Masai Mara National Reserve Facts

Masai Mara National Reserve facts are some of the important aspects about the reserve and key informative tips that any traveller ought to know or equip themselves with as they do plan out their much anticipated visit to Africa on a Kenya safari tour, especially in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara National Reserve is the most sought after and visited national park in Kenya, for a number of reasons with witnessing the annual Great wildebeest migration being top of the list, alongside other reasons like the presence of African big five large population of big cats like lions, cheetahs and leopards among other animals and birds in Masai Mara National Reserve.

Below are the various Masai Mara National Reserve facts that you may find fascinating if not informative;

Masai Mara National Reserve was first established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961, and occupied only about 520 square kilometres.
Masai Mara National Reserve currently occupies up to 1510 square kilometres of space, with adjacent conservancies.
Masai Mara National Reserve is bordered by the Serengeti National Park Tanzania to the south, the Siria escarpments to the west and the Masai pastoral ranches to the north, east and the west.
Masai Mara National Reserve derives her name from the Masai people, the locals who have lived here since ages past. The word Mara on the other hand in in the local Masai dialect which simply translates to “spotted” which perfectly describes the acacia in the vast savannah plains of the Mara.
Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the south western region of Kenya, bordering the Serengeti National Park Tanzania, and has a very high concentration of wildlife which tourists can visit and encounter on wildlife safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve.
The Masai people are the residents and descendants of the land who live both in and around the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Masai people are the very cultural attraction that you can encounter while on cultural tours in Masai Mara National Reserve whose culture and way of life you shall experience, especially their way of dressing, the local handicrafts that they do and make, their houses commonly known as “manyattas”, their traditional dances, among so much more.

The big cat population in Masai Mara National Reserve is quite impressive, with possibilities of spotting large prides of lions more than once in the reserve while on game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve. Other big cats in Masai Mara National Reserve include cheetahs, and leopards.
The African big five can be seen in Masai Mara National Reserve, and also almost easily, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos, which are among the top reasons that tourists to visit on Masai Mara National Reserve safaris.
Birds in Masai Mara National Reserve are recorded to be more than 570 species of wild birds, with about 50 bird species being birds of prey, and most of the other birds in the Mara being migrant birds. Some of the birds in Masai Mara National Reserve that tourist can encounter include vultures, ostriches, Kori bustards, yellow billed hornbill, grey crowned cranes among so many others.
The great wildebeest migration is the most sought after activity in the Masai Mara National Reserve during the time that it actually takes place. Witnessing the great wildebeest migration is one of the most fascinating things you can do while in the reserve, with the very iconic Mara River crossing as predators like crocodiles in the waters and lions and leopards in the shores waiting to pounce on their fleeing prey.
Game drives, especially early morning game drives and evening game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are the best way to see the various animals in Masai Mara National Reserve. You can even take full day game drives in Masai Mra National Reserve, which increases your chances of seeing more and more animals in Masai Mra National Reserve.
Did you know that walking safaris are possible in Masai Mara National Reserve? Well yes, walking safaris can be done in Masai Mara national Reserve, conducted by the local Masai warriors.

Now that you know the various Masai Mara National Reserve facts, and learnt a thing or two that you may not have otherwise know about the Mara, you can plan out your fascinating Masai Mara safari looking forward to see for yourself some aspects about the Masai Mara National Reserve for yourself like encountering the Masai people and witnessing the fascinating and breath taking Great wildebeest migration, one of the natural wonders of the world that shall leave you amazed at the largest animal migration in the world. Get in touch with a trusted tour operator like Focus East Africa Tours to help you plan out one of the most memorable Masai Mara National Reserve safaris, and beyond.