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  • Side profile of a large elephant grazing in a field during luxury Maasai Mara vacations.
  • An enormous herd of wildebeest filling a grassy field during a luxury Maasai Mara safari.
  • Two small lion cubs nuzzling each other on the ground during luxury Maasai Mara tours.
  • A massive herd of wildebeest walking through tall dry grass on luxury Maasai Mara holidays.
  • A cheetah perched on a dirt mound looking across the golden plains on luxury Maasai Mara trips.
  • Portrait of a male lion with a large mane looking forward during luxury Maasai Mara trips.
  • Herd of zebras standing in a golden field at sunset during luxury Maasai Mara vacations.
  • A giraffe walking across a flat horizon with a single tree during a luxury Maasai Mara safari.
  • Close-up of a spotted leopard resting in the branches of a tree on luxury Maasai Mara holidays.
  • Hippos with open mouths in a green marsh with small birds during a luxury Maasai Mara safari.

Luxury Maasai Mara Safaris made for you

Discover the wonders of Maasai Mara with our private, tailor-made tours

Wildlife as far as the eye can see

Kenya’s legendary Maasai Mara is one of the most famous game reserves in the world. Home to the Big Five, as well as the millions of migrating wildebeest and zebras who thunder across the plain during the Great Migration each year, a luxury Maasai Mara safari is a truly unforgettable experience.

Between July and September, the herds pour into the Maasai Mara from the dry plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The wildebeest must cross the Mara River on the border, marking the most treacherous point in the journey, with hungry crocodiles waiting patiently beneath the surface.

The sound of millions of clattering hooves and the spray of the water as they crash through the river is an incredible sight and one of Africa’s premier wildlife experiences. Our preferred way to experience the Great Migration is from one of the more remote areas, such as the Mara Triangle, where camps such as Wilderness Mara endeavour to offer an immersive wildlife experience in a quieter location, offering an immersive wildlife experience focused on local conservation and community partnerships.

The landscapes here are characterised by seemingly infinite stretches of golden savannah – a quintessential safari landscape that lets the imagination soar with thoughts of the majestic animals that roam here. The Maasai Mara has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife year-round. The Big Five can all be observed here, along with huge pods of hippos basking in the rivers, cheetahs racing across the savannah and giraffes ambling between the acacia trees.

The reserve itself is named after the Maasai people, who inhabit the area, and you’ll have opportunities to learn about their traditions and lifestyle during your trip. The Maasai have been grazing their cattle on these lands for hundreds of years, and this is still common practice for many, while others use their in-depth knowledge of the land to work as guides in some of the Maasai Mara lodges.

Get in touch with our Africa travel designers to start planning your bespoke Maasai Mara safari.

  • Maasai men in traditional red and patterned clothing performing a jumping dance on luxury Maasai Mara trips.
    A group of Maasai men wearing their traditional red shúkà, perform a jumping dance on the Maasai Mara plains.
  • Aerial view of an elephant herd walking through green bushes on luxury Maasai Mara trips.
    A herd of elephants navigate the this vegetation of the Maasai Mara during the green season.
  • A hot air balloon drifting over a scenic river bend during luxury Maasai Mara holidays.
    A hot air balloon floats above the Mara River at dawn, providing a unique perspective on the Maasai Mara.
  • A herd of wildebeest jumping down a steep dirt bank into a river on luxury Maasai Mara vacations.
    As the migration unfolds, a herd of wildebeest descends a steep, dusty riverbank to cross the water.
  • A group of hippos submerged in a river at sunset during luxury Maasai Mara tours
    The calm waters of a cool river make for a wonderful resting spot for a pod of hippopotamuses.
  • Guided bush walk in the Mara conservancies with local Maasai
    Guided bush walks with Maasai guides introduce you to nature up close.
  • A lone cheetah perched on a rock in the savannah plains of the Maasai Mara
    A lone cheetah perches on a rock in the savannah plains of the Maasai Mara.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Maasai Mara specialists

Watch the Great Migration from the Mara Triangle

Experience the phenomenon of the Great Migration from a quieter perspective at Wilderness Mara or Angama Mara, in the Mara Triangle.

Find all of the Big Five on a guided game drive

Marvel at each of the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalos on an expert-led game drive.

Learn Maasai traditions from a local guide

Learn about Maasai culture and traditions from your knowledgeable Maasai guide.

Float above the savannah by hot air balloon

Float above the plains on a hot air balloon ride, witnessing the remarkable wildlife and scale of the savannah from above.

Spot aardvarks, pangolins and honey badgers

Your local guide will help you to spot rare animals including aardvarks, pangolins, aardwolfs, honey badgers and caracals.

A word from one of our experts

Our Africa expert Jamey describes the kind of breathtaking wildlife, including elephants, lions and black rhinos, that make the Maasai Mara one of the greatest wildlife destinations on earth.

Jamey Lowis Travel Designer

Luxury Maasai Mara safari lodges

There are many incredible places to stay in Maasai Mara. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our safari experts:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

  • Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

  • Responsible travel

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our Maasai Mara example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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A Luxury Kenya Walking Safari

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The Ultimate Kenyan Safari

This ultimate Kenyan safari blends wildlife, culture and conservation across some of the country’s best national parks and conservancies. Starting in Nairobi,…

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An African Wildlife Odyssey

This epic tour spans the length and breadth of Africa, taking you to some of its best locations for some of its most awesome wildlife and physical experiences.…

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Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Maasai Mara safari, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Discover more of Kenya

Meet your Africa team

When to visit the Maasai Mara

The best time to visit Kenya depends on what you’re after. If you’re in search of the Great Wildebeest Migration, July to October is the best time to go. If you’re looking to spot some rare migratory birds, go between October and April. December to March is the warmest time to visit, and it’s a great time to go on a Maasai Mara safari in search of the Big Five.

The Great Migration

July - October

Rare Migratory Birds

October - April

The Big Five

December - March

When Is the Best Time to Visit Kenya?

Kenya travel guides

Plan your trip to Maasai Mara

Whatever you want from your adventure in Maasai Mara, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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Ask our experts

How do I get to the Maasai Mara?

The easiest way to get to the Maasai Mara is to take a short domestic flight from Nairobi, lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. These safari flights are typically in smaller planes, and luggage is restricted to soft-sided bags with a maximum weight of 15 kilograms. Alternatively, you can take a road transfer, which will take between five and six hours, and enter the reserve through the main gates.

What is special about the Maasai Mara?

The Maasai Mara is special because of its incredible density and diversity of wildlife. You can expect to spot the Big Five, particularly high populations of big cats. There are around 500 species of birds in the area, which is also famous for its vast, rolling landscapes. The Maasai Mara is also special for its Maasai culture, with the Maasai people playing a key role in many conservancies.

Is Maasai Mara good for family safaris?

Yes, the Maasai Mara is a great destination for family safaris because it offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and luxury family-friendly safari lodges. Kenyan culture is generally very welcoming towards families and lodges offer a range of child-friendly activities. You should bear in mind that there may be age restrictions for game drives, and a private vehicle may be required for families with children under 12 years old.

How many days do you need in the Maasai Mara?

We recommend spending at least three days in the Maasai Mara as part of a longer Kenya itinerary, in order to allow you sufficient time to explore the reserve’s vast, wildlife-filled plains. It’s also possible to combine destinations, spending a couple of nights in the main reserve, followed by a stay at one of the region’s private conservancies.

What wildlife can I see in the Maasai Mara?

The main wildlife you can see in the Maasai Mara are the Big Five: rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes. The reserve is renowned for its high populations of big cats, so you may also see cheetahs alongside lions and leopards. There are also around 500 species of birds to be spotted, as well as huge populations of wildebeest and zebras during migration season.

How often does it rain in the Maasai Mara?

The Maasai Mara has two rainy seasons. The long rainy season is the wettest time of year, with frequent heavy showers from March to May. The short rainy season lasts from November to December, with short afternoon showers common during this time. The dry seasons are considered the best time to visit Kenya for a safari, and last from January to February and June to October, although rain is still a possibility during this time.

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We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

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We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

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Inside the Maasai Mara with Jamey

Explore the grasslands and rivers

Speak with our Africa specialists to start planning your own trip to the Maasai Mara.

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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