Sekenani Gate Masai Mara: Fees, 12-Hour Ticket Rule & What to Know
Sekenani Gate Masai Mara: Overview
Sekenani Gate is the main eastern entry into Masai Mara National Reserve. Entry fees are USD 100 per adult in low season and USD 200 in peak season (July-December), paid via KAPS. Tickets are valid for 12 hours (6am-6pm), not 24 hours. Vehicle fee is KES 1,500.
The gate sits on the eastern boundary, roughly 270km from Nairobi via Narok. The drive takes five to six hours—we checked this on a run in September 2024 and it was closer to six with one fuel stop.
Safari Packages Through Sekenani
Safaris entering via Sekenani stay at lodges on the eastern side or in Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Trip | Cost | Notes |
£901 – £1,943 | Two nights. | |
£1,268 – £2,836 | Three nights. | |
£1,359 – £2,456 | Lake Naivasha stopover. | |
£2,234 – £3,567 | Long drives between parks. | |
£2,060 – £3,245 | Multi-park. | |
£3,282 – £6,821 | Unhurried pace. | |
£2,688 – £4,234 | Safari then Diani. | |
£4,495 – £7,868 | Premium lodges. |
Covered in the price: 4×4 Land Cruiser with driver-guide, full board accommodation, park entry fees, bottled water during game drives, Nairobi airport transfers.
Not covered: International flights, travel insurance, tips for guides and lodge staff, alcoholic drinks, balloon safaris (USD 450-560), conservancy fees if staying outside the main reserve (USD 100-150 per night typically).
Entry Fees and the 12-Hour Rule
According to Narok County’s KAPS system, tickets are now valid for 12 hours within the 6am-6pm window—not the 24-hour validity that applied before 2024. Enter at 2pm, your ticket expires at 6pm that same day.
Current fees for non-residents:
- Adults (18+): USD 100 low season / USD 200 peak (about £80/£160)
- Children 9-17: Half adult rate
- Children 0-8: Free
- Vehicle: KES 1,500
Peak season runs July through December. The 10am exit rule also applies: if you’re leaving by road and don’t exit by 10am, you may be charged for another day. We’ve seen this enforced at Sekenani but experiences vary.
The Road and What Happens at the Gate
Tarmac runs through Narok on the B3 highway. After Narok, it’s murram road for roughly 70km. The descent into the escarpment about 30km after Narok has loose gravel—a van from another operator rolled there in August 2023, which is why we mention it. The section near Ewaso Ngiro floods during heavy rains; if this happens, there’s a bypass through Rianta that adds time.
Wait times at the gate range from twenty minutes to over an hour during migration season. Rangers check ID or passport. Mobile signal at Sekenani is weak—we’ve found the last reliable point is around the Total Petrol Station in Narok.
Sekenani is standard for eastern lodges. Other gates: Talek (15km west, rougher road), Oloololo (Mara Triangle), Sand River (Tanzania border).
Lodges Near Sekenani
Budget and mid-range: Mara Springs Safari Camp, Sekenani Camp, Oldarpoi Mara Camp, Kimana Mara Camp, AA Lodge Maasai Mara.
Upmarket: Mara Sarova Game Camp, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sweet Acacia, Enkolong Tented Camp.
Conservancies: Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North—separate entry points and fees.
The town outside the gate has basic services. Oloika Mara Pub and Kings Paradise Lounge are where drivers eat. Walking between town and camps after dark isn’t advisable due to wildlife.
Questions About Sekenani Gate
These are the queries we get asked most about Sekenani Gate.
How long are Masai Mara tickets valid?
Tickets are valid for 12 hours within the 6am-6pm window, according to Narok County’s current system. The old 24-hour rule no longer applies. Afternoon entry means paying for a partial day.
What’s the vehicle fee at Sekenani Gate?
KES 1,500 per vehicle on top of per-person entry fees. This applies to Land Cruisers, safari vans, and private vehicles. Your tour operator should include this in the package price, but worth confirming before arrival.
Is Sekenani Gate the best entry point?
For lodges on the eastern side of the reserve (Talek area, Sekenani area), yes. For camps in the Mara Triangle or along the river, Oloololo or Sand River gates are more direct. Conservancy stays have their own gates.
Can you pay cash at Sekenani Gate?
Cash payment is technically possible but takes longer to process. The KAPS system is designed for electronic payment through M-Pesa or card. If bringing cash USD, have exact amounts ready as change is limited.
What time does Sekenani Gate open?
The gate opens at 6am and closes at 6pm. No entry after closure—arriving late means overnighting in Sekenani town at a basic guesthouse. Leave Nairobi by 7am to allow margin for traffic and road delays.
Book Your Masai Mara Safari
We run safaris through Sekenani regularly—road conditions, gate procedures, which lodges work for different budgets. If you want to visit the Mara and don’t want to sort through conflicting information online, send us your dates and we’ll put together options based on your timeline and what matters to you. We handle the KAPS payments, the vehicle logistics, and the coordination with lodges. No obligation to book anything, and we’re happy to answer specific questions about routes or accommodation before you decide. The Mara is worth the effort to get right.
Related:
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- 3 Days Masai Mara Safari
- 4 Days Masai Mara Safari
- Masai Mara Safaris
- Cost of Safari in Kenya
- Best Time to Visit Kenya
- Kenya Safari Holidays
- Wildebeest Migration
- Kenya Holiday Packages
- Getting to Masai Mara
About the Author: Written by Peter Munene, licensed safari guide. Part of the Kenyaluxurysafari.co.uk team. Edited by Trevor Charles.