Welcome to Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya
Wildlife In Masai Mara
Located in Narok County Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the special wildlife conservation areas in Africa and the world at large. Maasai Mara boasts of its abundant wildlife, inhabiting all members of the big 5 game and a range of other wildlife making it one of Africa’s most sought Kenya safari destinations for game viewing.
The species of wildlife in Masai Mara to see on Kenya safaris include buffaloes, leopards, bush elephants, lions, and rhinos. These are must-see mammal species on Kenya safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve. Though the black rhinos in the Maasai Mara are a little harder to see, the reserve has a large population of big cats housing one of the hugest profusion of lions worldwide.
Masai Mara is also known for its high concentration of cheetahs, leopards plus other predators such as black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas, bat-eared fox. The reserve also protects a range of special antelope families including the reedbucks, elands, Thompson’s gazelles, impalas, topis, and others. Besides, the Mara Reserve as well protects a special sub-species of giraffe- the Masai giraffe, known to be the biggest of the sub-species and they exist only in Kenya and Tanzania.
On a Kenya safari to Masai Mara, the wildebeests are highlights of every visitors’ safari and they can be observed in millions as they cross from Serengeti through the Mara River. As they migrate, they are accompanied by thousands of other mammals including gazelles, elands, and more.
Birds of Masai Mara
A total of about 500 bird species call Mara National Reserve a home making it an amazing Kenya birding safari destination. The birds at this reserve are spotted in the different habitats and they include Schawlow’s turacos, ross’s turacos, kori bustards, ground hornbills, kingfishers, goliath heron, saddle-billed storks, ostriches;
The river birds to sight at Masai Mara include pygmy kingfisher, giant kingfishers, martial eagles, bateleur, pygmy falcon. Other birds of Mara include Denham’s bustards, ayre’s hawk-eagle, Abdim’s stork, cinnamon breasted bunting, African wood owl, African finfoot, secretary birds;
Silver bird, red-throated tit, lazy cisticola, Hildebrandt’s starling, rufous bellied heron, purple grenadier, Jackson’s widow bird, grey penduline tit, grey crested helmet shrike, rosy throated long claw, rufous throated wryneck. There are also birds such as trilling cisticola, Swahili sparrow, white-bellied go-away bird, yellow mantled widowbird, yellow-throated sandgrouse, and others.
About Maasai Mara Reserve
Maasai Mara is a beautiful nature reserve lying on the Great Rift Valley in Kenya and extends up to 1510sq.kms of land area. The rich protected area is part of the expansive Mara ecosystem and this covers the Mara Triangle, Maji Moto, Koiyaki, Kerinkani, Mara North, Ol Chorro Oirowua, Oloirien, Kimintet, and others.
Activities in Masai Mara
- Game viewing
Masai Mara is a wildlife paradise offering a mind-boggling view of wildlife. A game drive in the savannas of Mara Reserve allows you to enjoy an uninterrupted view of wildlife ranging from the big five game, giraffes, antelopes, wildebeest on a river crossing. A 4WD vehicle is more recommended for all game viewing safaris and interestingly, you can undertake a morning or evening game drive (often begins from 4pm to 6:30pm).
- Nature walks
Masai Mara is endowed by nature and undertaking a nature walk is greatly the best way to melt that stress in you. Visitors are accompanied by an experienced guide and you enjoy a close view of wildlife on foot, navigate through the rich habitats.
- Balloon safaris
Hot air balloon tours offer mesmerizing aerial views of wildlife in Masai Mara. You can be part of the early morning balloon tour to catch up with early risers and capture an incredible view of the sunrise or go for an evening ballooning experience.
- Birding
Masai Mara is a rich ecosystem, priding itself as a home to more than 500 bird species making it one excellent birding spot in Kenya and East Africa. Masai Mara’s birds to sight include Egyptian vultures, long-tailed cormorant, ostriches, secretary birds, kori bustard, sooty chat, yellow-billed stork plus migratory birds.
- Wildebeest migration
The wildebeest migration is an all-year-round experience with peak season often starting from July to October. This is perhaps the best period to visit Kenya’s Mara to watch wildebeests migrate in search for water and pasture. January to February is the perfect time to observe wildebeest giving birth.
Best time to visit Masai Mara
Masai Mara is best to visit for Kenya wildlife safari from June to early October and these are ideal months not only for big game driving but also for watching the great wildebeest migration. Birding in the Mara Reserve is best done from March to May or November when majority of migratory birds confine in the area.
Accommodation
There are countless options for visitor overnight stay when it comes to accommodation and they include budget, midrange, and luxury. They include Richard’s River Camp, Little Governors’ Camp, Ol Seki Hemingway’s Mara Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Sala’s Camp, Elewana Sand River Camp- luxury. Midrange- Masai Mara Sopa Lodge, Zebra Plains Mara Camp, while budget includes Enkorok Mara Camp and many others.