Kenya
Home to the renowned Maasai Mara and so much more!
Maasai Mara
Reserves
Maasai Mara Game Reserve (MMGR)
MMGR is the heart of the Mara, offering some of the most spectacular wildlife experiences, including the iconic Great Migration. Located at the southern edge of Kenya, bordering Tanzania, MMGR is easily accessible with daily bush flights and drive-in options connecting visitors to the various lodges and camps. However, it can become quite busy during peak season, so safari-goers should be prepared for the possibility of crowded sightings, with multiple vehicles often present at popular wildlife hotspots. To help alleviate the pressure on MMGR, conservation efforts have led to the creation of the Mara Triangle and nearby Conservancies, providing more space for wildlife and offering quieter alternatives for visitors.
Mara Triangle
The Mara Triangle operates under a similar model to the Conservancies, with only two lodges situated within the triangle itself, and a select few located on the outskirts. Located on the western edge of MMGR, the Mara Triangle is dedicated to promoting eco-tourism, with a strong focus on reducing environmental threats and preserving the area for both current and future generations. This sustainable approach ensures that visitors can continue to cherish and enjoy the area's natural beauty and wildlife for years to come.
Mara Conservancies
The Mara Conservancies, including Olare Motorogi, Mara North, and Naboisho, are some of the most popular and well-regarded areas in the region, with Naboisho particularly renowned for its exceptional big cat sightings. The Conservancy model is based on land leased from the local Maasai, with various parcels of land consolidated to create sustainable tourism zones. The goal is to minimize human impact on the environment while offering exclusivity for visitors, providing a safe sanctuary for wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem, and ensuring a stable source of income for the local Maasai communities. It's a win-win model that benefits travelers, wildlife, and local communities alike.
Travel Seasons
Travel seasons tend to follow the Great Migration in and out of the Mara.
June – Sept
This period coincides with the peak travel season, as the Great Migration crosses the treacherous Mara River into the Maasai Mara. With the influx of visitors during this time, prices are at their highest, and discounts or specials are typically limited or unavailable. While this is the most expensive time to visit, many travelers still choose to come, which can lead to crowded conditions, especially at the river crossings. However, this is also when the migration is at its most dramatic, and sightings of hunts become more common due to the abundant herds of herbivores in the area, offering thrilling wildlife experiences.
Nov – May
Coinciding with the rainy season, this is an excellent alternative for those looking to visit during the low or shoulder season and avoid the crowds, particularly in the Reserve. For a truly memorable experience, consider adding a visit to the Northern Serengeti in November to witness the Migration as it crosses the Mara River. Alternatively, extending your trip to the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu region) between January and March offers a chance to experience "calving season," when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth simultaneously, creating prime hunting opportunities for predators.
During this time, prices are significantly lower, and crowds are much smaller, making it an ideal choice for those who can travel during the off-peak season. While brief rain showers or thunderstorms may occasionally alter game drive schedules, this is, in our opinion, one of the best times to visit for a more intimate and cost-effective safari experience.
Lodging
There are a variety of accommodation options available across all budget ranges. While we’ve highlighted a few here, we encourage everyone to explore the full range of options to ensure you find the best fit for your needs.
Mara Triangle
We really like Governors Camp, which is one of only two camps located inside the Mara Triangle. As one of the first to start operations in the 1980s, they continue to maintain their high standards to this day. Governors Camp offers an authentic luxury tented experience, where it's not uncommon to spot an elephant strolling through the camp.
Another excellent option is Angama Mara, which receives fantastic reviews for its stunning location atop a hill, offering breathtaking views of the Mara. However, it has a larger footprint, and the logistics of game drives can be a bit challenging due to the need to drive down the hill each time.
Mara Conservancies
For those seeking a great experience at a more affordable price, the Gamewatchers Porini camps are an excellent choice.
Next, if you're looking to step things up a bit, consider the Asilia brand. They offer a higher level of comfort and service, although it's worth noting that they don't operate in all conservancies.
Finally, we highly recommend Great Plains, which strikes the perfect balance between luxury and authenticity. Their camps offer the best of both worlds. As a founding member of the Mara North Conservancy, Great Plains has traversing rights there, which means you don’t need to book a separate stay in the Conservancy, a big advantage in our view. We particularly recommend any of their camps in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy—Mara Plains is a favorite of ours—and, by a large margin, their Mara Nyika property in the neighboring Naboisho Conservancy.
Amboseli National Park
Concessions
Slightly northeast of Amboseli lies Chyulu Hills National Park, home to the exclusive Great Plains concession, which features the luxurious Ol Donyo Lodge. This offers a more exclusive, high-end experience similar to what you’ll find in Amboseli. To the north, you'll find the Gamewatchers' 15,000-acre Selenkay concession, leased from the local Maasai, which is home to their Porini Amboseli Camp. Both of these concessions offer day trips into Amboseli National Park, allowing guests to enjoy the park's incredible wildlife while staying in a more private and intimate setting.
Travel Seasons
June – Sept
This is peak travel season, which also means peak rates. The weather is typically cooler, as it coincides with winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The rains have ended, leaving the land dry, which enhances visibility through the bush. As you might expect, pricing at one of the two concessions will likely be higher than at the park itself, but the experience is well worth the extra cost.
Nov – Mar
During the shoulder to low season, you can expect lower crowds, better pricing, and generally good weather, with the occasional rain shower. As with the Mara, pricing will be significantly more affordable during this recommended travel period, making it an excellent time to visit.
Lodging
We'll focus on the concessions to the north of Amboseli National Park, though for those who prefer staying inside the park itself, one of the top options is Elewana Tortilis Camp.
Chyulu Hills National Park
Great Plains is the only safari operator with exclusive traversing rights over approx. 180,000 acre national park and features just one lodge—Ol Donyo. This property offers everything you’d expect from a top-tier safari experience, including unique activities like horseback riding. Set in a breathtaking location, Ol Donyo provides excellent opportunities to spot the famous Big Tuskers, gerenuk, a variety of predators, and other wildlife. The views of Mount Kilimanjaro are also spectacular, especially as you emerge from the dense "forest" area and onto the open plains. Without a doubt, this is our recommended choice.
Gamewatcher's Selenkay
This concession is another great option operating on an exclusive 15000 acres of land sharing the same ecosystem as Amboseli housing the Porini Amboseli Camp.
Laikipia Region
Located at the western foothills of Mount Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau is home to several conservancies. Acreage of many conservancies exceeds 60,000 acres. Conservancy in this area has taken a large step forward with ample opportunities to soak in the natural beauty of the region and spot varied wildlife from the Big Five, wild dogs, the largest population of Grevy Zebra in the wild (at Lewa Conservancy), reticulated giraffes, nocturnals and so many more. In addition, the partnership with the local communities is critical to the ongoing success of the Conservancies. The well-known Conservancies are Lewa, Ol Pejeta, Solio, Segera and Mugie. We recommend reviewing the facts & figures of the Conservancies to better appreciate the incredible conservation efforts and the significant impact they have on preserving wildlife and supporting local communities.
Travel Seasons
June – Sept
Peak travel season coincides with the winter season. Generally speaking, all Conservancies tend to be running at full capacity during this time. Pricing tends to run at peak season rates
Nov – May
We think the ideal travel season is May/June or Sept/Oct. This timeframe is on the cusp of the start or end of peak season and the weather tends to cooperate.
Lodging
There are many lodging options across all the Conservancies with many established Operators in the area from Elewana to Asilia to Kicheche. The options span across all budget types. Going through the list can become overwhelming when it comes to pairing against which Conservancy to visit and why. We are here to help our clients navigate through this with our honest and unbiased opinions.
More Destinations
Some other destinations to consider include:
- Nakuru National Park and surrounding areas including Hells Gate
- Aberdare National Park
- Samburu National Reserve
- Tsavo National Park
- Buffalo Springs National Reserve
- Lake Bogoria National Reserve
- Nairobi National Park which is world’s only national park located within a capital city.
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