After more than 2 years without travel, thank you covid ;), international borders have started to open up and that can only mean one thing, it’s time to take that long overdue safari.
But where should you go for your first African Safari?
The options are limitless, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, they are all great Safari destinations with pros and cons for each.
You’ve definitely heard of Lion King and the famous Phrase, Hakuna Matata, but did you know that the iconic rock cliff scene that is synonymous with the movie was inspired by rock formations in Chyulu hills not far from Amboseli national reserve?
Well, now you know.
In this post, we will compare two of the best game reserves in Kenya, Masai Mara vs Amboseli.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara, or simply the Mara, is a world renowned game reserve in Narok, Kenya. It is popular among Safari enthusiasts for its population of the big five, Elephants, Lions, Buffalos, Rhinos and Leopards.
It is also famous for the annual spectacle that is wildebeest migration from Serengeti in the south to the mara in the north. The great wildebeest migration helped secure the Mara’s place in the natural wonders of the world list.
Where is the Masai Mara located?
The masai mara is located in the south east of Kenya in Narok county. It is approximately 160 miles from Nairobi, the Capital city of Kenya.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is a game reserve in Kajiado County, Kenya. The park is popular for being the best park in Africa where you can get up close to roaming African elephants.
Where is Amboseli national park located?
Amboseli national park is located in Kajiado county, approximately 135 miles from the Capital city of Nairobi.
Masai Mara vs. Amboseli: Ultimate Comparison
Let’s now take a closer look at the two parks comparing the distance from the capital, weather, park fees, and what animals you can expect to see.
Here’s a comparison table of the two parks;
Masai Mara Game Reserve | Amboseli National Park | |
Distance from Nairobi | Approx. 160 miles | Approx. 135 miles |
Getting there by Road | 4.5 hours by road via Maai mahiu escarpment route | 4 hours by road via Namanga road |
By Air | Approx. 1 hour from Wilson | Approx. 40 min from Wilson |
Fees | $70 – 80 | $35 – 60 |
Top attraction | Wildebeest migration | African bush elephant |
Weather | Mostly Sunny, rainfall from Jan to May | Mostly dry, rainfall from March to May |
Best time to visit | June – October | June to October |
Accomodation | Tented Camps and Safari lodges | Tented Camps and Safari lodges |
Distance from Nairobi
Masai mara is located approximately 160 miles from Nairobi. There are two options to get there; by road via the Maai Mahiu route or by air from Wilson airport.
Traveling to Mara by road allows tourists to experience different cultures along the route and, in most cases, will make a stop over at the great rift valley viewpoint for scenic views of the great rift valley.
On the other hand, Amboseli is approximately 135 miles from Nairobi and you can also get there by road or by air.
Traveling by road takes about 4 hours via the Nairobi Namanga highway while by air it’s about 40 min from Wilson Airport.
Park Fees
The Masai Mara park fees depend on whether your lodge or camp is inside or outside the park. The entrance fees are valid for 24 hours unless you have a special arrangement with the lodge you’re staying in or it is covered by the tour company you booked your safari with.
Here’s a breakdown of the masai mara park fees;
Masai Mara Park Fees
Inside the Park (US$) | Outside the Park | |
Adult | $70 | $80 |
Child (3-11) | $40 | $45 |
Student | $40 |
Vehicle fees
Vehicle Capacity | Cost in Ksh |
6 seater of less | Ksh 400 |
6-12 seater | Ksh 1000 |
12-24 seater | Ksh 3000 |
24-44 seater | Ksh 4000 |
45 seater + | Ksh 5000 |
Safari Truck Fees
Weight | Cost in Ksh |
1-3 tons | Ksh 700 |
4-7 tons | Ksh 2500 |
8 tons + | Ksh 3500 |
Other fees you can expect to pay;
- Camping fees
- Hot air balloon fees
- Game ranger fees for security at camp sites
Payment methods;
- Cash in both USD and Ksh
- By credit or debit card
Amboseli National Park fees
Amboseli park fees are slightly cheaper compared to the Mara. The fees give you access to the park for 24 hours unless you’re staying at a lodge or campsite within the park.
The table below breaks down the various fees;
Adult (US$) | Child (3-11) | |
Entrance fee | $60 | $35 |
Camping fee | $50 | $25 |
Camping fee (Public campsite) | $30 | $25 |
Vehicle fees
Vehicle Capacity | Cost in Ksh |
6 seater of less | Ksh 300 |
6-12 seater | Ksh 1030 |
12-24 seater | Ksh 2585 |
24-44 seater | Ksh 4050 |
45 seater + | Ksh 5000 |
Safari Truck Fees
Weight | Cost in Ksh |
1-3 tons | Ksh 515 |
4-7 tons | Ksh 2155 |
8 tons + | Ksh 3015 |
Payment methods;
- Cash in both USD and Ksh
- By credit or debit card
Attractions and wildlife
Both the Mara and Amboseli are home to the big 5. However, each park is unique in its own way.
Below is a list of some of the key attractions for each park;
Masai Mara attractions;
- Wild beast migration
- Mara river
- Mara triangle
- Ol Kinyei Conservancy
- Musiara Swamp
- Hot air balloon safaris
- Bush dinners or breakfasts
- Sundowners by the watering holes
- Bird watching
- Maasai cultural experiences
- Guided game drives
Amboseli attractions;
- Observation hill
- Kilimanjaro balloon safaris
- Bird watching
- Bush dinners and breakfasts
- Lunch picnics
- Balloon safaris
- Cultural tours
Animals you can expect to see
Both parks are home to the common African wild animals, however, the numbers will vary. For instance, Amboseli has a large population of African bush elephants.
It is one of the best places to come up close with large herds of wild elephants.
The Mara on the other hand has some of the largest herds of wildebeests and zebras. Additionally, the park has a large population of predators such as Lions and cheetahs. If you’re lucky, you might get to experience Lions or cheetahs hunting.
Animals in the Mara
- African bush elephants
- Lions
- Cheetahs
- Wildebeests
- Zebras
- Buffalos
- Hippos
- Rhino
Animals in Amboseli
- African bush elephants in large herds
- Cheetahs
- Buffalos
- Lions
- Zebras
- Giraffes
- Hyenas
Mara weather
The weather in the Mara is usually warm during the day but gets colder at night. Temperatures during the day range from the low 20s to upper 20s. The best thing about the Mara is that it rarely gets very hot.
The conservancy experiences two seasons, dry and wet. The dry season is from June to October. It is usually sunny in this period but it can still rain from time to time.
The wet season is from Nov to May. Nov to Dec is the short rains season. The rainfall eases in Jan and Feb before the onset of the long rains from March to May.
Amboseli Weather
Amboseli weather is usually hot and dry with average temperatures of 28°C during the day and 15° at night.
Similar to the Mara, Amboseli also has both dry and wet seasons. The dry season is from June to Sept. Short rains begin to fall in Oct – Dec.
Jan and Feb are usually dry but there are some scattered showers. The long rainy season starts in March – May.
Best time to visit Masai mara
The best time to visit the Masai Mara game reserve is between late June and early October. This is the best time for wildlife viewing and you’ll get a chance to experience the wildebeest migration.
Prices might be a bit higher during this time but the experience is out of this world.
Jan to May is also a good time but the long rains make some of the roads impassable and wildlife sightings are less. You can get good deals during this time as it’s the low season.
Best time to visit Amboseli National Park
The best time to visit Amboseli National park is from June to October. This is during the dry season when most animals, particularly elephants, retreat to swamps to quench their thirst.
A number of camps and lodges are located around these watering holes which gives visitors a perfect chance to experience African wildlife up close.
This period also happens to be the peak season hence its recommended to book your tour in advance if you want to get a good deal.
Safari Cost
The cost of a Masai Mara safari will depend on various things. For instance, duration of the safari, whether you’ll be staying at a campsite or one of the lodges, whether you’re traveling in a group, etc.
The average cost for a 3 day safari ranges from USD350 for a budget camp to more than USD1500 for a luxury tented camp or lodge.
Accomodation
Accomodation in both amboseli and the mara ranges from budget camps to luxury safari lodges. Almost all camps and lodges are built in a sustainable way to make sure that they are environmentally friendly.
How to book your safari to Masai Mara or Amboseli
Now that you know what to expect from each park, it’s time to plan your safari.
The best place to start is to visit your local travel agency and enquire about their packages. Alternatively, you can browse online on some of the big travel websites like travel advisor.
Once you find a package that suits you, take your time to compare the prices from different tour operators. Be sure to pack some warm clothing as early morning game drives are common because it’s the best time to see the wild animals.
Conclusions
Both the Masai Mara and Amboseli are great parks to experience African wildlife. While the Mara is the most famous of the two, Amboseli is not far behind.
If you want to experience the wildebeest migration, then a safari to the Masai Mara is your best chance to experience it. On the other hand if you want to come up close with huge herds of african bush elephants, then Amboseli is the place to be.
The best part is that you can visit the two parks as part of one larger package. Experience the wildebeest migration in the Mara then drive to Amboseli and experience all it has to offer and more.
To conclude, we cannot pick one over the other, they are both great parks and you’ll definitely get value for money regardless of which park you decide to visit.
