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Masai Mara

Kenya, East Africa

Masai Mara
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Masai Mara Highlights

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.

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.

Top Destinations in Masai Mara

We recommend Kicheche Mara Camp which is a traditional safari camp situated in a remote corner of the northern Mara plains.

Within the reserve, most of the game viewing activities occur on the valley floor but some lodges conduct walking tours outside the park boundaries. We recommend the Mara Intrepids Camp or Naibor Camp, both in central locations within the reserve, close to the Talek River.

For an exclusive and more private safari experience Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is a luxury camp in the hills on the western border. Wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal.

Game Viewing in the Masai Mara

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.

The Mara river traverses north to south heading for its westbound way unto lake Victoria, through the Tanzanian park. Its riverbanks (as well as those of the Mara's multiple tributary streams) are bordered by dense riverine forests where many the reserve's bird species are to be found. It's here, on thebanks of the Mara River, where the migratory herds make their mass crossing.Watch the dramatic spectacle of nature unfold as the wildebeest and zebra, and their young, are driven by their primal instinct to cross the rushing waters of the crocodile infested river, to graze the rich grasslands of the northern Masai Mara

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.

What Sun Safaris Says

The Masai Mara is always an amazing safari destination, but at its best during the wildebeest migration between July and October each year.
The park is surrounded by concession areas and tribal lands of the Maasai tribespeople. These are unfenced from the Mara and act as a buffer zone for the National Park and form part of the migration area. There can be as much wildlife roaming outside the park as inside so staying in these private concessions can often be just as rewarding.

Masai Mara Gallery

Wildlife Areas within Masai Mara

Comfortable

Mara Toto

Just a few kilometers downstream from its renowned sister camp, Mara Plains, is Mara Toto; perfectly positioned in a small bend in the Ntiakitiak River where thick forest meets savannah. A balanced blend of comfort, adventure and intimacy set this brand new camp apart from the many others in the Mara.

Mara Intrepids

The tents at Mara Intrepids camp are raised on stilts and overlook the Talek River, one of the main crossing points during the wildebeest migration. The best time to visit is between July and October.This is a larger camp with with 30 tents.

Sarova Mara Game Camp

Sarova Mara is a very large safari hotel most suited to families. It is located in the southern section of the reserve. The extensive facilities and the fact that it has a fence around it makes it ideal for families.

Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Mara Serena Safari Lodge is a large 74 roomed lodge situated in the Mara Triangle. It is well located for the migration, but mostly used by groups and package tours. Situated on a hill, the lodge overlooks 1 800 sq km of rolling plain, woodlands and rivers.

Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp

Kichwa Tembo lies at the base of the Olooloo Escarpment which lies directly in the path of the Annual Wildebeest Migration which passes through between July and October. The camp is in a private concession area.

Basecamp Masai Mara

Basecamp Masai Mara is situated on the banks of the Talek River in a private safari concession. he camp is situated in a private concession which is just a few minutes away from the Masai Mara's gate in Kenya. The tents offer private verandas overlooking the river.

Tipilikwani Mara Camp

With an attractive setting on the banks of the Maasai Mara’s River Talek, Tipilikwani Mara Safari Camp offers a high standard of accommodation for a Kenya safari. The camp overlooks the plains of the Mara region and has an exclusive feel with just 20 luxurious riverfront safari tents.

Olarro Lodge

Olarro Lodge is founded on the principles of conservation, sustainability and community empowerment. The lodge not only provides accommodation, but also aims to create a self-sustaining tourist operation with a goal of improving the standard of living for the local Maasai community. Olarro Lodge strives to create a sustainable ecosystem, working with its community and CSA (Conservation Science Africa), the conservation company specialising in REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).

Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp

Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp is situated in a grove of Acacia trees within Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is known as a wildlife sanctuary with a wide variety of species including the big cats.

Selenkay Adventure Camp

Selenkay Adventure Camp is situated within Selenkay Conservancy, Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is known as a wildlife sanctuary with a wide variety of species including the big cats.

Karen Blixen Camp

Karen Blixen Camp is set on the bank of the Mara River in a private concession adjoining the reserve. It enjoys open access, but also privacy within the concession. Zebras, elephants and hippos drink from the river throughout the day offering superb game viewing.

Little Governors Camp

Little Governors' Camp was built in 1976 around a small waterhole that teems with wildlife and birds. It has a prime location in the Masai Mara, originally being the favourite safari location of Kenya's governors.

Offbeat Mara Camp

Offbeat Mara Camp is a small and exclusive seasonal tented camp located in a private concession on the Olare Orok River. A great place to enjoy a private safari as well as having unrestricted access to the Masai Mara Reserve.

Kicheche Mara Camp

Kicheche Mara Camp is located on the Aitong Plains in the northern Koiyaki Lemek region of the legendary Masai Mara in Kenya a prime wildlife area. The camp is a traditional tented camp tucked away underneath an orchard of wild olive trees offering magnificent views.

Porini Lion Camp

Porini Lion Camp is a small eco-friendly camp located in a private concession. It shares an unfenced border with the reserve giving guests unrestricted access to the reserve and the exclusive concession area.

Mara Porini Camp

Mara Porini Camp has 6 guest tents pitched in the shade of the yellow barked acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli, a permanent spring within a private conservancy. involved in running the conservancy through a partnership with the local community.

Keekorok Lodge

Keekorok is a large comfortable motel-style safari lodge. It has good facilities to suite families or groups, but is not suitable for a small private safari. The lodge is situated in the very heart of Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Il Moran Camp

Il Moran Camp is situated along the banks of the Mara River in the heart of the Masai Mara, perfectly positioned for the migration. The camps' tents line the winding banks of the river, with the best game viewing right on your doorstep.

Encounter Mara Camp

Encounter Mara Camp is a small classic camp located in a private concession. It shares an unfenced border with the Masai Mara giving guests unrestricted access to the reserve and the exclusive concession area.

Cottars 1920’s Camp

Cottars 1920's Camp is an exclusive and private concession between the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park. It is a good camp to see the migration as it enters and exits the Masai Mara - between July and October.

Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains Camp is small tented camp located in a private conservancy sharing. It shares an unfenced boundary with the reserve. The private conservancy offers safari guest privacy as well as unrestricted access to the entire reserve.

Olonana Tented Camp

Olonana Tented Camp is a luxurious camp situated in a private area of the Mara River at the foot of the Siria Escarpment. The tents offer beautiful views overlooking the Mara River playing host to an abundance of wildlife.

Governors' Camp

Governors' Camp is situated on the east bank of the Mara river in the preferred safari location of the original colonial governors of Kenya. It is ideally located for the wildebeest migration between July and October.

Elephant Pepper Camp

Elephant Pepper Camp is a small luxurious safari camp located in a private concession in the northern Masai Mara. Between July and October, wildebeest and zebra cross the plains, migrating from the Serengeti.

Serian Camp

Meaning peaceful, calm or serene' in the Masai language, Serian Camp is set in the tranquil shade of large Oleadendra and Walburgia trees in the secluded valley flanking the Mara River close to the Siria Escarpment.

Ol Seki Mara Camp

Ol Seki Mara Camp is a seasonal camp situated on a beautiful rocky peninsula in the northern Mara, with spectacular views over the savannah plains.

Richard's Camp

Richard's Camp is situated in a conservation area north west of the Masai Mara in Kenya. This area is known for the most exceptional big game viewing. It is a small and exclusive camp within a very personal environment.

Mara Bushtops

Mara Bushtops is located in a private conservancy, bordering the Masai Mara. It has spectacular views overlooking a valley with the Masai Mara in the background. The tents are luxurious and spacious and offer breathtaking views, delicious African cuisine.

Naibor Camp

Naibor Camp is a luxury tented camp and offers a secluded spot in a prime position overlooking the Talek River in the heart of the Masai Mara. It is ideally located for the migration between July and October.

Saruni Camp

Saruni Camp is situated in a private conservation area outside the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, one of the most incredible wildlife parks in Africa. Saruni is small and offers a personal safari experience catering for only 12 guests at a time.

Mara Explorer

Mara Explorer is an exclusive safari camp and offers 10 luxurious tents with uninterrupted views of the Talek riverbank. Mara Explorer lies at the confluence of the Reserve's four main game viewing areas, offering prime views of the spectacular wildebeest migration.

Rekero Camp

Rekero Camp is a seasonal safari camp situated in a ravine forest close to the Mara and Talek Rivers. The camp is open from June to October and again from December to March and caters for between four to twelve guests ensuring a private and personal safari experience.

Naboisho Camp

Naboisho is a tented camp in the heart of the Masai Mara. It is ideally situated to see the annual wildebeest migration between July and October.

Bateleur Camp

Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp is located in the Masai Mara National Reserve, which lies directly in the path of the annual wildebeest migration. A premier lodge commanding sweeping views over the spectacular Mara plains.

Ngerende Island Lodge

Ngerende Island Lodge offers luxury accommodation within the popular Masai Mara. The lodge can sleep up to 14 guests, providing contemporary designed suites. The lodge is the perfect location for weddings and honeymoons.

Campi Ya Tembo

Campi Ya Tembo is a small luxury camp situated in a private conservancy. Exclusive use of the area, great scenery and a superb camp make Campi Ya Tembo one of the best camps in the Mara. Located 10km from the main Saruni Lodge and offers fantastic wildlife viewing.