Kenya · Rift Valley · Masai Mara

Safari stays in the Masai Mara.

The world's most famous safari destination. The Masai Mara's lion prides, resident cheetah, leopard, elephant, rhino, and the annual Great Migration of over 2 million wildebeest and zebra from Tanzania's Serengeti.

KES 15,000–150,000per person / night
Big Fiveall year
Great MigrationJul–Oct peak
M-Pesa+ card

The Masai Mara: Africa's greatest wildlife theatre

The Masai Mara National Reserve (1,510 km²) and the adjacent private conservancies (Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North, Ol Kinyei, and more) collectively form the greatest wildlife sanctuary in Africa.

The Big Five are seen year-round. Lion prides are particularly well-habituated to vehicles — Mara lions are among the easiest to observe closely anywhere in Africa. Cheetah, leopard and wild dog (increasingly rare) are also present.

The Great Migration — between July and October, over 2 million wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River from Tanzania's Serengeti in one of earth's greatest natural spectacles. The river crossings — in which crocodiles pick off stragglers — are the most dramatic wildlife moments available anywhere.

Accommodation tiers:
— Budget: public campsites and basic bandas inside the reserve (KES 3,000–5,000/night)
— Mid-range: tented camps in conservancies (KES 15,000–35,000/person/night full board)
— Premium: luxury lodges (Angama, Mahali Mzuri, andBeyond) (KES 60,000–150,000/person/night)

All Mara accommodation on Cabana is at zero commission — operators keep 100%.

Getting to the Masai Mara

By air: charter flights from Wilson Airport Nairobi to one of the Mara's 6+ airstrips (45 minutes). Safari companies arrange transfers. By road: approximately 5.5–6 hours from Nairobi via Narok — longer but scenic through the Rift Valley escarpment.

Budget camp
KES 8,000–15,000 / night
Shared facilities, reserve access
Mid-range tented
KES 18,000–45,000 / night
Full board, conservancy
Luxury lodge
KES 60,000–150,000 / night
Premium full board, private game drives

Typical nightly rates. Every listing on Cabana shows the host's exact price — that is what you pay at checkout. Zero commission added, ever.

Masai Mara: frequently asked

When is the best time to visit the Masai Mara?
July–October for the Great Migration river crossings (peak season). January–March for dry season, clear skies, excellent predator activity and fewer crowds. The Mara has excellent wildlife year-round.
What is the difference between the Masai Mara reserve and the conservancies?
The National Reserve has higher vehicle density but lower accommodation costs. The private conservancies (Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North) have fewer vehicles, night drives, walking safaris, and more exclusive experiences — but at higher cost. Most luxury camps are in conservancies.
What is the Great Migration in the Masai Mara?
Each year, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest and 400,000 zebra follow rainfall patterns between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. The Mara River crossings (July–October) — where tens of thousands of animals plunge through crocodile-infested water — are one of earth's most extraordinary natural events.

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