Gates to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara Safari Gates: How to Enter the Reserve.
The gates to Maasai Mara National Reserve are well distributed at the most convenient and popular places leading to the reserve. If one chooses to go to Maasai Mara National Reserve for a Kenyan safari by road, then they access this iconic reserve through its 6 gates, which are well distributed to favour all visitors entering the reserve at any point.
- Sekenani Gate
The Sekenani Gate is the main gate and the most preferred of the gates to the Masai Mara National Reserve by tourists because it is on the main road from Narok Town. This gate is located on the outskirts of Sekenani town, amidst vast savannah plains on the eastern border of Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The best Maasai Mara lodging options include Mara Intrepids Tented Camp, Julia’S River Camp, Aruba Mara Camp, Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Mara Leisure Camp, Fig Tree Camp, Azure Mara Haven, Mara Simba Lodge and Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
- Talek Gate
Located on the northwestern side of Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Talek Gate is one of the most developed gates in Maasai Mara National Reserve, situated amidst the large open savannah grassland right next to the famous Talek River, which acts like a natural border between the eastern and western regions of Maasai Mara.
The best Maasai Mara lodging options near Talek Gates include Mara Intrepids Tented Camp, Julia’s River Camp, Aruba Mara Camp, Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Mara Leisure Camp, Fig Tree Camp, Azure Mara Haven, Mara Simba Lodge and Mara Serena Safari Lodge, among others.
- Musiara Gate
The Musiara Gate is located on the northeastern end of Masai Mara National Reserve, a short distance east of Oloololo Gate, though on the opposite side of the Mara River. The best Masai Mara lodging options near Musiara Gates include Little Governors’ Camp, Governors’ Camp, Governors’ IL Moran Camp, Kandili Camps, Angama Mara, Karen Blixen Camp, Kilima Camp and Nyota Mara Camp
- Oloololo Gate (Mara Conservancy)
Oloololo Gate is located in the eastern region of Maasai Mara National Reserve, just a short distance south of one of the tributaries of the Mara River. This gate is accessed through C13 (Aitong Road) and C14 (Singor–Kaboson Road). Also, you can use this gate to drive west of the Mara River (a few minutes’ drive) and a similar distance north of the walls of the rift valley known as the Oloololo Escarpment.
The best Masai Mara lodging options near Oloololo Gates include Mara Big Five Lodge, Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Entrim Mara Camp and Oltome Mara Magic Resort, among others.
- Oloolaimutia Gate
The Oloolaimutia Gate of the Masai Mara is located on the outskirts of Oloolaimutia town, amidst the hilly eastern end of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Most of the best lodging options in Masai Mara are situated close to the Oloolaimutia Gate, and some are Ol Moran Tented Camp, Mara Sidai Camp, and Acacia Camp Mara, among others.
- Sand River Gate
The Sand River Gate of Masai Mara National Reserve is located on the northern banks of the Sand River, one of the tributaries of the Mara River, and is also a crossing point for the wildebeest on their annual Great Migration journey. The gate also sits on the southern border of Masai Mara National Reserve, a few metres from the border between Kenya and Tanzania, as well as the Bologonja Gate into Serengeti National Park.
Due to the close proximity to the border between Kenya and Tanzania and being closed to tourists, the gate is seldom used, with most using the Isebania border instead.
Getting to the Masai Mara National Reserve
Located in the southwest region of Kenya, approximately 225 – 280 kilometres away, the Masai Mara National Reserve is a very accessible destination, and it can be reached either by road or by air.
By Road: It is a journey of about 5-6 hours from Nairobi to the Masai Mara National Reserve, passing through Narok Town. The journey offers scenic views of the Great Rift Valley and interaction with the local people, the fascinating Maasai, in Narok.
By Air: It is possible to fly to Masai Mara National Reserve; domestic and charter flights are available from Wilson Airstrip in Nairobi to one of the several airstrips serving the Mara. Flying is the best choice for those with limited time or looking for maximum comfort on their Kenyan safari to the Masai Mara. From Nairobi, the flight is about 1 hour, and the flights are offered by AirKenya, Auric Air and Coastal Aviation. Flying to the Masai Mara might be a bit more expensive, but as a traveller, you save so much time and comfort. It is also the quickest way to get to the reserve.
What To Know About the Masai Mara National Reserve
What animals can you see in the Masai Mara National Reserve?
The Masai Mara is home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, along with cheetah, giraffe, hyena, hippo, crocodile and abundant plain game such as zebras, wildebeest and various antelope species. Also, birdlife is so prolific, with over 470 species recorded.
When is the best time to visit the Masai Mara National Reserve?
Masai Mara National Reserve offers rewarding game viewing year-round, but the best time to witness the Great Migration is typically between July and October. For fewer crowds and rich resident wildlife. December to March is also ideal.
Why is the Masai Mara National Reserve so famous?
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a world-famous game-viewing safari for its unique game-viewing experience, especially for the annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles in search of new grazing pastures. Also, it is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five: lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, elephants and rhinos and boasts some of the continent’s most iconic landscapes.
What is the nearest airport to the Masai Mara National Reserve?
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is the nearest airport for international arrivals. From there, light aircraft flights connect to various airstrips within the Masai Mara National Reserve, including Kichwa Tembo Airstrip and Mara Serena Airstrip, among others.
