Why Visit the Masai Mara
Last checked 2 November 2026.
The Masai Mara is Kenya’s best-known safari destination, and it earns the reputation. The Masai Mara National Reserve covers about 1,510 square kilometres of open grassland, and private conservancies on its borders limit the number of camps and vehicles. It forms the northern end of the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, which is why the Great Migration arrives here each year.
What the Mara is known for
- Big cats. Lion, leopard and cheetah are all seen regularly across the plains and along the river lines.
- The Great Migration. Wildebeest and zebra generally cross the Mara River between about July and October. Our Great Migration guide explains how the herds move through the year.
- Open country. Wide plains make wildlife easy to see, and the light at dawn and dusk is outstanding.
- Maasai land. Maasai communities live alongside the reserve, and many of the conservancies are leased from Maasai landowners.
Reserve or conservancy?
The national reserve is the famous part of the Mara, and it can be busy during the migration. The conservancies are privately managed land with fewer vehicles, and they usually allow activities the reserve does not, such as walking safaris and night drives. We often suggest staying in a conservancy and visiting the reserve for a day when the herds are at the river. See our Mara conservancy lodges, the walking safari and the Mara on horseback.
When to go
The Mara has wildlife all year. July to October brings the migration and the most visitors. January and February are quieter, with good predator viewing, and the long rains, roughly April and May, are the least busy and the most affordable. Our seasons guide sets out each region month by month.
Getting there from Dubai
Direct flights from Dubai to Nairobi take around five hours, and Nairobi is one hour behind Dubai. From Nairobi, a short flight of roughly an hour reaches the Mara airstrips, so a first night in the bush is realistic on the day you land. See Kenya Safari from Dubai for how this works on a long weekend.
Where to stay
The right camp depends on the season, the company you travel with and how private you want the stay to be. Start with the Kenya safari lodges, and for exclusive use see the Wilderness Mara villas and our private houses. We usually suggest at least three nights.
Quick answers
Is the Masai Mara worth visiting?
Yes. It has some of the most reliable big cat viewing in Africa, open plains that make wildlife easy to see and, in season, the Great Migration. Staying in a private conservancy adds quieter game drives and more varied activities.
What is the best time to visit the Masai Mara?
July to October is peak season because of the migration, and it is the busiest. Wildlife is good all year, and January to February is quieter with strong predator viewing.
How many days do you need in the Masai Mara?
We usually suggest at least three nights. That allows several game drives, time at a river crossing in season and a day to adapt the plan to what the animals are doing.
How do you get to the Masai Mara from Dubai?
Fly direct from Dubai to Nairobi, which takes around five hours, then take a short flight of roughly an hour to a Mara airstrip.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Kenya?
Requirements depend on your route and recent travel. See our yellow fever vaccination guide, and speak to a travel clinic about malaria prevention before you go.
To plan a journey, write to connect@oloishorua.com or message us on WhatsApp at +971 54 799 1152. You can also begin your journey here.