A Wishlist of Things to Do In The Masai Mara
Masai Mara is a top game-filled wildlife park in Kenya that has been visited by all kinds of travelers from royal families, A-list celebrities, wildlife photographers and award-winning filmmakers. This not only tells you how popular Masai Mara is but also tells you there is a reason why every first-time traveler includes it in their African bucket list trips whereas some travellers keep coming back.
There are several activities in Masai Mara ranging from luxury experiences such as Hot Air Balloon flights over the savannah where you can see wildlife down below, to bush meals and nature walks. The most popular activity in Masai Mara are brief visits to the traditional Maasai villages during which travelers get a glimpse into the way of life of these nomadic people.
Masai Mara features a wish list of activities to do, and if you haven’t witnessed it yourself, then now is the time.
Hot Air Balloon
Top Things to Do In Masai Mara & Neighboring Conservancies
Below we discuss in detail recommended safari activities in both Masai Mara National Reserve and the Masai Mara Conservancies.
Each of the activities shared below on this list has been carefully selected based on our travellers favourites in the Masai Mara. Please take note that some of these activities mentioned are good for families and kids on safari while others are exclusively meant for adults.
While some are only available at specific camps within private conservancies in Masai Mara, if there’s an activity you’d like to experience, whether it’s on or off our list— speak to your Africa Safari Expert so we can arrange everything.
1. Balloon Safaris Masai Mara
Journey with us on unforgettable Masai Mara balloon safaris, quietly marvelling at the wildlife from aloft. Don’t let this unique adventure float away without you!
2. Go On Private Masai Mara Game Drives
Enjoy private game drives in Masai Mara, alone with your guides as they reveal the magnificence of Africa’s unique wildlife, bringing you closer to nature.
3. Romantic Bush Dinners & Sundowners In Masai Mara
Enjoy private bush dinners under the stars. Features setting up a camp fire within the camp grounds, to create an exclusive restaurant, under the stars. Served directly from the restaurant and surrounded by an array of hurricane lanterns, this is private dining in a place like no other.
As the day ends, it’s time to sit back, sip a cocktail and watch the sun set behind from the spectacular vantage point. Safari sundowners are an essential part of any safari experience
4. Private Dining and In-Room Experiences
For a romantic, candlelit dining experiences, enjoy in-room dining experiences in complete privacy – thoughtfully designed spaces that invite you to slow down, reconnect, and feel at home. Private spaces that blend comfort, creativity, and quiet luxury to offer a stay that feels intuitive, welcoming, and deeply personalised.
5. Birding In Masai Mara
Recording over 470 to 500 bird species, the Masai Mara is a good destination for birdwatchers. Notably, the Mara is a year-round birding destination, so no matter when you visit, you’ll encounter plenty of feathered friends. However, the ideal time for bird enthusiasts is from late October to November, during the rainy season, when migratory birds arrive from Northern Africa and Europe.
6. Go On Guided Walking Safaris In Masai Mara
After a day filled with game drives, leave the comfort of your safari vehicle & later on experience the thrill of Africa’s glorious wildlife on foot while walking through its breathtaking landscapes on a walking safari.
7. Visit The Maasai People on A Community Visit
After days of wildlife safaris, no tours to Masai Mara would be complete without a cultural village visit that gets you up close and personal with the fascinating Maasai people. They will invite you into their humble mud and stick manyattas (houses) and show you their pastoral and ancient traditions.
8. Go On a Horseback Safari
This is a truly exclusive way to experience the Mara. Explore the vast landscape. Imagine riding past dazzles of zebra, journeys of giraffe and, if the time is right, the mighty herds of the Great Migration.
9. Go On a Masai Mara Photo Safari
Photograph lions in ‘Big Five Safari’ territory. Masai Mara boasts one of the highest lion densities in the world, so it should come as no surprise that the world-famous nature documentary, Big Cat Diary, is filmed in the Mara. Set out in search of the legendary Rongai and Topi prides.
10. Witness the Great Migration Safari In Masai Mara
The Masai Mara Migration River crossings is a major draw for travellers visiting Africa for safaris. When the herds reach the Mara River, this is where the famously dramatic and sometimes brutal river crossings take place, as they face hungry crocodiles and hippos in the turbulent waters with their young. This is also the best time for Masai Mara photographic safaris, a chance to perfect your wildlife photography skills.
11. Night Safari Drives In Masai Mara
Only done in private Masai Mara Conservancies, night safaris take place after sunset and provide an entirely unique experience to day game drives. In the dead of the night, your senses become sharper, paying attention to every little sound you hear. For the curious safari-goers enjoy the excitement of being in the bush at this time of day as you look for the night walkers.
It is important to note that not all parks and conservancies offer night safaris. Within the Masai Mara, the only place for night safaris is in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, and this is done as an extra activity at an extra cost per person.
12. Spa on Safari
On your luxury trips to Masai Mara, indulge in a sublime Spa on safari and let our professional therapists pamper you with lotions and aromas inspired by Africa.
Kenya
Best Kenya Safari & Beach Tours
Browse our favorite Kenyan beach holiday packages or simply get in touch with one of our Africa safari experts to help custom-make a Kenyan beach holiday that matches your travel wishes. You can enjoy safaris in Kenya national parks on the mainland, then follow it up with a relaxed beach holiday at Malindi or Diani. Get to know the coastal Kenya, and what’s possible on your trip to these Indian Ocean beaches, discover some of the best-loved experiences and safari routes that we’ve found working particularly well with our travelers.
