For those seeking unforgettable adventures in southwestern Kenya, the breathtaking Masai Mara National Reserve stands out as a premier safari destination. Tailored to cater to wildlife enthusiasts, adventurers, and nature aficionados, a Masai Mara safari promises a singular experience. Discover all there is to know about this remarkable reserve with a myriad of Kenya travel packages specifically crafted for exploring the wonders of Masai Mara.
Importance of Masai Mara
Nestled across 1510 square kilometers, the Masai Mara epitomizes the essence of Kenya safari tours, encompassing the ancestral lands of the Maasai tribe. Hosting a rich biodiversity with approximately 90 mammal species and over 450 bird species, this reserve serves as an idyllic retreat for safari enthusiasts and avid bird watchers alike. Even for the uninitiated in nature, a visit to the Mara promises enchantment through its unparalleled beauty.
Renowned as a cornerstone of wildlife conservation and wilderness preservation across Africa, the Masai Mara shelters a significant portion of Kenya’s diverse fauna. Moreover, it stands as a pivotal pillar in sustaining the tourism sector’s economic vitality, thereby benefiting the indigenous communities dwelling within its borders.
In addition to the main reserve, various conservancies like Lemek, Ol Kinyei, Mara North, Siana, and Koiyaki have been established to safeguard the region’s wildlife while simultaneously supporting the livelihoods of local inhabitants, fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.
Landscape
Masai Mara is known for its iconic landscapes – its acacia trees, bushes, shrubs, and the gently rolling savannah plains. Its scenic beauty appears straight out of a movie. The reserve’s landscape and geology play a huge role in keeping its ecosystem strong. Due to the various habitats found in the Mara, distinct species of wildlife and birdlife continue to thrive in the park.
The Mara is situated within the Great Rift Valley, a series of geological trenches. As a result, they share the same ecosystem as one another. For instance, the Masai Mara plains are wide golden-hued grasslands that appear endless. They are the classic African savannah which offers excellent vantage points for wildlife viewing.
The riverine forests of the Mara boast ever-flowing rivers like the Mara River. These water sources are the best places to spot different wildlife species congregating together in one place. The forests are also home to different birdlife and plant life species.
One of the seemingly lesser-known areas of the reserve is the Loita Hills. It is a low-lying mountain range located northeast of the Masai Mara National Park. This region is difficult to access as it is situated in a remote location. It is also known to be among the most traditional areas of Masai County. Due to its off-beaten track, the region’s wilderness remains unspoiled and offers authentic African safaris. An extraordinary mix of wildlife and birdlife is found in Loita Hills.
Other places in Masai Mara that are worth exploring are Nagama Hills which are frequented by the rhinos. The Mara Triangle in the Oloololo Escarpment is another region, filled with lush woodlands, and grasslands and is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Wildlife
The Masai Mara National Park is one of the few places where you can see the Big Five animals together. But it is also where you can see the Big Nine group as well. This group consists of the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo rhino, giraffe, zebras, cheetah, and hippo. These animals are popularly spotted during safaris taken in the reserve.
The beauty of safaris in the Masai springs from the fact that wildlife here is not confined to a specific place but rather spread out in the open. It is an incredible experience to see animals in their natural habitat, moving around freely.
Besides the Big Nine group, various other animal species reside in the Mara. Ungulates like bushbaby, Coke’s Hartebeest, eland, wildebeest, Grant’s Gazelle, Impala, Kirk’s Dik Dik, and many more are found here. Predators like jackals and hyenas are also seen. In the woodlands of the reserve, olive baboons and copper-tailed monkeys can be spotted. Having a good population of both predator and prey, one can expect to see dramatic chasings and wildlife action during a safari in Masai Mara.
With so much colorful wildlife to see, Masai Mara is truly the best reserve to experience a true African safari.
Birdlife
Masai Mara is a treat for avid birders and ornithologists. Even for people not interested in avifauna, a tour of the Mara might change their opinion. It is not only fascinating to see colorful birds in the Mara but also extremely insightful to learn about them.
Mara’s grasslands and swamps house birds such as secretary birds, ground hornbills, kori bustards, flocks of saddle-billed strokes, crowned cranes, sacred ibis, and more. Near the Mara River, seven different species of kingfisher such as Giant kingfisher, pied kingfisher, and pygmy kingfisher can be witnessed. Birds of prey like the Martial eagle and the iconic bateleur are almost always spotted soaring high up in the skies.
Masai Mara and the Great Migration
Among the many reasons to visit Masai Mara, the Great Migration steals the spotlight. The Great Migration or the wildebeest migration is one of the largest migrations of the animal kingdom. It is also referred to as the ‘seventh wonder of the world.’ If you visit Masai Mara, it is highly recommended to see the migration, or else your trip is considered incomplete.
The Great Migration begins in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, found next to Masai Mara itself. Millions of wildebeest including hundreds of zebras, impalas, and other hoofed animals are involved in this journey. They start from Serengeti and migrate to Masai Mara in search of food and water. On the way, the migratory animals face various obstacles like predator attacks and the deadly Mara River crossings. The crossing is one of the most daunting yet thrilling events one could ever experience.
Masai Mara is the best and only place in Kenya where you can witness this grand spectacle. The park’s huge area and various private conservancies allow you to see the migration without any obstruction. The wildebeest migration can be spotted anywhere between June to October while the river crossing typically takes place between July to September.
A Kenya Masai Mara safari is the best vacation idea you can plan for this year. Contact a trusted travel company that specializes in Kenya travel packages and execute this idea as soon as possible!