Kenya’s Maasai Mara
There are places in the world where nature feels alive in a way that humbles you, and the Maasai Mara is one of them. This corner of southwestern Kenya is not just a safari destination - it’s a living, breathing wilderness where wildlife, landscapes, and people come together in unforgettable harmony.
The Maasai Mara is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, even hippos… they’re all here! The Mara is also the stage for The Great Migration when over a million wildebeest and zebra thunder across the plains, across the Mara River, all the while dodging lions, cheetahs and crocodiles.
Yet the Mara is more than its animals. The people of the Maasai community, whose deep cultural traditions and striking red attire stand as vibrant symbols of resilience and connection to the land. Meeting the Maasai in their village and seeing how they coexist with wildlife adds a human heartbeat to the wilderness experience.
A visit to the Maasai Mara is not just about ticking a box off a bucket list. The Maasai Mara offers more than just a trip.
It offers perspective
Below, you’ll find practical tips and highlights to start planning your own journey into the Maasai Mara. For deeper guidance, links and pricing, full travel plans, and more, purchase the complete Travel Guide!
Know Before You Go
Consult a Travel Health Professional or your doctor at least 6-8 weeks before your trip to discuss your specific itinerary, personal risk factors, and health history to determine the most appropriate vaccinations and preventative measures for your travel to Kenya.
Bring Cash For Tips & Surprises
Africa is all about surprises! One day, I realized I misplaced my credit card and a staff member went out to find it, found it, and brought it to my room - I was able to tip them appropriately. And then the day I checked out of my lodging, the power was out, and I was unable to settle my bill with the credit card on file.
Bottom Line: Bring more cash than you think you’ll need and see below for more information about tipping!WhatsApp & Scams
WhatsApp is the primary form of communication in Kenya, including for booking your lodging, safaris, transport, and other activities. This can be uncomfortable for most travelers (it certainly was for me!), but use common sense and be very mindful of scammers. By communicating directly with the lodge through WhatsApp rather than a third party website, or even their own website, I saved over $500 on my reservation!
No Plastic Bags - No Exceptions
Kenya is a plastic bag-free country. This means no single-use plastic bags from shopping, trash bags, take-out food containers, and plastic wrapping on consumer goods. Travelers, however, are allowed to carry ziplock bags for toiletries and storing items in your luggage.Drink bottled or boiled water only
Do not drink the tap water or request ice in your drinks! The water can contain bacteria or other microorganisms that may cause stomach issues or more serious illness for travelers who aren’t accustomed to it. Thankfully, most safari camps and lodges provide safe drinking water to guests at meals and in their rooms!A visa is required for entry into Kenya
Submit your application and purchase your visa in advance directly from Kenya’s government website.Transportation
For most travelers, getting to the Maasai Mara requires a 45-60 minute domestic flight or a 7-hour drive from Nairobi city.
Tipping will be an important part of your visit to the Maasai Mara. For guides, drivers, and lodging staff, gratuities are more than thanks - they’re a vital source of income. Kenyans are the most wonderful community of people I have ever met, and many spend months away from their families to create these experiences for you and other tourists. Your happiness is their #1 priority at all times, and your generosity helps them continue to provide these experiences and support their loved ones and communities. Tips also aid in funding wildlife protection and ensuring local Maasai benefit directly from tourism. Believe me, it’s worth it!
Both Kenyan Shillings and U.S. Dollars are widely accepted for tips in the Maasai Mara. You can choose to tip after each activity or give one collective tip at the end of your stay. Either approach is appreciated. Personally, I preferred tipping right after each activity using a simple $5 / $10 / $20 method. It kept the cash I carried to a minimum while still allowing me to be reasonably generous:
$5 - meal staff, luggage handlers, and short transfers (less than 1 hour)
$10 - standout meal service, medium transfers (1-2 hours), and safari guides and trackers
For every 2 guests, I recommend tipping each guide separately for each morning and each evening safari
$20 - long transfers (2+ hours) and exceptional service. Also consider for full-day safaris
For housekeeping and other lodging staff, there is typically a “Tip Box” near the front desk. It is customary to tip $10-$15 per day per room collectively at the end of your stay.
Whatever amount you choose, more or less, tips go a long way in supporting Kenya’s economy, and your appreciation is deeply valued.
Tipping
When To Visit
The Great Migration is one of nature’s wildest shows and one of the main reasons people visit Kenya! Over a million wildebeest, plus countless zebra and gazelle, on a constant loop between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
Calving Season (December–February): The journey begins in the southern Serengeti plains, where vast herds gather to give birth. This season is full of new life and predator action.
Moving North (March–June): The herds travel northwest into the Serengeti’s Western Corridor, following fresh grazing lands and preparing for the long trek ahead.
Mara River Crossings (July-August): This is the most dramatic stage of the migration, as the herds push into the Maasai Mara and face the treacherous Mara River crossings - one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles.
Return South (September–November): Completing the cycle, the animals journey back to the southern Serengeti, where the grasslands once again provide for them, and the migration begins anew.
The Great Migration
Packing List for a Safari in the Maasai Mara
Safaris - or “game drives” - in the Maasai Mara are nothing short of magical. You’ll spend your days bouncing along rugged dirt tracks in a 4x4, scanning the savannah for elephants, lions, giraffes, and cheetah on the hunt. The Mara is vast, wild, and unpredictable. One moment it’s cool and breezy, the next it’s blazing hot, and by late afternoon you could be caught in a sudden downpour. Add in long hours outdoors, you’ll want to pack smart!
Below are a few essentials to keep you comfortable, protected, and camera-ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Men’s Rain Jacket
I have worn this lightweight rain jacket on many trips, and it really came through when it unexpectedly started raining while out on safari! It has a stow-away hood, adjustable cuffs, and water-repellent finish. It easily folded into my bag and allowed me to keep the cameras rolling rain or shine!
Women’s Rain Jacket
This lightweight, packable rain jacket really came through when it unexpectedly started raining while out on safari! It has a stow-away hood, adjustable cuffs, and water-repellent finish. It easily folds into any bag and allows the fun to continue rain or shine!
Like these Men’s sun pants!
Stick to earthy tones - khaki, olive, beige. Bright colors attract insects, and black or dark blue draws the painful Tsetse flies. These light-weight sun pants kept me cool while also protecting against sunburn during the day and bug bites at night.
Neutral-Colored Clothing
Neutral-Colored Clothing
Like these Men’s long-sleeved shirts!
Stick to earthy tones - khaki, olive, beige. Bright colors can attract insects and un-attract wildlife you wish to see. Black or dark blue especially draws the painful Tsetse flies. These lightweight, sun shirts kept me cool while also protecting against sunburn during the day and bug bites
at night.
Safari Sun Hat
The Maasai sun is strong, and you will spend a lot of time outside while on safari. This wide-brimmed hat was great for protecting my head, face, neck, and ears. I wore it every day and it made a huge difference!
Lightweight Fleece Jacket
Early morning and evening game drives can be quite brisk driving around the African plains with no windows and an open top. Stay comfortable with this full zip-up fleece that works great for wearing layers. It was even comfortable wearing in the sun!
I couldn’t have brought a more convenient way to
keep my phone and GoPros charged while traveling abroad! It fits easily into any pants, shirt, or bag pocket, magnetically attaches to your phone, and keeps it powered up for taking pictures and accessing reservation information in the middle of the Mara.
Wireless Portable Charger
100 DEET Insect Repellent Spray
Malaria is no joke and is most easily transmitted by mosquitos, making insect repellent a must-have for a trip to Kenya. This one was great at keeping the insects far away! It’s travel-size, easy to pack and I found 1 application to be good for the whole day!
Find the complete packing list in my Travel Guide.
Your essential companion for exploring the Maasai Mara.
From booking the right flights to choosing where to stay and which safari experience fits you best, it’s all here in one place!
Mara Travel Guide
What’s Included:
Itinerary Planning
Whether you’re building your own schedule or prefer to follow a ready-made plan, my guide shows you how to design an itinerary that makes sense for you. You’ll come away with a strong understanding for how long to spend in Nairobi and the Mara. Plus, an example itinerary designed to maximize safaris (“game drives”) and relaxation!
Transportation Made Simple
Landing in Nairobi is only the beginning. So how do you actually get to the Mara? My guide breaks down every option: flights, road transfers, and what to expect from each. With clear pricing ranges, timing, and insider advice, you’ll feel confident choosing the route that fits your budget, schedule, and comfort level.
Packing & Preparation
What to bring, what to leave behind, and how to be ready for the unique conditions of the Mara. Think beyond just clothes - this includes basic photography essentials, cultural considerations, and little things that can make a big difference on safari.
Cultural Insights
The Mara is home not only to wildlife, but also to the Maasai people, whose traditions are deeply tied to the land. This section gives you respectful guidance on what to expect, how to interact, ways to support local communities, and a shortlist of helpful phrases in the local language!