Wildlife in the Maasai Mara

Rare Kenyan wildlife on a Maasai Mara safari

Wildlife in the Maasai Mara: The Maasai Mara National Reserve is famed in the world due to its large herds of wildebeest and zebras and its renowned big cats. Although lions, elephants and cheetahs can be seen dominating the scene, the Mara is also endowed with many rare and lesser-known wildlife species that are the focus of nature lovers and birders. These rarities not only make the Mara biodiverse but also ecologically important, as the animals include elusive antelopes and endangered carnivores.

Maasai Mara wildlife can frequently be found in a niche, in a different habitat, or performing a behaviour that is rare and memorable, which makes its sighting a rarity. This manual identifies some of these outstanding species, their locations and how to go about seeing them.

The African Wild Dogs

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), also known as painted wolves, are typically one of the most threatened carnivores in Africa. These social predators have been known to hunt in groups of 6-20, have a distinctive mottled coat and long legs and have been known to hunt in groups cooperatively.

Key Facts:

Resort mostly to daytime hunting.
Use open savannah when in high-speed chases.
Packs are well socialised and communal.

The animals are scarce and cannot be seen due to large territories and small populations. Wild dogs are also likely to give active performances of teamwork, hunting and cub care when seen.

Topi and lesser kudu

Numerous species of antelope that are not frequently observed animals, such as impalas or Thomson’s gazelles, can be found in the Maasai Mara.

Topi (Damaliscus lunatus):

Medium-sized antelope with a prominent red-brown coat and black marks on its face.
Mostly in flocks on open grassland.
On the alert, on guard, and with the patience to wait.

Other rare varieties of antelopes are the hartebeest and the rare oribi in some marshy areas. These animals bring diversity to the ecology of the Mara and sustain the population of predators.

Secretary Birds: The Preying Bird of the Sky.

The secretary birds, or Sagittarius serpentarius, are some of the strangest birds in Africa. They are known to be the terrestrial raptors with long legs, an erect stance and a sharp crest of feathers, which hunt snakes and little mammals by stomping them.

Behaviour Highlights:

Expend long walks in efforts to get food.
Prefer to hunt during the day.
Tend to be alone or in pairs.

They are found to like open grassland and riverine banks. The sight of a secretary bird hunting is something that is not common and very rewarding to a photographer and birding enthusiast.

Giraffe Reticulated and Subspecies.

Although giraffes are quite widespread, another, the Mara, hosts the Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), a subspecies of giraffe, which is characterised by jagged, irregular patches on its coat.

Notes:

Greatest terrestrial mammals in the Mara.
Feast on acacia trees, and with prehensile tongues.
During the initial few weeks, calves are usually concealed so as to protect them.

The fact that these giraffes are observed in lonely groups or feeding on the predators also gives the experience a unique and scenic aspect to wildlife sightseeing.

Hippos and crocodiles

Although the hippos and the Nile crocodiles are commonly linked to big rivers, some smaller rivers and marshes found in the Mara are the habitat of these predatory aquatic creatures, which are not so common to the visitors.

Hippos wallow in the shallow pools during dry seasons.

Crocodiles are waiting at river bends and attack.

Such observations are rare in the non-prime areas of the Mara River and provide close-up views of animal life in the water.

Rare Birds

The avian diversity of the Mara has many of the rare species:

Raptors: Martial eagles, bateleurs, and lappet-faced vultures are flying over the plains and are not usually noticed by a careless visitor.
Rails and crakes are found in reed beds on the banks of rivers and are hard to see at all unless purposely searched.
Plovers and waders: These are present in floodplains of a temporary nature as well as in seasonal wetlands.

These rarities are frequently sought by the birds in the Mara, particularly in the migration or in the post-rain seasons when there are only temporary wetlands with species particular to them.

Nighttime and Night Hunters.

There are a few secretive or nocturnal mammals at the Maasai Mara which are seldom seen in the normal game drives:

Aardwolves: Small hyena relations, which feed on termites.
Genets and civets: Arbour and night-time dwellers.
Porcupines: They typically are out foraging during the night.

Special night safaris or spotlighting of some of the conservancies enhance the chances of seeing these species.

How to spot endangered wildlife.

The Maasai Mara is known to take time to view rare species:

Get a Knowledgeable Guide: Guides are familiar with the species-specific behaviour and habitat, as well as the recent sightings.
Go to Various Habitats: Move and amalgamate the open plains, river forests, marshes and rocky terrain to increase the likelihood.
Morning and Afternoon: Colder weather makes most of the rare species more active.
Community Conservancies: There are fewer restrictions on the flexibility of tracking and off-road driving.
Attach Binoculars and Cameras: There are not a few rarities which are small or remote; such helps are indispensable.

Status and Significance of Conservation.

Loss of habitats, poaching and human-wildlife conflict are among the factors that pose a threat or vulnerability to many of the rare species found in the Mara.

African wild dogs: endangered, having less than 1000 adult animals in Kenya.
Secretary birds: Endangered, going out of broken habitats.
Rare antelopes: susceptible to grazing force and predation.

The conservation activities at the Mara are ranger patrols, anti-poaching, and community conservancy programmes, which sustain corridors and buffer zones. These activities are directly financed by tourism income.

Why Rare Wildlife Matters

The sighting of the rare species enhances the Kenya safari experience and reveals that the Mara is an ecologically complex place. Each species plays a role:

The herbivores are checked by the predators.
Antelopes that engage in grazing keep the grassland healthy.
Birds are pollinators, as well as controllers of insects.

The fact that the wildlife is rare means that the ecosystem is alive and well and contributes to the importance of its further protection.

Conclusion

Maasai Mara is not only the place where one can find lions, elephants and cheetahs; it is also the place of the rare and elusive wildlife that makes the African continent more biodiverse. The Mara is home to threatened wild dogs and secretary birds, rare antelopes and mysterious nocturnal mammals that one will never get to experience in a normal safari.

Rare animals in the Mara illustrate the delicacy of this ecosystem, indicating the need to preserve the iconic as well as less famous species to be enjoyed by future generations. Since these hidden treasures are appreciated and recorded by the visitors, they contribute to preserving the ecological richness and mystery which the Mara produces.