Thousands of visitors come to the Mara every year to enjoy some of the most authentic safari experiences in Africa. Here are a few reasons why you should take part in visiting Masai mara national reserve in Kenya.
All year-round fantastic Game Viewing experience
Game viewing in the Masai Mara is excellent all year-round experience, with its availability of varied landscapes, wide open spaces, temperate climate and diverse population of resident game living around the savannahs acts as a home to a larger number of different mammal species seen roaming in and around the conservancies surrounding the great Masai mara. During the game drives in the park, you will encounter lots of mammal species including the big five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, among other popular species like zebra, giraffe, hyena, eland and gazelle. Rhino sightings are scarce, but these endangered animals can be spotted on a lucky day along the Mara Triangle.
The Masai mara national reserve is a home to the big five game, the park is also famously known for delivering exceptional big cat sightings (lion, leopard and cheetah). Cheetahs are particularly well adapted to the region’s flat plains, which makes the Masai Mara one of the best places to see these nimble predators. They often seek vantage points on fallen trees, termite mounds, and even game drive vehicles! It’s a highlight of any Masai Mara safari to watch the world’s fastest land mammal chase down its prey.
Rich resident wildlife, temperate climate, diverse landscapes and wide-open spaces make it a terrific year-round safari destination.
Incredible big cat sightings – lion, leopard and cheetah.
Large concentrations of elephant, buffalo and giraffe.
Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
Awe-inspiring natural displays arrive in the Masai Mara from around August through November, Wildebeest herds in the area are so massive that they can be seen from space, and the sheer quantity of them arriving is astounding. The Wildebeest Migration is a spectacular mass migration of approximately two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle that occurs every year in a yearly cycle triggered by rains. Wildebeest must cross treacherous Mara rivers while dodging gigantic crocodiles that are waiting to pounce on them, the wildebeest cross in to Masai mara reserve from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania in the search for fresh water and pasture.
During the great migration, you are required to book accommodation situated wit easy access to the viewing point of the great migration.
Catch a magnificent bird’s eye view on a hot air balloon safari
Experience a Hot-air Balloon Safari
Combining thrilling 4×4 safari van game watching with Maasai-led nature walks and an unrivalled hot-air balloon ride can make for an unforgettable Masai Mara safari. The Mara River provides the ideal flight paths, letting you to see below into the woodlands, float over vulture nests, and take in the early morning activities of rambunctious hippos. You’ll be served to a delectable bush brunch with champagne after landing on the plains.
See the daybreak spread across the endless plains
spot wildlife while soaking in the breath-taking scenery of the Mara.
After arrival, savour a champagne bush brunch.
Hot air balloon is a perfect A honeymoon or anniversary safari adventure that is ideal.
Meet the Maasai People
The Maasai are a semi-nomadic ethnic group that make up the majority of Kenya and northern Tanzania. Travelers are familiar with them because of their unique traditions and garb. Despite the fact that owning cattle still occupies a significant place in their culture, a growth in safari tourism has inspired many Maasai to train as professional safari guides and camp managers. You’ll have many opportunities to speak with Maasai guides and camp staff while on a Masai Mara safari. You’ll also get the option to visit nearby villages for an intriguing look at traditional Maasai culture, lifestyle, and traditions.
Take time and visit a Private Conservancy
A conservancy is a very specific type of land and wildlife conservation area. Landowners enter into contracts with safari operators in return for monetary compensation and other assistance. This could include anything from educational and healthcare programmes to livestock and grazing management. The Masai Mara National Reserve can get crowded during safari high season (about June to October), which is why we recommend staying in one of the neighbouring private conservancies.
The conservancy is less crowded by visitors thus there is free game viewing compared to Masai mara national reserve. Also staying at the reserve, offers easy accessing to the national reserve for the great Wildebeests migration.
While at the conservancy, there is an opportunity to go off-road game viewing, night drives and guided nature walks which are not permitted in the national reserve.
Visiting the conservancies, is why of Contributing directly to local communities and conservation process. The revenue generated helps in development of the communities such as health services, improvement of roads, improvision of schools for the children living in the rural communities among others.
Note: availability of well-located safari camps in high season (June to October) is limited. If you want front-row seats to the Wildebeest Migration, you should book your Masai Mara safari at least a year in advance.