Maasai Mara - The Plains of The Big Cat Diary and African Cats' top wish list of many safaris In Africa.
Masai Mara is one of the world's natural wonders – "Great Migration". It is a gloriously beautiful, wildlife-rich savannah landscape, once described by the eminent biologist Julian Huxley as 'the only easily accessible and readily studied remaining portion of the world's pre-human climax community at its tropical richest.'
Masai Mara is also a region where traditionally dressed Maasai still herd their cattle and goats in a lifestyle that, in some respects, hasn't changed much since they first arrived here 350 years ago.
And equally, today, the Maasai Mara is where herds of minibusses jostle for the best photo opportunity amid a panorama of African wildlife. We won't pretend otherwise: 'The Mara' is one of the busiest of Kenya's safari regions. Happily, there are strategies for avoiding the crowds – and we have lots of experience doing just that.
Nowhere in Kenya has captured the world's imagination like the Maasai Mara.
On the short-grass savannahs of the Mara River basin, between the Loita Hills in the east and the Oloololo Escarpment in the west, hundreds of big-maned lions, large numbers of cheetah and leopards, spotted hyenas and jackals, some 1,500 elephants, tens of thousands of antelope of more than a dozen species from the tiny dik-dik to the giant eland, Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, herds of buffalo, Maasai giraffe, and migratory Burchell's zebras and Wildebeest in their hundreds of thousands make the region a magnet for safaris of every stripe.
Masai Mara is also a region where traditionally dressed Maasai still herd their cattle and goats in a lifestyle that, in some respects, hasn't changed much since they first arrived here 350 years ago.
And equally, today, the Maasai Mara is where herds of minibusses jostle for the best photo opportunity amid a panorama of African wildlife. We won't pretend otherwise: 'The Mara' is one of the busiest of Kenya's safari regions. Happily, there are strategies for avoiding the crowds – and we have lots of experience doing just that.
Nowhere in Kenya has captured the world's imagination like the Maasai Mara.
On the short-grass savannahs of the Mara River basin, between the Loita Hills in the east and the Oloololo Escarpment in the west, hundreds of big-maned lions, large numbers of cheetah and leopards, spotted hyenas and jackals, some 1,500 elephants, tens of thousands of antelope of more than a dozen species from the tiny dik-dik to the giant eland, Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, herds of buffalo, Maasai giraffe, and migratory Burchell's zebras and Wildebeest in their hundreds of thousands make the region a magnet for safaris of every stripe.
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of Africa's most famous national parks and outstanding wildlife reserves. It is found in Kenya, situated in southwest Kenya, side by side with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
These national parks form one of Kenya's most beloved safari destinations and one of Africa's most diverse and magnificent ecosystems, where visitors can access Masai Mara National Reserve and 100,000 acres of protected area called national reserves. Masai Mara covers an area of 1,510 square km (583 square miles). The Masai Mara National Reserve has breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife, and endless plains. Masai Mara National Reserve is named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who migrated to the area from the Nile Basin with the description of the area being derived from the name "Mara," which means "spotted" in the local Maasai language. This is because of the many short, bushy trees dot the landscape.
Wildlife of Masai Mara Kenya.
The wildlife in Masai Mara is considered one of the finest assemblies of wild animals anywhere in the world.
There is a record of nearly 90 mammals and over 500 bird species in Masai Mara and the surrounding Great Mara ecosystem.
We have categorized the wildlife into a general Mammal list and Notable Birds commonly found in Masai Mara.
Most tourists come to East Africa hoping to see the so-called "Big 5": Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo. Well, the Mara is one of the few places in Africa where seeing all these five animal species is possible and reasonably likely during a 3-day safari.
The plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Siria Escarpment are probably the best for game viewing, particularly regarding lions and cheetah.
From July to October or later, Wildebeest, topi, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle migrate into and occupy the Mara reserve, from the Serengeti plains to the south and Loita Plains in the pastoral ranches to the north-east.
All members of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, black and white rhinos) are found here all year round.
The population of black rhinos was severely depleted by poaching in the 1970s and early 1980s, dropping to a low of 15 individuals. Numbers have, however, increased with the help of the Maasai Mara through protecting an indigenous black rhino population.
Hippos and crocs are found in large groups in the Mara and Talek rivers.
Wildebeest are the dominant inhabitants of the Maasai Mara, and their numbers are estimated in the millions. Around July of each year, these animals migrate north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pasture and return to the south around October.
The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving some 1,300,000 blue wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson's gazelles, 97,000 topi, 18,000 common elands, and 200,000 Grant's zebras.
More than 470 species of birds have been identified in the park, many of which are migrants, with almost 60 species being raptors.
Birds that call this area home for at least part of the year include vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested eagles, African pygmy-falcons and the lilac-breasted roller, which is the national bird of Kenya.
History of the Maasai Mara
Hunter-gatherers almost certainly inhabited the Mara basin for tens of thousands of years before modern peoples arrived in the last few hundred years. Still, the ancient foragers and hunters left no trace of their time here.
Cushitic-speaking peoples arrived from the north perhaps two thousand years ago, mixing with the old hunter-gatherers and leaving evidence of their stone-age tools and livestock enclosures in the conservancy districts north of the present-day National Reserve.
The Maasai themselves only became established in the region in the late seventeenth century, having rushed from the area of South Sudan over the previous century, and with iron technology and military organization, they quickly absorbed and supplanted their predecessors.
Following the Maasai civil wars in the mid-nineteenth century and then a devastating outbreak of the imported livestock disease rinderpest in 1891 that wiped out most of the Maasai's herds and much of the region's buffalo, Wildebeest, and other plains grazers, the area was decimated and appeared primarily abandoned when the first European hunting safaris came through before World War I.
For nearly half a century, the Mara was a hunting zone entire of thick bush that encouraged tsetse flies and discouraged Maasai with their cattle prone to sleeping sickness.
In 1948, the area that is today the Mara Triangle was declared a game reserve, and it was extended east of the Mara River in 1961 when the rules on hunting were further extended (and the lion population east of the river was counted at nine). The present shape of the National Reserve was fixed in 1984.
The Mara wildebeest herds have fluctuated hugely, from perhaps 250,000 after World War II to as many as 1.3 million in the late 1970s and maybe half that today. Whether the general wildlife declines noted in recent years are a long-term decline or a periodic dip or indicate that more of the wildlife is moving out of areas where it can be easily counted (into the conservancies, for example, which looks pretty likely) are moot points.
In 1948, the area that is today the Mara Triangle was declared a game reserve, and it was extended east of the Mara River in 1961 when the rules on hunting were further extended (and the lion population east of the river was counted at nine). The present shape of the National Reserve was fixed in 1984.
The Mara wildebeest herds have fluctuated hugely, from perhaps 250,000 after World War II to as many as 1.3 million in the late 1970s and maybe half that today. Whether the general wildlife declines noted in recent years are a long-term decline or a periodic dip or indicate that more of the wildlife is moving out of areas where it can be easily counted (into the conservancies, for example, which looks pretty likely) are moot points.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Mara Conservancies
Most of the 1,500km² area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve consists of rolling, short-grass plains cut through by the meandering Mara and Talek rivers, which effectively divide the Reserve into three main 'sectors,' as described below. The Mara River has only two bridges and no other vehicle crossing points, while the smaller Talek River has relatively few points where vehicles can ford the river. Morning and evening game drives are usually conducted in the sector closest to the camp or lodge.
Many camps organize all-day game drives with a picnic lunch to explore a different sector, especially during the annual migration.
The Maasai Mara is part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem (or Greater Serengeti ecosystem), stretching from the Mau Escarpment above Kenya's Rift Valley to the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. In Kenya, the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself is split into three areas, divided by the Mara and Talek rivers: the Mara Triangle, between the Oloololo Escarpment and the Mara River; the Musiara sector, between the Mara and Talek rivers; and the Sekenani sector south-east of the Talek and Mara.
The Maasai Mara is part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem (or Greater Serengeti ecosystem), stretching from the Mau Escarpment above Kenya's Rift Valley to the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. In Kenya, the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself is split into three areas, divided by the Mara and Talek rivers: the Mara Triangle, between the Oloololo Escarpment and the Mara River; the Musiara sector, between the Mara and Talek rivers; and the Sekenani sector south-east of the Talek and Mara.
An excellent conservation trust runs the Mara Triangle, and the Narok County Council runs the rest of the Reserve.
Outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve lie the exclusive wildlife conservancies. Blavals Adventure offers a selection of safari camps in both areas. Remember that none of these areas are fenced. The Mara region's few fences are used to keep people and livestock safe rather than to enclose the free-roaming wildlife.
Outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve lie the exclusive wildlife conservancies. Blavals Adventure offers a selection of safari camps in both areas. Remember that none of these areas are fenced. The Mara region's few fences are used to keep people and livestock safe rather than to enclose the free-roaming wildlife.
Maasai Mara Safaris
Safaris in the Mara – particularly in the Maasai Mara National Reserve – must be planned carefully to optimize your experience: the days are gone when you could drive down from Nairobi or fly into a bush airstrip and do your own thing entirely. Nevertheless, you don't have to feel constrained during a visit to the Mara: in a region roughly as big as Dorset or Lanarkshire, a few thousand visitors are relatively easily absorbed.
The critical point is to accept that for one activity – witnessing a wildebeest crossing on one of the rivers through the Reserve (the Mara or Talek) – you are not likely to avoid a large crowd of other vehicles. If you can manage to be in the area somewhat before or after the months considered to be peak migration season (mid-July to mid-October), but still when the migration is in the Mara (in recent years from as early as mid-June to as late as mid-December), you will find significantly fewer visitors, often lower prices, and still some chance of witnessing a crossing.
Suppose you can accept that you won't have every moment to yourself during peak season. In that case, you can maximize your chances of seeing a crossing by including a stay in a tented camp close to the stretches of river where they usually take place – we offer the three Governors' camps on the Mara and Rekero and Naibor on the Talek, close to its confluence with the Mara.
Suppose you can accept that you won't have every moment to yourself during peak season. In that case, you can maximize your chances of seeing a crossing by including a stay in a tented camp close to the stretches of river where they usually take place – we offer the three Governors' camps on the Mara and Rekero and Naibor on the Talek, close to its confluence with the Mara.
Alternatively, choose a camp in one of the conservancies – a little further away from what can sometimes feel like a bit of a circus – and make game drives into the Reserve and down to the likely river crossing areas when you're in the mood, and use other game drives to plow your furrow in the peaceful reaches of a private conservancy, where you'll still see masses of wildlife, including often vast numbers of Wildebeest during the migration season. Still, you'll rarely come across more than one or two other vehicles.
Lastly, don't forget, when you're on a game drive, how you spend your time is very much up to you and your fellow passengers. If you have the vehicle for your party, which can often be the case out of peak season, it's essential to let the driver-guide know what you'd like to see and where you'd like to go.
Lastly, don't forget, when you're on a game drive, how you spend your time is very much up to you and your fellow passengers. If you have the vehicle for your party, which can often be the case out of peak season, it's essential to let the driver-guide know what you'd like to see and where you'd like to go.
All driver-guides will attempt to show you a good range of wildlife, but you shouldn't hold back from requesting particular species or locations if you have your preferences. Guaranteeing a vehicle with a driver-guide for your exclusive use usually costs extra. Still, many camps will aim to give you a private vehicle if the camp isn't full – precisely because it gives you the maximum freedom to follow your interests.
Maasai Mara landmarks
Orienting yourself while on safari in the Maasai Mara is relatively easy. To the west, the striking Oloololo or Siria-Oloololo Escarpment forms a dramatic western boundary to the Reserve visible from far and wide. In the east, the Ngama Hills pile up near Sekenani Gate, and behind them, the much more extensive Loita Hills rise beyond the Siana district.
Inside the Reserve, the Musiara Marsh, Rhino Ridge, Paradise Plain, and Leopard Gorge (just outside Mara North Conservancy) are familiar names to followers of Big Cat Diary.
Across the region, scattered conical hills rise from the plains, including some that can be used as lookouts and sundowner spots.
Wildlife safaris in the Maasai Mara
On safari in the Maasai Mara, you usually go for a game drive twice daily, looking for wildlife to watch and photograph. The best times, both from the point of view of seeing the animals and in terms of comfort and good lighting, are the first two hours after dawn and the last two hours before sunset.
Big Cats
Finding a pride of lions (some 400 lions resident in the Reserve and neighboring conservancies) is usually relatively easy – and high on most visitors' must-see lists. Leopards are also seen increasingly often, and good sightings of cheetahs can be expected.
Adult individuals of all three big cats are generally known by name to the driver-guides who frequent their territories, especially in the busier parts of the Reserve, while even in the conservancies, which are increasingly suitable for lion-watching, predator research projects have identified most lions by their whisker marks and other facial characteristics.
Other predators
Other predators regularly seen throughout the Reserve and conservancies include fascinating spotted hyenas (rarely bothered by human observers and compelling in their social interactions), black-backed and side-striped jackals, and cute pairs of bat-eared foxes. You may also see a serval – a slim, striped, and spotted cat of tall grass and bush, adept at catching small mammals and birds.
The rarest predator of the Maasai Mara, the wild dog, is a beautiful, nomadic pack animal. At one time almost extinct in the region, one or two packs (and what appear to be smaller scouting parties of two or three individuals) are being seen in many areas, though still not regularly. But they are beginning to den in the region, meaning they're back to stay.
The rarest predator of the Maasai Mara, the wild dog, is a beautiful, nomadic pack animal. At one time almost extinct in the region, one or two packs (and what appear to be smaller scouting parties of two or three individuals) are being seen in many areas, though still not regularly. But they are beginning to den in the region, meaning they're back to stay.
Elephants and rhinos.
The Mara has hundreds of elephants across the region, and you'll rarely go for more than one or two game drives without seeing them.
Large numbers (currently around 1500) are a relatively recent phenomenon, dating back to the 1930s when the colonial government largely eradicated them from the Lake Victoria region. Survivors migrated east into the Mara basin, where they have been instrumental in opening up the landscape and creating grassland where there was much thicker bush in the past.
By contrast with the large number of elephants you'll see on a Mara safari, black rhinos have been highly scarce since the 1970s, and their long breeding cycle and nervous disposition means that recovery is taking decades.
By contrast with the large number of elephants you'll see on a Mara safari, black rhinos have been highly scarce since the 1970s, and their long breeding cycle and nervous disposition means that recovery is taking decades.
There are thought to be between thirty and forty rhinos scattered across the national Reserve (so far, none have been seen in the conservancies), mostly tucked into dense bush areas near remote stretches of the river.
Birdwatching in the Maasai Mara
The birds of the Maasai Mara are an absolute delight for birdwatchers – and even if you're not convinced before you arrive, you're likely to have your head turned by the sheer diversity of species in the region – around 450 species, ranging from the prehistoric-looking ostrich to guinea-fowl, turacos and an impressive galaxy of more than fifty species of raptors, or birds of prey.
Look out for (and listen out for) pairs of striking ground hornbills – waddling, turkey-sized birds with red faces- one of Mara's more distinctive birds. There's an excellent new guide, Birds of the Masai Mara, which includes 200 outstandingly photographed species of birds, by Adam Scott Kennedy – a naturalist who has been visiting the Maasai Mara for many years.
The Great Wildebeest Migration
The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park is one of the most spectacular natural events in the world. Every year, millions of Wildebeest, zebra, and other animals migrate across the Serengeti for food and water. The migration follows a circular route, covering over 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles).
The route of the wildebeest migration
The wildebeest migration begins in the southern Serengeti in November and December when the short rains start. The Wildebeest move north in search of fresh grass. In January and February, the Wildebeest reach the western Serengeti, where they calve.
The Wildebeest move east across the Serengeti in March and April for more food. In May and June, the Wildebeest reach the Grumeti River, which they must cross to reach Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In July and August, the Wildebeest spend time in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, feeding on the lush grasses. In September and October, the wildebeest journey back to the southern Serengeti.
This movement, the Great Migration – now billed as one of the natural wonders of the world – is, in reality, one phase in a continual cycle of nomadic pasture-seeking, mating, calving, and more pasture-seeking that sees the majority of the herds ever on the move, according to the onset of the seasonal rains, the rise and fall of the river waters and the growth of the rich oat grass and other pastures.
Although Wildebeest often form lines while moving towards the scent of better grazing and tend to follow each other's footprints and paths, there is no specific migration 'route.' Huge numbers cross the Mara River in Tanzania and head north into the western part of the Maasai Mara National Reserve (the Mara Triangle), from where they may then turn right and cross back over the Mara into the Musiara or Sekenani sectors of the Reserve.
Others, in their hundreds of thousands, head north into the Maasai Mara's Sekenani sector across the shallow Sand River and then turn left to cross the Mara or Talek rivers. The herds swarm far into the north, where they spread out across the conservancies, and they travel and re-cross the rivers, drawn by fresh pasture and driven by herd instinct and the threat of predators, especially to young and weaker animals.
The migration is indeed an awe-inspiring experience, and you shouldn't be in any doubt that, as a consequence, the Maasai Mara region tends to be very busy, with well over 100 camps and safari lodges across a total area of around 3,000km².
The migration is indeed an awe-inspiring experience, and you shouldn't be in any doubt that, as a consequence, the Maasai Mara region tends to be very busy, with well over 100 camps and safari lodges across a total area of around 3,000km².
From July to October, the migration season can see some Maasai Mara lodges, the more popular tented camps booked solidly, and dozens of safari vehicles angling for position at key wildebeest crossing points. We recommend not focusing exclusively on the migration to get the most out of a visit. There are always ways to avoid feeling too crowded, and a safari to the Maasai Mara is rewarding at any time of year.
Wildebeest crossings
During the wildebeest migration, the river crossings regularly produce the most gut-wrenching dramas of life and death. Heavy rains on the Mau escarpment can see the Mara River in spate at the peak of the migration season.
The river has cut a deep channel through the Mara's soft, black cotton soils, and its steep, crumbly banks can make the crossing treacherous for the herds.
The Mara's giant Nile crocodiles gorge themselves during this period, snatching flankers from the edge of the central column.
Sometimes, dozens of dead Wildebeest are washed up on the banks, where a macabre posse of vultures, marabou storks, hyenas, and crocodiles picks over the spoils.
The challenges of the wildebeest migration
The wildebeest migration is a dangerous journey. The Wildebeest must cross rivers, which can be full of crocodiles. They must also contend with predators such as lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.
Despite the challenges, wildebeest migration is vital to the Serengeti ecosystem. The migration helps keep the grasslands healthy and provides food for various predators.
The best time to see the wildebeest migration
The best time to see the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park is during the calving season in January and February. This is when the Wildebeest are most concentrated in the southern Serengeti.
Another good time to see the wildebeest migration is during the river crossings in May and June. This is when the Wildebeest must cross the Grumeti River and the Mara River to reach the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
How to see the wildebeest migration
The best way to see the wildebeest migration is on a game drive.
If you are taking a game drive in an open vehicle, stay alert and keep your distance from the animals. Wildebeest are unpredictable and can be dangerous if they feel threatened.
Tips for seeing the wildebeest migration.
Book your safari in advance. The wildebeest migration is a popular tourist attraction, so booking your safari in advance is essential, especially if you are traveling during the calving season or the river crossings.
Choose a reputable tour operator. Many tour operators offer safaris to the Serengeti National Park. Be sure to choose a reputable tour operator with a good safety and customer service reputation.
Be flexible with your travel dates. The wildebeest migration does not follow a fixed schedule. The Wildebeest may move faster or slower than expected, depending on the weather conditions and the availability of food and water.
Be patient. It may take some time to find the wildebeest migration. Be patient and enjoy the scenery along the way.
The wildebeest migration is a fantastic spectacle everyone should experience at least once. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of seeing this incredible event.
Seeing a kill on safari
Every one of these hundreds of thousands of grazers and browsers ends up meeting a horrible, if usually relatively swift, end in the jaws of a predator – or often enough, the jaws of a noisy group of predators. (The only exception to the predation rule is probably the elephant, which dies when its sixth and last set of teeth finally wears out and can't feed properly.)
Death on the plains is a common occurrence, and seeing a kill is something that quite a few visitors experience. It's important not to interfere with predators when they're hunting – or afterward when several species may be fighting over the spoils – so you'll have to rely on a good lens to get close to the action.
Cheetahs are particularly vulnerable to disturbance: they only eat what they have killed, unlike most other predators, which also engage in scavenging.
Hippos
The Mara's hundreds of hippos tend to keep well out of the way while all this is happening. Submerged in quieter meanders, they're easy to see all year round and can also be spotted on the river banks and sand bars, especially early in the morning, when you may be treated to some hippo comedy routines while you eat your bush breakfast.
Plains game
The open country of the Mara plains, grooved by bush-fringed luggage or seasonal streams, is where you get those classic East African panoramas of multiple species on the horizon and, quite often, the spectacular sight of wall-to-wall wildlife in every direction.
Magnificent giraffes loping between the acacia trees, seeking the choicest tips that only they can reach; smartly turned-out topi antelope, most with their heads down in the grass, a few standing sentry, combining lookout and harem defense duties; big herds of heavy, black buffalo moving through the bush like squadrons of battleships; feisty mobs of quarrelsome zebras scampering across the plains; and scruffy-looking wildebeest, with their mad-eyed gaze and nervous body language, that always look like the anxious, walking lions' lunches that they are.
Among these are dozens of other, equally worthy, species – Thomson's and Grant's gazelles (learning the difference is something you'll do on your first game drive); massive eland with their straight horns and dewlaps; leaping impala that almost float through the bush; waterbuck, bushbuck, duiker and dik-dik; ungainly, orange hartebeest; troops of baboons and vervet monkeys; and families of busy warthogs, tails erect, always running away.
Among these are dozens of other, equally worthy, species – Thomson's and Grant's gazelles (learning the difference is something you'll do on your first game drive); massive eland with their straight horns and dewlaps; leaping impala that almost float through the bush; waterbuck, bushbuck, duiker and dik-dik; ungainly, orange hartebeest; troops of baboons and vervet monkeys; and families of busy warthogs, tails erect, always running away.
Balloon flights in the Maasai Mara
Taking a 'balloon safari' is a treat that many people hope to do, and it's certainly a memorable experience, although not ideal for game viewing or wildlife photography.
The hot-air balloons, launched at dawn after a noisy and spectacular inflation process, carry a dozen or more passengers for about an hour in a southerly direction across the Reserve at a height of anything from a few meters to several hundred meters above the plains.
The best flights follow the course of the Mara or Talek rivers, allowing you to peer down into the forest, skim past vultures' nests, and watch the monkeys' early-morning routine.
By 7:30 am, the balloons drop onto the plain for a bush breakfast and sparkling wine, followed by a game drive back to camp.
The price is around US$480 per person, and flights are best booked in advance.
The Maasai
The Mara River basin is one of Kenya's heartlands of Maasai culture. Traditional cattle herders, who migrated into this region from what is now South Sudan over the 17th and 18th centuries, the Maasai rarely hunted – except ritualistically when killing a lion as one of the tests of manhood.
They lived in relative harmony with the wildlife for generations and ranged far and wide throughout southwestern Kenya with their herds.
With population and land pressure and the advent of safari tourism, they have had to reinvent their economy. While cattle ownership is still a central aspect of Maasai culture, many Maasai have become expert safari guides and camp managers.
You're bound to have plenty of chances to interact with Maasai guides and staff, and village and school visits are usually an optional activity, perhaps as an alternative to an afternoon game drive. Most of the camps we feature have positive relationships with their local communities, and most fees paid for such visits go directly to the elders or village council.
Maasai by any other name…
How you spell "Maasai" is often a topic of robust debate on safari – especially when you're into your third Tusker around the campfire.
Apart from misunderstandings like 'Massamara' and 'Massimari,' some claim that there are different spellings for the people and the Reserve.
It's true that when the Reserve was first restricted in the 1940s, the common spelling was 'Masai' – as indeed it had been since Joseph Thomson first walked Through Masai Land in 1883, a double-a spelling being unknown in the English language.
The 'Masai' spelling preceded the first attempt to write down the Maasai language, Maa, which uses standard international rules for a long "a." these days. In contrast, the double-a spelling is increasingly the common form, and it's simply a convention and arguably no more correct than spelling color with a 'u.'
How to get to Masai Mara, Kenya
By Road:
Going by road is best if you are curious about Kenya's countryside.
The drive from Nairobi to Narok will take 2 to 2.5 hours, and then from Narok to Masai Mara is 3 hours.
Driving from Nairobi to Masai Mara will take approximately 6 hours as a complete journey.
By Air:
Flying from Nairobi takes 30 minutes. It is easier and more comfortable than driving.
You can take a domestic flight from Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi.
Masai Mara Weather
It has a semi-arid climate with biannual rains and two distinct rainy seasons.
Masai Mara has a mild climate, which varies due to changes in the altitude in the park.
The dry season: From June to October. The temperature is 25°C (77°F).
This is the best time to be in the park since it is hot and animals are concentrated around water pans.
The Wet Season: From November to May. Temperatures are around 13°C (55°F).
There are many cloudy days, though the daytime temperatures do not vary much.
Best Time to Visit
- During the dry season, between June to October and
- There were short and long rains in January and February.
This is primarily because;
- The rain does not spoil the roads
- This is when the thirsty animals gather around the local waterways.
- There are large flocks of animals, considering that it's barely in the last two months of the dry season when the annual wildebeest migration takes place.
Activities.
Game Drives Day or Night:
- This is an adventure excursion by vehicle into a wildlife area such as a National Park or Reserve purposely to explore the park and see the variety of wild animals in the natural habitat.
- The drives last 2 to 3 hours per drive in the morning and afternoon hours.
- Morning timings are usually scheduled from 6.30 am to 9 am
- The afternoon timings are 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm
- Travelers, however, may sometimes opt for a full-day game drive. This generally varies from as early as 7.30 am to 4 pm.
- In such a case, the excursion will include a packed picnic lunch inside the Masai Mara reserve at a designated picnic spot.
Balloon Safaris:
- Flying in a Hot Air Balloon over the Masai Mara plains is an evocative experience you can enjoy during any safari you take to Maasai Mara.
- The balloon takes off at the break of dawn, around 6 am, gliding silently during the ride over the savannah grasslands below, where you may spot various wildlife.
- The flight lasts an hour and concludes with a "Champagne Bush Breakfast" at the balloon landing site in the wilderness.
- A fully qualified and experienced Pilot flies the balloon, and Cameron, a specialist hot air balloon manufacturer in Great Britain, often makes the balloons themselves.
- The basket sizes vary, and booking the ride in advance is best. Space is typically limited to a maximum of 16 passengers per balloon, often fewer if flying with a smaller basket. Images courtesy of Governors Balloons.
Village Visit:
- This one-hour visit to a Maasai village is a chance to interact with them, glimpse their culture and unique way of life, and see firsthand some of their customs and practices.
- The Maasai village visit is typically an excursion included in a longer multi-day Masai Mara safari tour, and a couple of hours are set apart for this brief interactive visit to the village, which usually happens to be on the fringes of the main Mara game reserve boundaries.
- It should be noted that once at the village, you may be expected to buy some curio or souvenir from the villagers, though this is not mandatory.
- The Maasai are known for their many unique cultural practices and traditions. Some of these originate from their nomadic way of life.
Walking Safaris & Bush Walks:
Walking Safaris & Bush Walks in Masai Mara
- A bush walking safari is an adventure-packed activity where participants embark on relaxed, guided walks in a wildlife conservation area to see wild animals more naturally without using a vehicle.
- There are two types of nature walks offered at Masai Mara.
- Nature walks within the camp: It takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Nature walks outside the central Reserve: The Reserve takes approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours, covers a 9 - 15 km distance, and includes a packed breakfast/lunch.
- These nature walks are preferably done early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not too hot.
- Almost all national parks in Kenya, except Hells Gate National Park, prohibit walking inside national parks.
- It is the same with the central Masai Mara National Reserve on the Narok County and Mara Conservancy sides.
- However, private conservancies surrounding the central Reserve allow for well-planned and supervised walking safaris. In contrast, camps and lodges inside the central reserve Reserve shorter nature walks, often just an hour long, are within the immediate vicinity of the safari property.
Horseback Safaris:
- Horseback safaris are indeed one of the most exhilarating experiences when you want to explore the raw wilderness of Masai Mara.
- However, horseback Safaris in Masai Mara are not permitted inside the central Reserve. The Reserve is instead only offered in surrounding areas of the larger Maasai Mara private conservancies and game ranches.
- Accommodation while on a horse riding Safari in Kenya is often in the form of mobile camps that move along with the planned ride.
- These camps are a notch above basic camping and include comfortable bedding inside tents.
- This may vary from deluxe-type camps to more rudimentary 2- or 3-man tents with various facilities included, such as freshly cooked meals and help with pitching camp.
- Essential riding ability is a prerequisite for thoroughly enjoying a Horseback tour in Masai Mara or other locations in Kenya where such safaris are offered, including Laikipia, Amboseli, Mount Kenya, and Lake Naivasha area.
Bush Meals & Sundowners:
- There are options for the activities set to be enjoyed with these special meals. They Are;
- Picnic Lunch: Arranged in packed lunch boxes during a full-day game outing in the reserve Reserve, you do not have to return to the lodge.
- Bush Breakfast & Dinners: A more elaborate meal accompanied by bonfire, light music, or tribal dance performances.
- Sundowners: Gorgeous sunset unfolding right before your eyes
Witness The Wildebeest Migration:
- The wildebeest migration is an annual event between July and October.
- Millions of Wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate from Tanzania to Kenya's Masai Mara, continuously chasing the rains and fresh grass.
- Furthermore, this is when Wildebeestbeest gives birth, besides lions and hyenas arriving at the mara.
- The Governors Camp and the IL Moran Camp are perfect places to witness the migration.
Wedding Event In The Mara.
Unforgettable Weddings at The Mara:
- The Mara is a dream destination for couples seeking a unique and unforgettable wedding experience.
- The location, also known as Maasai Mara National Reserve, is in Kenya and boasts breathtaking views and a rich wildlife ecosystem.
- The best time for a wedding in the Mara is during the dry season, which falls between July and September.
- The Mara experiences clear skies, cooler temperatures, and abundant wildlife during this period.
- Choosing the right venue is essential, and the reserve offers several lodges and campsites that provide beautiful views of the reserve and excellent wedding facilities.
- Some of the most popular wedding venues in the Mara are the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, the Mara Safari Club, and the Olarro Lodge.
- Hosting a wedding event in the Mara is a rare opportunity to create lasting memories.
- With careful planning and attention to detail, couples can create a magical wedding that they and their guests will cherish forever.
Photographers Haven In Mara:
- The Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in Africa.
- It offers an opportunity to capture the raw essence of nature at its finest.
- The Reserve is home to the Big Five and other wildlife species.
- It has picturesque grasslands, hills, and rivers perfect for capturing stunning imagery.
- Visit the Reserve for an unforgettable photography adventure.
Masai Mara Camping:
- Escape to the heart of the Masai Mara for an authentic encounter with nature
- Cozy tents with comfortable bedding, ample space, and a warm ambiance
- Immaculate bathrooms with modern amenities
- Unwind and relax under the stars while enjoying a hot shower
- Guided safari tours to witness the Big Five in their natural habitat
- Explore nearby villages and learn about local culture and traditions
- Hot air balloon ride to witness stunning landscapes from above
- Gather around the campfire at night and share stories and experiences under the starry sky
- Sustainable tourism practices to minimize environmental impact
- Dedicated team to preserve the natural beauty of the Masai Mara and promote conservation efforts
Where to stay in Masai Mara
There are various accommodation options in Masai Mara Kenya National Park. They are categorized into three types:
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Tented Camps
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Safari Lodge
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Private Houses
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.jpg "Mara Leisure | Masai Mara")
