Masai Mara Self-Drive Safari Guide: An Honest Review

A Beginner’s Guide to Planning Masai Mara Self-drive Safari Tour. Chat with someone who’s been there – get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts to help tailor-make your Masai Mara self-drive safari:

Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is without a doubt one of the most genuine safari locations in Africa, thanks to its high concentration of resident species and the annual Wildebeest Migration (about August to November). Booking a safari to the Masai Mara in advance is highly recommended, especially if you wish to witness the annual Great Migration.

The Masai Mara is situated in southwestern Kenya. Primary airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, with connections to smaller airstrips in the Mara. Optimal visitation period: July to October for the Great Migration; the Mara provides excellent animal observation throughout the year. Safari pursuits: Game drives, hot-air balloon excursions, cultural visits to Maasai settlements. Fauna: The Big Five, cheetahs, and wildebeest during their migration. Accommodations: Opulent tented camps, lodges, and mobile campers.

Masai Mara Travel Guide

‘Mara’ signifies ‘spotted’ in the Maa language, utilised by the indigenous Maasai people of the region. It describes the Mara’s landscape, characterised by acacia trees, depressions, and craters when viewed from a distance. The expansive plains serve as an oasis-like refuge for a diverse array of animals, including elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, and the renowned big cats of the Mara: lions, leopards, and cheetahs. From around July to November each year, the savannah sustains vast herds of wildebeest.

Annually, thousands of travellers flock to the Mara for some of the most genuine safari experiences in Africa. This site will provide safari enthusiasts with essential information regarding the Masai Mara.


MASAI MARA Complete Guide

Masai Mara Self-drive safari

We can help you plan a self-drive safari in the Masai Mara that will put you in the thick of things during the annual migration. Luxury tented lodges in secluded conservancies in the Masai Mara are perfect for honeymooners and other couples celebrating a special event. If you’re on a tighter budget, don’t worry; we offer reasonably priced planned group tours that include luxurious safari lodging.

We highly recommend seeing the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania in addition to the Masai Mara for an unforgettable safari experience. And if you want to cap off your trip with a beach vacation, why not visit one of Kenya’s stunning beaches or the exotic island of Zanzibar?

Best Time to Go on a Masai Mara Self-drive Safari

There is no definitive ‘optimal season’ to visit the Masai Mara for general wildlife observation, owing to its plentiful fauna and temperate environment. The Mara is recognised as a perennial safari destination due to the constant visibility of wildlife on its expansive plains. Travel is least advisable during Kenya’s ‘long rains’ (about April to June). Certain safari resorts and camps are closed during this period.

The decision on the optimal time to visit the Mara is contingent upon several aspects, including your own itinerary, financial constraints, and desired experiences.

Alternatively, visiting the Masai Mara during the ‘shoulder seasons’ (about November and May-June) offers warmer weather and superior overall game watching. The seasons are transitioning, resulting in variable weather conditions.

Getting Around in the Masai Mara

Mara excursions frequently feature ‘fly-in’ itineraries to optimise your safari experience. The Masai Mara is not advisable for self-driving excursions.

The majority of travellers arrive at Nairobi’s primary international airport, Jomo Kenyatta International, and thereafter take a short-haul aircraft from the adjacent Wilson Airport to the many airstrips in the Mara. You will be transported to your camp or lodge via 4×4 vehicle. The most economical choice is a road transfer from Nairobi; however, be aware that it is a 270-kilometre (168-mile) travel to the nearest gate of the Masai Mara Reserve, which may take between four and five hours.

Can You Do a Self-Drive Safari in Masai Mara


things you need to know before going on safari to the Masai Mara!

The Masai Mara National Reserve permits self-drive safaris, offering an amazing opportunity to explore this renowned location. The Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti are worldwide recognised as outstanding safari sites. It is important to acknowledge that traversing the roads to these renowned locations in Kenya and Tanzania can be rather arduous, particularly for novices, as certain routes are extremely rugged.

Newcomers may find navigation difficult due to the absence of obvious markings on the trails within the Mara Reserve, heightening the risk of disorientation. To augment your safari experience, we highly advise enlisting the aid of a wildlife ranger. These informed guides can be easily organised at the park entrances.

Staying Options for Self-Drive Camping Safaris

Examine the subsequent campsites in Mara Triangle for an engaging self-drive camping experience:

  • Eluai Campsite: Situated along the eastern boundary, capable of hosting up to 15 campers. Provides an excellent vista and ample shade.
  • Oloololo Campsite: Located at the southern boundary, it has the capacity to host up to 30 campers. Encircled by undulating hills, savannah, woods, and a coastal sandy expanse.
  • Iseiya Campsite: A compact campsite suitable for distant camping, accommodating a maximum of 10 campers. Provides serenity and calmness.
  • Kijito Campsite: A secluded campsite accommodating a maximum of 20 campers. Offers breathtaking vistas and a designated campfire area for culinary activities.
  • Kampi Ya Mungu Campsite: A private campsite accommodating up to 40 people. Provides a vast open space and breathtaking vistas.
  • Kishanga Campsite: Ideal for group camping, accommodating up to 30 campers. Offers extensive space with stunning vistas.
  • Olarro Campsite: A private campsite that may host a maximum of 12 campers. Provides seclusion and shelter for repose.
  • Kiboko Campsite: Situated adjacent to Olarro Campsite, it has the capacity to host up to 30 campers. Optimal for group camping and provides breathtaking vistas.
  • Hornbill Campsite: Intimate private campsite accommodating a maximum of 15 campers. Encircled by verdant woodlands, offering shade and serenity.
  • Dirisha Campsite: Accommodating parties of 15 campers, it is situated in proximity to Olarro Campsite. Provides abundant space and breathtaking vistas.