Masai Mara National Reserve Description

Masai Mara National Reserve  is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas covering more than 1,500sq km it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kenya. It is located in the Great Rift valley in open grassland. Wildlife is most concentrated on the reserves western escarpment.

Great Wildebeest Migration

Category: Wildebeest Migration

The annual wildebeest migration is the key attraction involving more than 1.5 million animals which arrive in July and leave in November. The swampy land provides more access to water and less access to tourists. The eastern end is closest to Nairobi and hence easier to access. The reserve has close to 100 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and more than 400 species of birds.
Each year Masai Mara National Reserve plays host to the world’s greatest natural spectacle, the Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti. From July to October, the promise of rain and fresh life giving grass in the north brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd. They pour across the border into the Mara, making a spectacular entrance in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon. Most tourists book a Masai Mara Safari to experience this spectacle.
At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward through the raging waters, creating a frenzy as they fight against swift currents and waiting crocodiles.
The wildebeest bring new life to Masai Mara Game Reserve, not just through their cycle of regeneration of the grasslands, but for the predators who follow the herds.
The Masai Mara National Reserve has been called the Kingdom of Lions and these regal and powerful hunters dominate these grasslands. Cheetah are also a common sight in the Mara, as are Hyena and smaller predators such as Jackals.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is an awesome natural wonder, a place where Maasai warriors share the plains with hunting lions, a place of mighty herds and timeless cycles of life, death and regeneration.
Masai Mara Game Reserve is probably the best serviced of all Kenyan Parks and Reserves with a wide range of Accommodation for any budget. The Reserve is a popular attraction with Safari operators. The reserve is ideal for game drives, and some lodges and camps offer walks and balloon safaris.
Wildlife moves freely in and out of the reserve, and through neighbouring Maasai lands. Outside the boundaries of the reserve there are many other small camps and lodges, some of which offer walking, horse riding and other safari options.
The Loita Hills and the Nguruman Escarpment, both considered sacred to the Maasai, offer high forest trekking opportunities for the adventurous traveller.

Masai Mara National Reserve – Masai Mara Game Reserve

Category: Wildebeest Migration

Masai Mara is an area of gently rolling hills,  woodlands and acacia trees, watered by the Mara and Talek rivers and opens onto the Serengeti plains of Tanzania. much of the wildlife can be divided into birds mammals and reptiles. Mammals in the game reserve are cheetah, leopard, hyena genet, jackal, mongoose, serval  wild dog, baboon.bush baby, monkey, rhino, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, warthog, antelope (bushbuck  dik-dik  duiker eland, gazelle, hartebeest, impala, klipspringer, kudu, oribi, reed buck,roan antelope,topi, waterbuck and wildebeest).
The general location of animals depends on the habitat . Vegetation varies according to the type of soil and drainage, but is also influenced by fire raining and grazing animals. ‘Grassland’ is most common, especially in areas of poor drainage frequent fires or heavy grazing. ‘Bushland is vulnerable to fire and foraging elephants and its also a favorite for rhinos. ‘woodland is populated with acacia trees with rich edible leaves-monkeys and giraffes can be found. river are homes for crocodile and hippos.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve not the largest conservation area in Kenya but it is the most famous one. The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are part of the same eco-system. The official perimeter of the Masai Mara National Reserve is bounded by the Serengeti Park of Tanzania to the south, the Siria escarpment (also called Oloololo escarpment) to the west and Masai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. Total surface is 1530km². There is no fence. The estern border is the Oloololo Escarpment (Siria escarpmen) and wildlife tend to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal.
The Masai Mara is accessible by flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport and from Samburu, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki or Mombasa or Diani . The aircraft will land on one of the small Mara airstrips, and from here you need to transfer by car to your particular lodge or camp. The flight from Nairobi takes about half an hour. Flying to the Masai Mara is the qieckest option and best option (especially if you stay in the Mara Triangle which is the eastern part of the Masai Mara) It is more expensive than hiring a vechicle with a professional guide is a good option esceptially if there are more than 2 persons travelling.
If you choose to go by car from Nairobi the drive will take you five to six hours during the dry season, and up to seven hours in the rainy season. By car you can enter the game reserve through these gates: Sand River, Musiara, Talek, Sekenani or Oloololo Gate which is the farest from Nairobi (there with less vehciles and tourist disruption)
Please remember that the roads in the reserve can become flooded or turned into mud puddles in the rainy seasons in April, May and November.
A lot of travel agencies organise safari trips to Maasai Mara. You can book a package tour, which allows you to put all transportation to and in the park in their hands. You can also organise your trip directly and contact the camps and lodges directly. Many will also assist you to book your local flights for instance or organise your trip.

Why Visit Masai Mara Game Reserve

Category: Wildebeest Migration

1. Great Migration – One of nature’s biggest wildlife spectacles is the wildebeest migration – watch in awe as the animals cross the Mara River for the Masai Mara (Jul – Oct).
2. Glide over the Masai Mara in a Hot Air Balloon followed by an indulgent champagne breakfast celebration.
3. Home to over 450 bird species.
4. Wildlife haven, with the Big Five regularly spotted on game drives.
5. Breath-taking views of the open plains
6. The Masai Mara Ecosystem holds one of the highest lion densities in world.
7. See Maasai herdsmen graze their cattle side by side with predators and prey.

What to do at the Masai Mara Game Reserve

The Masai Mara Game Reserve, one of Kenya’s main tourist attractions is famed for being the unruffled habitat of lions, cheetahs, zebras, and the famous wildebeest migration which is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the modern world. There are many activities that make the Mara a spectacular travel destination.

Masai Mara National Reserve – Balloon safaris

The balloon safari gives you a magical birds-eye view of the stretching savannah. These rides which often take place in the wee hours of the morning, are even more epic as you get to catch the sunrise whilst watching scores of animals below you. Most balloon safaris culminate with an exquisite champagne breakfast.

Masai Mara National Reserve – Walking safaris

A guided walking safari through the untamed beauty of the Mara is another worth while experience. The guides are often very knowledgeable so each step you take brings a new fact about world famous mara game reserve . The walk is an adventurous way to interact with the mara locals and come up close and personal with some of the animals.

Masai Mara National Reserve – Game drives.

The Mara is also a perfect location for exciting game drives through the reserves. During these drives you come across a plethora of animals and get wonderful views of the vast savannahs 8 plains of the Mara Game Reserve. The aim of game drives is to get you upclose 8 personal with the animals for your viewing pleasure.  It is during these drives that you are likely to meet teams of animals undertaking their normal activities; catch the thrill in a predate on prey chase and kill or enjoy the extraordinary beauty that is in the world renowned mara topography.

Masai Mara National Reserve – Sundowners.

Catch the scintillating view of the sun as it goes down as you enjoy a soothing cold drink while watching it go down the horizon. This is certainly one of Mara’s most breathtaking experiences.

Masai Mara National Park – Climatic conditions

1. Altitude 5,300 feet (1,600 metres).
2. Rainy season from November through May, with peak rainfall in December-January and April-May.
3. Dry season from June-November. Often sunny mornings with cloud build-up in the afternoons – during the rains this develops into thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.
4. Max temperatures up to 30°C and min temperatures around 20°C.

Masai Mara National Park – Wildlife

The Mara is known as one of the finest wildlife destinations in the World. There is an excellent chance of seeing the Big 5, cheetah, serval, hyena, bat-eared foxes, black-backed and side-striped jackals, hippo, crocodile, baboons, warthog, topi, eland, Thompson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, impala, waterbuck, oribi, reed-buck, zebra.
During the migration (July to November) huge numbers of wildebeest move in.

How to get to Masai Mara National Park

Masai Mara National Reserve is about 270 km from the capital Nairobi City and takes about 4-5 hours by road or 40-45 minutes by flight. The road is great for the most part. there is a section from Narok town to Sekenani Gate that is dirt road but fairly good. The other road through Lemek and Aitong town is not good at all and very bumpy.
Accessing the Mara area is difficult without private transport. Most visitors come to Maasai Mara as part of a Safari package from Nairobi or in a Hire Car. The park has well established internal roads and tracks. Accessing areas outside the reserve is only possible using basic public transport, and finding your way around can be difficult. Several Safari operators can arrange specialized tours, treks or hikes in this area.
The Mara Triangle is serviced by two all-weather airstrips– Mara Serena and Kichwa Tembo. The main road access into the Triangle is through Narok and Sekenani Gate.