The Mara is a haven for large numbers of animals and a quite staggering variety of species including Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, topi, eland, impala, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, elephants, and black rhinos. This is your chance to see prides of lions and cheetahs…
Park summary
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Size
1,510 km2 (580 sq mi)
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Distance
Masai Mara is located 270km/167mi northwest of Nairobi.
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Best Time to Visit
Masai Mara has an abundant resident game all year-round but the best time to visit Masai Mara for wildebeest migration is July to November.
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Descriptions
The Mara is a haven for large numbers of animals and a quite staggering variety of species including Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, topi, eland, impala, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, elephants, and black rhinos. This is your chance to see prides of lions and cheetahs hunting on the open plains and leopards stalking in the forests, as Masai Mara safaris are known to consistently deliver fantastic sightings of these big cats.
The Masai Mara National Reserve simply stated, is an "awesome" place. The Mara, as it is referred to, is 721 square miles and was established in 1961. It is one of the few places where you can actually encounter a live Discovery Channel a haven for viewing a congregation of all sorts of animals in a five-mile radius. A pride of lions can be spotted ready to make a run for a gazelle (actually, the last time we visited the Masai Mara we saw a lioness take down a giraffe), a cheetah and its cub taking a nap on a rock, a pair of ostriches walking the open stretches of the savannah or a gazelle giving birth.
The Mara is located in southwestern Kenya. The Mara is an extension of the Serengeti National park of Tanzania, and is cushioned by the Loita Hills in the east, Itong Hills in the North and Siria escarpment in the west
The best thing the Mara has to offer is the wildebeest migration. This sensational display starts during the month of July when the wildebeest start moving north from the Serengeti. There are estimated to be over 1.5 million animals that partake in this migration.
The wildebeests move north in search of the lush vegetation during the long rains. The wildebeests crossing the Mara river is comical yet sad. The long rains flood the rivers, and yet the wildebeests senselessly force their way upstream, and this causes many deaths and injuries. But that is natures way of dealing with it all; the wildebeests fresh death bring lions, vultures, jackals and hyenas who complete the food chain part of the migration.
At the start of October, when the Masai Mara National Reserve experiences short rains, the wildebeests return south to the Serengeti. On the return trip the numbers are significantly less but the birth of new calves during February of the following year make up the numbers, and prepare for another migration and thus the cycle continues.
Attraction
There are a variety of animals that can be seen at the Masai Mara, including all the big five: leopard, lion, cheetah, rhino, buffalo, hippos, buffalo, hartebeest, gazelles, topi, antelopes, elephants, zebras and a whole stretch of other game animals.
there is also the hot air balloon safari. Early in the morning, you will be woken and driven to the departure site. Once in the air, the view of the surrounding landscape, the rising of the sun between the mountains and the congregation of the animals at the river is beautiful. This all concludes with a champagne breakfast and memories of a lifetime.
Other activities available are "breakfast in the bush", where early morning walks through the Masai Mara with an armed escort concludes with a breakfast, and a visit to the Maasai Enkang or Manyatta (housing), where you can speak to the Maasai and purchase their ornaments.
Masai Mara Safari Attractions Kenya
There is an impressive feature, the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the Mara's lush grassland from late June, hunted by the predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. Their dramatic river crossings are a reality for tourists visiting in July – August.Apart from the seasonal migration, there is also game viewing year round.
Accommodation and safari lodges Masai Mara Kenya
Accommodation ranges from stone lodges to luxury tented camps. They are Keekorok lodge 265km (165m) from Nairobi, Mara Serena lodge on the west of the park, East African Wildlife safari camp and the Governors camp. The northern area owned by the Maasai, offers great game viewing, game walks and night game driving. Safari operators set up private camps for groups of clients seeking exclusive, traditional safaris outside the Reserve. Within the Reserve there are four Tented Camps (total 320 beds) and three lodges (total 454 beds).
