Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya, also Maasai Mara National Reserve and sometimes simply referred to as The Mara, is the largest and the most visited national park in Kenya. Masai Mara National Reserve is contagious of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and is part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Masai Mara National Park is named after the Masai people who are the ancestral inhabitants of the area that the reserve occupies. The word Mara translates to “spotted” in the Masai local dialect, given because of the many short bushy trees which literally dot the landscape of Masai Mara National Reserve.
Masai Mara National Reserve Location
Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the southern part of Kenya long the Great Rift valley area, in Narok County just a few kilometres from the Narok town which is the largest town of the Masai. Masai Mara National Reserve is about 224km away from Nairobi city.
Masai Mara National Reserve attractions
Eluai Plain. The Eluai plain is known for the vast wilderness areas and scattered trees. The Eluai plain is great place to see spectacular sights of animals in Masai Mara National Reserve like cheetahs, large herds of elephants, zebras, among so many others.
Mara River. The Mara River is a beautiful attraction in Masai Mara National Reserve giving travellers an opportunity to view various water animals like hippos and crocodiles as well as water birds. Also, the Mara River is a great place to witness the Wildebeest migration.
Animals in Masai Mara National Reserve. The animals in Masai Mara National Reserve are the top attraction in Masai Mara National Reserve, with an abundance of animals that travellers can spot, like the African big five including prides of lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, as well as other animals like wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, impalas, elands, among so many others.
Birds. Birds in Masai Mara National Reserve are a great attraction that see travellers enjoying birding safaris in the reserve. With over 300 bird species in Masai Mara National Reserve, travellers can spot a variety of bird species with birding safaris in the reserve.
Other attractions in Masai Mara National Reserve that travellers can enjoy include the Masai triangle, the Olarek Orok Conservancy, Nashuli Masai Conservancy, Olpunyata swamp, among others.
Masai Mara National Reserve activities
Game drives
Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are the best and most done tourist activity in Masai Mara National Reserve. Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve can be done the whole day, with early morning and evening game drives being the most rewarding. Night game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are possible, with guidance of a ranger guide and through designated trails in the park.
Nature walks
Nature walks are guided, and take travellers on an exploration expedition in Masai Mara National Reserve. Nature walks, or walking safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve have travellers following footsteps of the wildlife just like the explorers did, experiencing the magnificent beauty of the reserve on foot.
Wildebeest migration viewing
The annual great wildebeest migration in Masai Mra National Reserve is one of the most fascinating activities in Masai Mara National Reserve. Witnessing the great wildebeest migration has travellers watching the greatest spectacle in the world, with over 1 million wildebeests and other animals like zebras and gazelles crossing the Mara River to neighbouring Serengeti National Park Tanzania. The wildebeest migration sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve can be spotted from the months of July to October. Be sure to book a Masai wildebeest Migration safari for an opportunity to witness this natural world wonder.
Masai Mara National Reserve hot air balloon
Hot air balloon safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve are a great way to spot the various wildlife in Masai Mara National Reserve and the amazing landscape and scenery of the reserve, floating over the vast savannah plains of the Mara Plains.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours in Masai Mara National Reserve take travellers to encounter the way of life of the local Masai tribe, who are the ancestral descendants of the Masai Mara National Reserve. You shall get to experience the Masai culture and way of life, including their most famous traditional dance.
Horseback safaris
Horseback safaris are a new form of game viewing in Masai Mara National Reserve which see travellers chasing the wildlife in the reserve on horseback. You shall definitely enjoy the thrill of horseback riding in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Best time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve
The best time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve is during the dry season, which falls in the months of June to September and December through February. The dry season is the best time for game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve given the vegetation is thin aiding game viewing, and also the animals in Masai Mara National Reserve do gather at the few water holes for a drink, which also attracts the predators like lions which prey on the animals.
Masai Mara National Reserve accommodation
There are a number of accommodation in Maasai Mara National Reserve that travellers can stay in while on a Masai Mara National Reserve safari include Mara Plains Camp, Mara Serena Lodge, Mara River Lodge, Porini Mara Camp, Speke’s Camp, among so many others. These accommodation in Masai Mara National Reserve are in three different categories namely luxury, mid-range and budget, which do cater for all categories of travellers.
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous and visited wildlife conservations and wilderness safari destinations in Africa which tourists can visit all throughout the year with Maasai Mara National Reserve tours and safaris. The wildlife in Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the reasons that tourists visit Maasai Mara National Reserve but Masai Mara National Reserve is famous for the annual great wildebeest migration which sees over 1 million wildebeests and other wildlife like zebras and gazelles crossing the Mara River to Serengeti National Park Tanzania. You can visit Kenya for a Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya Wildlife safari tours and more. Beyond Masai Mara National Reserve, tourists can enjoy destinations like the picturesque Amboseli National Park with large herds of free ranging elephants with a backdrop of Mountain Kilimanjaro, or Lake Nakuru National Park which is famous for the huge population of pink flamingos. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you pitch together an amazing Kenya wildlife safari to visit Masai Mara National Reserve and beyond.
