Skip to Content
SafariBookings® - Compare African Safari Tours List

User Reviews of Masai Mara National Reserve (517 Reviews)

Best Park Masai Mara Safaris Kenya
Sort By: Date Most Helpful 441-450 of 452 Reviews

Average User Rating

4.8414 / 5 4.8 /5
4.9120 / 5 4.7610 / 5 4.5874 / 5 4.4306 / 5

Rating Breakdown

5 star 452 / 10 452
4 star 50 / 10 50
3 star 14 / 10 14
2 star 0 / 10 0
1 star 1 / 10 1
Write a User Review
Male avatar icon K-pture Belgium flag BE       Visited: July 2007 Reviewed: Aug 26, 2011

20-35 years of age

Wild...

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5

We went to Kenya for our honeymoon.
We had the chance to get a great guide and driver who took the time to let us look at Nature's beauties. He gave us a lot of explanations about the country, the animals, the people. The guy was pretty interesting.
We first stop at Lake Nakuru. We had the chance to see 2 000 000 pink flamingos. Amazing scene. The lodge was good, the food aswell but there were many many many mosquitos out there. Take some cream with you.
Then, we went in Masaaï Mara for 3 days. AWESOME!!! We've seen 4 of the 5 fives. The Leopard's pretty hard to see. We didn't have that chance. But we've seen some stuff we will never forget. What you see in reality is far better than what you see on TV.
It's hard to describe a trip like that. If you like wildlife, don't hesitate a second.

Female avatar icon kim United States flag US       Visited: August 2008 Reviewed: Sep 17, 2011

Email kim  |  20-35 years of age

I would do it again

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 3 / 5 5 / 5 / 5
Wildlife, scenery, weather, accommodations, food, transport, our guide - all amazing. The guides knew where all the animals like to hang out. I was only here for 4 days, so I only saw a small portion of this reserve, and I would love to go back and spend more time on my own. I worry about the noise and pollution impact of so many diesel engines, the high number of tourists in the area, the seemingly high number of dirt roads, and water consumption due to tourism in a savanna setting that seems quite arid. The hotel we stayed at was very well maintained, the staff were wonderful, and the food was tasty. I loved the architecture, and thought it contributed to the "bush feel". I appreciated the commitment to electricity conservation and the fact that solar water heating was used. It was unfortunate that our drives happened in the mid-day when lighting is not very conducive to photography. I generally do not like being on organized tours - I prefer the freedom that going alone provides
Read more - but it was worth it to have a guide here since I wasn't well educated about the wildlife and it was my first time to Africa. I hope to visit this reserve again, as well as others in the region, and would like to do a walking safari. Our group's focus was on The Big Five and other large mammals so I didn't feel comfortable rating birding. I did see a number of pretty cool birds just by chance! Four days wasn't enough...I want to spend 4 months out here!
Male avatar icon Wajahat Mahmood Saudi Arabia flag SA       Visited: November 2011 Reviewed: Apr 10, 2012

Email Wajahat Mahmood  |  20-35 years of age

Handshake with the animal kingdom!

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5 3 / 5
We visited Masai Mara National Reserve in November 2011 which is considered to be a rainy season there. And rainy it was! As soon as we checked in to Sentrim Mara Lodge, it started pouring. For a moment we felt that the game drive we had been dreaming of had been drained away, but soon the weather started to ease off. The heavily clouded atmosphere added a breathtaking spectacle in the overall atmosphere.

Masai Mara presented an uninterrupted expanse of grass and trees which is really a treat to watch. Roaming around in the wilderness with the animals is something which is beyond expression. It like being a candid observer of a wildlife routine!

We also took the Hot Air Balloon Safari, without which I feel the safari experience is half-done!

The safari is absolutely safe and the precautionary procedures are well observed. The lodges range from extraordinary to very disappointing depending on what you pay for. Our experience of Sentrim Mara Lodge
Read more was really an exciting one.

Masai Mara is famous for the Wildebeest and Zebra migration to Tanzania around Mara River. We were not expecting to observe this natural wonder in November, but we were extremely lucky that we were able to see the famous uninterrupted chain of wildebeest migrating in November, and that was something which has left deep memories to me and my family.
Female avatar icon Dawn United States flag US       Visited: July 2013 Reviewed: Aug 13, 2013

35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

An experience not to be missed

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 / 5 5 / 5 / 5

The Masai Mara is not just a feeding ground along the great migration, it's a scene taken from the pages of earth's majestic hot spots. Not only does the beautiful scenery go on forever making you see--maybe for the first time--just how big and wonderful our planet is, but you also get to be part of the animal kingdom in ways you've never imagined. As our driver turned a corner here and there another species of animal, bird, reptile, and plant came into view. A pride of lions nursing their cubs, giraffes eating from tall acacia trees, elephants on their way to the water, a cheetah getting up from a nap and walking so close to our jeep I could touch him, wildebeest as far as the eye can see--some battling for supremacy, hyenas snatching a leg from a carcass where vultures were having a last snack...so much and so wonderful. The hippos and crocs, and birds and lizards, and warthogs and monkeys were all so entertaining as well. If you don't know God yet, you'll get pretty close to Him on the Mara.

Female avatar icon mimi~ United States flag US       Visited: November 2015 Reviewed: Nov 25, 2015

Email mimi~  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

An unforgettable experience I wish I could repeat.

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5
I miss the sounds of the zebras. They often could be heard yip-yapping in the distance, especially in the morning and the evening.
When Africa is number one on your bucket list, where do you go next? I was beyond lucky to be able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime journey, but please, oh please I don't get to do something this amazing just once.
I tried to be present in every moment, to enjoy every day, and sometimes put the camera down and just watch. There was one moment, while closely viewing a pride of lions, three ladies decided to walk toward our vehicle, each getting closer than the last until the final lionness walked right beside the vehicle staring at each one of us before disappearing behind the rear of our open jeep. Indescribable.
One of the great disadvantages of time is that it keeps marching on, and once that time has passed it cannot be repeated. Sometimes an experience is so perfect all you'd like to do is just repeat it.
The
Read more air was warmer than I thought it would be in November, and after a nice long day it was so refreshing to jump into the cool infinity pool near the edge of the fence, and watch the rhinos and wildebeest that lived beyond it.
The people were kind and eager to share their lives with us. I remember moments like our safari walk with James, watching the Maasai dancers, and learning so much from our loyal and informative guides. Some experiences with the Maasai people are so magical I will keep them just for myself.
The food was delicious, so many tastes and smells, of ginger and curry, and bright vegetables. You might ask if they use organic food - of course they do, but they just call it food. If you are not a soup person, don't let that stop you - Kenyans know how to make a great soup.
To be able to finish this trip with a hot air balloon at sunrise was definitely the icing on the cake, to see the lions from above, and the elephants and giraffe. Photos don't do it justice. The hot air from the balloon burner on your neck, the sun in your face, the wind in your hair - floating over the Masai Mara without feeling like you're moving at all.
Please tell me I don't get to do something this amazing just once.
Africa, you are my favorite.
Avatar icon Joseph Kenya flag KE       Visited: February 2016 Reviewed: Apr 6, 2016

Email Joseph

Greatest Wildlife Diversity in a Single Location

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5 3 / 5

Of course I missed the Wildbeast migration, but I didn't miss the stylish giraffe walks and lion-gazelle live hunts that I only see in the National Geographic series. The accomodation, food and transportation was all catered for by my travel company, Helinas Safaris. And the memories with the amazing guides are bound to remain intact for the next century or so.

Male avatar icon Jan Indonesia flag ID       Visited: May 2016 Reviewed: May 29, 2016

Email Jan  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

The view, nature and silence

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 3 / 5 4 / 5 4 / 5

Masai Mara is a amazing place. Loved the horizons, silence and the variety of wildlife. Never expected it would impress me this much. Been in Kruger before but this is a totally different experience. More endless planes and in it, very easy to spot, birds and animals. Also liked the climate, due to the elevation it was just perfect between 20-24 degrees Celsius.

Male avatar icon Dennis Netherlands flag NL       Visited: May 2016 Reviewed: Jun 15, 2016

Email Dennis  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Better than expected

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 4 / 5 4 / 5 / 5

Because I had already seen the Northern part of Tanzania (which was amazing), I didn't think Masai Mara would be just as good. While Tanzania wins it in terms of scenic beauty and variation of landscapes, Masai Mara is equally good when it comes to wildlife. I had amazing sightings - lions (eating), cheetahs, a leopard closeby in a tree, a lot of elephants, hyena, topi, impala, giraffe and many more. I have some beautiful photos of all of them and also some stunning photos of the landscapes. I really loved the long drives on dirtroads standing in the vehicle with the wind and the sun in my face.

The weather was perfect. Not too hot. Not too cold. Only a few short showers in the afternoon. Accommodations were beautiful. Perfect trip altogether.

Female avatar icon Donna Ritchie New Zealand flag NZ       Visited: January 2025 Reviewed: Mar 9, 2025

Email Donna Ritchie  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

This was the park we saw.most animals and a wide range of them

Avatar icon maureen Visited: December 2013 Reviewed: Mar 3, 2014

Amazing

5 / 5 5 /5
5 / 5 5 / 5 4 / 5 / 5
I am a Kenyan, born and raised in Nairobi and hadn't yet visited Masai Mara until Last year December(2013). My family and I were hesitant because of the rains and Mara is known to be impassible during the rainy season but we decided to go ahead and not cancel our booking. Aren't we glad we went to the Mara. By road, its almost a 5hr drive on tarmac road until you reach Narok town where the tarmac just starts reducing until there is none as you get near the park. I have been to some Parks and Reserves in Kenya but Mara was the best. We saw a lot of lions(which isn't easy), leopards playing around and some of the prettiest tallest giraffes I have ever seen, among other wildlife. Now we know what the fuss is all about and cannot wait to back during the migration period. We booked directly through Sarova group and stayed at Sarova Mara and it was fantastic, best customer service ever. Our tour driver/guide was from Somak Safaris and he knew his wildlife.

P.s if
Read more you can, splurge more on hiring a land cruiser than a tour van when planning to tour Masai Mara. once you get to the rough roads, that's when you really appreciate the 4wd.