Can I Enter Tanzania from Maasai Mara National Reserve?
Is Maasai Mara National Reserve Worth Visiting?
Visiting Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya was one of the highlights of my December 2022 trip to the African continent. I spent three days on safari seeking out Maasai Mara’s “Big Five.” The Big Five consists of elephants, lions, leopards, African buffalo, and rhinos. Maasai Mara National Reserve is worth visiting, and I couldn’t help but be amazed at how easy it was to find and photograph these amazing animals. As my safari headed deeper and deeper into the reserve, I asked my guide, “Can I enter Tanzania from Maasai Mara National Reserve?”
This page will cover how I was able to add a bonus country to my list by stepping into Tanzania during my visit to Maasai Mara National Reserve. To learn more about the animals that I encountered during my time at Maasai Mara National Reserve, click HERE. To learn more about my Maasai Mara safari with Bencia Africa Adventure Safari, click HERE.
My current goal is to reach 100 countries in my lifetime. While I will likely visit Tanzania sometime in the future, it was fun to be able to enter Tanzania from Maasai Mara National Reserve and add it to my list, making it the 41st country that I have visited.
Can I Enter Tanzania from Maasai Mara National Reserve - Table of Contents
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How to Enter Tanzania from Maasai Mara National Reserve
During my full-day Maasai Mara National Reserve Safari, I tracked our progress on my iPhone’s mapping app. I noticed that we were getting close to the Kenya/Tanzania border and asked my guide if it was possible to enter Tanzania from Maasai Mara National Reserve.
My guide responded by saying that it was possible to walk into Tanzania from Maasai Mara, but we wouldn’t be able to take the van across the border. He explained that the border was near the banks of the Mara River, where we would be stopping for lunch, and asked our tour group if we’d like to visit the border. Everyone agreed, and we drove about ten minutes off the beaten path to be able to officially say that we have stepped into Tanzania.
As you can see in the photo below, there is no checkpoint at the Kenya/Tanzania border at Maasai Mara National Reserve. There is simply a small sign that says ‘INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY, NO ENTRY INTO TANZANIA.” I was assured by our guide that I was not committing any international crimes by taking a few steps into Tanzania. He said as long as we kept the van in Kenya, we wouldn’t be violating any laws by stepping across the border.
The photo below is my official proof that I have been to Tanzania. You can clearly see that I have both feet behind the sign marking the international border between Kenya and Tanzania. While it was more of a novelty visit, I was happy to be able to cross into Tanzania for a few minutes from Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In addition to the previously mentioned sign, there is a concrete structure marking Kenya/Tanzania border inside Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Kenyan side is marked with the letters “KE,” and the Tanzanian side is marked with the letters “TZ.”
In the photo below, I am standing in Tanzania. In the background, you can see the safari vehicles are still parked in Kenya.
There is no difference between the land of Kenya and Tanzania inside Maasai Mara National Reserve. My guide explained that in order to notice a difference in landscapes, we would have to cross the Mara River. Once across the river, we would be inside Serengeti National Park, which would look much different.
Maasai Mara National Reserve Tours and Packages
A tour is the best way to see the animals of Maasai Mara National Reserve. Without taking a tour, you are much less likely to have a successful safari. The tour guides are constantly in touch with each other on CB radios and know the best locations for wildlife viewing.
Below are various tours and packages that should fit all budgets. My tour was a three-day tour that featured a short safari on the first day and a twelve-hour, full-day safari on the second day.
Please note that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a commission if you purchase a package using one of my links. This commission is at no additional cost to you.