1. Introduction

Maasai Mara national reserve is the most popular safari destination in Kenya. Famously known for being a home to the huge population of wildlife. The Big 5 and the annual wildebeest migration occurs here.

1.1. Maasai Mara Entry Fees 

Entry fees to Maasai Mara national reserve is charged basing on the location. The accommodation facility (camp or safari lodge) you are staying at during your safari.

• If you are staying at the accommodation facility located inside Masai Mara national reserve, the entrance fees is as follows

• If you are staying at the accommodation located outside Masai Mara national reserve, the entrance fee is as follows

The fees also apply to the Narok side of the main reserve. Mara conservancy situated in the western corridor of Maasai Mara national reserve.

Note:

• These fees are valid for 24 years and paid by one person
• Persons under the age of 18 are considered children and they pay the children rate

1.1.1. Mode of Payment in Maasai Mara

• Payments in Maasai Mara national reserve is in form of US Dollars and Kenya shillings. Cashless modes of payments are accepted using Visa, MasterCard  and the local Kenyan Mpesa phone payment.
• While making payments, Citizen and Residents of Kenya are required to carry identification and proof of residence. Non Foreign residents are also required to carry valid passports as proof of identification.
• Pre-payment methods are also accepted (obtaining tickets in advance). Tickets are gotten through the KAPS company located in the Kato Office, along Longonot Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi.

Park fees for Narok County, Sekanini, Talek, Musiara & Oloolaimutia gates (Maasai  Mara National Reserve).

1.1.1.1 Exploring the Accepted Modes of Payment

Note:

• Resident rates are applicable to residents of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Visitors who are residents in above countries are required to present the National ID for Kenyan citizens or valid passport. For resident who are not citizens of Kenya require to present valid passport, work permits or appropriate Visas. It acts as proof to their resident status upon entrance in the reserve. Tourists without a valid passport or National ID are required to pay the non-resident rates.

• Child rates are applicable to person from the age of 3 to 11 years old, persons below the age of 3 are free of charge.
• Student rates are applicable only to persons aged up to 23 years old. Trip sponsored by a recognized learning institution and possess a valid student Id. Students have to be visiting the reserve on a pre arranged school-organized trip. For research authorized by the ticketing office of the Maasai Mara reserve situated in Narok. Students must obtain a permission from the reserve’s authorities at least two weeks in advance of their visit so as to use the student special rates 

1.2. Camping Fees in Maasai Mara

Campsites in Masai Mara national reserve are categorized as private campsites and public campsites and they include

            Public campsite include Eluai, Iseiya and Oloololo campsites.

            Private campsite include Ndovu, Dirisha, Kijito, Kishanga, Kiboko among others

For campers, you can either book you’re the campsite directly through www.marabookings.co.ke or through your tour operator more preferably Focus East Africa tours.

Note: For tourists wishing to stay in a private campsite, a booking Fee of Ksh 10,000 is required.

1.3. Vehicle Entry fees

1.4. Ranger Fees

For campers at the private campsites, it is a mandatory to hire two rangers. These are for the purposes of night-time security. Rangers are transported to and from your campsite. Food and accommodation for the rangers is not required.

1.4.1 Aircraft Single Landing Fees

Each and every aircraft landing in Maasai Mara is charged a fee depending on the carrying capacity. The land fees can be paid at the KAPS Office in Nairobi with cheques made payable to Mara Conservancy.

1.5. Other Fees

Entrance fees apply to other conservancies and Game ranches bordering Maasai Mara national reserve. Such as Maasai Mara National Reserve Such As Mara North Conservancy, Mara Naboisho, Olare Motorogi, Ol Kinyei & Enonkishu Conservancies

1.6. Park Rules

Rules governing in Maasai Mara national reserve were put in place to make sure that the visitors have an amazing safari experience. Without endangering the wildlife in the reserve as well as themselves. During your visit in Maasai Mara national reserve ,it is advisable to respect the rules and instructions for the reserve’s rangers who are there to protect the visitors, wildlife and the environment. These rules include

• Please keep a distance of 50km/hr while driving on graded roads and 30 km.hr on other roads in the reserve
• Always slow down for animals
• Do not drive off-road in High Use and River Zones
• Keep to graded roads and cut tracks in above zones
• Off-roading in the Low use zone is allowed for viewing big cats
• Unnecessary actions such as clapping, shouting and cheering are not allowed in the reserve
• Lighting from the vehicle is not allowed at the river crossing points
• While in the reserve, do not sit nor stand on vehicles
• Do not cross to the Tanzanian border
• Do not chase, follow or harass animals
• Littering is not allowed in the reserve
• No more than 5 vehicles at wildlife sightings
• Leave the reserve or be in camp or lodge by 7:00 pm.

1.6.1. Exploring Park Rules

• Impose an on-the spot fine of Ksh 10,000
• Have the vehicle and the people in it removed from the park immediately
• Have a vehicle or people banned from the reserve immediately

Note: Fines must be paid at the rangers office before departing from the reserve. This is ensure that you obtain a receipt of payment. Failing to pay for the fines can result into banishment from Maasai Mara national reserve for a period of 6 months depending on the offense.