Masai Mara Safari Cost

 How much does Masai Mara safari cost?

When think of going on a safari? Then have no doubt imagined the wide area of fields, vibrant watering holes, and incredible natural beauty of any place like Masai Mara National Reserve. If decide to make this to one-of-a-kind destination your home base on safari, it’s important to determine your budget, which means carefully considering all of the masai mara safari cost and fees.

Fees for Masai Mara National Reserve

The entry fees for Masai Mara National Reserve differ for residents and non-residents, with residents of Kenya enjoying discounted admission. Non-resident grown ups pay $80 UNITED STATES DOLLAR per person, children 3 to 18 years old pay $45 USD, and infants and children under 3 enter freely. There are other fees in place for different vehicles or for site visitors thinking about camping in the reserve, however if travelers are on a tour, those fees are usually already included in the price.

NON-RESIDENT PRICES (PER PERSON, PER DAY) RESIDENT PRICES (PER PERSON, PER DAY)

Adults (18+ years)            $80 USD               $70 USD

Children (3-18 years)      $45 USD               $40 USD

Children (0-3 years)        free                       free

Masai Mara Game Reserve– Africa’s Leading Safari Destination

Masai Mara is considered the most popular game park in Kenya. It’s found in Narok State, about 280km southwest of Nairobi. The National Park gets its name from local Masai tribe who at its boundaries. The word Mara signifies ‘spotted in the local Maa dialect, ostensibly naming after a lot of trees that grow in the area.

Maasai Mara is definitely famously known as the home involving the wildebeest migration. This migration occurs yearly between September and October where millions of wildebeests move from Serengeti into Masai Mara searching for water and pasture. Besides wildebeest migration, Masai Mara provides a high-density involving wildlife, including the big 5 (lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, and rhinos).

Book Maasai Mara safari packages at any time of the year and have a great safari. Even so, if you will make one vacation to Kenya, plan your Kenya Maasai Mara National Reserve safari between July and November. This is the wildebeest migration period, and hands and fingers down the very best time to visit Kenya. It is home to over 69 species of mammals, including giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, antelopes, and many different animal species.

Maasai Mara national reserve safari introduce you in order to prolific birdlife. This hosts over 400 bird species, including the white-tipped crest, Orange Aficionado Pel’s Fishing Owl figures, Ross Turaco, Skeptical Guinea Fowl, in addition to more. Geographically, Masai Mara contains the main park in addition to several private conservancies along its periphery. These conservancies also provide fantastic game viewing at opportunities and 5-star accommodations. Some popular Masai Mara conservancies include the following;

• Enonkishu Conservancy
• Mara North Conservancy
• OlareMotorogi Conservancy
• Mara Naboisho Conservancy, and several others.

Masai Mara likewise shares the similar ecosystem with one more world-famous park, the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Masai Mara National Reserve has earned some international awards due to yearly Masai Mara migration and quality associated with game viewing the park offers.

In 2016, it was voted as Africa’s top National Park in the World travel Awards. The National Park has held on to this title for four many years in a row since 2016. This is in addition included among the coveted list of the wonders of the world in 2007.

Now that will you know exactly how surreal the Masai Mara is, allow us consider the aspects that influence the total Kenya Masai Mara safari costs.

Numerous factors come in to play in figuring out the entire Masai Mara safari cost. These types of include transport, the Masai mara safari lodge which you select, the number of your team, the number of days included in the Maasai Mara packages you select, and more.

In the following section, we will talk about these factors in depth.

1. Nairobi to Masai Mara – Cost of Transport

After arrival in Nairobi (the main entry into Nairobi), you can get to the Masai Mara by road or by flight.

Option #1: Nairobi to Maasai Mara Packages Using Flight

When you choose to take a trip to Masai Mara by flight, a safari guide from Maasai Mara will be waiting to get you at Jomo Kenyatta Airport critical. You will then drive for 40 minutes to Winston Airport.

There are several airline companies that offer flights to Masai Mara, like Safari Link. The journey takes 45 minutes and costs way up to $400 per person, depending on the season.

The domestic flight from Wilson Airport to Masai Mara could save you time, but this will considerably enhance your Masai mara safari cost. Furthermore, it cannot beat the adventure of the road trip to the Mara.

The Journey by road may appear nasty due to rough roads at some point, but everything on the road be part of the true African experience.

We recommend Masai Mara vacation deals using air transfers if you are usually planning a family safari in Masai Mara (especially along with a toddler onboard). A flight safari is also the best option with regard to honeymooners and the ones which want a luxury safari experience.

Option #2: The Cost of Nairobi to Masai Mara Safari Packages by Road

The other option is to by road. Masai Mara Safari Cost you about $250 per day for a cheap Masai Mara safaris using a safari Toyota land cruiser. The price is definitely based on full occupancy of the land-cruiser (7 people). Should your group have two people, using a safari van, pay up to $70 for transport daily.

Hint: Through the rainy season and then for optimal game viewing chances, safaris in Masai Mara are best done using the 4×4 Safari land-cruisers. Safari vans are simply ideal where budget is a major constraint.

The safari van can sit up to 8 tourists, each with a window view. The larger the group, the lower the cost per person sharing.

In case you have a low budget, we recommend a 4×4 safari Landcruiser with a raised rooftop for optimal game viewing.

In case you are two travelers and also you opt for a safari Landcruiser, expect to pay at least $100 per person per day. Once again, the more number of people sharing the safari Landcruiser, the low the cost.

The drive from Nairobi to Mara is approximately 5-6 hrs, but it is much cheaper than a flight.

The journey by road may appear nasty due to the sun and rough roads at some points, but everything on the road is part of a true African adventure.

Usually, we stop at Narok for refueling, food, washroom break, and snacks. Narok to Maasai Mara national reserve by road takes around 2-3 hours.

Expert Tip:

• We commend Maasai Mara safari packages by road if you will be spending at least 2-3 nights in Masai Mara.
• If you are short of time, maybe looking for just 2 days Masai Mara trip, we recommend fly-in safari trips.
• A road safari from Nairobi to Mara is also a good option for travelers who want to explore other destinations on the road to Maasai Mara. The major ones include:
• The Great Rift Valley View Point.
• Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha, and
• Lake Nakuru National Park.

2. Where to Stay in Masai Mara – The Masai Mara Safari Cost Tour Lodges

Another factor that affects Masai Mara safari cost is the type of lodging that you want to spend a night in. Kenya Maasai Mara is a world class park with majority luxurious safari lodges on the planet.

A super-luxury lodge-like Sir Rich Branson’s, MahaliMzuri, will certainly easily set a person back $1000 for each head per day. Mid-luxury Masai Mara safari lodges cost about half of $1000, and you will also obtain a tented budget camp for $60 or less.

Five-star hotels such as the Mara Fairmont Lodge, Mara Serena Safari Hotel, and Sarova Mara Game Lodge will certainly cost about $250 per person for each day.

Four-star hotels will cost around $250 a day. Three-star accommodations will charge about $150 per day. Camping in outdoor tents is the cheapest at around $70 or perhaps less per day.

Again, everything is determined by your budget, but the excellent thing is that you will get accommodation depending on your budget.

Overall, Masai mara hotel rates vary according to the time of the year, the sort of hotel or lodge you chose, the number of days and nights you plan in staying, and so on.

Expert Tip – How to Save on Your Masai Mara Accommodation Cost

The long rainy time of year in Kenya will be between April to June. During this particular time, you will find less visitors within the National parks, and this time period is generally recognized as the ‘low season’ tourism season.

Accommodation prices are usually lower, so this is a great time in to go on the budget to Masai Mara safari or the budget Kenya safari. It is furthermore the best time to avoid the crowds.

3. Masai Mara Entrance Fees

For one to enter Masai Mara, you will be required to pay entry fees at the gate. Regarding tourists (Foreigners), the existing rates is $ 70 for a mature adult and $40 for a kid.

These rates are paid every day (24-hour duration), of course, if you are remaining in the Mara for many days, then they accumulate quite fast.

Tourists from the Eastern African region pay an entry fee of Ksh. 1200 (approximately $12 and Ksh. 300 (approximately $3) for adults and children, correspondingly.

4. Masai Mara Prices – Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Cost

The Kenya Masai Mara Safari packages cost includes transport from and back to the airport or your hotel/residence, Masai mara game drive cost, accommodation, and meals.

Check whether the Masai Mara entrance is included in the package cost or not. Also, validate whether accommodation is on full-board, half-board, or bed and breakfast.

At this time there are other extra activities that you might want to do in the park that will count as being an extra cost. These include:

• Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Cost: One of the best ways to view the Maasai Mara, is the air. A Masai Mara balloon safari costs about $450 per head.
• Bush Dinners – Masai Mara prices regarding bush dinners commence from $60 PPS/day. Most safari lodges have a devoted section where they will hold bush dinners.

Set-up (moving dining tables, utensils, etc. is usually done whenever they will have to established up a bush dinner. But coming from my experience, the price is really worth it.

• Masai Mara Village Visit : What about dancing in addition to jumping with Masai warriors in their villages? Exciting, right? The visit costs from $30 for entire group.

If you are in honeymoon, you might want an exclusive treatment such since a unique safari car for your two, an intimate picnic, or champagne and flowers. Just about all these things may possibly increase your Kenya Masai Mara safari cost.

Professional tip on unique activities: If you inform us in advance, we can check out which camps include free honeymoon offers. Most will grant to setting up a romantic experience for you, which include flowers, romantic dinners, chocolates in your room, and even more.

We recommend booking full-board Maasai Mara Packages. Buying meals separately is usually very much more expensive as compared to booking both the room and dinner together.

5. Kenya Masai Mara Safari Cost – Souvenirs Prices

A Masai Mara National Reserve safari is never an exploration if you do not leave with a souvenir. These range from paintings, sculptures, the famously known checked Maasai outfits, handmade sandals to jewelry, among others.

Even though locals could have them for as low as $5, you will to have at least $12 with you. Our guides will probably be of good help regarding negotiating the best souvenir prices for you.

6. Masai Mara Safari Package Costs – Translator & Guides Fees

If the group is non-English speaking, but if you wish to reserve a safari guide who speaks your language, this will drive the cost of your Kenya safari higher.

The cost varies from $20 dollars for local tour guides (English speaker) picked at the Masai Mara national reserve, $100 a day to get a professional, luxury tour guide.

If you need a translator for other languages such as Chinese, Russian, Japanese, etc. we can arrange to hire one for up to $200 per day.

Masai Mara Safari Prices – Duration of your Safari

Duration means the number of days that you will be in Kenya, whether in one place or various places. If you go on a 3-day Masai Mara safari, you can pay less than if you went on a 6-day safari.

At Sight View Safaris, we advise that you spend at least 3 days at the Masai Mara to enable you to experience all there is in the park.

If your budget allows, then you can stay longer or incorporate other activities or other places.

Expert tip on souvenirs: Plenty of haggling goes on in souvenir markets.  Don’t buy anything for the first price you are told, as everything is negotiable!

Our tour guide will direct you to the best markets and also help in negotiating to find the best prices.

The Total Masai Mara Safari Cost

As seen from the above factors, the cost of a Masai Mara tour could be as cheap or as expensive as you would love it to be.

When you are looking to go on a cheap Masai Mara safari, this can certainly be achieved and will cost you about $190 per day for a group of 8 people. When cost is no problem, then you can have a luxury Masai Mara safari for up $500 per day.

Whichever safari package deal you choose, the Mara is an amazing park. You will go back again home with great memories that will last a long time.

How much does it cost to go to Masai Mara?

The cost of your safari visit can be tremendously influenced by numerous elements, which you can find out more about. Luckily, Sight View Safaris has the number of safari tours to suit any kind of budget. You are able to locate a selection here.

The cost of accommodation for a safari in Masai Mara will depend on the particular evel of comfort and luxury travelers. Budget travelers may spend their times in small however secure tented camps. They won’t supply any luxury, nevertheless they’ll keep guests protected from the particular elements. Mid-range choices, such as permanent tents in addition to small lodges, usually are available, offering a new more comfortable experience in larger hotels. Luxury accommodation is usually akin to staying in resort hotels and will usually are more expensive.

Tour duration

One important thing that detether cost of a safari tour is the length of the tour. When looking at prices, look directly at the number of nights the holiday spends in the chosen park. A further consideration is game drives: each expedition could have some variety of these awesome excursions as part of the price , but to make certain occur to be getting the affordable for your funds, check the number of game drives included in the tour.

Food

In general, meals will be included in a safari package. Even so, if you stick on to a specialized diet or have another dietary restriction, you should ask “what’s included” section of your selected expedition to avoid any unpleasant surprises alongside the way. When you anticipate requiring extra snacks or normal water, make sure you organize that before you set for your safari adventure.

Transportation

You will find two main choices for travel to Masai Mara National reserve on safari: Safari vans and Land cruisers. Safari vehicles are more budget-friendly option in addition to look like big vans you should anticipate to see upon roads at home. The ride may be bumpier, in addition to, as the vehicles are covered over, visibility can end up being limited. Land cruisers are definitely more traditional open-air vehicles that, although expensive, allow best visibility in addition to comfort on safari which translated in order to better pictures.

Tipping

Even though tipping isn’t compulsory on safari travels, tips are always greatly appreciated and make a major big difference in the lives of your local guide and trackers. The average tip amount for guides and drivers is about $3-6 USD per person, per day. During group tours, there is normally a tip container – travelers can add their cash to it, and the tour head will distribute it between the team.

 Low vs high season

The expense of your tour may well fluctuate according to the season of vacation travel. The high season is between July to March, coincides with the Great Migration. Tourists on a budget tour ought to book effectively in advance, while prices may raise as the excursion draws closer. Vacation through the short rains, from October to December, means much less crowds and lower prices, and, normally speaking, there can nevertheless be great visibility of animals.

Cash and card

When paying with a card, remember that there will more than likely be fees associated with international withdrawals. Keep in mind to inform your bank of your travels, and consider the additional fees you might come across while withdrawing cash from ATMs. Likewise, keep in brain that, while ATMs will be available in major metropolitan areas, they are few in number in remote areas. Retain in mind that smaller venues might only accept cash.

Currency

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (not to be able to be confused this kind of with the Tanzanian or Ugandan Shillings). US dollars will often be accepted with flight companies and in important hotels and National parks but carry some local currencies for tipping and shopping. It is good to exchange your hard earned dollars before arriving in Africa. Exchange bureaus are easy to find and they generally offer the best rates.

Our Masai Mara professionals are some regarding the more experience on the job. They have recently been putting together Masai Mara itineraries and helping clients on productive safaris for a lot of years.

Keeping in mind which Masai Mara trip is definitely a once in lifetime venture, they have set together a variety of their ideal tips so that you can always keep in mind if planning your best family safari kenya.

1. How Much does a Masai Mara Safari Cost?

Masai Mara safari prices vary, and you may do a safari of your own choice depending on your own budget. At Sight View Safaris on Kenya safaris, we now have different Masai Mara packages to match different budgets.

• Our luxury Masai Mara Safari Cost from $500 for each person each day.
• Mid-luxury packages USD 290 per person
• Budget Masai Mara safari from $190 for per person.

2. Do I Need to Take Malaria Tablets for Kenya?

In case you will be touring to malaria-prone areas such as close to Lake Victoria as well as the Coast, then this is recommended in order to seek the Travel advisory Uganda from a physician for the best preventive care possible.

Most places that will you will be visiting, such because Masai Mara plus Nairobi, possess a lower prevalence of Malaria. Again, your physician will certainly be able to advise you further.

3. Do I need a Yellow Fever Vaccination for Kenya?

Sure, a yellow fever certificate is required by the Kenya government if you are coming from a country which has a high risk of yellow fever.

Yellowish fever vaccination is also necessary if you will end up going to areas prone to yellow fever. These types of include North Far eastern Kenya and some regions of the Kenyan Coast – including Diani beach.

4. What is the Best Month to go on an African safari?

The beauty of Africa is so diverse. Each country has different things to offer. A person may visit the African continent on any month throughout the year, and depending on where you go, there will still be a fantastic vacation.

Summer time months of July to Sept will have a lot of action around game parks such as with Kenya and Tanzania. Other popular destinations such as Uganda, check rwanda gorilla trekking cost and Botswana will have action occurring all year round.

5. Which is the Best Month to Visit Masai Mara?

The best month to visit Masai Mara is July, September or September. During these three months, the Masai Mara immigration occurs.

It is definitely good to make note of the migration is without specific commencement date; the wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti to Masai Mara by instinct, guided by smell involving rain. It may start since mid-July or as later as mid-August.

6. Which is the Coldest Month in Kenya?

The coldest month in Kenya is July. If you are coming from European countries, Asia or places with four seasons, then it might not be that cold for you. Temperatures at night time typically fall to 14 degrees with highs of about 17 degrees during the day.

7. How Much Does a Safari in Kenya Cost?

The average Kenya safari cost will depend on several factors, with the main being the experience you wish to have (budget, mid-luxury, or luxury).

To be a bit more specific, Kenya safari cost (to other tourist location in Kenya) is normally less than the expense of a Masai Mara tour. On average:

• A Budget Kenya safari costs anything from $150 PPS/Day.
• A Mid Luxury Kenya safari package costs as little as $200 PPS/Day.
• A Luxury Kenya Firefox Package costs something from $400 PPS/Day.

As a way to come up with a reasonable budget, you should consider things such as; the duration of your safari, the sort of transport that you use to get to different places and the level of accommodation that you want to stay in.

Your Kenya safari cost will go higher if you add extra activities, such as balloon safaris, village visists, and shopping for souvenirs.

8. Is Kenya Expensive to Visit?

The straight answer this really is yes and no. The cost of international plane tickets might not become negotiable. However, the rest of your Kenya safari cost and Masai Mara prices can proceed as high or even as low as you desire.

You can decide to do a luxury Kenya safari or the budget one. At Sight View Safaris, we are pleased to custom make the itinerary that meets your budget and even Masai Mara vacation plans.

9. Do I Need a Visa for Kenya?

Certainly. All visitors getting into Kenya require a visa unless they are from countries that visa exmptions to Kenya. A few African countries are exempt; please contact your local immigration office to determine if your country is exempt from a Kenyan visa.

10. Is Safari Better in Kenya or Tanzania?

That is hard to be able to answer if safari in Kenya is better than Safari Tanzania. The simple truth is of which it boils down to personal preferences. Both countries are considered world-class safari destinations. The Serengeti and even Maasai Mara is definitely the most well-known attraction in Kenya, as the Serengeti is the most well-known tourist attraction in Tanzania. Both tourist attractions share a boundary and have the same ecosystem.

The distinction is that that the Serengeti is bigger than Masai Mara. Both countries have award winning beaches, Zanzibar in Tanzania and Diani beach in Kenya. You wouldn’t go wrong with either for an African safari.

11. How Much does Kenya Visa Cost?

The cost of a Kenyan visa is determined by several components, such as precisely what sort of visa you are applying for, the country you are coming from, the duration of your stay ,etcetera.

For instance, a single entrance visa for 3 months costs $51, and also this is the almost all suitable for tourists. This kind of visa is replenishable for more 90 days.

12. How Many Days do you Need in Masai Mara?

Masai Mara is a vast recreation area, with much to see and do. At Sight View Safaris, we recommend that you spend at least about three nights at the Masai Mara to really experience and enjoy the activities in this famous park.

For those who have only two days to spare, then we recommend that you fly as compared to going there by road. Traveling takes only forty-five minutes from Nairobi while going by road takes about 5-6 hours. Flying will make certain you take benefit of the little time you have on game drives.

13. What are the Hottest Months in Kenya?

January, February, and March are the hottest months in Kenya. Fortunately, outside of the Coastal region, the rest of the country has low humidity, and the heat will not rise to uncomfortable levels. These kinds of months are excellent for game viewing in various National parks, before the long rains of April set in.