By a Masai Mara Resident & Owner of Kambu Mara Camp
Living in the Masai Mara full-time and running Kambu Mara Camp near the Sekenani Gate, I’ve had the privilege of not just witnessing the wonders of this ecosystem every day, but also helping visitors from around the world understand what makes this place so extraordinary — and so misunderstood.
Whether you’re planning your first visit, a return safari, or trying to grasp the ecological and cultural weight of this landscape, here is everything you need to know about the Masai Mara, from someone who calls it home.
📍 Overview: What Is the Masai Mara?
- Name: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Size: 1,510 km² (583 square miles)
- Location: Narok County, southwestern Kenya
- Part of: The Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem (over 30,000 km²)
- Managed by: Narok County Government
- Elevation: 1,500–2,200 meters above sea level
The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserves — famed for the Great Wildebeest Migration, Big Five game viewing, and its deep entanglement with Maasai pastoralist culture. It’s not a jungle. It’s not fenced. And it’s not just a reserve — it’s part of a dynamic, community-inhabited landscape that depends on connectivity, coexistence, and conservation partnerships.
🗺️ Location & Access
- Distance from Nairobi: ~225–280 km
- Driving Time: 5 to 7 hours (depending on gate & road conditions)
- Flying Time: ~45 minutes from Wilson Airport to various Mara airstrips
- Nearest Major Towns: Narok (east), Talek (center), Ololaimutia (southeast)
📍 Main Park Gates:
| Gate Name | Best For |
|---|---|
| Sekenani Gate | Most popular, good for budget/mid-range lodges |
| Talek Gate | Central access, close to Talek town and conservancies |
| Oloolaimutia Gate | Southeastern access, cultural villages nearby |
| Olololo (Purungat Bridge) | For Mara Triangle lodges and western Mara |
Kambu Mara Camp is located near the Sekenani Gate, within easy reach of both the reserve and several neighboring conservancies.
💳 Park Entry Fees (Masai Mara Reserve – 2024)**
| Category | Fees (USD) – Jan to June | Fees (USD) – July to Dec |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Adult | $100 | $200 |
| Non-Resident Child | $50 | $50 |
| Resident Adult | KES 1,500 | KES 3,000 |
| Resident Child | KES 300 | KES 500 |
| Vehicle Entry | KES 1000–1,500 | KES 1000–1,500 |
- Valid for 24 hours
- Separate fees apply for Mara Triangle and conservancies
🐘 Wildlife in the Masai Mara
🌟 The Big Five:
- Lion – over 850 individuals
- Leopard – elusive but commonly sighted in riverine forests
- Elephant – growing population
- Buffalo – widespread
- Rhino – rare; mainly in Mara Triangle or conservancies
🐾 Other Common Species:
- Cheetah
- Hyena (spotted and striped)
- Giraffe (Masai species)
- Hippo and crocodile (in Mara and Talek rivers)
- Zebra, wildebeest, topi, eland, gazelle, warthog
- Jackals, servals, bat-eared foxes, and mongoose
🐦 Birdlife
The Mara is home to 470+ recorded bird species, making it one of Kenya’s top birding destinations.
- Secretary bird
- Lilac-breasted roller (Kenya’s national bird)
- Martial eagle
- Ground hornbill
- Kori bustard
- Vultures (white-backed, lappet-faced)
- Storks and herons
- Migratory raptors (Nov–April)
🦓 The Great Migration
- Season: Typically July to October, though timing varies
- Numbers: Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles
- Key Events:
- Mara River crossings (spectacular but unpredictable)
- Predator activity at its peak
- Calving happens earlier in the year in the Serengeti, but some births occur in Mara as well
Our guests at Kambu Mara Camp often witness migration herds even outside the reserve — it’s a powerful reminder that the ecosystem goes far beyond park boundaries.
🛖 Conservancies Around the Masai Mara
More than 60% of wildlife in the greater Mara region lives outside the reserve, in community-owned lands known as conservancies. These areas provide critical habitat, buffer zones, and alternative safari experiences.
Major Conservancies:
- Naboisho
- Olare Motorogi
- Mara North
- Ol Kinyei
- Lemek
- Enonkishu
Benefits of Conservancy Visits:
- Fewer vehicles, no crowding
- Night game drives allowed
- Walking safaris
- Cultural immersion with local Maasai communities
- Direct support to landowners through lease payments
🌅 Top Activities in the Masai Mara
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Game Drives | Half, full, or extended-day drives available |
| Hot Air Balloon Safari | $450–$500 per adult; includes champagne breakfast |
| Night Game Drives | Only in conservancies |
| Guided Bush Walks | Often available around lodges or camps |
| Maasai Village Visits | Cultural experiences; costs ~$30–50 per person |
| Birdwatching Tours | Specialist guides available |
| Bush Dinners | Private dining in the wild, by advance request |
| Photography Safaris | Custom packages available, often led by pros |
🏨 Accommodations
From budget to ultra-luxury, the Mara offers hundreds of camps and lodges. Prices range from $50 to $2,000+ per night.
Types of Stays:
- Budget tented camps (like Kambu Mara Camp 😉)
- Mid-range lodges with pools and family tents
- Luxury tented camps (Angama Mara, Mara Plains)
- Eco-lodges & mobile camps
- Public campsites (Mara Triangle, Naboisho)
At Kambu Mara Camp, we offer an affordable base with ensuite tents, chef-prepared meals, and access to both the main reserve and community activities.
🛫 Getting There
By Air:
- Wilson Airport to Mara airstrips (Keekorok, Ol Seki, Ol Kiombo, Musiara)
- Flights by Safarilink, AirKenya, Fly ALS
- Average cost: $150–$250 one way
By Road:
- 4WD recommended
- Via Narok from Nairobi: ~6 hours
- Public transport to Narok + private vehicle to Mara for budget travelers
🧭 Best Time to Visit
| Season | Months | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Season | June–Oct | Best for game viewing and migration |
| Green Season | Nov–May | Lush landscapes, fewer tourists, birding is excellent |
| Peak Migration | July–Sept | Highest wildlife density, higher costs |
🌍 Conservation Challenges
Despite its global fame, the Masai Mara faces serious threats:
- Land fragmentation and fencing outside the reserve
- Tourism pressure and vehicle congestion in central zones
- Poaching and resource conflict
- Climate change, affecting migration and river flows
Conservancies and local community-based conservation efforts are key to long-term survival of this ecosystem.
📱 FAQs & Insider Tips
Is the Masai Mara fenced?
❌ No — the reserve and surrounding conservancies are entirely unfenced.
Is there an official website for the Masai Mara?
❌ No. Surprisingly, Narok County has not launched an official site. The most accurate, up-to-date info is available at www.masaimara.ke, a volunteer project written by local residents, including myself.
Can I self-drive in the Masai Mara?
✅ Yes — but only if you have a modified 4×4 safari vehicle (pop-up roof required). Otherwise, hire a Land Cruiser with a driver-guide.
Do I need a guide?
✅ Strongly recommended. Guides understand animal behavior, park rules, and maximize sightings.
Can I combine Mara with other destinations?
✅ Absolutely. Popular add-ons: Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, or the Kenyan Coast.
🌄 Final Word: Why the Mara Still Amazes Me
Even after years of living here, I still wake up to elephants rumbling in the distance, hyenas whooping at night, and the sight of giraffes walking past our camp fence line. The Masai Mara isn’t just a wildlife destination — it’s a living, evolving ecosystem deeply connected to its people, history, and global importance.
It has its flaws — overdevelopment, weak digital presence, and real conservation pressures — but it also has hope. Through conservancies, community leadership, and traveler support, the Mara is slowly building a future that works for wildlife and people alike.
Come visit — not just for the lions and leopards, but to understand how the Mara breathes beyond the headlines.