Masai Mara
The greatest wildlife arena on Earth
The independent guide to safari in Kenya
Kenya Safari, Done Properly
Every national park with verified fees. Every camp in the Masai Mara — all 117 of them. The animals, the seasons, the laws. Researched, current, and written to inform — not to sell you a safari.
15parks & reserves guided in depth
117Mara camps in our database
10conservancies explained
July 2026fees last verified
National parks & reserves
Where will your safari take you?
From the migration river-crossings of the Masai Mara to elephants beneath Kilimanjaro — each guide covers what the park is known for, seasons, verified entry fees, wildlife, flora and the questions everyone asks.
Amboseli
Giants beneath Kilimanjaro
Tsavo East
Red elephants and infinite horizons
Tsavo West
Land of lava, springs and long views
Lake Nakuru
The rhino sanctuary on the pink lake
Samburu
Wild north, different animals
Masai Mara camps
Every camp in the Mara, compared honestly
We keep the most complete public database of Masai Mara accommodation — from US$30 backpacker tents at the gates to the great conservancy camps — filterable by area, style and price.
Featured camp
Tor's Camp
“Not about excess, but about getting the essentials exactly right.” An understated luxury camp in the riverine forest of the Olare Orok — one of the few luxury stays inside the reserve itself, minutes from the Mara’s big-cat country.
CouplesFamiliesMigration seasonFirst safari
The wildlife
Know what you're looking at
Field guides to Kenya's safari animals — the Big Five and the cast beyond them — with Swahili names, where to find each species, and the behaviour your guide will point out.
Lion Simba Big 5 African Elephant Tembo / Ndovu Big 5 Leopard Chui Big 5 Rhinoceros Kifaru Big 5 African Buffalo Nyati / Mbogo Big 5 Cheetah Duma Giraffe Twiga Zebra Punda Milia Wildebeest Nyumbu Hippopotamus Kiboko Nile Crocodile Mamba Spotted Hyena Fisi African Wild Dog Mbwa Mwitu Serval Mondo Topi Nyamera Thomson's Gazelle Swala Tomi Warthog Ngiri Common Ostrich Mbuni Flamingo Heroe Secretary Bird Karani Tamba
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Let AI plan your safari
Copy our free prompt into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini and it becomes a Kenya safari consultant — it interviews you on dates, budget and interests, then builds a personalised itinerary using this site's verified park and fee data.
Try the AI Safari PlannerLaws & rules
The rules that keep the wild, wild
Park regulations, the 2026 fee system, drone law, visas and the eTA, Kenya's plastic-bag ban and the Wildlife Act — explained in plain English so nothing surprises you at a gate.
From the blog
Safari intelligence, freshly researched
Best Time to Visit the Masai Mara: Month-by-Month Guide
When should you go to the Masai Mara? A month-by-month breakdown of migration timing, weather, prices and crowds — with honest advice on the trade-offs.
How Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost in 2026? (Real Numbers)
A transparent 2026 Kenya safari budget: park fees, camps by price tier, flights, tips and three fully-costed sample itineraries from budget to luxury.
Masai Mara Conservancies vs the Reserve: Which Should You Choose?
The single biggest Mara decision explained: staying inside the National Reserve versus the conservancies — access, crowds, activities, fees and who each suits.
Kenya safari FAQs
The questions everyone asks first
How much does a safari in Kenya cost?
Budget camping safaris start around US$150–250 per person per day; mid-range lodge safaris run roughly US$350–600; luxury camps and conservancies range from US$700 to well over US$1,500 per person per day, typically including game drives and meals. Park fees (US$40–200 per day depending on the park and season) and internal flights come on top. See our full cost breakdown on the blog.
When is the best time for a Kenya safari?
The dry seasons: July–October (which is also Great Migration season in the Masai Mara) and January–February. June and the short-rains window of November–December are excellent shoulder seasons with fewer vehicles. The long rains of April–May bring the lowest prices and the greenest landscapes.
Which park should a first-time visitor choose?
The Masai Mara is the definitive first safari — the highest wildlife density in Kenya and the migration from July to October. The classic first itinerary pairs the Mara with Amboseli (elephants beneath Kilimanjaro) and adds Lake Nakuru or Samburu if time allows.
Is Kenya safe for a safari holiday?
Kenya hosts over two million visitors a year and its safari circuit has decades of solid safety record. Standard advice applies: use reputable camps and guides, follow park rules, and check your government’s current travel guidance for regions well away from the tourist circuit.
Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
Most nationalities no longer apply for a traditional visa — Kenya uses an online Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for at etakenya.go.ke before arrival (US$32.50 for most visitors as of 2026). Apply at least two weeks before travel; see our visa & eTA guide for details.
Can I organise a Kenya safari without a tour operator?
Yes — many travellers book camps directly, fly scheduled airstrip routes and let camps handle game drives; self-driving is also possible in most parks. Operators still add value for complex multi-park trips. This site’s park, camp and law guides give you everything needed to decide either way.