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Location
The Mara Triangle lies in the southwestern part of the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, west of the capital, Nairobi. The Mara Triangle lies on the border of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
Size
Forming one third of the expanse of the Masai Mara, the Mara Triangle is 196 square miles in size.
History
When the Masai Mara was established in 1961, it totalled 200 square miles inclusive of the Mara Triangle, the Masai Mara receiving reserve status in 1971. The Mara Triangle is separated from the rest of the Masai Mara by the Mara River and is managed by the non-profit Mara Conservancy on behalf of the Trans-Mara County Council.
Entrance Fees & Permits
The entrance fee into the Mara Triangle varies depending on whether you are staying in the Masai Mara or just visiting for the day. Day visitors will pay USD 80 per person to enter the Mara Triangle, while guests staying in the park will pay USD 70 per person.
Hours of Operation
The Mara Triangle is open between 6am and 7pm daily. No vehicles are permitted to enter the park after 6:30pm.
By Road
The drive from Nairobi to the Mara Triangle is 161 miles, with travel time between five and a half and six hours. The drive takes visitors along the Uhuru Highway/A104, with entrance into the Sekenani Gate.
By Air
Guests can fly into any of the following airstrips from Nairobi Wilson Airport: Angama Mara Airfield, Mara North, Musiara, Kichwa Tembo and Serena. The flight takes between 45 and 60 minutes.
Weather & Climate
The cooler, dry winter months between June and August are the best months to visit the Mara Triangle. The early mornings can be chilly at around 55F however with the grass being low due to no rainfall and the mild climate during the day, this is a most ideal time to be on safari. The short rains fall in November and December, top temperatures reaching around 80F.
Avoiding Crowds
Consider visiting the Mara Triangle outside of peak season, the months of September and October as well as May and early June providing a wonderful safari experience without the crowds. Fewer vehicles on the open plains and more accommodation opportunities make it worth avoiding the migration season of July and August.
Value for Money
There is a vast selection of accommodation options to choose from in the Mara Triangle and nearby, so options range from modest camping options to high-end luxury lodges. With an array of options, there is definitely scope to create a value-for-money safari in one of Africa’s most famous game reserves.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Mara Triangle
Home to the “Big Five”, it is easy to spot your favourite animal in the Mara Triangle. There is a better chance of seeing black rhino in the Mara Triangle, grazing amid other plains game such as zebra, kudu and wildebeest. Predators like lions and leopards roam the Mara Triangle, while watching elephants wander by is always a treat. A key element to being in the Mara Triangle is that it is the ideal location to witness the Great Migration in July each year.
The Terrain
Discover the lush landscape alongside the Mara River, with open savannahs, woodlands and rich, sandy earth creating a colourful canvas in the Mara Triangle. The Oolooloo Escarpment and scattered acacia trees create a dramatic background.
Game Drives
Game drives in the Mara Triangle will take place in 4×4 vehicles, some open on all sides, while others will be enclosed with a pop-up roof for optimal viewing. Early morning safaris take place before sunrise, with an afternoon sunset experience a highlight of a game experience in the Mara Triangle.
Guided Walking Safaris
A nature walk is an incredible way to experience the wonders of the Mara Triangle. Your qualified guide will help you get up close to plains game, fascinating flora and fauna, with vast views of the wilderness spreading far in front of you.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
The Mara Triangle is the launch site for hot air balloon experiences over the Masai Mara. An incredible experience and way to view wildlife from above.
Mobile tented camps, eco-friendly basic tented accommodation, luxury lodges and high-end tented accommodation are all available in the Mara Triangle. Intimate experiences to accommodation suited to families and small group establishments exist in the Mara Triangle.
Mara Triangle Lodging – Distance from Park Entrance.
Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
41 miles from the Sekenani Main Gate, driving in a north-westerly direction | |
43 miles from Aitong Gate (via Mara Conservancy) in a westerly direction | |
Mara River – Viewpoint for Wildebeest Migration
One of the most iconic experiences in the Masai Mara is the great migration crossing. Watch thousands of wildebeest thunder across the Mara River in July as they make their way from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya. The Mara Triangle is one of the best places to experience this.
Masai Community Cultural Visit
Take some time out from your safari to enjoy a cultural visit to a local Masai community. Get a feel of tradition and history as you spend some time in their village and home, learning their ways and more about their rich past.
Hot Air Balloon Launch Site
The Mara Triangle is the launch site for hot air balloon experiences in the Masai Mara. Enjoy a very early start to your day as you rise above the savannas and woodlands that lie below you, an incredible vantage point to spot wildlife in all directions.
The best time to visit the Mara Triangle is during the cooler, drier months between June and August. The grass is low, so animal spotting is best at this time, and July is the key time to witness the Great wildebeest Migration. To avoid crowds, consider visiting in late May or in September or October.
Mara Triangle safaris range from mobile tented options to luxury tented experiences. Pricing can range from USD 300 per person sharing to approximately USD 1300 per person sharing.
Travelling by road will take between five and a half and six hours, so it is understandable that most people choose to fly into one of the Masai Mara airstrips, a 15-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport.
The Mara Triangle offers one of the best places to witness the Great Migration in July each year. It is also the launch site for hot air balloon experiences. It is also a lot less crowded than other main areas of the Masai Mara.
The “Big Five” can be seen in the Mara Triangle, as well as numerous plains game such as zebra, giraffe, kudu, wildebeest and many more. With the Mara River running through the Mara Triangle, birding is wonderful in this area.
The gates into the Mara Triangle are open from 6am to 7pm daily.
It is advisable to book your accommodation in the Mara Triangle before travelling. The distance is far, and day trips from outside the general Masai Mara area don’t usually occur. A popular destination, accommodation availability may be scarce if not booked well in advance.
An open or enclosed 4×4 safari vehicle is the best way to experience a safari in the Mara Triangle. Bush walks, and hot air balloon rides, are possible too.
One of the most popular accommodation options in the Mara Triangle is the Serena Mara Lodge, a unique design of accommodation in a prime safari viewing location. The Ashnil Mara Lodge and Mara Engai are two other wonderful accommodation options in the Mara Triangle.
There are no stand-alone restaurants near the Mara Triangle. All meals will be enjoyed in the guests’ chosen safari accommodation.
Masai’s community visits are possible from the Mara Triangle, a chance to experience a day in the life with local Masai. The Mara Triangle is the launch site for hot air balloon rides. Get a chance to witness the great migration, as thousands of wildebeest thunder across the Mara River from Tanzania in July each year.
2-day Masai Mara game reserve tour on a road safari with intensive game viewing drives in search of the Big five.
Transport to the Masai Mara including game viewing drives is in private pop up top safari minivan or 4×4 Land Cruiser jeep.
2-day Masai Mara game reserve tour on a road safari with intensive game viewing drives in search of the Big five.
Nairobi Masai Mara Game reserve safari proceeding by road via the great rift valley escarpment and scenic masai country.
A Kenya safari tour rich in diversity and which offers unlimited game viewing opportunities in private safari minibuses or 4 x 4 cruisers. The Masai Mara Kenya safari tour is themed on scenery, wildlife and masai culture. We start from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The safari drive is via the Nairobi suburbs, past tea and coffee plantations, the Great rift valley escarpment and through masai country.
Join the Nairobi Masai Mara Game reserve group safari. The Masai mara safari tour is rich in diversity.
Transport and game viewing drives are provided in shared safari designed open topped minibuses. A maximum of 6 persons are accommodated in each 8 seater safari minibus. This is to allow for a guaranteed window seat and access to the open roof. The theme of this Kenya safari is wildlife,awesome scenery and masai culture.
Masai Mara 4-day safari tour proceeding by road from Nairobi with a stop to view Great rift valley escarpment and via scenic Masai country.
Fly into Masai Mara from Nairobi on a flight safari tour package exploring the magnificent game reserve. Explore the Mara on rewarding game viewing drives in customized pop up top 4×4 land cruiser jeeps
Here’s your chance to “wing in” to world famous Masai Mara and discover the Big Five.
All game drives feature customized pop top 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeeps on this tour package.
Fly into Masai Mara on a flight for 4 day safari tour package exploring the magnificent game reserve.
Explore the Mara on rewarding game viewing drives in customized pop up top 4×4 land cruiser jeeps.
From Beach to Beach
From the Kenya coast you’ll travel by air to the Masai Mara on this 2-day, 1-night fly-in safari. Stay at a camp or lodge of your choice.
The 3 days, 2 nights direct Mombasa Masai Mara air/flight safari.
Masai Mara game reserve safari by air from the Kenya coast with accommodation at camps and lodges.
Game viewing drives are conducted by the host lodges / camps.
Lodges and camps at the Masai Mara conduct game viewing drives in 4 wheel cruisers on a seat in car basis.
Mombasa Masai Mara Game reserve safari from Kenya Coast beach hotels utilizing flight and road via Nairobi.
This is an alternative to the direct Mombasa- masai mara air safari.
The Kenya safari is rich in diversity and offers more game viewing range because we provide exclusive use of safari vehicles for transport and game viewing drives.
From the Kenya coast you’ll travel by air to the Masai Mara on this 2-day, 1-night fly-in safari. Stay at a camp or lodge of your choice.
Your lodge host will lead game drives through the Masai Mara in 4-wheel Land Cruisers.
From the Kenya coast you’ll travel by air to the Masai Mara on this 3-day, 2-night fly-in safari. Stay at a camp or lodge of your choice.
Your lodge host will lead game drives through the Masai Mara in 4-wheel Land Cruisers.
It’s An Easy Flight From Diani To The Mara
From your beach resort it’s a quick flight over Kenya’s scenic landscape to the premier game park of Africa. Natural World Safariswill transfer you to an area airport for your morning flight. We’ll handle all the arrangements and get you from surf to safari in a quick and easy 2-ho
Mombasa Masai Mara Game reserve safari from Kenya Coast beach hotels utilizing flight and road via Nairobi.
This is an alternative to the direct Mombasa- masai mara air safari.
The Kenya safari is rich in diversity and offers more game viewing range because we provide exclusive use of safari vehicles for transport and game viewing drives.
On the date of your hot air balloon flight, the balloon operating company shall collect you from your safari lodge/ tented camp in one of their custom safari jeep at around 5AM for a drive to the hot air balloon launch.
Experience the history and culture of Masai tribesmen while visiting either Masai Mara National Reserve or Amboseli National Park…
This visit is optional while on your Kenya safari.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
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