Maasai Mara Reserve Entrance Fees
Maasai Mara Entrance Fees 2026: Rates, Seasons & Safari Costs
Maasai Mara entrance fees vary according to visitor category, age, season and, under the applicable tariff, where the visitor is staying. A non-resident adult staying inside the reserve pays US$100 per day all year. One staying outside pays US$200 per day from July to December and US$100 from January to June. Non-resident children aged 9 to 17 pay US$50, and children under 9 enter free. Vehicles and aircraft are charged separately, and the entrance fee is only one part of the total Kenya safari cost.
Maasai Mara Entrance Fees at a Glance
| Guest category | High season (Jul 1 – Dec 31) | Low season (Jan 1 – Jun 30) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident adult, staying inside the reserve | US$100 per day | US$100 per day |
| Non-resident adult, staying outside the reserve | US$200 per day | US$100 per day |
| Non-resident child, ages 9–17 | US$50 per day | US$50 per day |
| Children under 9 | Free | Free |
The main reserve is managed by the Narok County Government, while the Mara Triangle is managed by the Mara Conservancy. Travellers heading to the western side should confirm Triangle arrangements separately.
Does Where You Stay Affect the Fee?
Yes. “Inside the reserve” means accommodation within the National Reserve boundary. Camps and lodges in the surrounding conservancies, or anywhere else beyond the boundary, fall into the outside category. A non-resident adult in an outside camp pays the higher US$200 rate during the July-to-December high season, even when the day is spent on game drives inside the reserve.
An outside property can be immediately adjacent to the reserve or located within a neighbouring conservancy; what matters for the tariff is its position relative to the applicable reserve boundary and fee category. Confirm which category your camp falls under before you book, because the difference adds up quickly over several days.
The July-to-December high season overlaps with the Mara phase of the wildebeest migration, but the two aren’t the same thing. The tariff follows the calendar, while the herds follow rainfall and grazing, so river crossings can’t be guaranteed on any date.
Resident and Citizen Rates
| Guest category | Fee per day |
|---|---|
| Kenyan citizen, adult | KSh 3,000 – 4,500 |
| East African resident, adult | KSh 4,500 – 6,000 |
| Children and students | KSh 1,000 – 2,000 |
Rates for Kenyan citizens, East African residents, children and students vary according to the applicable tariff. Confirm the exact category and seasonal rate before travel, particularly if booking directly rather than through a safari operator.
How Long Is a Maasai Mara Ticket Valid?
The answer depends on how a visitor is staying. A day-visit ticket is valid for 12 hours, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Guests who remain inside the reserve overnight are charged per 24-hour cycle, counted from the time of entry. For a multi-day Kenya safari, budget for reserve access on each day, rather than treating the fee as a single charge for the whole trip.
Vehicle and Aircraft Fees
Safari vehicles are subject to a separate daily charge based on seating capacity.
| Safari vehicle size | Fee per day |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 6 seats | KSh 400 |
| 6 to 12 seats | KSh 1,000 |
| 13 to 24 seats | KSh 2,000 |
| 25 or more seats | KSh 3,000 |
Charter aircraft also pay a landing fee, which is separate from the passenger’s reserve entry fee. The landing charge is normally handled through the airline, camp or safari operator rather than paid separately by each passenger.
| Charter aircraft size | Fee per landing |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 3 seats | KSh 300 |
| 3 to 6 seats | KSh 500 |
| 7 to 14 seats | KSh 1,000 |
| 15 to 20 seats | KSh 1,500 |
For help matching a camp to the right landing strip, see our guide to Maasai Mara airstrips.
How to Pay at the Gate
Cash isn’t accepted at the main gates, including Sekenani, Talek, Musiara and Oloololo. Entry passes are bought digitally through the official Kenya eCitizen portal or at Narok County payment terminals, using a credit or debit card, either before arrival or on arrival. Mobile signal can be patchy near some gates, so paying ahead is the safer choice. Payment systems can change, and a safari operator can usually handle the transaction as part of a booking.
Non-residents must present their passport at the gate. Kenyan citizens and residents can show a valid Kenyan National ID, an East African passport or an alien work permit.
Reserve Fees vs Conservancy Fees
The Maasai Mara National Reserve and the neighbouring private conservancies are separate management areas, each with its own charges. Conservancies such as Mara North, Naboisho and Olare Motorogi set their own conservation fees, typically between US$120 and US$150 per adult per night, and conservancy fees contribute to the management of the conservancy and, depending on the conservancy’s model, support participating landowners and local communities.
The charge varies by conservancy and camp, so check whether it’s already included in your accommodation rate. A traveller who stays in a conservancy and also drives into the main reserve for a day may pay both.
What the Entrance Fee Doesn’t Cover
The entrance fee provides access to the reserve under the applicable visitor tariff and contributes to its management and conservation. It doesn’t include accommodation, meals, a safari vehicle and driver-guide, transfers, balloon safaris, cultural visits or conservancy charges.
A Worked Example: Maasai Mara Entrance Fees Only
For two non-resident adults on a 3-day safari, the entrance fees alone come to:
| Scenario | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Staying inside the reserve, any season | 2 adults × US$100 × 3 days | US$600 |
| Staying outside, January–June | 2 adults × US$100 × 3 days | US$600 |
| Staying outside, July–December | 2 adults × US$200 × 3 days | US$1,200 |
These figures exclude vehicle fees, accommodation and everything else. If the applicable tariff uses different rates for accommodation inside and outside the reserve, the choice of camp can make a substantial difference to high-season costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Maasai Mara entrance fee for foreigners?
A non-resident adult pays US$100 per day when staying inside the reserve. Those staying outside pay US$200 from July to December and US$100 from January to June.
How much do children pay?
Non-resident children aged 9 to 17 pay US$50 per day. Children under 9 enter free.
Do I pay the entrance fee every day of my safari?
Yes. Fees apply for each day of reserve access. Day-visit tickets are valid for 12 hours, and guests staying overnight inside the reserve are charged per 24-hour cycle from the time of entry.
Can I pay with cash at the gate?
No. Passes are bought digitally through the eCitizen portal or at Narok County payment terminals, using a card.
Are vehicle fees included in the entrance fee?
No. Safari vehicles pay a separate daily charge based on seating capacity.
Are conservancy fees the same as reserve fees?
No. Private conservancies set their own fees, usually between US$120 and US$150 per adult per night.
Does the Maasai Mara entrance fee include game drives?
No. The entrance fee provides reserve access; your safari package or vehicle arrangement covers the game-drive service separately.
Plan a Maasai Mara Safari
Where a traveller stays can change the entrance fee considerably, particularly from July to December. Chopper Tour and Travel can match your travel dates, accommodation location and group size to the right itinerary and quote the reserve fees, accommodation, transport and any conservancy charges together, so the budget is clear before you book.
Fee information
Fee information was checked against the applicable Narok County/Maasai Mara reserve tariff. Rates, payment procedures and visitor categories can change, so travellers should confirm the current charges before departure.
