The Maasai Mara is Kenya's most celebrated reserve and the northern extension of the same ecosystem as the Serengeti, named for the Maasai people who have grazed cattle across these plains for generations.
It is world-famous for the dramatic Mara River crossings that occur as the Great Migration herds move north from Tanzania each July through October, with wildebeest and zebra braving crocodile-filled waters in scenes that have become iconic in wildlife documentaries.
Even outside migration season, the Mara holds an exceptionally high density of lion, leopard and cheetah, making it one of the most reliable Big Cat destinations in Africa.
July to October for the river crossings; the reserve offers excellent general game viewing year-round.