What a Maasai Mara safari costs
There is no single price per day. A safari is a sum of parts: a bed, a park or conservancy fee, the way you get there, and activities such as a balloon flight. Each part is charged in its own unit. Some are per person per day, some per person per night, some per trip and some per vehicle per day.
The figures below are published 2026 prices from single operators. They show what one product costs, not an average or a cheapest option. Park fees are almost always on top of the lodge price, so read what a quote covers before you compare totals.
Price components compared
Published 2026 examples. Always check the unit in the last column.
| Item | Price (2026) | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Park fee, non-resident adult | $100 from January to June, $200 from July to December | Per person per day |
| Park fee, non-resident child aged 9 to 17 | $50 | Per person per day |
| Park fee, children up to 8 | Free | – |
| Luxury tent at Governors' Camp | $453 in April and May, $623 between seasons, $998 from July to October and 21 to 31 December | Per person per night, two sharing |
| Community fee at Governors' Camp | $50 | Per person per night |
| Conservancy fee at Ol Seki (Naboisho) | $130 adult, $65 child, plus $5 reserve fund | Per person per night |
| Exclusive game drive vehicle at Governors' Camp | $385 or $512 depending on season | Per vehicle per day, up to 6 guests |
| Flight Nairobi to the Mara | $250 one way, $420 to $434 return; child aged 2 to 15 $176 one way | Per person |
| Balloon flight | $499; private balloon $4,990 | Per person; private balloon up to 8 people |
| Maasai village visit | $35 to $70 depending on the camp | Per person |
| Night game drive at Mara Serena | $85 | Per person per drive |
The Governors' Camp lodge price includes full board, selected drinks, laundry, transfers from Musiara and game drives. Park fees are listed separately. The Ol Seki fee applies to conservancy stays, and park entry is extra on days you drive into the reserve.
Our picks: Maasai Mara tours by what is included
A budget group trip, a longer group safari and a private safari with park entry included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day private safari in a Landcruiser
A private 4x4 Landcruiser with a certified guide, two lodge nights with full board, Nairobi transfers and park entry. The balloon flight, a village visit and tips are extra.
Check availability →
3-day Landcruiser safari with pop-up roof
A 4WD Landcruiser with pop-up roof, a driver-guide, full board and two nights in a private tent with bathroom. Park fees for both days, drinks at camp and the balloon flight are extra.
Check availability →
2-day group safari by 4x4 jeep
A shared 4WD jeep with full board, one night in a budget camp with bathroom and an English-speaking guide. Park fees, lodge drinks and the balloon flight are extra.
Check availability →Mara safaris and day trips
Game drives, balloon flights and trips from Nairobi, with live prices and availability.
What changes the bill
Five things move a Mara budget more than anything else.
The season of the lodge
The same tent costs more than twice as much in peak months as in April and May. Lodge seasons and the park fee season are not the same calendar. The higher park fee starts on 1 July and runs to the end of the year, including November and December.
Best time to visit →Where you sleep
Inside the reserve you pay a park fee for every day you are in. In a conservancy you pay a nightly conservancy fee instead, and the reserve fee is added on days you visit the national reserve. Compare the fee that applies to your nights, not just the room rate.
Conservancies →Road or air
A flight costs more than a road transfer but saves a long drive. Flights also carry a 15 kg bag limit, so factor in luggage before you choose.
Flights to the Mara →Shared or exclusive vehicle
Shared drives are part of many lodge products. An exclusive vehicle is a daily extra, charged per vehicle, so it is cheaper per person with a full group of 6.
Extras
A balloon flight, a village visit and a night drive are each priced separately. Treat them as add-ons, not as part of the room rate.
Balloon safari →Costs before you arrive
Two items sit outside the safari itself.
Entry authorization
The Kenya eTA starts at $30, with an expedited option for an extra $100. It is a separate requirement from the entry insurance.
Entry health insurance
Kenya has required inbound travel health insurance for most visitors since 5 October 2026. The Kenyan portal lists a premium of up to $44 per person.
Practical tips →If you extend your trip to the beach afterwards, the coast has its own guide with a safari and beach combination at Kenya's coast.
Keep exploring
Fees and routes in more detail.
Maasai Mara cost: frequently asked questions
How much does a Maasai Mara safari cost per day?
There is no single figure. The units differ: park fees are per person per day, lodge rates per person per night and vehicles per day. Add the parts that apply to your trip, using the table above as a guide to 2026 examples.
Is the park fee included in the lodge price?
At the examples listed here, park fees are charged separately. Ask every operator whether the quote includes them and for how many days.
Do children pay the full park fee?
Children aged 9 to 17 pay $50 per day and children up to 8 are free under the county schedule. Some lodge rate sheets use different age limits, so confirm the rule with your operator.
Is a balloon flight included in a safari?
No. A balloon flight is a separate product at $499 per person in 2026, and the landing fee may or may not be part of that price. Check this with the balloon operator.
Is it cheaper to travel in April and May?
Lodge rates are lower then. Park fees are lower from January to June as well, at $100 for a non-resident adult. The Great Migration is not usually in the Mara in those months.