How much does a Maasai Mara safari cost in 2026?

A private 3-day Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi with Oloishuro Tours starts from about USD 520 per person (mid-range camp, min. 2 pax), a 4-day safari from USD 780 pp, and a 5-day Mara–Nakuru–Naivasha circuit from USD 1,150 pp. A one-day full-day game drive is from USD 220 per vehicle if you're already in the Mara. Prices exclude Maasai Mara National Reserve park fees (~USD 100 per adult per 24 hours) and optional extras like the hot air balloon safari (USD 450 pp).

How do I get from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara?

Two options. By road, it's about a 5–6 hour drive via the A104 through the Great Rift Valley, Narok town and Sekenani or Talek Gate — we handle this in our private Land Cruiser and stop for photos at the Rift escarpment. By air, daily 45-minute scheduled flights leave Wilson Airport for Keekorok, Ol Kiombo or Musiara airstrips; we can meet you there.

When is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara?

The Mara is a year-round destination for lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and plains game. The Great Migration river crossings usually happen July to October. The green season (November to March) brings newborn animals, dramatic skies and far fewer visitors. April and May are the quietest, greenest and cheapest months — perfect if you don't mind the odd afternoon shower.

What animals can I see on a Maasai Mara safari?

All of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino), plus cheetah, hippo, crocodile, Maasai giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, topi, impala, warthog, hyena, jackal and more than 450 bird species. From July to October you can also witness the wildebeest and zebra of the Great Migration crossing the Mara River.

Do you work for a specific hotel or lodge?

No. Oloishuro Tours is fully independent. Jackson Karia is a Maasai driver-guide and the owner — he's not employed by any single hotel or agency, so your day is built entirely around what you want to see. We can pick you up from any camp, lodge, airstrip, or from Nairobi.

What kind of safari vehicle do you use?

A 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with an open pop-up roof — ideal for photography and 360-degree game viewing. Individual padded seats for up to 6 guests, window seat guaranteed for every guest, charging points and cool box for water. It handles the Mara's murram tracks, river country and rainy-season mud in every season.

How many people fit in the safari Land Cruiser?

Up to 6 guests comfortably, each with a window and a roof-hatch view. Families and couples booking privately have the whole vehicle to themselves at the same per-person rate as long as the group meets the minimum booking size.

Are Maasai Mara park entry fees included in the safari price?

No. Maasai Mara National Reserve charges a separate park entry fee per adult per 24 hours (set by Narok County). We quote this separately so pricing is transparent. As of 2026 the peak-season fee is around USD 100 per adult, and children/residents pay less. We'll confirm the current rate before you book.

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2 June 2026 · 6 min read

The Best Time to Visit the Maasai Mara (Month-by-Month 2026 Guide)

The honest answer is that the Maasai Mara is a wonderful safari destination every month of the year. Lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe and huge herds of plains game live here permanently, so a great drive is never out of season. That said, each part of the year has its own character — and the right time for you depends on what you most want to see and how many other visitors you want in the frame.

July to October — The Great Migration

This is the Mara's headline season. More than 1.5 million wildebeest, alongside zebra and gazelle, move up from the Serengeti and cross the crocodile-lined Mara River in dramatic, dust-and-spray stampedes. It is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. Predator activity peaks — lion, cheetah and leopard shadow the herds. It is also the busiest and most expensive time in the Mara, so book 3–6 months ahead if possible.

November to March — The Green Season

After the short rains, the Mara turns brilliant green. This is calving and baby season — you'll see newborn impala, giraffe, wildebeest and other young animals, plus the predators that follow them. Skies are dramatic, the light is beautiful for photography, and there are far fewer visitors at any sighting. Rain usually falls as short afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours, so game drives carry on as normal.

April and May — The Quiet Low Season

The long rains make this the quietest, greenest and most affordable time to visit. Some murram tracks get muddy, which is exactly what a 4x4 Land Cruiser is built for. If you want the Mara almost to yourself and don't mind the odd shower, this is a hidden gem of a season — expect 25–30% off standard rates.

Month-by-month quick reference

January: hot, dry, resident big cats plentiful; slightly quieter after the Christmas rush
February: dry, warm — one of the best months for cheetah on the open plains
March: start of the long rains; still warm; camps quiet and prices low
April–May: heaviest rains, greenest scenery, cheapest and quietest
June: rains ease; the migration builds south of the Mara — birding is superb
July–August: Great Migration arrives, river-crossing attempts start
September–October: peak crossings, huge herds, best-known Mara period
November: short rains, the herds move back to Serengeti; green and quiet
December: warm, dry-ish; Christmas/New Year is a busy mini-peak

Whatever month you choose, a private drive lets us plan the day around the season — chasing crossings in migration months, or newborns and predators in the green season. Tell Jackson your dates and he'll tell you honestly what to expect.

Planning a trip to the Mara?

I run private, flexible game drives with a local Maasai guide. Tell me your dates and I'll help you plan it.

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