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Masai Mara SafarisThe Masai Mara National Park is in the south western part of Kenya and forms part of the greater eco-system that encompasses the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The Masai Mara (also spelt Maasai Mara) is one of the best known and most visited reserves in Africa. The Masai Mara is synonymous with the Great Wildebeest Migration that passes through the reserve between July and October. |
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Masai Mara Safari CampsView the various safari lodges within the Masai Mara National Park: Comfortable
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Masai Mara National ReserveNamed for the Maasai people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River which divides it, the Masai Mara is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest every July and August. A migration so immense it is called the Great Migration. 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. Despite this it is not uncommon to see lions hunting in their large prides throughout the park. All other members of the Big Five are to be found in the Masai Mara, although the population of the black rhinoceros is threatened. 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. Numerous antelope Thomsons and Grants gazelle, Cokes hartebeest, impala, zebra and giraffe can be found. 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 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.
Climate 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. Read more about when to go.
The Great Wildebeest Migration The ultimate attraction is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration in July and August. During this short stay you can see thousands of animals, at other times there are still hundreds. Read more about the annual migration
How to get there Air There are a number of airstrips in the Masai Mara. There are daily flights from Air Kenya and Safarilink into the reserve (45 minute flight time).
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 52k 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. |
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