About the Port
Stretching across southwestern Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve is an expanse of open grassland bordering Tanzania's Serengeti, with which it shares seasonal wildebeest migrations. The reserve is renowned for concentrations of the so-called Big Five: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and black rhino, along with cheetah, giraffe, and abundant birdlife across its plains. Morning and afternoon game drives remain the classic way to explore the terrain, often led by guides drawn from the local Maasai community.
Beyond wildlife viewing, the reserve borders traditional Maasai villages, where visitors can learn about a pastoral way of life that has endured for generations. Evenings often bring dining beneath open, star-filled skies, a fitting close to days spent tracking animals across the bush. As an inland reserve, the Masai Mara typically serves as an extension excursion from a gateway city rather than a direct port call, rewarding those who make the journey with one of East Africa's defining wilderness experiences.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Take a Hot-Air Balloon Safari
Drift over the plains at sunrise for sweeping views of grazing herds and predators below; this optional add-on typically departs before dawn and should be booked in advance.
Visit a Maasai Village
Step into a homestead bordering the reserve to see traditional dwellings, dance, and beadwork firsthand, and learn how this pastoral community has thrived for generations.
Track the Big Five on Game Drives
Head out in an open vehicle with a local guide during the cooler morning or late-afternoon hours, when lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino are most active.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Masai Mara Game Reserve
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 9, 2026 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 20 | $13,096 | |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 20 | $13,096 | |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 15 | $11,843 | |
| Dec 27, 2026 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 14 | $11,727 | |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 15 | $10,834 | |
| Jan 16, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 15 | $11,999 | |
| Jan 17, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 14 | $11,877 | |
| Jan 24, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 14 | $11,154 | |
| Jan 31, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 14 | $10,967 | |
| Feb 6, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 15 | $13,475 | |
| Feb 14, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Kaia | 14 | $12,630 | |
| Dec 13, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 15 | $12,744 | |
| Jan 6, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 19 | $17,138 | |
| Jan 10, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 20 | $17,135 | |
| Feb 23, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 14 | $12,694 | |
| Mar 26, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 14 | $13,350 | |
| Nov 29, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 17 | $15,544 | |
| Dec 8, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 15 | $14,355 | |
| Dec 15, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 20 | $19,323 | |
| Jan 8, 2029 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Raiya | 15 | $14,055 |
Showing the next 20 of 26 upcoming departures. Browse them all in cruise search → or call 800-528-9300 for today's best pricing.