Masai Mara National Park is the real gym in the African wilderness, it is one of the most visited conservation areas of Kenya popular for the great wildebeest migration. It is the largest ecosystem of the country boasting high numbers of cats (lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs), it is a number one destination a hot spot for many travellers from the world. Masai Mara boasts Savannah plain lands that seem to the endless dotted with short trees shrubs and marshy swampy areas, these are habitats not just for cats but also other mammal species including the so-called big five of the wilderness.
Masai Mara National Park straddles the country’s border with Tanzania to the south, it was named in honour of the Masai people are the original inhabitants of the park most of the land area is owned by their families and conservationists, the Masai people are pastoralists on nature, raring cattle grazed in part of the Masai Land. The Masai Mara National Park is a remote area of the southwestern part of Kenya yet easily accessed, the most used international airport when travelling into Kenya is the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, it is a big hub in east Africa with many people coming in and out of the country, flights like KLM, Air France, Kenya Airways, Qatar airlines, Fly Emirates, Uganda airlines fly into the country, it is from here that you will figure out how to reach Masai Mara national park either by air or by road.
By air their guests usually connect from Nairobi Wilson Airport it takes approximately 60 minutes only to land at the destination, there are several airstrips in the Masai Mara to fly into, and domestic flights are handled by Safari link and AirKenya, air Kenya in partnership with Aerolink Uganda have direct flights from Uganda to Masai Mara national park, this makes it possible to combine a Uganda Gorilla safari with that of the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara National Park. It is wise to land near an airstrip where your accommodation facility has been built to avoid long-distance drives. The mostly used airstrips of Kenya include the Keekorok, Serena, and Mara North to mention a few.
How to get to Masai Mara National Park by road is conducted using 4×4 wheel car drives, safaris are booked through tour operators who pick up and transfer you sideways of the east African Rift Valley escarpment, and driving from Nairobi takes approximately 6 hours to reach the destination, drives can be on self-drive however on this option it is recommended, to take a strong car, at the park entrance park wardens will advise you hire an armed ranger for direction and protection.
Entry to the Masai Mara national park will require you to have paid park entrance fees, these are paid to the Narok county council. By road visitors can access the Masai Mara national park from the Serengeti conservation area in the northern Tanzania.
In conclusion how to reach Masai Mara national park, can be done any time but best and easier during the dry season between the months of December-February and June-September.