Masai Mara Park Fees 2026 & 2027: Complete Guide to Entry Fees, Seasonal Rates & Safari Costs
Planning a safari to Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara begins with understanding one important cost—the park entry fee. Whether you are travelling for the Great Wildebeest Migration, a luxury honeymoon, family safari, photography expedition, or an East Africa wildlife adventure, knowing the latest Masai Mara park fees helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected expenses.
At Rowin Africa Safaris, we believe safari planning should be transparent. This guide explains the official Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees, what those fees cover, who pays different rates, and how to get the best value from your safari. Apart from Masai Mara park entry fees, other Masai Mara fees include vehicle fees, ranger fees, landing fees, camping fees and others as seen in this complete guide.
What Are Masai Mara Park Fees?
Masai Mara Park Fees are conservation charges collected to access the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
These fees help finance:
- Wildlife conservation
- Anti-poaching operations
- Road maintenance
- Ranger services
- Community conservation initiatives
- Sustainable tourism development
By paying these fees, every visitor contributes directly to protecting one of Africa’s richest wildlife ecosystems.
Official Masai Mara Park Fees (2026 & 2027)
The Masai Mara applies different rates depending on visitor residency status and season. High season generally runs from July to December, coinciding with the Great Migration, while lower rates apply from January to June
International Visitors (Non-Residents)
Adults pay USD 100 per person per day from January to June, and USD 200 from July to December. Children pay USD 50 per person per day all throughout the year.
Children 8 years and below enter free
Why Do Park Fees Increase During Migration Season?
Between July and October, millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles cross into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti National Park during the world-famous Great Migration.
Demand for safaris reaches its peak, resulting in higher conservation fees that help manage visitor numbers and protect the fragile ecosystem.
What Does the Masai Mara Entry Fee Include?
Your conservation fee generally includes:
- Entry into the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Unlimited game viewing during the ticket validity period (6am – 6pm)
- Access to wildlife viewing areas
- Conservation contribution
- Ranger protection
- Road infrastructure maintenance
The fee does not include:
- Accommodation
- Safari vehicle
- Professional safari guide
- Meals
- Hot air balloon safari
- Maasai village visits
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
How Long Is the Entry Ticket Valid?
Visitors staying outside the reserve typically receive a day-use ticket valid during park operating hours, while different rules may apply to guests staying inside the reserve depending on their accommodation arrangements.
Best Time to Visit Based on Park Fees
January – June
Ideal for travelers seeking:
- Lower park fees
- Fewer safari vehicles
- Excellent predator sightings
- Beautiful green landscapes
- Birdwatching opportunities
July – October
Perfect for:
- Great Wildebeest Migration
- Mara River crossings
- Big Five safaris
- Luxury photography safaris
- First-time Kenya safari visitors
Although park fees are higher during this period, the wildlife spectacle is considered one of the greatest natural events on Earth.
Are Masai Mara Park Fees Worth It?
Absolutely. Few safari destinations worldwide offer such exceptional wildlife density. On a single game drive, visitors often encounter:
- Lions
- Leopards
- Cheetahs
- African elephants
- Buffalo
- Black rhinos
- Hippos
- Crocodiles
- Giraffes
- Hundreds of bird species
Combined with breathtaking landscapes and expert guiding, the conservation fee represents excellent value for an unforgettable African safari.
Important to Note:
- Masai Mara entrance fees are valid for only 12 hours. Travelers residing inside the park pay daily Masai Mara entry fees that allows them stay from 6am to 6pm.
- All travelers departing Masai Mara by road ought to beat the 10am time limit. Exits beyond this attract additional Masai Mara entrance fees.
- Travelers coming from facilities outside the park have a 2 hour transit ticket from the gate. This ticket allows them to reach the airstrips within the reserve.
- Non-residents are persons that reside outside of Kenya and East Africa
- East African Residents are persons that reside in Kenya, and
- Residents are persons that are residents of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
- Kenyan Citizens refers to persons that are nationals of Kenya
- Adults are persons 18 years and above.
- Children are persons that are 8 years up to 17 years.
- Children 7 years and below are exempt from Masai Mara park fees.
- Be sure to carry a Passport or valid ID for residency identification, and age ascertaining.
Mode of Payment of Masai Mara Fees
The Mara Triangle – Mara Conservancy only accepts cashless payments, using Visa, MasterCard or Mpesa which is a mobile money mode widely used in Kenya. Prepayment is possible at the KAPS Company in KATO office, along Longonot Road Upper Hill Nairobi. Trade is in US Dollars and Kenya Shillings only.
Masai Mara National Reserve Fees [Narok County, Sekenani, Talek, Musiara and Oloolaimutai Gates]
| CATEGORY | NON-RESIDENTS
|
EAST AFRICAN RESIDENTS | KENYAN CITIZENS |
| Adult | US$100 Jan-June
US$200 July-Dec |
Ksh2,500 Jan-Jun
Ksh5,000 July-Dec |
Ksh1,500 Jan-Jun
Ksh3,000 July-Dec |
| Child | US$50 Jan-Dec | Ksh1,000 Jan-Jun
Ksh2,000 July-Dec |
Ksh300 Jan-Jun
Ksh500 July-Dec |
| Student | US$50 Jan-Dec | Ksh300 | Ksh300 Jan-Jun
Ksh500 July-Dec |
The Sekenani gate of Masai Mara is the most used to access Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya. Some of the well known lodges and camps inside Masai Mara best accessed via Sekenani Gate include Sarova Mara Camp, Keekorok Lodge, Ol Moran Camp, Mara Leisure Camp, Mara Explorer Camp, Governors Camp, Fig Tree Camp, Mara Intrepids Camp, Sand River Masai Mara Camp and Mara Simba Lodge.
Masai Mara Camping Fees 2026 & 2027
|
Category |
Non-Residents | East African Residents | East African Citizens | |||
| Public Campsite | Private Campsite | Public Campsite | Private Campsite | Public Campsite | Private Campsite | |
| Adult | US$30 | US$40 | KES 1,000 | KES 1,500 | KES 1,000 | KES 1,000 |
| Child | US$20 | US$20 | KES 200 | KES 500 | KES 200 | KES 200 |
| Student | US$20 | US$20 | KES 200 | KES 500 | KES 200 | KES 200 |
Kindly note that Private Campsite Booking fee in Masai Mara is KES 10,000.
Masai Mara Park Vehicle Entry Fees 2027
All vehicles entering Masai Mara National Reserve pay a fee. This fee is charged per carrying capacity of the vehicle as below.
|
SAFARI VEHICLES |
|
| Less Than 6 Seats | Ksh400 |
| 6-12 Seats | Ksh1,000 |
| 13-24 Seats | Ksh3,000 |
| 24-44 Seats | Ksh4,000 |
| 45 Seats and Above | Ksh5,000 |
|
TRUCKS |
|
| 1-3 Tons | Ksh700 |
| 4-7 Tons | Ksh2,500 |
| 8 Tons and Above | Ksh3,500 |
Masai Mara Ranger Fees 2027
| ACTIVITY | RANGER FEES |
| Game Drive (Less than 6 hours) | Ksh3,000 |
| Game Drive (More than 6 hours) | Ksh1,500 |
| Full Night Camp Security | Ksh4,000 |
Note:
It is mandatory for campers at private campsites in Masai Mara to hire two (2) rangers for night-time security. These rangers are catered for in terms of to/from transportation your campsite, accommodation and meals.
Other Masai Mara Fees 2027
| Category | Adult | Child |
| Hot Air Balloon Landing Fee charged per person per landing. This fee is usually included in the hot air balloon flight prices | US$50 | US$20 |
| Horse Riding Fees, charged per horse per day | Ksh1,500 | |
| Annual Research Permits for Non-Residents | IS$400 | |
Mara Conservancy (Mara Triangle) Entry Via Purungat Bridge Gate, Oloololo Gate or Serena Airstrip.
| Category | Non-Residents | East African Residents | Kenyan Citizen |
| Adult | US$100 Jan-June
US$200 July-Dec |
Ksh2,500 Jan-June
Ksh5,000 July-Dec |
Ksh1,500 Jan-June
Ksh3,000 July-Dec |
| Child | US$50 | Ksh1,000 Jan-Jun
Ksh2,000 July-Dec |
Ksh300 Till June
Ksh500 July-Dec |
| Student | US$50 | Ksh300 | Ksh300 Jan-June
Ksh500 from July |
Accommodation in the Mara Conservancy that these gates and airstrip serve include Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Little Governors Camp. These are quite sought after by travelers and booking them well in advance is advised.
Mara Conservancy camping, vehicle and ranger fees are the same as shared above.
Aircraft Single Landing Fees 2027
| Aircraft Capacity | Landing Fees |
| Up to 3 Seats | Ksh300 |
| 3-6 Seats | Ksh500 |
| 7-14 Seats | Ksh1,000 |
| 15-20 Seats | Ksh2,000 |
| 21 Seats and Above | Ksh3,000 |
Note:
Landing fees can be paid at the KAPS Office in Nairobi payable to the Mara Conservancy.
Other Conservancies & Game Ranches bordering Masai Mara National Reserve have own fees. These include the Mara North Conservancy, Mara Naboisho, Olare Motorogi, Ol Kinyei and Enonkishu Conservancies. Entrance fees for these are as below:
| Category | Non-Resident | East African Resident | Kenyan Citizen |
| Adult | US$80-120 | Ksh1,000 – 2,000 | Ksh1,000 – 2,000 |
| Child | US$45-75 | Ksh500 – 1,500 | Ksh300 – 1,000 |
Mara Triangle Park Rules
While you explore every tiny part of the Mara Triangle and the Masai Mara National Reserve and its conservancies, a number of rules are in place that ought to be followed. Rules are in place for the sole purpose of ensuring that visitors enjoy an amazing safari experience without endangering themselves, the wildlife of the Mara Triangle, or their habitat. Please be sure to respect the rules and the rangers that are solely protecting visitors, the wildlife and the environment.
Mara Triangle Park Rules
- Maintain the speed limits of 50km/hr on graded roads and 30lm/hr on all others.
- Always slow down for animals
- Do not off-road drive in High Use and River Zones
- Keep to graded roads and cut tracks in the above zones
- Off-roading in Low Use Zone is only allowed to view big cats
- Always stay more than 25 meters away from animals
- No shouting, clapping or cheering
- Do not sit nor stand on vehicle’s roof at any time
- No more than 5 vehicles at wildlife sightings at a go.
- No alighting from vehicles at river crossing points. Crocodiles!
- Do not cross the Tanzanian border
- No littering
- Leave the park or be at your camp/lodge by 7pm
Note:
- If there are more than five vehicles waiting to see an animal, viewing time is restricted to 10 minutes. Vehicles waiting to see the sighting must wait at a distance of 100 meters
- During the great wildebeest migration, never block a river crossing by parking too close to the crossing point. Also make sure you do not drive through animal herds. Rather park and allow them to disperse.
- Respect and adhere to ranger guidelines at all times. They are there to protect you, the wildlife and the environment they thrive in. Rangers have a legal right to:
- Impose an on-the-spot fine of Ksh10,000
- Have a vehicle an or its occupants removed from the park immediately
- Have a vehicle an or its occupants banned from the park
- Play a part in the protection of the Masai Mara and its wildlife. If you see park rules being broken, please take photographs and videos of the incident preferably with the vehicle’s number plate visible and send to mara@maratriangle.org.
The below are the different penalties to the different violations.
| Violation Category | Penalty |
| Default on Payment or Park entry fees | A)  Motor Vehicle – Ksh2,000 per entry
B)  Driver – Ksh2,000 C)  Repeat Default – Ksh4,000 |
| Possession of Invalid Ticket | Ksh3,000 Per Person |
| Off-road Driving | Ksh10,000 |
| Animal Harassment | Ksh10,000 |
| Littering Inside The Park | Ksh500 |
| Illegal Grazing | A)  Cattle – Ksh2,000 Each
B)  Sheep/Goats – Ksh50 Each |
Note:
- Fines must be paid at the rangers office before departing from the Mara Triangle. Ensure you get a receipt of payment. Failure to pay fines results in the banishment from the Mara Triangle for a period of six months depending on the gravity of the offense.
These Mara Triangle Rules and penalties also apply to the Masai Mara National Reserve on the side of Narok County.
At Rowin Africa Safaris, we monitor official fee revisions so your quotation reflects the latest conservation charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Masai Mara park fees charged daily?
Yes. Entry fees are charged per person for each applicable day or ticket validity period according to the reserve’s rules.
Do children pay park fees?
Children aged 8 years and below enter free, while those aged 9–17 years pay the child rate.
Are park fees included in safari packages?
Some safari packages include park fees, while others list them separately. Rowin Africa Safaris packages include park fees.
Can park fees change?
Yes. Conservation fees may be revised by the managing authorities. Therefore, travelers should confirm current rates before departure.
Is the Great Migration worth paying higher park fees?
For many visitors, yes. Witnessing thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River alongside predators is one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.
Why Book Your Masai Mara Safari with Rowin Africa Safaris?
A safari is about much more than paying an entrance fee. It’s about creating memories that last a lifetime.
At Rowin Africa Safaris, we design tailor-made Kenya safari holidays that combine exceptional wildlife viewing, carefully chosen accommodations, knowledgeable guides, and outstanding service from your first inquiry until your journey ends.
Whether you dream of watching the Great Migration, photographing the Big Five, enjoying a luxury honeymoon safari, or exploring Kenya with your family, our team ensures every detail is expertly planned. Let Rowin Africa Safaris turn your Masai Mara adventure into an unforgettable African safari experience.
