Mara Triangle

The basics

The Mara Triangle is home to just one safari camp and one lodge, plus several public and private campsites. While it’s possible to self-drive the Maasai Mara, you’ll see much more wildlife with an experienced safari driver/guide who knows the routes, understands animals’ patterns, and can spot wildlife and identify spoor. Plus, you get better views from an open-sided safari 4WD than a rental vehicle. Note that some budget safaris use minibusses with pop-up roofs instead. Particularly during the Great Migration, a sunrise hot-air balloon trip makes a magical way to see the Mara Triangle from the air.

Things to know before you go

• The Mara Triangle is a great choice for animal lovers, photographers, and nature fans—particularly if you have more time to spare in Kenya.

• When observing wildlife, park rules require you to keep a distance of at least 80 feet (25 meters) and avoid making excessive noise.

• To capture decent wildlife shots, you’ll need a proper camera with a zoom lens. Binoculars are also essential for spotting animals in the distance; check whether your safari includes them.

• Safaris involve a lot of time in vehicles, which is no fun for babies and toddlers. Leave the big trip until the kids have finished kindergarten.

• Some companies can arrange accessible Maasai Mara safaris.

How to get there

The Mara Triangle spans the northwest section of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is entered by the Purungat Bridge Gate or Oloololo Gate and is bordered by Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park in the south, the Mara River in the east, and the Oloololo Escarpment in the west. The Oloololo Gate is about a 160-mile (255-kilometer) drive from Kenya’s capital Nairobi, where most safaris start. Small planes also serve the Mara Serena airstrip.

When to get there

During the Great Migration, more than a million wildebeest, zebra, and other grazing animals migrate from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara. The surge usually peaks between mid-July and September, with Mara River crossings most common in July and August. But the Mara Triangle is magical at most times of the year. Avoid visiting during the long rains in April and May, when flooding can make travel difficult.

Mara Triangle camps and campsites

Glamping is a signature way to experience the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and the Mara Triangle is home to Little Governors’ Camp, with just 17 luxurious en-suite fixed tents set between the forest and a watering hole. But the Mara Triangle is also an excellent choice for a more affordable camping safari, where you stay in regular tents on organized campsites: Needless to say, rangers provide security at night. Note that many private campsites only open at certain times of the year, and you’ll need to pay the cost of ranger security.