FAQ
Maasai Mara safari — everything you need to know
Answers to the questions travellers ask most before booking a Maasai Mara safari — cost, park fees, best time, packing, and how to book direct with your Maasai guide.
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.
Can I do a hot air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara?
Yes. A sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Mara plains typically lasts about an hour and finishes with a champagne bush breakfast under an acacia. We arrange balloon flights with licensed operators and slot them into your itinerary — cost is around USD 450 per person.
Can we visit a Maasai village during the safari?
Yes — a cultural visit to a nearby Maasai manyatta (village) is an optional add-on for around USD 30 per person. You'll see traditional homes, meet the elders and warriors, watch the adumu (jumping dance) and hear about Maasai life from a Maasai perspective.
Is the Maasai Mara safe for solo travellers, families and children?
Yes. The Mara is one of the safest safari destinations in Africa — you're with a professional guide the whole time, all game viewing happens from inside or on top of the vehicle, and camps are well-run and secure. Children over 5 are very welcome; child rates are available.
What should I pack for a Maasai Mara safari?
Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige), a warm layer for cool mornings, closed shoes, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, camera with zoom lens, binoculars, and any personal medication. A soft duffel travels better than a hard suitcase if you're flying in.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
Most visitors need an eTA (electronic travel authorization) obtained online at etakenya.go.ke before travel — it usually takes 2–3 days to approve and costs about USD 30. Bring a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry.
How do I book a safari with Oloishuro Tours?
Email oloishurokaria@gmail.com, call or WhatsApp +254 703 294 585, or send an enquiry through the contact form with your dates, group size and interests. We reply within a few hours with availability, a firm quote and a suggested itinerary. A 30% deposit confirms the booking; the balance is due before the safari starts.
What payment methods do you accept?
Bank transfer, M-PESA (Kenya mobile money), and card payments on request. Deposit invoices are issued in USD; local pricing in KES is available.
What if it rains during my safari?
Game drives continue as normal — the Land Cruiser is 4x4 and the roof closes over the guests. Rain usually falls as short afternoon showers rather than all-day storms, and the light after a shower is beautiful for photography.
Ready for your Maasai Mara safari?
Send Jackson your dates and what you'd love to see. You'll get availability and a firm quote back the same day — booked direct with your Maasai guide, no hotel, no agency, no middleman.