Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara national reserve is one of the premium reserves in Kenya with others being Amboseli and Lake Nakuru national park. The reserve is located in the South-western part of Kenya along the great rift valley area. The Masai Mara national reserve is the world’s most famous national reserve that hosts the largest animal migration called wildebeest migration.
The Masai Mara national reserve also spelt as Maasai Mara national reserve in some books is the jewel of African wildlife viewing destination. In Kenya, the reserve is one of the most visited national reserves not only in Kenya but the entire African continent. The reserve covers an area of 1,510 square kilometres that stretches to the Serengeti national park of Tanzania. The reserve forms the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is the largest and oldest ecosystem on a planet rich with wildlife. The ecosystem covers over 25,000 square kilometres, the majority of the ecosystem is found in Tanzania and the small part found in Kenya.
Masai Mara national reserve was established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary which was covering only a small area equivalent to 520 square kilometres. After great wildlife experience at the sanctuary with good wildlife views the sanctuary, the authorities agreed to enlarge the sanctuary that leads the total land area to 1821 square kilometres. In 1994 the sanctuary was turned in to a game reserve.
The reserve was under the management of Narok County Council which spearheaded the expansion of the reserve through mobilising and teaching locals on the benefits of the reserve. Its out of these efforts that the locals accepted to offer their farming land to be added to the reserve. In 1994 after new developments, a new governing body was formed which was called The Transmara County Council which was found in the West. The management of the reserve was now divided into two those are Narok County Council and Trans Mara County Council.
How to get to Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve is found along the Great Rift Valley area in the Southwest part of Kenya. The reserve can be accessed both by road and by flight with daily scheduled flights daily from different airstrips across the national parks and reserves as well as from Nairobi city. The reserve is located 270 kilometres away from the capital city Nairobi along the scenic route which is tarmac till one goes past Narok town. The drive takes a 5-7 hours drive depending on the stopovers on the way.
Driving to Masai Mara national reserve is much rewarding specially to guests who like culture as you pass through different Masaai villages. The main road from Nairobi passes through the Masaai largest town called Narok a home of all cultural craft shops. One will enter the reserve through its gates like the Sekenani gate. Other commonly used roads include Lamek and Aitong routes.
By flight, it takes only 40 to 45 minutes with Air Kenya airways which operate more domestic flights across all national parks and game reserves of Kenya. This is a good option for old travellers, short time travellers and those who cannot afford along drive through our bumpy African routes. The reserve has more airstrips that are located in different conservancies at the park. The Masai Mara national reserve has 8 airstrips namely Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, Sian Springs Airstrip, Mara Serena Airstrip, Keekorok airstrip, Shikar Airstrip and many more.
Attractions at Masai Mara national reserve
Masai Mara national reserve is one of the premium parks not only in Kenya but entire Africa. Renown by the documentary of “Big cat Diary” which surprised the world was documented in Masai Mara national reserve. The reserve is a home of all the big cats with the highest concentration of lion prides. It is only in this reserve that one is very assured of seeing the rare species of animals like Black leopard, white giraffes, rare newly born dotted Zebra and many more.
Mammals: The Masai Mara national reserve is a home of permanent wildlife and migratory mammals. The reserve is much famous with the great wildebeest migration which is the largest animal migration in the planet earth. This happens annually between Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve via the mighty Mara River. The reserve is a home of large prides of lions alongside all the African big 5 which include Lions, leopards, Buffalo, Elephants and Rhinos. Other animals found are Zebras, Giraffes, gazelles, oribi, topis, wildebeest among others.
Birds: Masai Mara national reserve has over 400 bird species, the reserve broke a record when birders spent only one day and saw over 100 bird species. They have both permanent endemic bird species and the migratory birds. The location of the park at the Great Rift valley with several vegetation covers. The different vegetation give advantage to more bird species with the most sighted birds include: Ostriches, lovebirds, starlings, kori bustards, Secretary bird, Sooty Chat, Rufous-bellied Heron, Usambiro barbet, African finfoot, Ginat kingfisher, Tabora Cisticola, Temminks courser, Ross turaco, Lazy cisticola, Denhams bustard and many more.
Maasai people: Masai Mara national reserve is an iconic tourism destination in Kenya and the entire world, it’s a home of the typical Maasai tribe. This is a tribe with real African culture which modernization has not changed its values. The Maasai people are semi-nomadic people who settled in the South of Kenya and North of Tanzania. They are the only people who have managed to leave together with wildlife at peace. They are accepted to be inside or near the protected areas, visiting them is more supplementary to your safari in the reserve.
Activities in Masai Mara national reserve
Exploring Masai Mara national reserve with the best reputable tour operators makes your dreams of wildlife safari in Africa come true. When planning your safari to the best national reserve in Africa be assured that you will have endless experience of wildlife. There are a wide range of activities that are enjoyable during your stay in the reserve. Below are the list of wildlife best experiential activities that can be done in Masai Mara national reserve.
Game drives: Game drive in Masai Mara national reserve are the best always in the Kenyan open savannah. One can have morning game drive and afternoon game drives, morning game drives are always more recommended as most of the animals are active during morning time. The reserve is a home of all African big 5 those are Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants, and Buffalo. It is only the small Masai Mara national reserve that gives you all the best of the wilderness within the shortest time while in the park. The reserve is the permanent home of some animals like Cheetahs, Zebras, Gazelles, Crocodiles, Hippos, Antelopes, topis and many more and migratory animals like wildebeests.
Game drives are done using safari vans that are 4×4 or landcruisers with a pop-up roof which allows you to have the best game viewing time. Take good quality pictures and above all have wonderful wildlife experience. You go very close to the wildlife sometimes cheetahs jump on top of the safari vans while on a game drive.
Cultural Tours: Masai Mara national reserve is a unique reserve that is rich with both wildlife and culture. One can incorporate a cultural tour during his or her safari in the reserve. Spare one-afternoon and gets into the local communities for an active safari with a cultural safari of the Masaai people. The only people in the world that has kept their culture clean and untapped amidst all the world’s civilization progress. It is only the Maasai in Africa that are allowed to live near or inside the national reserves and they can leave together in harmony with wildlife. The Masaai culture is an extremely great additional experience to your safari, participate in their Jumping dance, see women do work with in modern society is called for men like constructing of the houses, milking of the cows and many more.
See the wildebeest migration: Not reading or watching on YouTube you can also be a live witness of the world’s largest animal migration in the world. The wildebeest migration is an annual migration when millions of wildebeest cross the Mara River from Serengeti national park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya s they look for green pastures. The migration Happens from July to August depending on the rainfall patterns. Humans may not guarantee when but predators can as they always camp around the River to wait for the kill. The migration is very active action that leaves the survival for the fittest during crossing the river. On land, the lions and other big cats await while on water large Nile crocodiles also kill.
Balloon Safari: Masai Mara national reserve is one of the few tourism destinations in Africa where balloon safaris are done. Be the lucky one to float in the air as you enjoy the live action at the reserve along with an aerial view of the open endless plains of the park.
Birding: Gifted with over 400 bird species, the birders enjoy the best birding experience in the reserve. The reserve has 7 species of Kingfishers along the river this includes Giant kingfisher, African pygmy Kingfisher, Blue chested Kingfisher and others, more birds are Ross’s turaco, ostriches, Secretary bird, Kori Bustards, starling and many more. The best time to do birding is during the rainy season when the birds are nesting.
Horseback safaris: It is one of the most unique activities in the wilderness of Africa. It is only in Masai Mara national reserve in all African national parks with all the African big 5 where horseback safaris are done. It is one of the traditional but most experiential safaris, doing full game drives at the back of the horse while in the wilderness. Be next to the wild animal when you’re in the back of the horse. You will be led by the ranger guide to protecting you from any emergency attack from any wild animals while in the bush.
When to visit Masai Mara
The national reserve can be visited throughout the year but the best time should be during the dry months and wildebeest migration time that is from July to October. At this period the park is parked with all kinds of animals and they can be easily seen during your great game drives. You will not need to do long day game drives but brief and short game drives which are all successful.
