Masai Mara National Reserve, renowned for the great wildebeest migration, stands as one of Kenya's premier wildlife reserves. Many tourists planning a visit often inquire about the cost of a Masai Mara Safari. Several factors determine the total cost of your safari tour.
These factors include:
- Type of accommodation
- Number of people traveling
- Preferred mode of transport (road or air)
- Duration of your trip
- Time of the year
- Inclusion of additional activities
Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding and planning your Masai Mara safari cost effectively.
Factors Influencing Masai Mara Safari Costs
1. Accommodation Choices
Your choice of accommodation significantly impacts your Masai Mara safari cost. The reserve offers a wide range of accommodation options to cater to every budget. These range from adventure budget camping to mid-range tented camps and luxurious safari lodges. A luxurious Tented Camp such as Governors Camp or Mara Explorer will cost roughly US$ 300+ per person/night during the low season and US$ 600+ per person per night during the peak season. Budget tented camps can be found for US$ 100 or less per person per night.
2. Mode of Transport
The mode of transport to the reserve also greatly influences your Masai Mara Safari cost. Flying to Masai Mara from Nairobi is more expensive compared to traveling by road, but it is also more convenient and quicker, especially for shorter safaris such as an overnight or two-night trip. For solo travelers, flying to the Mara works out cheaper than driving unless one manages to join a group on a road safari, which lowers the pricing.
Read also: Masai Mara Safari Camping
There are several reliable local airlines that offer daily scheduled flights to Masai Mara from Wilson Airport Nairobi, including Air Kenya, Safari Link, and Governor's Aviation. 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 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- 450 per person, including taxes, depending on the season and availability.
For road transport, there are normally two types of vehicles that are used for safaris: 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser 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. Note that transport on your safari is priced per vehicle and not per person. The drive from Nairobi to Mara takes approximately 5-6 hours.
The 4x4 Toyota Landcruisers are more expensive than the Tour Vans understandably so as these are larger, four wheel drive vehicles that make rough road travel slightly more comfortable. A Landcruiser safari vehicle costs anything from US$ 250 to 275 per vehicle/day depending on the season and availability. For instance, if there are only two people in the vehicle it will cost US$ 80 per person/day for transport in a safari tour van. Therefore, the larger the group the lower the cost per person sharing.
3. Group Size
As a general rule, the larger the group traveling, the cheaper it is for everyone, as you get to share the costs compared to when one or two persons 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.
4. Duration of the Safari
The cost of your Masai Mara safari also depends on the number of days you plan to be on safari. It is therefore advisable for clients on a limited budget to spend the minimum recommended time of 3 days in the reserve. Budget permitting, we recommend a minimum of 4 days (03 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 camp.
Read also: Your Guide to Masai Mara Camps
5. Travel Dates and Season
Your Safari cost is 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 (Jan to March) when the prices are lower and rooms are readily available.
Low season (April to early June) will probably allow you to spend less for a longer safari as accommodation prices are significantly lower and the reserve as well is less crowded with tourists as compared to peak season. Keep in mind that the wildebeest migration takes place from July to September and this is peak season.
Wildebeest Migration
6. 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 location of the lodge or camp at which one is staying in the reserve and also the visitor's residence status ie Citizen, Resident, and Non-resident. Citizens of Kenya have to show proof of status such as a valid National ID / Passport. 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 into the Reserve.
If staying at accommodation located inside the main National Reserve, the entrance fee is USD 70 per adult per 24 hours and USD 40 per child under 12 years of age. If staying at accommodation outside the main reserve the entry fee increases to USD 80 per adult per 24 hours and USD 45 per child per 24 hours.
Read also: Flying to Masai Mara
7. Additional Activities
Apart from the standard Masai Mara Safari package which usually includes 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 a Maasai Village Visit, Hot Air Balloon Flight, Night Game drives (if staying outside the main reserve), Bush breakfast and dinners, Nature Walks and Guided Safari Walks as well as Horse Riding. These activities are quite exciting and enhance your tour but come at an added cost. Hot Air Balloon ride price ranges from US$ 415 per person to US$ 500 depending on which camp or lodge you will fly from in the Mara.
Дикая Африка. Сафари в Масаи-Мара на воздушном шаре
Masai Mara Safari Costs: A Tiered Approach
Planning a safari and looking for the best value? Here's a tiered approach to understanding Masai Mara safari costs:
Masai Mara Safari Tier 1 (Premier Experience)
- Cost: US $1500 to US $2500 per person/night sharing on average, with some experiences topping $2500 - $4000 a night for an ultra-luxury, highly exclusive, upmarket, and private experience.
- Inclusions: Generally all-inclusive of rooming, meals, drinks (where included), park fees, and guided safari activities.
Masai Mara Safari Tier 2 (Deluxe Experience)
- Cost: US $1000 to US $1500 per person/night sharing on average, with some experiences topping $2000 a night for a highly discerning, authentic, and private experience.
- Inclusions: Generally all-inclusive of rooming, meals, drinks (where included), park fees, and guided safari activities.
Masai Mara Safari Tier 3 (Value Experience)
- Cost: US $750 to US $1000 per person/night sharing on average, with some experiences topping $1250 a night for an upgraded rooming and private safari experience.
- Inclusions: Generally all-inclusive of rooming, meals, park fees, and guided safari activities.
Note: These prices are a guide only. Single room supplements are extra, and children under 12 years have a further discounted rate.
Sample Safari Costs
Here are some general estimates for different types of safaris:
- Budget Safaris: From $150-$300 per person per day.
- Mid-Range Safaris: Around USD $300-600 per person, per day, including accommodation in a comfortable lodge or camp, meals, and game drives in a shared vehicle.
- Luxury & High-End Safaris: From $600-$1,000+ per person per day.
For low cost budget safari, a quick-fix, three-day safari from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Tsavo or Amboseli parks can be had for just USD $250 all in. For this price you’ll get transport from Nairobi, accommodation, meals and a couple of game drives.
Tips for Saving Money on Your Safari
- Travel in the Mid-Season: Late May-June and October offer superb wildlife viewing with lower prices than the peak season.
- Consider Conservancy Stays: Conservancies offer exclusive experiences with minimal crowds and superb wildlife guides, though they may cost more.
- Visit During the Short Rains: Travel during the short rains, from October to December, means fewer crowds and lower prices, and, generally speaking, there will still be great visibility of animals.
- Opt for Road Transport: Traveling by safari van is more budget-friendly than flying.
- Travel in a Group: Larger groups benefit from shared costs.
Important Considerations:
- Park Entry Fees: Non-resident adults pay $80 USD per person, children 3 to 18 years old pay $45 USD, and infants and children under 3 enter free of charge.
- Tipping: The average tip amount for guides and drivers is about $3-6 USD per staff member, per day.
With some basic planning, you can customize your Masai Mara Safari costs to meet your budget while still ensuring you have an unforgettable experience whether you are a solo traveler or a part of a group. A safari in Masai Mara is arguably the best wildlife adventure experience in the world and this is certainly not an overstatement.
The reserve is home to some of the most diverse collection of animals, not just the 'Big Five' but also the 'Big Nine' most of which can be seen during a safari tour in Masai Mara. Though the wildebeest migration season from July to September is the highlight of the year, a Masai Mara safari is a rewarding experience all year round.
Masai Mara Zones
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