The Masai Mara National Reserve is a 1510 km² protected area, which was established in 1974 and is managed by the Narok county government, it is separated from the smaller, privately managed Mara Triangle, by the Mara River. It is also surrounded by several privately managed conservancies, making up around another 1500km² of protected area.
Approximately a 5 hour drive or a 1 hour flight from Nairobi, the Masai Mara is one of the world’s most famous safari destinations, it also borders the 15,000km² Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and animals, including the annual wildebeest migration, can move freely between the two as there are no fences, however there is no international border crossing, so it’s not possible for people to move between.
The main reserve has four main entry gates – Oloolaimutia, Sekenani, Talek, and Musiara and the Mara Triangle’s main entry gate is Oloololo. Entry gates to both the main reserve and the Mara Triangle are open from 6am to 6pm and if you have a valid entry ticket to one you can cross between the two via the Purungat Bridge gate over Mara River and game drive on both sides at no extra cost. Night game drives however are not permitted in either of these areas, even if you are staying inside and you must be back to your lodge or camp by 6.30pm.
Since 2024, self driving is not permitted in the Masai Mara National Reserve, however you can still self drive in the Mara Triangle. Park entry is also only valid for 12 hours, rather than 24 hours, and if staying inside the reserve you must exit by 10am the following day to avoid paying another days park fee, regardless of what time you entered the day before.
The Masai Mara National Reserve & Mara Triangle park entry fees are currently (2025) as follows: US$ 100 per non-resident adult in January–June & $200 per non-resident adult in July-December & $50 per non-resident child aged 8-17 years throughout the year.
Surrounding the main reserve are several private conservancies including Naboisho, Olkinyei, Olderkesi, Bushtops, and Olare Orok. Each one sets its own conservancy fees and you must also be a resident guest staying at one of the camps within that conservancy in order to enter. Only game drives with the camp vehicles are permitted, self-driving is not allowed. This limits the number of tourists and vehicles inside the conservancy and reduces the pressure on the wildlife. It’s also possible to take night game drives in the private conservancies.
