Our Masai Mara FAQ covers everything you need to know before your stay at Mara West, from getting here and park fees to weather, packing, dining, and more.
Most international visitors to Kenya are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before travel. Requirements vary by nationality and can change, so we recommend checking the official Kenya eTA website for current requirements before your trip.
You can apply through the official government portal:
Most guests choose to fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Maasai Mara, with daily flights available to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip. From there, a Mara West vehicle will meet you for the short drive to camp.
For guests who prefer to travel by road, private transportation from Nairobi to Mara West can also be arranged. Our team is happy to help coordinate the best option for your itinerary.
The Maasai Mara enjoys mild temperatures year-round, with warm days and cooler mornings and evenings. Because Mara West sits high on the Oloololo Escarpment, mornings and evenings at camp can be quite cool, so we recommend bringing layers and a warm jacket or fleece.
The main rainy seasons typically occur from March through May, with a shorter rainy season around November and December. Rainfall can vary from year to year, and even during the rainy seasons it is common to have periods of sunshine between showers.
The Mara is beautiful in every season, and each time of year offers a different safari experience.
We recommend packing comfortable, casual clothing that can be layered throughout the day. Mornings and evenings can be cool, particularly on early game drives, while afternoons are often warm. A warm jacket or fleece, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and a hat are all useful to have.
Neutral-colored clothing works well for safari, and a light rain jacket is helpful during the wetter months. Binoculars and a camera are also worth bringing.
The Mara Triangle is the western section of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, bordered by the Mara River and the Oloololo Escarpment. It is known for exceptional wildlife viewing, beautiful landscapes, and fewer camps and significantly less vehicle traffic than other areas of the reserve, creating a quieter safari experience.
Mara West sits high on the Oloololo Escarpment overlooking the Triangle, with direct access just minutes from camp. Guests can explore throughout the Mara Triangle or cross into the main reserve during their game drives, so you are not limited to one area of the Maasai Mara.
Mara West Camp sits just outside the Mara Triangle, with direct access to the reserve only minutes from camp. Our private access road leads to a nearby entrance gate, allowing guests to be inside the Mara Triangle in approximately five minutes.
Because the camp is located outside the reserve, you can enjoy sweeping views over the Mara and wildlife around camp without paying park fees on days you aren’t entering the reserve.
Game drives take place in the Mara Triangle in open 4×4 safari vehicles and can be customized around how you want to experience the Mara. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and you can spend as much or as little of that time on safari as you’d like. Head out for the full day, explore for just a few hours, or enjoy a morning drive before returning to camp for lunch and heading back out again in the afternoon.
Meals can also be arranged around your safari plans, with options for breakfast or lunch in the park when you’d rather stay out longer. Because Mara West is only minutes from the Mara Triangle, each day can be planned around the wildlife, the weather, and how you want to experience the Mara.
Maasai Mara park fees are not included in your accommodation rate and are only required on the days you enter the reserve. Because Mara West is located outside the park, you do not pay park fees simply for staying at camp.
Park fees are valid for 12 hours, so your safari schedule can be planned to make the most of each entry. Current park fees can be found on our Rates page.
Staying outside the reserve also gives you the flexibility to spend some days enjoying camp, visiting the local community, or taking part in other activities without paying a park fee.
The Great Migration can begin reaching the Maasai Mara as early as late June, with the main migration season typically running from July through October. The exact timing varies each year depending on rainfall and grazing conditions, and river crossings can never be predicted with certainty.
Mara West overlooks the Mara Triangle, one of the best areas for experiencing the migration and its dramatic river crossings. While migration season is spectacular, the Maasai Mara offers exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year.
The Maasai Mara offers exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year. The Mara Triangle is home to the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, hyenas, wildebeest, and many other species.
Wildlife is also a regular part of life at Mara West. Zebra, giraffe, impala, mongoose, baboons, and other animals frequently move through the camp, so the safari experience often begins right outside your accommodation.
Absolutely. Safaris can be a wonderful experience for children, and game drives can be tailored to suit your family. Shorter drives, breaks back at camp, and flexible departure times make it easier to plan the day around younger travelers.
Because Mara West is only minutes from the Mara Triangle, families can enjoy time on safari without committing to a full day in the park. Our team can help plan game drives and activities that work well for your family.
All tap water at Mara West is treated through an extensive filtration system and is safe for showering, brushing your teeth, and cooking. For drinking, purified water is provided in glass bottles, which are collected and returned to our water supplier for reuse.
Yes. We are happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions and food allergies with advance notice. Please let us know about any dietary needs before your arrival so our kitchen team can prepare accordingly.
Mara West is cashless at checkout. Any remaining balance or additional charges incurred during your stay can be paid by credit card or M-Pesa.
Tips are always appreciated but never required. If you would like to tip the Mara West team, tip boxes are located in both dining areas. Tips placed in these boxes are divided evenly among our employees, ensuring that the many behind-the-scenes team members who help make your stay possible are included.
Safari guides and massage therapists do not participate in the shared tips and should be tipped separately. Cash is preferred for all tips.
Yes. Wi-Fi is available in our common areas, including both dining areas, the office, and the pool. Wi-Fi is intentionally not available in the accommodations, creating a little more space to unplug, connect with those around you, and enjoy the surrounding wildlife and nature.
Electricity is available in all accommodations 24 hours a day. In the event of a local power outage, Mara West has a generator to provide backup power.
Kenya uses 240V electricity and Type G plugs. Some of our accommodations also have universal outlets, but we recommend bringing a Type G adapter. Most phones, laptops, cameras, and other electronics are compatible with 240V, but always check your device before plugging it in.
Appliances with heating elements, such as curling irons and straighteners, should be dual voltage (110–240V) to be used safely. Hair dryers are provided in all accommodations, so there is no need to bring one.
Yes. Laundry service is available during your stay and is complimentary for guests on our all-inclusive game drive packages. All laundry is hand washed and line dried, so please allow one to two days for items to be returned, particularly during cloudy or rainy weather.
Laundry service is also available for an additional charge for guests on other packages.
The Maasai community surrounding Mara West is warm and welcoming, and guests are encouraged to ask questions and learn about local traditions and daily life. As with any culture, showing respect and following the lead of your host or guide goes a long way.
When visiting homes, schools, or community projects, your Maasai host or Mara West guide will help you navigate any local customs. We encourage guests to approach these experiences with curiosity, respect, and an openness to learning.
We encourage guests to capture memories of their time in the community, but please ask permission before taking close-up or individual photographs of people. Your guide can help you determine when photography is appropriate and, when needed, ask permission on your behalf.
Photography during community visits should always be approached with the same respect and consideration you would expect at home.
The best way to support the local community is through programs and projects that respond to needs identified within the community. Through the Mara West Foundation, guests can learn about and support local initiatives in education, healthcare, and other areas of community development.
We ask guests not to hand out money, candy, or other items directly to children or individuals. If you have items you would like to donate, our team can help ensure they are distributed where they are most needed.