Location of Masai Mara National Park

The location of Masai Mara National Park is a key feature that every traveler considers before deciding to visit Kenya. Masai Mara National Reserve is situated in the southern part of Kenya along the Great Rift Valley. It is located in Narok County, a few kilometers from the main and largest town, Narok. The reserve is about 224 kilometers from Nairobi, the capital.

It borders the famous Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. These parks are part of the world’s oldest ecosystem, the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, along with Virunga in Congo and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Covering approximately 25,000 square kilometers, the Mara-Serengeti is one of Africa’s largest ecosystems.

The reserve is drained by three rivers: the Mara River, Sand River, and Talek River. It is situated in a semi-arid area mostly covered by open savannah grassland and dotted with acacia trees. The reserve borders the Great Rift Valley escarpments to the east, Siria (Esoit) to the west, Masai ranches to the north, and Serengeti National Park to the south. Masai Mara is easily accessible from different parts of Kenya, mainly by road and by air.

By Road: The reserve is about 224 kilometers southwest of Nairobi along the Great Rift Valley. It can be reached by either public or private transportation. Public shuttles operate from downtown Nairobi and stop at Narok, which is a few kilometers from the park gate.

For travelers seeking an authentic safari experience, booking Kenya safari packages through a reputable operator offers a guided drive that enriches your understanding of African culture and scenic views of the Great Rift Valley. Viewpoints along the drive provide spectacular scenery of the Rift Valley.

The trip takes approximately 6 to 7 hours from Nairobi, passing through smooth roads until Narok, where the terrain becomes bumpy with potholes leading to the park entrance. Despite the long drive, the scenery makes it worthwhile.

By Flight: The reserve can also be accessed via daily flights departing from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Several domestic airlines operate flights, with the flight time typically around 45 minutes. There are numerous airstrips inside the reserve, including Shikar Airstrip, Masai Mara Serena Airstrip, Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, and Sian Springs Airstrip among others.

These airstrips are served by airlines such as Airkenya, Mombasa Air Safari, Safari Link, Fly540, Eastafrican.com, Silverstone Air, and more. The reserve is also connected to other East African parks through direct flights( Uganda / Uganda the pearl of Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi). Whether you prefer budget safaris or luxury travel packages, options include both road and air transportation.

A brief history of Maasai Mara National Reserve

Also known as Masai Mara National Park, it is the largest protected area in Narok County. Unlike many other parks managed by Kenya Wildlife Services, Masai Mara is managed directly by local Maasai residents. The reserve was named in honor of the Maa people, the indigenous inhabitants of the land.

They describe the topography as “Mara,” meaning “looked from afar” in their language. Established in 1961 initially as a wildlife sanctuary covering just 520 square kilometers, it became a national reserve in 1974. The land area was expanded, reaching 1,510 square kilometers by 1976, and has remained that size since.

The reserve was under the management of the Narok Council until 1994, when the Trans Mara County Council was established on the Western part of Maasai Mara. In May 2001, a not-for-profit Mara Conservancy was formed, which took over the general management of the Mara triangle.

Masai Mara National Reserve location is favourable for guests who land in Nairobi or those who come to Kenya on business trips in the capital and have a brief time to explore the country. The location is advantageous in a way that it makes it possible to undertake short safaris like 2 Days Masai Mara safari, 3 Days Masai Mara safari, 4 days Maasai Mara hot air balloon safari, and others.

Its proximity to the boarder is also an added advantage because it makes it possible to combine trips to Mara with other National Parks like Lake Nakuru and Naivasha. For longer trips, it is possible to cross over to Tanzania Serengeti National Park, like our 6 days Kenya and Tanzania safari, 7 Days Masai Mara and Serengeti safari, and others. Get the right reputable local operator for the best offers and advice.