Masai Mara Safaris

The Masai Mara National Reserve in the south western part of Kenya forms part of the greater eco-system that encompasses the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The Masai Mara (also spelt Maasai Mara) is named for the Maasai people and the Mara River which divides it. The wildlife is not confined within the reserve's boundaries. There are many conservancies to the north and east of the Maasai Mara National Reserve where over centuries; an almost symbiotic relationship has developed between the Maasai and the wildlife. The reserve is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest every July and August.

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How to get there

Air

To/From Nairobi:There are daily flights from Air Kenya and Safarilink to the reserve's 8 airstrips - Ngerende, Shikar, Kichwa Tembo, Musiara, Ol Kiombo, Serena, Keekorok and Siana. The 45 minute flight is not only quick and comfortable but it is also an opportunity to get a bird's eye view of the savannah and a chance to do some game spotting before you arrive.

Land

The Masai Mara lies about 270km from Nairobi and takes about 5 hours by road. As there is no direct road from Nairobi the reserve, you would need to route via Narok. The first 52kms west of Narok are smooth, but after the bitumen runs out it gets bumpy, rough and rocky. Also, it is not well signposted as it is not a highway.

Masai Mara Camps

The Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s most famous and visited reserve – especially between the months of July and October when the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle arrive from the Serengeti plains.  The accommodation in the Masai Mara National Reserve is as varied as the wildlife which roams its golden plains.  From large lodges to tented camps, there is something to suit everyone’s budget, taste and interests.  

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Masai Mara Conservency Camps

Around the Masai Mara National Reserve there are a number of large group ranches owned by the Maasai people.  These conservancies are home to some of the richest fauna and flora in the Masai Mara ecosystem.  Accommodation varies from deluxe to comfortable and so providing accommodation for every budget.

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Masai Mara National Reserve & Game Viewing

Introduction

This remote region with its riverine forests, doum palms, acacia woodland and scrubland was one of the two areas in which conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness made famous in the bestselling book and award winning movie Born Free. The natural serenity that is evident in Masai Mara National Reserve is due to its distance from industries and the inaccessibility of the reserve for many years. To get here you will cross the equator at Nanyuki and go to the northern hemisphere by passing the snow capped Mount Kenya lying at the equator line. The huge blue mountain serves as a backdrop, fewer tourists, desert like setting, colourful local tribes and unique game viewing it is easy to see the attraction to Masai Mara National Reserve.

Game Viewing

The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley. The Masai Mara consists of open savannah, rolling grasslands and undulating hills. The western border is the Esoit Olooloo Escarpment of the Rift Valley, and wildlife tends to be most concentrated here as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224km from Nairobi and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited. The plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular the lion and cheetah.

Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, Coke's hartebeest, impala, zebra, buffalo, roan antelope, white-bearded gnu, Oribi, hippo, crocodile, warthog and giraffe are easily spotted on game drives. These and many more species of plains game offer a rich choice of food for the dominant predators - lion, leopard and cheetah which hunt in this pristine wilderness. The Masai Mara is said to have the largest population of lion in Kenya. Large herds of shuffling elephants are often found browsing among the rich tree-studded grasslands with an occasional sighting of a solitary black rhino.

Additionally over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park - secretary bird, hornbill, ostrich, pygmy falcon and vulture to name a few. 53 species of birds of prey have been recorded. The open plains birds include black-bellied harlaubs bustard and Jackson's bustard.

The Masai Mara is a National Reserve, not a National Park, which means it is held in trust for the people and managed by the local councils as apposed to the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Seasons

At 1 500m - 2 170m above sea level, the climate is somewhat milder than other regions. The daytime rarely exceeds 30C during the day or drops below 15C at night. It rains in April and May, and then again in November. This causes some areas of the Mara to be inaccessible due to the sticky 'black cotton' mud. July through to October is the dry season when the grass is long and lush after the rains. This is a good time to see the huge herds of migratory herbivores. The warmest time of the year is December and January while the coolest is June and July.