was, right in the middle of it.
From our very first game drive, it felt like the pages of National Geographic had come alive around us. Lions lounging on hilltops, elephants marching through the plains, giraffes silhouetted against acacia trees. It was overwhelming in the best way possible.
This post is my attempt to share a slice of that magic with you: our Masai Mara safari experience.
But first, a bit of essential travel information about Masai Mara…
Table of Contents
Masai Mara National Reserve: What to See and Expect
The Serengeti-Masai Mara Ecosystem
In southwest Kenya lies the Masai Mara, part of the ancestral homeland of the Maasai people, whose traditions and way of life remain closely tied to the land. The reserve also forms part of the greater Serengeti–Masai Mara ecosystem, one of the largest and most diverse natural ecosystems on Earth. This vast wilderness crosses the Kenya–Tanzania border. Animals don’t recognize borders, and neither does the ecosystem.
The highlight of this ecosystem is the Great Migration, often called “the world’s greatest wildlife show.” Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, move in a circular pattern between Tanzania and Kenya in search of greener pastures.
Wildlife in Masai Mara
Masai Mara is famous for its Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. And yes, you’ll likely tick most of them off your list. Lions, elephants, and buffalos are easy to find. Leopards are a bit elusive, but chances are high you’ll spot at least one during your visit. Black rhinos are the toughest to find.
You’ll also spot cheetahs, giraffes, along with the stars of the Great Migration, massive herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. Antelopes are everywhere too! From impala and waterbuck to topi, and eland. Down by the rivers, hippos crowd the shallows while crocodiles lurk nearby, and overhead, more than 450 bird species.
Best Time to Visit Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a year-round safari destination. If you are after witnessing a Mara River crossing, then the best time to visit is between July and October. If you’re looking for fewer crowds and lower prices, the months just before June or after November still offer excellent game viewing.
In our case, we traveled through Kenya and Tanzania from August 21 to September 1. Definitely an excellent window for our goal of witnessing the Great Migration.
Masai Mara Park Fees, Accommodation & Game Drives
When you book through a safari company, most of the logistics are already handled for you. You don’t really need to stress over the nitty-gritty details, though everything will ultimately depend on your budget.
For our trip, we went with a private safari budget option through Native Afrika Voyages because the inclusions felt like the right balance of comfort, value, and flexibility for us. It was everything we needed for our very first safari, all without blowing the budget.
Our budget camps were comfortable, our safari jeep was an absolute tank that never broke down once, and we had an excellent safari guide (hello Brian @midasafaris!).
How Many Days Do You Need in the Masai Mara?
If you’re planning just two days in Masai Mara National Reserve, think again. I made that exact mistake when crafting our 2-week safari itinerary across Kenya and Tanzania. Trust me, it wasn’t nearly enough.
Our number one non-negotiable was witnessing the legendary Great Migration. But in an attempt to maximize our chances, I split our time between both countries. Looking back, I should have added at least one more day in Mara (and honestly, maybe even two). The reserve is massive, and there’s just no way to take it all in with such limited time.
Our 5-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary
In reality, we only had 4 days to explore Kenya. Here’s how we made the most of it:
- Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi + Nairobi National Park
- Day 2: Lake Naivasha & Lake Nakuru
- Days 3–4: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 5: Transfer to the Isebania Border (crossing into Tanzania)
Our Masai Mara Safari Experience
Day 1: From Maasai Traditions to Mara’s Wild Plains
Maasai Village Visit
On our first morning in the Mara, we kicked things off with a visit to a Maasai Village. Brian, our guide, told us this particular community has preserved about 90% of their traditional culture, so we were pretty stoked to see it firsthand. Before heading there, we picked up some candies and lollipops to give the kids as a little thank you for welcoming us into their home.
Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the Maasai warriors. Right away, they showed us glimpses of their traditions, including jumping and fire making. They also shared their old hunting rituals where young men once had to kill a lion as a rite of passage. Thankfully, conservation efforts have since put an end to that practice.
Today, they prove their strength by surviving alone in the grasslands while grazing cattle. When it comes to marriage, they still follow the age-old custom of paying cows for a wife. And yes, a man can have as many wives as he has cattle to spare.
The Maasai warriors were funny, charming, and just a little bit cheeky. Since our group was all women, each of us ended up with a marriage proposal. My “bride price”? One lion and ten cows! 😂 Honestly, I couldn’t stop laughing.
The Maasai women, on the other hand, were so warm and welcoming. They invited us to join their songs and dances, and for a moment it felt like we were part of their circle. Then came the candies we brought along… and let me tell you, it wasn’t just the kids who went wild. Even the adults lit up and rushed over like it was Christmas morning. It was pure joy all around.
Before leaving, we stopped by their cooperative shop for some souvenir shopping. The perfect way to support the community directly. Then it was time for goodbyes…
Ol Moran Tented Camp – Our Home Away from Home in the Mara
After our Maasai Village visit, we headed to our base for the next two nights, Ol Moran Tented Camp. The journey there was an adventure in itself. Super bumpy roads that felt like they were leading us straight into the middle of nowhere.
When we thought we were almost at camp, Brian pointed to the hillside in the distance. There they were, a herd of elephants and buffalo, two of the Big Five, in one frame! Definitely One of my favorite shots from the trip!
Afternoon Game Drive in the Masai Mara
After a late lunch and a quick freshen-up at camp, we set off for our afternoon game drive. I like to think of this one as the “wildlife family edition” because everywhere we turned, we saw wildlife with their babies.
We spotted elephant herds and zebras with babies. But the sweetest sight was a clan of hyenas with babies. Tiny little ones nursing from their mother right by the roadside.
At almost sunset, we stumbled upon a pride of lions in full-on siesta mode. Some were stretched out in the grass, others flopped over with their legs in the air, looking so much like oversized house cats.
We went back to camp in the dark, tired but with our hearts full from the day’s adventures.
Day 2: A Full Day Safari in Masai Mara Big Cat Territory
We kicked off our game drive around 7 AM, and almost immediately we spotted a lilac-breasted roller, Kenya’s national bird. A lucky start, but little did we know the morning was about to turn into a full-on big cats spectacle.
We spotted a pride of lions perched on a hill. There must have been ten of them, just lounging around. Some were dozing off, others lazily scanning the horizon, while safari jeeps lined up a few meters away. The best part? They couldn’t care less about us. Watching these cats act like oversized house cats almost made me forget they’re apex predators of the savannah.
Our Safari Jeep Got Stuck in the Mud!
Getting closer to the pride wasn’t easy. We had to cross a muddy river, and on our way back after 30 unforgettable minutes with the lions, our jeep got stuck. At one point, our jeep tilted at what felt like a 45-degree angle, and for a split second I thought we were all about to end up in the hospital. 😂
With a bit of teamwork from Brian and the other safari guides, we finally made it out. That’s the Mara for you. When one vehicle struggles, the rest rally without hesitation. The whole ordeal was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. We were safe, of course, just a little shaken… and a lot more awake for the rest of the drive.
No River Crossing? No Problem! It’s Picnic Time!
Before lunch, our mission was to check if a river crossing was about to happen, so we headed straight to the Mara River. Herds of wildebeest and zebras had gathered, but none seemed ready to take the plunge. After waiting for about 30 minutes, we decided to leave our spot and enjoy a picnic under a nearby tree instead.
I wasn’t disappointed. After all, we still had chances once we crossed the border. So my friends and I unwrapped our packed lunches with the endless savannah stretching out before us, wildlife roaming in the distance. Best picnic ever.
Lions In Action: After the Kill and a Hunting Attempt
The rest of the day was just one jaw-dropping moment after another. After lunch, Bry got a tip about lions on a hunt. By the time we got there, the action was over. The lions had already taken down their prey and were resting in the bushes, hiding from the sun. The carcass still on the ground and the lions’ mouths stained with fresh blood. Brutal but also incredibly raw and real.
We didn’t get to linger long, though. Safari jeeps were lining up for a closer look, and after barely five minutes, it was time to move on.
Before sunset, we witnessed a pride of lions attempt a hunt. The lions moved with such patience and strategy, slowly closing in on a herd of topi. We eventually had to leave for sundowners, so we didn’t get to see if the hunt was successful, but that moment alone was pure magic.
Sundowners with the Hippos
It had been non-stop action all day, and to close it out Brian brought us to a quiet spot for sundowners. The sky was heavy with clouds, so we didn’t get that classic Mara sunset. But honestly, it didn’t matter. Right in front of us, dozens of hippos were sprawled out in the mud. We couldn’t stop smiling, just watching them do their thing.
As the light began to fade, that’s when it hit me. The next day we’d be crossing into Tanzania. We clinked our glasses in a little farewell toast, and the wine tasted bittersweet… probably because the moment itself was just that.
Masai Mara: Is It Worth the Hype?
Even though we only had two full days in the Masai Mara National Reserve, the experience is unlike anything I’ve had before. We didn’t catch a river crossing, but the sheer amount of wildlife we saw was staggering.
And then there are the acacia trees and Balanites. I found myself just as excited to photograph these trees as I was the wildlife. They don’t just frame the landscape; they embody the very soul of the African wilderness.
Honestly, I couldn’t choose a single favorite moment in the Mara. It would be like asking someone to pick their favorite child. Every game drive delivered something unforgettable. By the end of Day 4, my friend and I actually cried. That’s how deeply the Mara touched our soul.
So yes! The Masai Mara National Reserve isn’t just worth the hype, it exceeds it.
Goodbye, Masai Mara…
And just like that, our Kenya safari came to an end. The drive from Masai Mara to the Isebania border was long, but Masai Mara had one last surprise for us: a cheetah right in the middle of the savannah. It honestly felt like Kenya’s way of saying goodbye.
It’s hard to put into words what the Mara does to you. Before this trip, I had no idea just how much I’d fall in love with the safari experience. The landscapes, the wildlife, the people. It all stays with you long after you’ve left.
With this blog, I hope I’ve managed to share at least a glimpse of the magic of the Masai Mara with you. And if you’re planning your own safari, I can’t recommend Native Afrika Voyages enough. Ask for Brian @midasafaris—you’ll be in the best hands.
