Maasai Mara Safaris And Kenya Tours
Plan your Maasai Mara safari around the dates you can actually travel, what you want to spend and what you hope to see. Chopper Tour and Travel Ltd arranges Masai Mara tours that run from a weekend away from Nairobi to private fly-in trips, honeymoons and longer Kenya circuits. We shape the itinerary with you rather than handing you a fixed one.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve lies in Narok County in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border, and forms part of the wider Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. People come for the open grassland, the big cats and, in the right months, the wildebeest migration.
First safari? Travelling as a family or a couple? Chasing the river crossings? Browse the packages below, or tell us what you have in mind, and we'll adjust one of them or build another.
Request a Safari Quote | View Masai Mara Safari Packages
Maasai Mara Safari at a Glance
| Feature |
Details & Specifications |
| Location |
Southwestern Kenya, Narok County |
| Main Experience |
Guided wildlife game drives |
| Known For |
Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and the Great Migration |
| Migration Period |
Usually July–October |
| From Nairobi |
Road transfers or scheduled flights |
| Typical Stay |
2–4 nights, depending on the itinerary |
| Safari Options |
Budget, mid-range, luxury, private and fly-in |
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Plan Your Maasai Mara Safari With Chopper Tour and Travel
Chopper Tour and Travel Ltd is a tour operator based in Uganda, planning safaris across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. For the Mara, we help you settle the things that decide how a trip feels: how many nights, which camp level, whether to drive or fly, and what to add to the game drives. Two travellers with the same dates can end up with quite different itineraries.
What You Can Expect:
- A written quote that lists inclusions and exclusions
- Road transfers or fly-in connections arranged for you
- Camps matched to your route and budget
- Help to add other Kenyan parks
- One person to talk to from your first message until you travel.
Popular Maasai Mara Safari Packages
Pick a ready-made route or use one as a starting point. Each itinerary page lists the route, inclusions and exclusions, and we can change dates, camps and activities. Prices depend on season and camp level, so we quote each trip individually.
Why Book Your Maasai Mara Safari With Us?
Choosing a destination is the easy part. Dates, transport, camps, game-drive time and any other parks all change the final itinerary, and we help you put those together.
Tailor-made planning. Give us your dates, budget and interests and we'll adjust the route.
East Africa know-how. We arrange safaris across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, so adding another country is straightforward.
Clear terms. We tell you what's included before you travel. Our booking terms set out the deposit (usually 40%, or 50% in peak season) and the cancellation charges.
Reviews. Guests review us on TripAdvisor as shown below.
We had an amazing 4-day Gorilla Trekking tour with Chopper Tour and Travel, and everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Doreen took the time to understand exactly what we wanted...
Read full review on TripAdvisor →
After our planned activities in Northern Uganda, our hosts recommended Murchison Falls Park, and we wanted to combine it with seeing mountain gorillas. Doreen helped us plan a fantastic 6-day trip...
Read full review on TripAdvisor →
After a few back-and-forth emails with Beth, who exhibited firsthand knowledge of the destination and offered great suggestions, we settled on the 7-day safari. I have nothing but praise for Chopper Tour!
Read full review on TripAdvisor →
Choose the Maasai Mara Safari That Fits Your Trip
Private Safaris: With your own car and driver, there is greater freedom in determining the time to undertake the game drives and the time spent viewing the wildlife.
Family Safaris: Shorter drives, camps that welcome children and a pace that works for different ages.
Honeymoon Safaris: Fewer transfers, a comfortable camp and room to rest between game drives.
Fly-In Safaris: Flying from Wilson Airport cuts most of the transfer, which suits short trips.
Budget Safaris: Simpler camps and practical transport to keep the cost down.
Luxury Safaris: A Maasai Mara luxury safari usually means smaller, more private camps, often in the conservancies, with more personal service. See our guide to luxury lodges in the Masai Mara.
What Is a Maasai Mara Safari Like?
Most days follow the same rhythm. You leave camp around first light, when the air is cool and the cats are still moving, and drive until the heat builds. Then it's lunch and a rest at camp, and out again in the afternoon until the light goes. Safari vehicles in the Mara usually have a pop-up roof, so you can stand to look and photograph.
What you see depends on the season, where you stay and how long you have. Lions are among the Mara's most sought-after sightings. Cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffes and hippos are regularly seen. Rhinos live in the reserve but are hard to find. A full day out with a picnic lunch lets you cover more ground. More on what to see in the Masai Mara.
Maasai Mara Great Migration Safari
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Wildebeest and zebra circle between Tanzania's Serengeti and the Mara, following rain and fresh grass. Large herds commonly begin reaching the Mara around July, with migration activity often continuing into October, although timing varies from year to year. There is no fixed calendar. Some years the herds arrive early, others hold back, and a crossing can happen at dawn, at midday or not at all on a given day.
If the river crossings are your main reason for visiting, staying several nights in an area close to the Mara River gives you more opportunities to be in the right place when herds approach. Planning a Masai Mara Great Migration safari starts with your dates and works back to camp location and trip length. View Our 4 Days Mara River Crossing Safari, which is built around that.
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Migration timing and routes | Best time to see the migration
When Should You Visit the Maasai Mara?
The Mara can be visited throughout the year. July to October is the busiest stretch, and camps can fill early, so book ahead if those months are your priority. Outside them you get the resident wildlife with fewer vehicles at sightings. The landscape turns green after the rains, which usually fall around March to May and again around November, and some tracks get muddy.
Pick the month by your priority: the migration, photography, a quieter trip or a lower price. Read the best time to visit Masai Mara guide.
Maasai Mara Safari From Nairobi: By Road or By Air
Most trips start in Nairobi, and you have two ways to reach the reserve.
By road, the drive takes around five to six hours, depending on the route and the state of the road, and longer in the rains. It costs less and shows you the Rift Valley on the way, and it suits trips that continue to Naivasha or Nakuru.
By air, scheduled flights leave Wilson Airport and land at airstrips close to the camps. The flight is short and saves most of a day. It costs more, and luggage limits are tighter, so pack in soft bags.
Your choice comes down to how many days you have, your budget and whether the Mara is your only stop..
Masai Mara safari from Nairobi : the full guide | Flying vs driving to the Maasai Mara
What Can You Do in the Maasai Mara?
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Game drives are the core of the trip. You cross open plains looking for predators, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and zebra.
Migration viewing is possible in season, when large herds move through the Mara.
Hot-air balloon flights normally begin around dawn and last about an hour, followed by a bush breakfast as part of the experience. They are an extra, priced separately. See our balloon safari guide.
Maasai cultural visits can be added to some itineraries as a way to learn about local traditions and livelihoods. Here's what to expect when visiting a Masaai village.
Conservancy stays can offer things the main reserve doesn't, such as fewer vehicles at sightings. Rules vary by conservancy and camp, so ask before you assume an activity is possible.
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More things to do in the Maasai Mara
Combine the Mara With Other Kenya Destinations
A longer trip doesn't have to stay in one place. Combining parks also fits well with Masai Mara tours that run past a week.
Lake Nakuru: lake birdlife and rhinos.
Lake Naivasha: boat rides on a freshwater lake and walks nearby.
Amboseli: large elephant herds, with Kilimanjaro behind them when the clouds clear.
Nairobi: most itineraries start and end here, and it's where you connect to flights.
Where Can You Stay in the Maasai Mara?
Camps range from practical tented camps to mid-range lodges and luxury camps. Where you sleep can change the feel of the trip. A camp near a gate can reduce transfer time into the reserve, while accommodation near the Mara River can be useful during migration season. Conservancy camps may also offer a quieter game-viewing experience with fewer vehicles at sightings.
Tell us your priorities and budget, and we'll match a camp to your route. Where to stay in the Maasai Mara.
Maasai Mara Safari FAQs
How many days do I need for a Masai Mara safari?
For a first visit, 3–4 days gives you time for several game drives without stretching the trip. A 2-day trip is possible, and longer stays allow a slower pace.
How much does a Maasai Mara safari cost?
Masai Mara safari prices depend on the number of days, camp category, transport, season, group size and whether the vehicle is private or shared. We quote each trip individually and list inclusions and exclusions with the price. How Much Does a Maasai Mara Safari Cost?
Can I do a Maasai Mara safari from Nairobi?
Yes. You can drive from Nairobi or fly in. A road trip can also be the start of a wider Kenya itinerary. Masai Mara safari from Nairobi.
Is a fly-in safari worth it?
It can be when your time is short or you want to avoid long transfers. Flights from Wilson Airport serve several Mara airstrips. Flying vs driving.
Can I visit the Mara on a honeymoon?
Yes. The Mara works well as the wildlife part of a private honeymoon, especially with comfortable camps or other Kenyan stops. See the 6 Days Maasai Mara Honeymoon Safari.
Can I combine the Mara with other parks?
Yes. Popular pairings are Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. See all Kenya safari packages.
How does Maasai Mara safari booking work?
You send your dates and preferences, we recommend an itinerary and send a quote, and you confirm with a deposit, usually 40% (50% in peak season). The balance is due before the safari starts. Cancellation charges are a percentage of the price, from 25% at 60 days or more before arrival to 100% from 7 days, and notice must be in writing. Maasai Mara safari booking guide | Booking terms
Ready to Plan Your Maasai Mara Safari?
Tell us when you want to travel, how many people are going and what kind of trip you have in mind. A Masai Mara safari booking starts with a short message, and we'll reply with a suggested route and a priced quote within less than 24 hours.
That might be a short trip from Nairobi, a private migration trip, a fly-in holiday, a family safari or a longer Kenya circuit.
