Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is in Narok County, Kenya. It is situated on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, covering an area of about 1,510 square kilometers. The reserve borders the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania, which lies further south and is much larger, at some 25,000 square kilometers. Serengeti National Park lies in the southern option of this stretch of land. Maasai settlements lie to the north and east. The Oloololo and Siria escarpments are to the west. This popular reserve, home to the Maasai people whose ancestors have lived in the region for hundreds of years, is how the ‘Maasai Mara’ got its name.
“Mara” means “spotted” in the Maasai language; this relates to the short tree and bush-dotted landscape. The Maasai Mara forms part of a larger ecosystem, including the Mara Triangle and an array of Maasai conservancies such as Kerinkani, Kimintet, Koiyaki, Lemek, Maji Moto, Mara North, Naikara, Ol Chorro Oirowua, Ol Derkesi, Olkinyei, Oloirien and Siana. Three rivers that the reserve is nourished by are the Talek, the Sand and the famous Mara.
The Maasai Mara is a prominent region of wildlife and wilderness in Africa. The reserve is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs and (African) elephants. It is iconic for the annual Great Migration, which made it one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders and one of the Ten Wonders of the World.
The Great Migration generally happens in July, weather permitting. At this time, the wildebeest are moving en masse in large herds, crossing the Mara River from Tanzania, and seeking new grasses to eat. Greater Mara includes Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Mara Triangle, several Maasai group ranches, and Maasai Mara conservancies.
CLIMATE OF MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
The region has a semi-arid climate, with precipitation occurring two times a year. There are two distinct rainy periods: the long rains (in April and May) lasting for about six to eight weeks, and the short rains (in November and December) lasting for approximately four weeks. Precipitation varies considerably throughout the area, with about 800 mm (31 in) in the east and up to 1,200 mm (47 in) in the west. The altitude is between 1500 and 2180 meters above sea level and the average rainfall is 83 mm per month. Temperatures are usually between 12 and 30°C (54 and 86°F).
ATTRACTIONS
Wildlife
Maasai Mara National Reserve is a quintessential African wildlife destination, where animal encounters and breathtaking views come in abundance. The highlight is seeing the Big Five animals—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros—live and wild in their natural surroundings. There is no greater than to be faced by these regal animals roaming the plains freely
Apart from the Big Five, Maasai Mara boasts a plethora of other animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, and a vast number of antelope and gazelle species. The reserve’s sweeping savanna and rivers hold rich biodiversity and this stronghold of nature will surely turn wildlife lovers and shutterbugs into adoring fans of the African bush
Birds
The Maasai Mara also hosts a colorful array of birds and is a birdwatcher’s heaven. More than 500 bird species have been observed in the reserve, such as Dwarf Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Common Squacco-Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Little White Stork, Black Stork, Abdim’s (White Bellied) Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, African Open-billed Stork, Cardinal Woodpecker, Bearded Woodpecker, Square-tailed Nightjar, Dusky Nightjar, Schawlow’s Turaco, Rufous-bellied Heron White-headed Vulture, Ruppell’s Vulture, Secretary bird, Black Coucal, Kori Bustard, Bush Pipit Among the many species are the White-tailed Lark, Flappet Lark, Athi Short-toed Lark, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Trilling Cisticola and Long-tailed Cisticola among others. Many waterbirds and migratory species are drawn to the Mara River and its adjacent wetlands, particularly at migration time. The varied birds provide another dimension of beauty and thrill to the safari for example in Ol Kinyei and the Mara Triangle.
Wildebeest migration
Among the highlights of Maasai Mara is the Great Wildebeest Migration. Over two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles embark on a mass movement to and from the Serengeti, Tanzania, each year. It is the quest for new grazing and water that directs this phenomenal journey, which culminates in one of the most spectacular wildlife displays anywhere. Tourists see this dramatic migration on the Mara River, where the herds traverse dangerous waters and are subjected to attacks by crocodiles and predators.
The Mara Triangle
The Mara Triangle is an important part of the reserve that provides good game viewing, particularly in the migration season. Is also a good place to watch the flow of animals and predators. While Ol Kinyei Conservancy is the third most popular place to find rich wildlife, serene surroundings and some of the best chances to get up close to lions, elephants and other creatures in the wild. These three sites combined make Maasai Mara a once-in-a-lifetime place for anyone with a passion for wildlife and the outdoors.
SAFARI ACTIVITIES
Game drives in Masai Mara
Safari game drives are the highest key activity in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Best drive is in an open 4×4 safari van or land cruiser to have a close view of wild animals from a distance while observing park rules. There are three available game drives in Maasai Mara: morning, evening and night.
Morning Game Drive
This morning is the most rewarding, in terms of potential sightings, as it offers the best chance of seeing the greatest diversity of wildlife. Animals tend to be active and fresh in the early morning, foraging in open grasslands. It’s also the best time to see cats hunting, before it gets too hot. Animals also tend to congregate around waterholes to drink during the heat of the day, and many predators—lions and leopards among them—take refuge in shade during the hottest hours, making them more elusive.
Evening Game Drive
The late afternoon safari begins at approximately 4:00p.m. and will go on for around 2-3 hours. It’s a wonderful moment to watch animals move, including those exiting to hunt or relax after d t hot day. You might also have good luck watching different animals at waterholes and resting spots.
Night Game Drive
A night drive is a special activity and can only be done with a guide and an armed ranger for your safety. It’s ideal for viewing animals that come out at night, especially nocturnal hunters such as lions and leopards.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
A hot air balloon ride in Maasai Mara is like cruising on a dream-hued living postcard. You will rise early in the morning, at around sunrise, and as you look down, the landscape awakens with wildlife activity. From on high, wildebeest and zebras herd across the plains, crocodiles lounge on riverbanks and elephants peacefully parade through the bush. A bird’s-eye perspective on the view offers you an amazing overview of the size of the reserve and the variety of animals. As the balloon sails gently with the wind, you may see lions stalking prey or cheetahs in the shade. That’s the feeling as you float over the lush patches of cropland, with pastoral life waking up beneath a rosy dawn. When you get down, there is generally a champagne breakfast in the bush, so it’s a fitting end to a memorable adventure that marries thrill, nature, and stunning scenery. It is ideal for those who want a different experience to observe the wildlife of Masai Mara and also enjoy stunning panoramic views.
Maasai Village Visit
A visit to a Maasai Manyatta (village) provides you with an authentic insight into the traditional way of life of Maasai people, the original owners of this land. While on your cultural visit, you’ll also be able to meet Maasai warriors and discover more about their life that has not changed much in many centuries. They sing and dance traditional songs and their dances are very lively. You’ll get to see their incredibly colorful shukas (clothing), elaborate beadwork, and hear tales about their traditions and beliefs. The villagers may show you how to start a fire without matches or make jewelry out of beads and bones. It’s a chance to really understand how these people live closely with nature, herding cattle and treating the earth with respect. In some cases, you can milk a cow or two or even learn to corner your own home the way they do. It’s a unique cultural experience to gain a deeper appreciation of the people who have lived amongst the wildlife here for generations. Plus, you get to help out local people and experience their culture up close!
The wildebeest migration
The wildebeest migration in Maasai Mara National Reserve is certainly among the most exhilarating that any visitor can experience. People from around the globe gather to witness this natural wonder. The migration is the wildebeest’s movement from the Serengeti to Maasai Mara on the grounds of seeking fresh green pastures. Then going back to Serengeti. This is usually sometime between July and October or November, sometimes late November depending on the rains, as the animals are following the rains. This is one of the rare occasions when visitors can get to the park right from early morning until late afternoon and enjoy the views the whole day long. It’s truly incredible, and many visitors opt to stay for a few days on safari in Maasai Mara to fully enjoy the wildebeest movement.
Walking Safaris
The park boasts breathtaking scenery that makes a walk truly enjoyable, particularly in the late afternoon. During a walking safari, you will have an armed park ranger as your guide, although this is a relatively safe area closely monitored and patrolled by the local community. But it’s a great place to slow down and take walks, both inside the park and in the tiny community outside. Walking tours energize your travel experience and give you a chance to learn about different plants, animal behaviors, and how local people coexist in the environment. A walking safari in Maasai Mara is an amazing experience. It also allows you to experience the undiscovered hidden beauty of the park on foot; you can meet local Maasai in traditional sandals and join in exciting moments. And you could even walk all the way to the Mara River to see the wildebeest migration close up if visiting during the right season.
Birding tours
The Maasai Mara is undoubtedly known for its game drives but it is also a fantastic bird-watching destination with more than 500 species of birds. 45 species of them are birds of prey. Birds can be seen in the open savannah, on the riverbanks, on rocky outcrops and in the Great Rift Valley Escarpments. Birding on Kenya safaris is for all the year round. The park is a birder’s paradise during the many migratory birds that come annually from October to February. While on your birding tours in Maasai Mara, you’ll have the chance to spot different bird species such as ostriches, Rosy-throated long-tailed shrikes, Magpie shrikes, Secretary birds, Sooty chats, African fish eagles, Hadeda ibises, Sacred ibises, grey herons, Hamerkops, Marabou storks, Rufous-bellied herons, Great egrets, little bitterns and Cattle egrets among Maasai Mara’s many species of birds.
Horseback safari
A horseback safari is truly one of the best things you can do. It is a very special way to experience the Mara’s stunning scenery whilst getting close to a host of animal species. Horseback riding is exhilarating and gives you a refreshing natural breeze as you travel. The ride is guided by knowledgeable game rangers who understand how to keep the experience safe and fun. They allow you to see more animals close, and occasionally, you can even touch their backs. It’s a memorable way to get out into the wild and view the wilderness in a different way.
How to get to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Access to Maasai Mara National Reserve is possible by air or road
By air, the quickest and easiest way to get there is to fly from Nairobi. Multiple scheduled airlines, including Air Kenya and SafariLink, offer daily services to private airstrips within the reserve or just outside its borders. The trip takes 45 minutes to an hour, and you get to relax and enjoy the panoramic views as you speed to the park. Most tour operators will also organize vehicle transfers from the airstrip to your lodge or camp, so your safari can start immediately when you land.
By road
It is a 5- to 6-hour drive from Nairobi to the park depending on the road/weather/traffic conditions. Tourists can rent a 4×4 vehicle or book guided holiday packages that include transportation and the services of a driver and guide. Otherwise, you can take a bus or a matatu from Nairobi to Narok town and then you can switch onto a local safari vehicle if you’re on a budget. Road trips have the advantage of flexibility since you can stop along the way and see whatever sights or attractions your heart desires, but they definitely take longer than flying.
Best accommodation safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Some of the best safari accommodations in Maasai Mara National Reserve include Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Angama Mara, Mara Plains Camp, Mara Bush Houses, Mara Nyika Camp, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Governors’ Camp, Little Governors’ Camp, Mara Explorer, and Olare Mara Kempinski
