About Masai Mara

Masai Mara is a famous game reserve in Kenya. Masai Mara backpacking tours offer some of the best game viewing and most spectacular views and scenery across Africa.

Masai Mara Budget Travel

Below is a list of Masai Mara's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Masai Cultural Village, Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride

View all activities in Masai Mara

Airports

Masai Mara nearest airports include:
• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
• Mara Serena Airport
• Musiara Airport
• Keekorok Airport
• Mara Shikar Airport
• Kichwa Tembo Airport
• Ngerende Airport

Birdlife

The park is famous for its wildlife, but Masai Mara birdlife is also something amazing to behold, with a wide range of species. 6 out of the 7 species of Kenyan vulture, including Egyptian, Hooded, Griffon, Nubian, White-backed and White-headed, can be found in the park as well as range of other endemic and migratory species making up an impressive 450 species in total.

Conservation

As part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, Masai Mara conservation plays a vital role in the conservation and preservation of key species within this huge region. Many species, such as the Black rhino are highly endangered, and the reserve is also based on Maasai grounds, which makes tribal conservation another priority.

Culture

Masai Mara cultures include the following:
• Cattle play a key role in Maasai wealth and status, as well as occupation
• Traditions and rituals are an integral part of the Maasai culture
• Clothing has been a distinctive trait for centuries
• Jewellery is both identification and tradition in tribes
• Gender roles play a key role in social structure

Customs

Masai Mara customs allowances for free import by passengers of 16 years or older includes:
• 1/2 lb. of tobacco, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
• 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages
• 1 pint of perfume

Health

Masai Mara health facilities are few and far between, and with the huge size of the reserve, getting to hospitals in case of sickness could take hours. Be prepared, and take out comprehensive travel insurance ' also bring a basic first aid kit with supplies such as cold medicine, headache pills, diarrhea pills, nausea pills, bandages and malaria medication.

AIDS

Masai Mara HIV/AIDS precautions include the following tips:
• Don’t ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing

Vaccinations

The following Masai Mara inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies

Languages

Masai Mara languages include the following:
• Maasai
• English
• Swahili

Malaria

Masai Mara malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Masai Mara money and banking information is as follows:
• Very few camps accept credit cards
• Be prepared and bring local Kenyan currency
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at airports

People

Masai Mara people includes the following tribes:
• Maasai

Phrase

Masai Mara local phrases include the following in Swahili:
• Hello - Jambo
• Can I please have...? - Tafadhali nipatie...?
• Do you speak english? - Unajua kizungu?
• Excuse me ' Samahani
• No problem! - Hakuna matata!

Vaccinations

The following Masai Mara inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies

Plants

Masai Mara plants are fairly diverse and support a wide range of animal and bird species. Key ecosystems in the park include mostly rich grassland dotted with dark riverine forest and rocky quartz outcrops, with a range of vegetation including acacia thickets and woodlands, African greenheart, African olive and various fig trees and occasional thorn trees and baobabs.

Religion

Masai Mara religion includes the following:
• Traditional beliefs
• Christianity

Safety Tips

• The Masai Mara is generally a safe and amazing destination for travellers
• Basic safari safety guidelines are essential however, and visitors should remember that they are surrounded by potentially dangerous wild animals
• Never leave your vehicle or open your car doors when you are on a game drive
• Drive slowly and carefully ' especially in rainy season or after dark
• Follow your guide’s instructions to the letter and do not ever wander around outside of demarked rest areas on your own

Transport

Masai Mara local transport includes:
• Plane
• Car

Travel Books

Masai Mara recommended travel books include:
• Mara-Serengeti: A Photographer's Paradise by Jonathan Scott, Angela Scott and Caroline Taggart
• Maasai Mara: Kenya's Great Game Reserve by Karl Ammann
• Great Game Parks of Africa: Masai Mara National Reserve by Peter Blackwell
• The Masai of Africa by Lisa McQuail
• The White Masai: My Exotic Tale of Love and Adventure by Corinne Hofmann

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Kenya

What To Buy

• Durable luggage such as a backpack plus a good moneybag
• Masai Mara guide book and Swahili phrase book
• First aid kit with basic supplies and medicines
• Long life torch or regular torch with spare batteries
• Sleeping bag and camping mattress if you are on an overlanding tour

What To Pack

• Lightweight clothes in neutral colours with long sleeved for mosquito protection
• Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and sandals
• Sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Camera, spare film, batteries and binoculars
• Warm jacket and raincoat for rainy season and cooler days

When To Go

• Main tourist seasons are from December to February and from July to August
• January to February is hot and dry, making it best for game spotting
• June to September is a bit cooler and is the season for wildebeest migration
• Rainy seasons run from March to June and October to December
• The landscapes are at their greenest and most beautiful from March to October

Wildlife

Masai Mara wildlife offers some of Africa’s best game viewing opportunities, and with the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) in attendance as well as the massive herds of migrating wildebeest which have made this area famous for safaris, visitors are ensured excellent sightings of a wide number of species in the Masai Mara park.