Maasai Mara National Reserve
Kenya safaris | Kenya tours | Wildebeest Migration Safaris
Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the famous wilderness destinations in Africa, presents its guests with an incomparable view of the African savannah.Located in the South western part of Kenya is the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. Besides the ‘Big Five’ that includes elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo, the reserve has a rich population of other animals. This travel essay gives an insight to the various forms of things one can do in Maasai Mara and the wonderful creatures and culture that is there.
As you can tell, travelers from all over the globe flock to this area to take a Masai Mara Safari tour, especially given the fact that the reserve was voted as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The name of the park is derived from the Maasai community who are the pastoralist communities living in the region, and ‘Mara’ is derived from the Maasai word for ‘spotted’ due to the numerous flat-topped acacia trees, shrubs, and bushes that are found in most parts of the reserve.
Activities to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Game Drives:
Game drives are the most typical
Kenya safari activity in the Maasai Mara and there is no better way to experience that. Lying over an area of about 1,510 sq km, the reserve consists of the big five, namely lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos, besides the cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and even more.
Morning Game Drives: It is recommended to start as early in the morning as possible because the animals become active during the early morning. It is always advisable to go out while at the emergence of the sun especially if you want to see lions and leopards hunting.
Afternoon Game Drives: These are great for those who wish to go hiking but at a slow pace and this is usually done alongside having cocktails in the various places.
Full-Day Game Drives: Bring your own lunch and spend the whole day in the reserve, thus being able to cover more ground and therefore a better chance of seeing all forms of wildlife as well as visit the remotest part of the park.
Witness the Great Migration: A Natural Wonder:
The Great Migration is one of the most exciting natural phenomena that takes place every year in the range of July to October. About 1.5 million wildebeests, 200, 000 zebras and 300,000 gazelles move from Serengeti in Tanzania to Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of water and pasture.
The River Crossings:
This is mainly because the most spectacular event of the migration is the crossing of the Mara River. Here, herds charge into the river full of crocodiles and forget that they have to look out for lions and leopards on the other side of the river.
Visiting during these months is a perfect way to experience the one-of-a-kind phenomenon that occurs in this area. The guides and camp staff track the migration to make sure that you get the best chance of seeing it happen.
Hot Air Balloon Tours:
If you want to have the best view of Maasai Mara then the hot air balloon safari is one of the best
Kenya Safari activities to do. Sightseeing while gliding at a slow speed above the grassy plains in the early morning is to watch the beautiful scenery, animals, and the Mara River.
- Duration: It generally takes an hour in the air.
- Post-flight Breakfast: Following the flight, there will be a bush breakfast served on the plain with Champagne.
Although it is costly than the normal game drive, the hot air balloon safari is a great experience which is suggested to anyone who wants the extraordinary.
Cultural Visits:
The Maasai people are easily identifiable by their dress and customs, as well as a strong warrior culture, and have coexisted with wildlife in the area. A Maasai community (an enkang) is a good way to learn more about the local culture and the Maasai people as well as their interaction with the natural world.
- What to Expect: When on a cultural tour you will be able to
discover Maasai people, their beading skills, and their rituals. Some villages also present a jumping dance, an Adamu, in which Maasai warriors try to outdo each other in a show of fitness and acrobat skills.
- Support Local Communities: Such visits usually involve buying locally made beaded jewelry thus a sure way of supporting the locals through the sale of their crafts.
Cultural tours can be very rewarding in giving one a sense of the human history of Mara and an opportunity to interface with the custodians of the Mara ecosystem.
Nature Walks:
Apart from the above, there are other interesting options for visitors who would love to get close to the Maasai Mara in a more relaxed manner and these include bush walks. These walks are accompanied by armed guides and trackers who will lead you out of the vehicle and into the wildlife and scenery.
- Flora and Fauna: You will be informed on the plant species as well as the other creatures which are not easily viewed on the game drives. The guides will be able to identify the signs that can make it possible to know the movement of big animals such as; tracks, dung and insects.
- Bird Watching: More than 450 species of birds have been recorded in Maasai Mara and this make early morning
bush walking safari to be perfect for bird watchers. Some of the birds you might be able to identify include the Lilac Breasted Roller, Secretary Bird and the African Fish Eagle.
Although not on big game, bush walks offer a less active, more meditative way to experience the environment, and the landscape.
What to see in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Great Migration:
The Great Migration remains the single most important attraction in the Maasai Mara. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by several hundred thousand of zebras and gazelles, cross from Serengeti in Tanzania to Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of pastures. This migration is also referred to as the “World Cup of Wildlife” and happens in the course of the last quarter of the year up to October.
River Crossings:
This paper will highlight some of the most exciting features of the Great Migration such as the crossing of the
Mara River. Wildebeest and zebras must cross crocodile-inhabited rivers to get to the fertile pastures of the Mara. It is an exciting moment to see this event, seeing the predators around and thousands of animals trying to cross the river in danger.
Predatory Action:
This has made the area inhabited by many herbivores these in turn must attract predators such as lions leopards and hyenas. While in the migration, tourists have a high chance of seeing some wonderful hunts and predator-prey relationships live.
Big 5:
Maasai Mara is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five: The big five are lions, elephants, leopards, rhino and buffalo. These famous animals are free to wander the reserve’s grasslands, giving tourists a chance to see amazing wildlife.
Lions:
The Maasai Mara is one of the best places to spot lions and the park is host to some of the largest lion populations in Africa. The Mara lions are massive and muscular owing to the availability of food in the area.
Elephants and Buffaloes:
Other wild animals to be found in the reserve include herds of elephants and buffaloes. These large animals are ambulant, and they move in families, and it is fascinating to watch them in the wild.
Leopard and Rhino:
Leopards are generally more difficult to find but they are frequently seen lying in trees. Black rhinos are still relatively difficult to find, but they can be seen in certain parts of the reserve, particularly in the Mara Triangle, giving a visitor a good chance of seeing all the
big five animals.
Maasai Culture:
In addition to wildlife, Maasai Mara presents an opportunity to witness the Maasai, one of Kenya’s most famous natives. Known for their brightly red dressed, beads and traditional values the Maasai have co-existed with the animals for many years.
Maasai Village Tours:
Taking a tour through the Maasai village also known as Enkang offers a real insight into the
Maasai culture. The tourists get an insight on the semi- nomadic living standards of the Maasai, their culture on cattle and many more. A normal village tour introduces the visitors to the Maasai dances, warrior training, and sale of Maasai arts and crafts.
Maasai Warrior Culture:
The Maasai are famous for their warriors. The Maasai people may perform jumping dances known as ‘Adumu,’ and the Maasai’s initiation, and tracking abilities for wildlife.
Crocodiles and Hippo:
One cannot mention the Mara ecosystem without mentioning the Mara River which runs through the reserve. Besides, during the Great Migration, the river is famous for the dramatic wildebeest crossing, as well as for the large number of Nile crocodiles and hippos.
Crocodile and Hippo Sighting
These large reptiles can frequently be observed sunning themselves at the river’s edge or hiding within the river’s waters. Hippos that are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa are often seen in the deeper parts of the river. Getting a closer look of these animal either while in a safari vehicle or on foot is quite exciting.
Best Time to Visit Maasai Mara National Reserve
While the Maasai Mara can be visited at any time of the year, the best time to visit Maasai Mara is July to October to witness the Great Migration. During this period we see millions of wildebeest and zebras moving across the Mara River in their search for pastures. During the other seasons of the year, the reserve remains inhabited by a large number of animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes.
Dry Season (June to October): Because animals gather around water points, this area is particularly good for seeing wildlife.
Rainy Season (November to May): Has beautiful scenery and attracts fewer tourists but some of the roads can be rather problematic.
Location of Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara is located about 225 kilometers or 140 miles away from Nairobi the capital city of Kenya. The distance between the two can be covered by air in 45 minutes and by road it may take 5-6 hours. The capital city of Nairobi offers the most convenient access to most of the travelers since the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the nearest largest international airport to the park.
- By Road: For road users, there are two principal entrances, the Narok route and the Mai Mahiu route. Each of the two routes presents beautiful scenery that is a feature of the Kenyan Rift Valley with beautiful cliffs, lakes, and vast plains. But roads can be rough and even worse in the rainy season.
- By Air: Because of this, most travelers prefer to take domestic flights when it comes to traveling within the country. Many airstrips are located within the Maasai Mara which include the Mara Serena Airstrip, Keekorok Airstrip, and the Olkiombo Airstrip. These flights operate from Nairobi`s Wilson Airport which is a domestic and regional airport.
