Masai Mara National Reserve is situated southwest of Kenya in Narok county, sharing a common border with Serengeti National park in Mara region, Tanzania. It is the land of breathtaking views, abundant wildlife with endless plains. Masai Mara is named in honor of the Masai people (the indigenous inhabitants of the area) and is the most popular and most famous tourist destination in Kenya. The place is punctuated by a spectacle of rolling hills that blend into elongated open grasslands and acacia woodlands. It is these well preserved habitats that act as home to a plethora of wildlife that call Mara land their home! The name “Mara” means spotted in the Masai language, and this came to be about due to the many dotted trees that spread across the landscape.
Masai mara was originally gazetted as a wildlife sanctuary and later a wildlife reserve in 1961 due to an increase in the total land size of the area. The years that followed saw changes in the reserve administration and land size. Currently, the reserve is governed by the Trans-Mara and Narok county councils.
The reserve stretches 1,510 square kilometers (580 square miles) and raises 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level. The reserve is a home to variety of game that includes all the big five animals. Between August and October, Masai Mara National reserve is usually teeming with a haven of abundant wildlife, all of which wow you with the novelty of world class experience. Such animals include millions of wildebeest, Zebras, and different species of antelopes which form the Great annual animal migration. Large herds of elephants that are complimented by buffalos and huge lion prides as well as other predators form a visible relationship between the hunter and the hunted. The sight of what happens in the area presents beautiful and scenic views that are altogether lovely! Other animals in Masai mara include; giraffes, the elusive leopard, impala, gazelle, Defassa waterbuck, hippo, black rhino, warthog, topi, Coke’s hartebeest and the reedbuck among others.
Masai mara is therefore a paradise for naturalists and photographers with abundant display of Elephants, Cape buffalos, Lions, Giraffes, Hippos, Black rhinos, Cheetahs and Leopards making it the home of Africa’s big five. For bird enthusiasts, the park hosts up to 450 resident and migratory bird species. These include: Ostriches, Lilac-breasted roller, Denham’s bustard, turacos, grey kestrel and the hornill among others.
The Great Migration in Masai Mara National reserve.
The great migration is no stranger to the world of fame, and being listed among the seven nature wonders of Africa, it underlines the hearts of many nature and travel enthusiasts with a unique kind of happiness. Many that visit the area are rewarded with great and spectacular views of wildlife, and of course their memories. The great migration starts with millions of animals that are seen galloping over 500 km, starting from the Southern part of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National reserve of Kenya, a trip during which crocs and predators are seen maximising the art of feasting upon the weary and unwary migrators. Even though the two phased migration starts around January, the animals actually start their journey into Masai Mara during May when the animals start moving Northwest near the Grumeti river. In July, the animals then start crossing the Mara and grumeti rivers, which provides scenic views that offer more than just nature and pleasure! The animals then settle until they start the journey back to Serengeti.
Due to the activities that happen around the mara river, there’s actually a place that came to be labelled the mara triangle. The mara triangle is a wedge that is part of the mara reserve. This triangle is surrounded by the mara river to the east and the Oloololo escarpment to the Northwest. The triangle also offers great views of wildlife.
Game drives.
You will have a series of game drives to have scenic views of wildlife and nature!
Balloon Safaris.
These provide an excellent view of numerous animals galloping across the vast savannah. The animals can be seen indulging in their various activities that range from predation to feeding. The balloon safari enable one to develop a vulture’s-eye-like view and happen usually at dawn.
Photography competitions.
In 2018, one of the Mara’s luxury safari camps called Angama Mara launched the Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year competitions through its organisation called Angama Foundation. You can always take part in these competitions.
Community visits.
You will have an opportunity to visit the Masai people and have a taste of their traditional culture. The masai tribe is one of the native tribes of Kenya, occupying the Southern and Northern area of the country. The tribe practices livestock keeping and little agriculture.
Masia Mara can be visited any time of the year, although the best time to visit is between July and October, a time during which the great animal migration happens.
Getting there.
Masai mara is about 270 km from Nairobi city. It takes approximately 5 hours to reach the area by drive and around 40 minutes of flight. For a drive, the road is good apart from the section from Narok to Sekenani gate.