Park fees are one of the biggest line items on a Mara safari, and they are set by the authority that runs the reserve rather than by tour operators. The Narok County Government sets the Maasai Mara National Reserve fees, and they follow a two-tier calendar.
The 2026 non-resident rates
- Adults, 1 January to 30 June 2026: US$100 per day
- Adults, 1 July to 31 December 2026: US$200 per day
- Children aged 9 to 17: US$50 per day all year
- Children under 8: free
How the ticket works
Entry tickets are valid for roughly 12 hours, from about 6am to 6pm. If you plan to stay inside the reserve for a full 24 hours, you need two tickets, so the cost of a night inside the reserve is double the daily figure. Camps outside the reserve boundary, in the surrounding conservancies, charge their own conservancy fees instead, and those work differently.
Ways to keep the budget sensible
- Consider travelling from January to June, when the adult fee is half the July to December rate.
- Look at conservancy stays, which often have fewer vehicles and different fee structures.
- Give yourself enough days. A longer stay gives better sightings per shilling than a rushed one.
- Ask what your quote includes. Some packages bundle park fees, while others list them separately.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Confirm current figures with the official source or with us before you book.
