Mara River
Mara River
4.5
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,994 reviews
Excellent
1,573
Very good
339
Average
59
Poor
9
Terrible
14
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Vince Scaini
Hamilton, Canada3 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The washrooms at the park entrance we used were pretty much out of commission. Not flushing and disgusting. The roads were in pretty bad shape. If the Kenyan gov. is eager enough to take tourist $'s they may want to think about making this park a bit more accessible. We were touring with high quality land cruisers that could get through just about anything, but we still had issues with the park roads.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather C
Glenview, IL82 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
We drove to the Mara River on one of our safari excursions. We weren’t at the infamous crossing, but we still enjoyed a rewarding scene. There were more hippos than we could count, and two brothers were behaving as one might expect. We also saw crocodiles. We were on a hill and had such a nice view.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Satyabrata Mukherjee
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates37 contributions
Jul 2022
The sight of Zebras crossing the Mara river and the crocodiles waiting for their preys is amazing. In fact it is worth the wait for the crossing to take place. We have heard so much about wildebeest crossing; but the zebra crossing in the twilight is a sight to behold. The wildebeest crossing is an annual phenomenon and most of the tourists flock to Masai Mara to have a view of the migration from Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miles Archer
Boca Raton, FL7,156 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
Our group got here in the morning, early enough to see river crossings by large groups of animals. Predators were there too, making the crossing hazardous. We had a guide who was quite knowledgeable and educated us.
Reviewed by Miles Archer of Boca Raton, Florida.
Reviewed by Miles Archer of Boca Raton, Florida.
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
good_ants
Doha, Qatar655 contributions
Dec 2022
We stopped here on the tail-end of our day out exploring the vast, never-ending Masai Mara. While it felt like a little bit of a "forced add-on", it was worth it to see the mighty hippos swimming, playing, and jumping into the Mara River!
A local game guide will walk you along the river for a few hundred meters as you gawk, photograph, and ponder the realities of such wild, wacky beasts! Worth a visit... and you're most likely to be forced into it!
A local game guide will walk you along the river for a few hundred meters as you gawk, photograph, and ponder the realities of such wild, wacky beasts! Worth a visit... and you're most likely to be forced into it!
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pawel_hbg
Sopot, Poland16,816 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
The Mara River has its source in the South Western Mau forests of Kenya draining into Lake Victoria at Musoma in Tanzania and is about 13,750 km2, of which 65 per cent is located in Kenya and 35 per cent in Tanzania. The River runs through the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve.
We were lucky to see a part of Great Migration and even crocodile eating wildebeest.
We were lucky to see a part of Great Migration and even crocodile eating wildebeest.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iviaggidiema
Fermo, Italy5,012 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
The safari inside the Masai Mara is an unmissable experience for all game drive lovers, especially in the period of the great migration between July and September. It is possible to use drivers (recommended) or visit it in a self drive: in both cases a Masai Guide must always be present with you. Having stayed at Mara Engai, the game drives were organized directly by them (the Masai Didi Guide is fantastic).
But...I find the government's choice to double the daily entrance fee (200 usd per person per day) exaggerated, starting from July 2024.
Surely this choice will favor the tourist development of other cheaper parks
But...I find the government's choice to double the daily entrance fee (200 usd per person per day) exaggerated, starting from July 2024.
Surely this choice will favor the tourist development of other cheaper parks
Automatically translated
Written September 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie H
1 contribution
Feb 2020
I've been to the jungle but it's nothing comparable to this here. The wildlife you'll see is stunning. So much, the big 5, it's like a checklist you want to complete within a few days. Ivan and I have been here for 6 days, pure safari with Erwin, the guide of our group with 3 other couples.
He did good, always smiled and showed us quickly when some animals showed up.
I cannot imagine that I've experienced something that thrilling like these days.
Our camps were safe and comfortable. In the middle of nothing those camps popped up, incredible, right? And they had everything, good food to water and electricity all over the time. Mara is a good it in case you plan to see wildlife like we ded.
He did good, always smiled and showed us quickly when some animals showed up.
I cannot imagine that I've experienced something that thrilling like these days.
Our camps were safe and comfortable. In the middle of nothing those camps popped up, incredible, right? And they had everything, good food to water and electricity all over the time. Mara is a good it in case you plan to see wildlife like we ded.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky J
St. George, UT2 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
The largest crocodiles you will ever see anywhere. Zebra and wildebeest seem to be crossing daily so there’s always excitement around it. It’s a beautiful place to relax while having lunch and watching life carry-on with perhaps the occasional hippo wandering down stream looking for a bigger watering hole and all the fuss that causes with a present hippos. Are the huge bull elephant Meandering up its sides, or the troops of monkeys scampering along the far shore.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
undenda c
Germantown, MD2 contributions
Aug 2020
It is always my preferable place to visit in Kenya , Mara River is magical point during the wildebeest migration. Nothing can compare with getting up early and travelling across the Reserve with a local driver and tracker guide. Seeing fantastic scenery and of course the animals and birds in their natural, free environment. This place bring the beauty of nature in Kenya
Written October 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
I plan to travel to Masai Mara this year in August . I really would like to see the wildebeest migration and especially interested in river crossings. I wonder which part of August (beginning/mid/late August) would be the best to visit the park in order to have the highest chance to see the river crossings.
Thank you in advance for your answer
Niobe
Written February 13, 2023
Late July 9th August will do and try staying at the hotels in the park as the conservancys are quite far from the park I stayed at fairmount the drive was far but loved my stay there .
Written February 14, 2023
Salve...ho sempre sognato di seguire la migrazione nel periodo di attraversamento del mara,e quest'anno non me lo vorrei perdere.viaggio da solo e cerco consigli o eventuali contatti per poter realizzare questo mio sogno...grazie
Written January 28, 2020
Io ho utilizzato the spirit of kenya. su internet c'è il sito poi comunichi via mail. Il costo non è eccessivo e sono perfetti nell'organizzazione.Io sono stato la prima settimana di settembre.
Written February 5, 2020
Hi, I was told by a travel agent that Great Migration cycle has changed this year ended in June 2019? Hence, those who went after July 2019 and onwards were not able to witness the Great Migration? Have anyone seen the Migration this year in July and August 2019? Can share your experience please? We are planing for a trip next year and unsure which would be the best month to go - July or August 2020? Also, any recommendations for good travel agents with Budget USD2,500 per person for safari experience with Great Migration and Big 5? Thanks
Written October 31, 2019
I've been in Kenya in the masai mara last september and I have seen the great migration. I don't know if something changes this year.
I checked on internet and I have chosen the spirit of kenya for 4 nights in ashnil mara, on the river mara. Everything perfect. No expensive.
Written February 5, 2020
Hi, I was told by some tour operators that a group tour requires minimum six persons. But we are a couple only, how can we do this Mara river safari and get the best price?
Written February 21, 2019
I’m not sure of the specifics but I would recommend contacting Odyssey Unlimited. They are based in the USA and specialize in small group tours. They might be able to have you join one of their groups or recommend another company to you. We’ve used them twice (Australia/New Zealand & Kenya/Tanzania) and they do a spectacular job. I don’t have their contact info but you should be able to find them on Google.
Written March 5, 2019
I will be in Masai Mara July 24 and 25. I saw that you witnessed the migration near the mara river. I am hoping to also see the migration in Masai Mara but I read most of the herd was still in Tanzania and only a few had crossed into Kenya. Were there a lot of wildebeest at the Mara River? From what you witnessed and heard, did it seem like more were arriving daily?
Written July 14, 2018
Hi, we were just at the river this Wednesday (18th) and the migration has not started yet but they said that within a week it would most likely start. Of course, there is never a guarantee and as others said, whatever you see you would not be disappointed :)
Written July 22, 2018
Hi, I am planning to go Maasai Mara on coming August to experience the great migration! Could you please share further which tour company that you signed up for, and how much? I found a good safari tour by basecampexplorer, but the cost exceed by budget. They offered USD1800 for 5d4n trip. What do you think?
Written March 17, 2018
I used Natural World tours out of Nairobi, the service was top notch. Highly recommended.
Written March 18, 2018
Hi
I am organizing a small group to Masai Mara in August, and our clients would like to try Walking Safari at Mara River.
Does anyone know which Lodge or Tour company can provide such service ?
Thanks
Written March 12, 2018
I am actually confused with all the options - but this is what i am eyeing basecampexplorer website
I plan to go on August too!
Written March 17, 2018
Beste Ari, ik las jouw verslag op Tripadvisor. Wij willen ook graag naar Kenia. Waar of hoe heb jij deze reis geboekt. Alles zelf gereserveerd of via een organisatie. Graag jouw advies.
Alvast bedankt, Miriam
Written January 13, 2018
peterlG429VJ
Nairobi, Kenya
2 contributions
who want to come to kenya masaai mara this december, get to me for more assistance and guidance.
Regards
Peter
East Africa Tours and Safaris
Written December 19, 2017
Samwel the price will matter on which package you are looking for,budget or lodge safari,
We used Tsavo cats tours and safaris for the budget small group tour to Masai Mara and the price was friendly about usd 480 each person all inclusive, meaning per day per person is about usd120.
Try your luck hope you have the best.
Thanks.
Written September 24, 2018
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