Maasai Mara Park Kenya Safari Costs

Maasai Mara Park, Kenya, Safari Costs

 Masai Mara National Reserve, also known as The Mara is one of the best wildlife reserves in the world and Kenya, famously known for the Great Wildebeest Migration. Many tourists planning a safari to visit inquire how much a Masai Mara Safari costs. There are many factors that determine the total cost of your safari tour; some of these factors include the type of accommodation, the number of people traveling, the preferred mode of transport (by road or by air), the duration of your trip, the time of the year, and the inclusion of additional activities.

For instance, full package prices vary considerably, ranging from USD 350 per person for a budget 3-day Masai Mara Safari (with a group of 6 people in a vehicle staying at a budget camp) to USD 15,000 per person for luxury accommodation on a similar Masai Mara Safari.

Here we discuss each of these factors in detail

• Accommodation

Your choice of accommodation has the biggest influence on your Maasai Mara Park Kenya Safari Costs, the reserve offers an extensive range of accommodation options that cater to every budget. The different categories of accommodation range from adventure budget camping to mid-range tented camps to luxurious safari lodges. Apart from the type of accommodation you choose, your accommodation price is also determined by the number of days you plan on staying and the time of the year you are visiting (during the peak season from July to October the prices are higher).

A luxurious Tented Camp such as Mara Explorer or Governors camp will cost roughly US$ 300 plus per person per night during the low season and US$ 600 plus per person per night during the peak season.

A mid-range luxury safari lodge such as Zebra Plains Luxury Camp will cost roughly US$ 150 per person per night during low season and US$ 250 per person per night during peak season. Also, there are budget tented camps that you can find for US$ 100 or less per person per night. You may also choose to camp in tents, which is significantly cheaper; however, this option involves staying at a basic campsite with your own tents and minimal facilities.

• Mode of Transport

The mode of transfer to the reserve is another factor that greatly influences your Maasai Mara Park Kenya Safari Costs. Flying to Masai Mara from Nairobi is more expensive compared to traveling by road, but also more convenient and quicker, especially for shorter safaris such as an overnight or two-day trip. For solo travelers, flying to the Mara works out cheaper than driving there unless one manages to join a group on a road safari, which lowers the pricing.

There are several reliable local airlines that offer daily scheduled flights to Maasai Mara from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, including Air Kenya, Safari Link and Governor’s Aviation, among others. The flying time from Nairobi to Mara is usually one hour, though the actual time depends on how many interim stops the flight will make (known as hops) as they land to drop off or pick up passengers from various airstrips. A one-way flight ranges from US$ 200–250 per person, while a return flight will cost anything from US$ 300–400 per person, including taxes, depending on the season and availability.

For road transport, there are normally two types of vehicles that are used for safari: 4×4 Toyota Land cruiser Jeep or Safari Tour Vans that carry up to 7 persons per vehicle. Tour Vans are the most common mode of transport for safari tourists, as these cost less compared to the other vehicle type. The 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers are more expensive than the Tour Vans, which is understandable, as these are large, four-wheel-drive vehicles that make rough road travel slightly more comfortable.

Note: the price is based on the full occupancy of the vehicle. For instance, if there are only two people in the vehicle, it will cost US$ 80 per person per day for transport in a safari tour van. Therefore, the larger the group, the lower the cost per person sharing. A Land Cruiser safari vehicle costs anything from US$ 250 to 275 per vehicle per day depending on the season and availability.

Note: Transport on your safari is priced per vehicle and not person. The drive from Nairobi to Mara takes approximately 5-6 hours. The road from Nairobi up to the main gate is now paved/tarred all the way.

• Number of People Traveling (Group Size)

As a general rule, the larger the traveling group, the lower the cost per person, since expenses can be shared more effectively than when only one or two individuals are traveling. Also for family travel, the ages of children affect the cost of your safari, as children under the age of 12 years pay a reduced price, while children under 3 years of age are allowed for free in almost all lodges and camps in Masai Mara.

• Duration of Your Safari

The number of days you plan for your Masai Mara Safari also determines its cost. It is therefore advisable for tourists on a limited budget to spend the minimum recommended time of 3 Days in the reserve. Low season (April to early June) will probably allow you to spend less on a longer safari, as accommodation prices are significantly lower and the reserve is less crowded with tourists compared to peak season.

Keep in mind that the wildebeest migration takes place from June to September and this is a peak season. Budget permitting, we recommend a minimum of 4 days (3 nights) in Masai Mara to allow you to fully explore the park. This will include enough safari game drives to see plenty of wildlife at a relaxed pace and give you enough time for leisure time at your lodge. Traveling “slow” really does have its advantages in the African wilderness.

• Time of The Year

Your Masai Mara Safari Costs also dependent on your travel dates. Prices tend to be higher during the Peak Season which is normally when the Great Wildebeest Migration happens, as this attracts large numbers of visitors to Masai Mara, making it more expensive to secure rooms due to the high demand. The peak season runs from July to October. Clients on a limited budget are advised to avoid the peak season and plan on visiting during the low or the shoulder season (January to March) when the prices are lower and rooms are readily available.

• Park Entry Fees

To enter Masai Mara National Reserve, one is required to pay an Entry Fee at the gate. The Park Entry Fees are determined by the visitor’s residence status, which includes categories such as Citizen, Resident, and Non-resident. Citizens of Kenya have to show proof of status, such as a valid National ID/Passport and season. Residents refer to persons residing in Kenya with valid documentation from the Kenyan government, while non-residents refer mainly to overseas tourists. Please note that proof of identification is required before entering the reserve.

Park Entry Fees For Masai Mara

• Additional Activities

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Apart from the standard Mara Masai Safari Packages, which usually include transport from and back to Nairobi, safari game excursions, accommodation, and meals, as well as the park entry fees, some clients opt to include other activities, which may include the Maasai Village Visit, a hot air balloon flight, a night game drive, bush breakfast and dinner, nature walks, guided safari walks, and horseback riding. These activities are quite exciting and enhance your tour but come at an additional cost. Hot air balloon price ranges from US$ 415 per person to US$ 500 depending on which camp or lodge you will fly from in the Mara.

The Maasai Village Visit price ranges from US$30 to US$50 per person, and the cost is inclusive of return transfers from your overnight safari lodge or camp, the services of an English-speaking driver, and village contribution fees.