Maasai Mara National Reserve Fees
Maasai Mara National Reserve Fees: Maasai Mara national reserve is the most popular Kenya safari destination located in the south western region of Kenya in the Rift Valley Province bordering Serengeti national park to the south, Maasai Mara is listed among the most visited wildlife safari destinations in the world because of the huge wildlife population including the big 5 and the great wildebeest migration.
Maasai Mara national reserve is managed and administered by the Trans-Mara and Narok County Councils, these two bodies are tasked with regulating the activities happening in the reserve. The Trans-Mara and Narok Council are also responsible for drafting fees charged to tourists and activities taking in Maasai Mara national reserve.
Maasai Mara national reserve rates include
- Entrance fees
To enter Maasai Mara national reserve for a Kenya safari, each individual is charged a fee, these fees are charged depending on the accommodation you are staying at while in your safari (either in or outside the park). Maasai Mara entrance rates are valid for 24 hours and paid by each individual.
| CATEGORY | NON RESIDENTS (US$) | EAST AFRICAN RESIDENTS
(Kshs) |
KENYAN CITIZEN (Kshs) | |
| INSIDE THE PARK | OUTSIDE THE PARK | |||
| ADULT | 70 | 80 | 1,200 | 1,000 |
| CHILD | 40 | 45 | 500 | 300 |
| STUDENT | 40 | FREE | 500 | 300 |
Entrance fees to other conservancies and game ranches
There is a number of conservancies and game ranches bordering Maasai Mara national reserve including Mara North Conservancy, Mara Nabiosho, Olara Motorogi, Ol Kinye and Enonkishu conservancies. To enter these protected areas the following rates are paid
| Category | Non-Residents (US$) | East African Residents (Kshs) | Kenyan citizen (Kshs) |
| Adult | 80 – 120 | 1,000 – 2,000 | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| Child | 45 – 75 | 500 – 1500 | 300 – 1000 |
- Camping fees
| CATEGORY | NON-RESIDENTS | EAST AFRICAN RESIDENTS
(Kshs) |
KENYAN CITIZEN (Kshs) | |||
| Public campsite | Private campsite | Public campsite | Private campsite | Public campsite | Private campsite | |
| ADULT | 30 | 40 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| CHILD | 20 | 20 | 200 | 500 | 200 | 200 |
| STUDENT | 20 | 20 | 200 | 500 | 200 | 200 |
Note: private camping in Maasai Mara national reserve requires prior booking at 10,000 Kshs
- private campsites in Masai Mara national reserve include Ndovu, Dirisha, Kijito, Kishanga, Kiboko and many more
- Public campsites in Masai Mara national reserve include Eluai, Iseiya and Oloololo Campsites
- VEHICLE ENTRY FEES
Safari vehicle
| Category/no of seats | Fees (Kshs) |
| Less than 6 seats | 400 |
| 6-12 seats | 1,000 |
| 13-24 seats | 3,000 |
| 24-44 seats | 4,000 |
| 45 seats and above | 5,000 |
Trucks
| Category in tons | Fees (Kshs) |
| 1-3 tons | 700 |
| 4-7 tons | 2,500 |
| 8 tons and above | 3,500 |
- Aircraft single landing fees
| Aircraft capacity | Fees (Kshs) |
| Up to 3 seats | 300 |
| 3-6 seats | 500 |
| 7-14 seats | 1,000 |
| 15-20 seats | 2,000 |
| 21 seats and above | 3,000 |
Note: landing fees in Masai Mara national reserve for vehicles are paid at KAPS Office found in Nairobi
- Ranger fees
| Activity | Fees (Kshs) |
| Game drive (more than 6 hours) | 3,000 |
| Game drive (less than 6 hours) | 1,500 |
| Full night camp security | 4,000 |
Note: individuals camping at private campsites are mandated to hire 2 rangers for security during the night.
Other fees
| Category | Adult (US$) | Child (US$) |
| Hot Air Balloon landing fees | 50 | 20 |
| Horse riding fees (per horse per day) | Kshs 1,500 | Kshs 1,500 |
| Annual Research Permits (Non-residents) | 400 | 400 |
Categories of Masai Mara rates in details
Tourists going for Maasai Mara national reserve for a Kenya reserve are categorized as Residents, foreigners and the rates in the reserve are drafted basing on the categorized of the tourists and the age group.
Resident rates
Resident rates are applicable to tourists who are residents of East African community countries that are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. Residents are tasked to present national IDs, passports or valid working permits as evidence to their status.
Child rates
Child rates are only applicable to tourists from the age of 3 – 11 years.
Note: children below the age of 3 are of free of charge
Student rates
Student rates in Maasai Mara national reserve are applicable to individuals/tourists not above the age of 23 years, for an individual to be classified as a student they must be from a recognized learning institution and posses a valid student ID. Students must also be visiting Maasai Mara national reserve on a school arranged trip for research and study purposes.
Mode of payment/how to pay Masai Mara national reserve park fees
Various modes of payment are accepted while accessing Maasai Mara national reserve during a Kenya safari, the following modes of payments are accepted
- Cash – cash payments in Us dollars and Kenya shillings are accepted at the entry gates of Maasai Mara national reserve
- Cashless modes – cashless mode of payment in Maasai Mara national reserve is accepted in form of Visa & MasterCard for foreign tourists and for Kenyans Mpesa phone payments are accepted.
Masai Mara national reserve rules and regulations
During the Kenya wildlife safari Maasai Mara national reserve, tourists’ behavior and conduct is regulated by rules and regulations which are drafted by the managing authority of the reserve. Rules and regulations of Maasai Mara national reserve include
- While driving in Maasai Mara national reserve the speed limit should be range of 50 km/hr on graded roads and 30 km/hr on other routes.
- While driving you are advised to slow down when you encounter an animal
- In Maasai Mara national reserve, off-loading in low use zone is only permitted for viewing big cats
- Off-road is not permitted in high use river zones
- Avoid unnecessary actions such as clapping, cheering, shouting resulting into noise.
- Sitting or standing on top of the vehicle’s roof is prohibited
- Stay for about 25 meters away from animals
- While driving, keep on graded road and cut tracks in high use and river zones.
