Maasai Mara National Reserve Kenya, Safari attractions, safari activities, where to stay, getting to maasai mara reserve kenya, kenya wildlife safaris. Maasai Mara National Reserve lies in southwestern Kenya in the Kenyan rift valley province in Narok County bordering Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Also called the Mara Park by the locals was named in honor of the Masaai people who are the ancestral inhabitants of the area. Mara comes from Maa of the Masaai language which means a description of the spotted circles of trees, shrubs, savanna and cloud shadows that markup the Park area.

The reserve is under the management of the Narok County government unlike other conservation areas in Kenya which are managed by the Kenya wildlife service. This National reserve was first established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary covering only 520km² and was later extended to cover 1821km² to be converted into a game reserve in the same year 1961. In 1974, part of the reserve`s area was promoted to a National reserve and the local communities were given 159km<sup>2</sup> out of the total area. In the year 1976, additional 162km<sup>2</sup> were also removed from the reserve and the reserve was reduced to its current size 1510km<sup>2.</sup> The reserve is made up of three group ranches that`s the Mara Triangle, Musiara and Sekenani.

Masaai Mara National Park is the northern largest section of the Serengeti ecosystem which covers 2500km² in Kenya and Tanzania. It is bordered by Serengeti national park of Tanzania to the south, the Siria cliffs to the west, the Masaai villages to the north and east. The reserve`s most neighboring town is Narok town.

Masai Mara National Reserve features attractions like 4 out of 5 of Africa’s big 5s elephants, leopards, lions, buffaloes,  with only the black rhino being elusive be on a good day you can get a sight of it hence giving a total 5 out of 5, other mammals here include the wildebeests Thomson gazalles, giraffes, eland, topis, spotted hyena, black jackal, and the bat eared fox can be seen when with the cover of darkness over the mara plains. Masai mara is gifted with about 500 bird species and these include kori bustard, secretary birds, sooty chat, rufous bellied heron, abdim’s stork, cinnamon, breasted hunting, giant kingfisher, hilderbrandt’s starlng, ostrich, ross’s turaco, southern ground hornbill, schalow’s turaco, white bellied go away bird, yellow throated sandgrouse and many more

Masai mara experiences a savannah climate pattern with one continuous rainy season that stretches from November to may. During this time, the reserve experiences minimum temperatures of 13oc or 55of especially during night times and a maximum average temperature of 27oc or 81of. Although it’s a rainy season, it wont rain all day here but just expect afternoon showers mainly. The dry season also isn’t very hot as temperatures average in the mid-20’s and early 30’s where minimum temperatures are 12^oc or 54^of and maximum temperatures are 25^oc or 77^of.

SAFARI ATTRACTIONS IN MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE KENYA

Wildlife in Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Mara is known as one of the finest wildlife destinations in the world, while here, there is big chance of seeing the big five (herds of Elephants about 3000, 22 families of lions, leopards, buffaloes and Rhinos) and cheetah. The parks boosts for over 60 species of wild animals from large herds of herbivores which include; over 1,300,000 numbers of wildebeests, 500000 Thomson`s gazelles, 97,000 Topis, 18,000 elands, 200,000 zebras and thousands of antelopes like Grant`s gazelles, impalas, duikers and coke`s hartebeests. The larger endemic roan antelope and nocturnal bat-eared fox can only be seen within this reserve borders and not anywhere else in Kenya. Hippopotamus and crocodiles are so common in the Mara and Talek rivers, other carnivores like the jackals, hyenas and many more can also be spotted in the Park. The plains between river Mara and the Siria escarpments are the best probable areas for game viewing, particularly lions and cheetahs.

Game drive in Maasai Mara National Park

Led by an experienced local guide, very conversant with the area and able to give you lots of information about the animals and their habitant are available for you. The guides know where certain species of animals can currently be and the best way to approach them.

Walking Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Masaai Mara gives you an adventurous exploration of wildlife species along the bush. A walking safari is slow paced guided walk and gives a more detailed animal experience about wildlife compared to the game drive. You will be led by an experienced and professional armed guide to experience and authentic insight of the bush that’s beyond observation.

Bird Watching in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Masaai Mara features a number of habitats conducive for great bird watching.  Over 470 species of birds have been recorded to exist in this reserve, many of these birds are migrants and about 60species of birds are raptors.

Balloon Safaris in Masaai Mara National Reserve;

Exciting balloon safari is once in a lifetime experience you can have while you’re in Kenya. Being suspended in a wicker basket above the natural planes of Africa with the sun tweeting on the skies and the walking wilderness below, is one of the must-grandchildren tales you will never forget!

Cultural Walk in Maasai Mara National Reserve

A short tour can be undertaken to different cultural sites within the local community to give tourists and opportunity for cross-cultural interaction with the local people. Visit the neighboring Talek town with the expert Masaai guides and learn about the rich Masaai cultural heritage.

Activities in Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya

Activities in Masai Mara Reserve include game drives, nature walks and birding

Game drives in Masai are a rewarding encounter as you get to meet and greet with your eyes not hands some of Africa’s wilderness finest mammals like 4 out of 5 of Africa’s big 5s elephants, leopards, lions, buffaloes,  with only the black rhino being elusive be on a good day you can get a sight of it hence giving a total 5 out of 5, other mammals here include the wildebeests Thomson gazalles, giraffes, eland, topis, spotted hyena, black jackal, and the bat eared fox

Birding in Masai Mara Reserve Kenya

Birding in Masai Mara Reserve is a birder’s frenzy given its array of bird species that habituate in this reserve. A birders trip to Masai Mara Reserve should culminate into a sight of bird species kori bustard, secretary birds, sooty chat, rufous bellied heron, abdim’s stork, cinnamon, breasted hunting, giant kingfisher, hilderbrandt’s starlng, ostrich, ross’s turaco, southern ground hornbill, schalow’s turaco, white bellied go away bird, yellow throated sandgrouse and many more

Nature walks in Masai Mara Reserve Kenya

Nature walks are one way of the best ways to explore this reserve given its gentle land scape making it easy for you to traverse this park on foot. You will definitely appreciate the diversity of nature here while on a nature walk as you will be in a prime position to see most of the natural ingredients that make up this eco system in action from point blank range as they go about their business.

Accessibility to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Then Masaai Mara National reserve is the most famous conservation area. The official perimeter of the Masaai Mara is bounded by the Oloololo escarpment to the west, Masai Pastoral ranches to the North, east and west. The total Surface area is 1530km². The reserve is not fenced.

There are various ways of getting to Masaai Mara National Reserve depending on one`s location, budget and time the you have for a safari and how you wish to manage the time. A number of entrance Gates are available for you to reach Masaai Mara National Reserve and they include;

• Musiara Gate, Ololaimutiek Gate
• Oloololo Gate (The furthest point from Nairobi but with less tourist disruption)
• Sand River Gate, Sekenani Gate, Talek Gate

One way you can get to Masaai Mara is by driving to the national reserve.  From Nairobi to Narok, a drive can take you up to 2.5 hours. The road is surely in good condition. While in Narok, there is a fuel station a cross the river and this transfer point can as well be convenient for you to buy some food and snacks, and access toilets. From Narok to Sekanani gate may take you up to 3.5 hours. Roughly 5-6 hours and 7 hours in the rainy season can be consumed for the whole journey depending of the conditions and strength of the vehicle you’re travelling with. The road condition for this tar road from Narok to Sekanani Gate is really not good; driver will need to give it special attention.

At the end of the tar road is a dirt road which goes until Sekanani Gate. While in the reserve, the roads are moderately good. Please remember that the roads in the reserve can become flooded or turned into mud puddles in the rainy seasons in April, May and November. Therefore, 4×4 wheel vehicle is highly recommended and Prime Safaris would not recommend self-drive by foreign tourists because it will need strict observation of your GPS system or road Map or else you may get lost before the safari begins. And you will also need to note the traffic laws of Kenya require you to have a valid driving license for you to drive around the country.

The Masaai Mara Reserve can be accessed by flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport, Samburu, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki, Mombasa or Diani airports. The airport will land on one of the small Mara Airstrips, where you will need to transfer by car to your respective lodge.

Quite a good number of airstrips are available in Masaai Mara Nationa Reserve and they include;

• Keekorok Airstrip, Cottars airstrip, Mara North airstrip
• Musiara airstrip, Ngerende airstrip, Olare Orok airstrip
• Ol Kiombo airstrip, Ol Seki airstrip, Serena airstrip, Siana airstrip

Masaai Mara Serena Safari lodge;

It`s a 5 star lodge located in the famous Mara triangle 20km from Nairobi. The lodge is set high in the bush- cloaked hill with spectacular views of the savannah area and Mara River. The lodge stands in the center of the Mara wildlife dramatic arena and the echo style of this lodge blends the foreign world with the African beauty.

Elephant Pepper Camp;

This is an incredible upmarket safaris camp located in the Mara North conservancy area, this Camp was originally owned by Liz and Stefano Cheli before the camp merged with Alewana Collection, a collection of 15 boutique lodges and camps in the most iconic locations within Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. The Elephant Pepper Camp is romantically and authentically furnished in Indian Raj campaign style and combines the rawness of African with the glamour of Indian décor.

Mara Bush Camp

Mara Bush Camp is a mobile camp located in a riverine forest on the banks of the seasonal River Olare Orok. It is situated in the Maasai Mara heartland, less than 1 km from Ol Kiombo airstrip. Mara Bush Camp is small & offers modified services that will make you feel at home.

Kikwa Tembo Tented Camp

This camp is situated on a private franchise from the Masaai tribesmen on the western border of the Masaai Mara near the location where Out of Africa`s famous final scene was filmed. The camp is composed of spacious luxurious tents that offer spectacular views out across the wild Masaai plains within the Escarpment.]