MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE.

Masai Mara national reserve is one of the largest national reserves in Kenya situated in the rift valley province in Narok neighbouring Serengeti national park in Tanzania. It is famous for homing diverse wildlife such as the big five animals and also hosts the migration of wildebeests which one of the seven wonders in Africa.

It was first established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961 with an area of 520sq.kilometres and then in 1974, it gained the status of being a national reserve with area coverage of 1510sq.km.

The Maasai people are the neighbours of this park, they are cattle keepers and they believe that they own all cattle in the world. On your visit, you will witness their cows grazing inside the reserve.

These people have a unique culture and so interesting, visiting this culture is worth a memorable experience as you learn and get entertained from their culture through the dances, way of worship, local dishes, dress code, Maa language among others.

Masai Mara national reserve is home to the big five animals (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo) while others that can be spotted include gazelles, giraffes, zebras, baboons among others. It is also a good birding destination with unique bird species such as Little Grebe, Pelicans, cormorants, darter, herons, egrets and bitterns, hamerkop, shoebill, storks, ibises, spoonbill, ducks and geese.

Activities in Masai Mara National Reserve.

The different activities you can participate in Masai Mara depend on one’s choice, convenience and budget. These are;

Game drives. This is the commonest activity done is most all savannah national parks and game reserves. It’s where tourist views wildlife in an open roof vehicle around the park or reserve. The game drives are normally three in this reserve that is the morning, evening and night game drives.

These drives take you to the valley plains and view several animals such as the antelopes, the big five animals, primates like vervet monkeys, olive baboons among others.

Nature walks. The reserve is gifted by nature and this has offered a chance to take a nature walk in and around the park with a help of an experienced local guide, well dressed in the Masai attire. The walking trails are massive and demarcated areas with wildlife and fewer predators. Never worry about your life because you are escorted by an armed park ranger.

Balloon Safaris. This is a lifetime experience as you view the best eco-system of Mara with an eagle eye as you float in the hot air balloon. The activity starts with a light breakfast and then head for a briefing by the pilot. The activity takes between 1-2hours while flying and this depends on the weather of the day. The activity ends with a glass of wine, a heavy breakfast and a certificate of recognition.

Cultural Tours. One of the most interesting activities is encountering the Masai people who live together with wildlife in this reserve. The community is wonderful and worth to visit, get entertained with their traditional dances and music, learn about their religion, traditional meals among others.

Horseback Safaris. This activity was adopted long ago as tourist cars were not common. Nowadays, it has become an adventure and unique way of game viewing in this national reserve. Tourists enjoy viewing wildlife while riding horses.

Birding. Masai Mara is blessed with over 450 bird species. These are both savannah and water birds due to the presence of the Masai river. Among other birds that are spotted the ostrich also called the Masai ostrich which is the biggest bird on planet earth, White-headed Vulture, Ruppell’s Vulture, Secretarybird, hamerkop, Rosy-breasted Longclaw, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Rufous-chested Swallow, Long-tailed Cisticola, Wattled Plover and Saddle-billed Stork. Therefore, a birding safari is the best way to go to Masai Mara national reserve.

How to get to Masai Mara reserve?

Maasai Mara can either be accessed by road or air transport.

By road, the reserve is located approximately 270 km from the capital Nairobi City and this can take about 4-5 hours and the road is well tarmacked for the most parts.

By air, it takes about 40-50minutes to reach the reserve. However, the common type of transport used here is road.

Best time to visit Masai Mara reserve.

This reserve can be visited throughout the year; however the best time is July-October. This is when you can see great migration of wildebeests. And December to February when it is dryer and good for the big cats to roam in the savannah.

Therefore, book with us a safari to Masai Mara game reserve for the best experience.

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