MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
located in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve consists mainly of open grassland. Masai mara borders the Serengeti National Park and together they host Africa’s wonder of the annual great wildebeest migration. The name Masai Mara was chosen in honour of the Maasai people.
The Maasai who migrated from the Nile Basin many years ago have lived in this area to date. The word Mara means ‘spotted’ in Maa, the local Maasai language. It refers to the many short bushy trees you see dotted over the savannah plains when you drive through the park.
Masa Mara National Reserve harbours over 95 animal species and over 400 species of birds. The wildlife in Masai Mara is usually based on the escarpment of the reserve. Between August and mid October, you can visit Masai Mara to see the great migration of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, antelopes and impalas. By that time, they have most likely crossed over from the Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park on the other side of the border. This annual wildebeest’s migration involves over 2.5 million animals. The animals are crossing the dangerous Mara River in herds of thousands of animals in order to find fresh grass on the other side. Crocodiles are already waiting in the waters.
Masai Mara – Mara Triangle region
The Masai Mara Triangle is a great stop in the national reserve because it is one of the best points in the world to spot wildlife. The Mara River runs through the Mara Triangle. It is the first area the great migration reaches once they come from Serengeti to the Masai Mara. With the famous Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) being part of the Masai Mara. And with a bit of luck, you can see cheetahs, servals, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, and black-backed and side-striped jackals. The Mara Triangle is also home to hippos, crocodiles, baboons, warthogs, topis, elands, Thomson’s gazelles, Grant’s gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, oribis, reed-bucks, zebras and many more animals.
WHAT TO DO AT MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Morning and Afternoon game drives
Game drives in the Masai Mara national reserve offer the best places for game viewing for an Africa Safari. The Mara Eco-system offers opportunities not only to spot Africa’s famous wildlife but also to take great photos and videos. Game drives occur throughout the year and are arranged in areas with the highest concentration of wildlife. A typical game drive is carried out in standard tour vehicles with a pop-up roof and can start in the morning or afternoon. The morning game drives start at 6am. It is the time when most animals are active and in very large numbers as they head out to eat. The afternoon game drive starts at 2:00pm and goes on up to 6:30pm. The best place to view wildlife during the afternoon game drive is at the watering holes as they come to quench their thirst.
Regardless of whether you go for the morning or afternoon session, expect to see all the big 5 mammals, zebras, giraffe, hyenas, elands and gazelles. Cheetahs are in plenty and well adapted to the Mara but you can also see black rhinos. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is the best place to observe cheetahs in Africa. The highlight of any game drive is observing one of the big cats pull down a zebra or wildebeest. After the game drive, an arrangement can be made to have picnic lunch in the middle of the African wilderness.
Night Game drives
Apart from the day game drives, it is possible to also go for a night game drive in the clear night skies. The night game drive starts at 6:00pm and ends in the dark hours of the night. Night game drives provide an amazing opportunity to observe leopards, lions and hyenas tracking their prey. You can also get to see nocturnal mammals and birds. Herbivores mammals remain alert and on tension in the night because they have to be alert for potential predators. Night game drives can only be done in the private Conservancies and with the help of Guides who know where to find the animals.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
The best time to witness the wildebeest migration is between June and November. With Over 1.5 million wildebeest, Thompson’s Gazelles and Zebras cross the Mara River from the Serengeti in search of greener grass.
They encounter many challenges along the way. Apart from stalking predators, the migrating animals have to cross the crocodile infested Mara River where thousands drown or get eaten by crocodiles. Those who cross the river have to contend with the Africa’s big predators. The scale of the migration is so large that it can be observed from space. Tourists visit to witness the great concentration of animals, the calving season, the battle between predator and prey.
Walks/Walking safaris
Apart from the standard game drives with tour vans, tourists can also register for guided nature walks or a walking safari. These walking safaris offer tourists opportunities to spot birds, wildlife and the savanna on foot. Nature walks also allow you to get close to the surroundings and fresh wilderness in a way that is not possible with game drives. Nature walks are more suitable in the private conservancies bordering the main reserve and are led by very experienced Maasai Guides or armed Rangers.
The walks are conducted in areas that are less frequented by predators and the bigger Activities to do in the Masai Maramammals. The Guides will teach you how to track mammals but also let you know what to do in case you meet any dangerous ones.
Horseback safaris
This particular activity is arranged in the conservancies and not within the main reserve itself. Participants are taken deep into the Mara on the back of a horse to view antelopes, leopards, wildebeest, hartebeests, giraffes, elephants, leopards and lions. It is the most ecological way to tour the reserve without emitting sounds and fumes. This particular activity is led by park Rangers, owners of the conservancies or local Maasai Guides.
Places to visit in Masa MaraHot Air Balloon Safari
If viewing game using a 4×4 vehicle is great then getting an aerial view of the vast Mara plains will take your breath away – especially if you do it during the great migration. The hot air balloon route follows the Mara River allowing you to get an aerial view of the forests, birds and aquatic mammals before going deep into the savannah for more stunning views of the landscape. The activity lasts for one hour and ends with a picnic lunch/breakfast with champagne on the savanna plains. All participants are given certificates. Hot Air balloon safaris are excellent for families and couples on a honeymoon. It also allows participants to take great photos of the reserve.
Sundowners and Bush breakfast/dinner
If you choose to spend your honeymoon in the Maasai Mara game reserve, this is one thing you shouldn’t miss out on. Your hotel can arrange for a mobile dinning in the middle of the savanna with meals, drinks and wines. There is nothing better than watching the beautiful sunset in the wilderness and in the arms of your partner.
Camping and Photographic safaris
If you love camping during your free time, then you will enjoy your time in the Masai Mara National Reserve. The experience will be different because you will be Activities in the Masai Mara sleeping in the middle of the African wilderness and wild animals not far away. There are many campsites within the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Most are public but there are also private ones with facilities like kitchens and toilets. Some even have pools where you can relax with friends and family. What about photography? The Maasai Mara National Reserve is known for its amazing landscape, wildlife and flora. Some of the best wildlife photographers have visited the reserve just to capture its natural beauty and wildlife. You don’t have to be a professional photography to go for a photographic safari. Anyone with a good camera and love for photography can take part in the activity.
Maasai Cultural Encounter
The Mara not only offers great wildlife experiences but also memorable cultural encounters in Tanzania. The Maasai tribesmen are one of Africa’s most intriguing ethnic groups. They are known for their colourful dresses and height. The Maasai live in Kenya and Tanzania. Interestingly, the Maasai only migrated to Kenya 200 years ago. They are believed to have originated from Sudan. The Masai believe that all cattle in the world at one point belonged to their ancestors. Any that is not with them was stolen from them. Before governments took action, the Maasai would raid neighbouring communities to reclaim their lost cattle in what is known as cattle rustling.
What to do in Masai Mara National Reserve The Masai have a distinct dress code and keep domestic animals as a traditional. Most have embraced tourism and the opportunities that come with it. In fact, many of the Guides in the reserve are from the Maasai tribe. A visit to one of the Maasai Bomas is highly recommended especially if you are traveling with children. The children will be fascinated by the Masai lifestyle, culture and traditions. While with the Masai, you can learn how to milk goats, build houses using local material (mud, grass, trees and dung) and use traditional hunting tools. After the cultural encounter and entertainment (songs and dances), you can also visit one of the artisan shops for souvenir.
Stay in one of the private Conservancies or ranches
The Maasai Mara National Reserve receives a lot of visitors between June and November. In order to avoid the crowds, you can choose to stay in one of the private conservancies owned by the Maasai themselves. The conservancies/ranches surround the main reserve and contain more wild animals than the reserve itself. The benefit of staying in one of the conservancies is crowd-free game drives and taking part in activities that are prohibited in the main reserve like night game drives, nature walks and viewing animals outside the main tracks.
The Mara River
The Mara River originates from the Kenyan highlands and drains into Lake Victoria. It provides water to animals in the reserve and is where the wildebeest cross as they migrate from the Serengeti National Park to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Mara River grows in size during the wet season and has some of the largest Nile crocodiles in Africa. Most game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve end in the river because it attracts a lot of birds, crocodiles and hippos.