Maasai Mara National Reserve | Masai Mara
Maasai Mara national reserve is one of the tourism hub of Kenya, the reserve is situated in the South-western Kenya along the Great Rift Valley area in Narok county Kenya next to Serengeti national park of Tanzania and around Mara Region/Maasai Mara region. The name Maasai Mara was named basing on the ancestral inhabitants the Maasai people that described the area as Mara that means the spotted circles of trees, savannah, scrub and cloud shadows of the area. Maasai Mara national reserve was established in 1961’s as the wildlife sanctuary covering area of only 520 square kilometers of the present Mara Triangle that is the largest part of the reserve and majorly it has the scattered bushes and kopjes where the lions can be seen seated as they stalk to their prey grazing in the central plains and grasslands. During the same year, Maasai Mara national reserve was then extended to the East to cover around 1821 square kilometers, it was during that period it was then transferred into a game reserve under the new management of the local community of the Narok County Council. Maasai Mara national reserve during 1974 then got national reserve status and some part of the land that was measuring 159km2 then it was taken back to the locals and 1976 more deduction was done to the reserve and was summing to 162 square kilometers reducing the total area of the reserve to 1510 square kilometers during 1984.
During 1994, Trans Mara County Council was formed and this leads to the division of the management of the park that was located between Narok County Council and new council. To further complicate but a good and better move in 2001, and another not-for-profit Mara Conservancy was then formed and took over the management of the reserve. Maasai Mara national reserve is then bordered by the Siria escarpment in the west, then Serengeti in the south and Maasai pastoral ranched on the North, East and West. The reserve is such stunning and very attractive with the Maasai River and Talek River as the main draining rivers for the reserve. Then the reserve’s vegetation is made up of very open savannah grassland with some seasonal rivulets, some doted acacia trees. Then the reserve is very famous for the annual great migration where millions of the wildebeests cross the Mara River under the survival of the fittest minus the big Nile crocodiles, predators like the leopards, cheetahs then lions and among many others. During the safari, you will see the big five mammal that includes the elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards and then lions with the diverse numbers of the wildlife in all the African countries including the jackals, waterbucks, topis, gazelles, hyenas, oribis, reedbucks, elands, giraffes, cheetahs and many others.
Discover Maasai Mara National Reserve
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.
Maasai Mara Park History
Maasai Mara national reserve has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years, with the archaeological evidence showing that the area has been inhabited by the humans since the stone age, and for centuries, the Maasai people, a semi-nomadic indigenous tribe, have grazed their cattle and lived in harmony with the land and wildlife, and in the early 20th century, the British colonial government established game reserves in the area to protect the wildlife and then the natural resources and in 1961. The influence of the British on Maasai Mara national reserve highly impacted the local community of the Maasai who were displaced since the British perceived that were doing more harm than good to the reserve. Maasai Mara national reserve was officially gazetted as the protected area covering approximately 1510 square kilometers, and since then, the reserve has become one of the most famous and then popular wildlife reserves in Africa.
The reserve is known for its abundant and then diverse wildlife including the big mammals and then the annual Great Migration, and over the years, the reserve has undergone the significant developments, including the establishments of the tourism infrastructures, conservation initiatives and community-based projects, which have helps to promote sustainable tourism and benefit the local Maasai community, and despite facing some challenges such as the human-wildlife conflict, poaching and climate change, Maasai Mara National Reserve remains a world-renowned safari destination for the wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and cultural tourists, and its history is a testament to the importance of conservation and community-led tourism plans in protecting Africa’s natural and cultural heritage. Maasai Mara national reserve is has a strong then outstanding background that has led to the contribution to its fame among the tourists. The reserve is majorly made up of the lush grassland, the stunning plateaus, acacia woodlands, the open plains in the rift valley escarpment where wildlife species can be spotted very moving freely while grazing that offers you the unforgettable safari experience.
Tourists planning their safari to Maasai Mara national reserve can access the reserve in two different ways that is both the air and then the road transport; and that is by the road transport you can drive from Nairobi the capital city then Narok and then you will proceed to the any of the gates of your choice and from there you will be transferred to your lodge. The drive journey from Nairobi to Maasai Mara national reserve is almost 5 to 6 hours. Then alternatively and the quickest way to get to Maasai Mara national reserve is through using the air transport this where you will fly from Wilson airport then you fly to one of the airstrips of the reserve that do organize both the domestic or the charter flights.
On a Kenya safari, kindly contact us at African Vacation Safari we shall plan and organize for you the fascinating safari in Maasai Mara national reserve to where you will have the opportunity to enjoy your dream safari activities from game drives, guided nature walks, hot air balloon, bird watching, Maasai village tours, watching the annual wildebeest migration and among many others, and you will not disappointed.
Maasai Mara Park Safaris
Kenya safaris offer an unparalled adventure safari experience, allowing the travelers to immerse themselves in the country’s wonderful landscapes, diverse wildlife and rich cultural heritage, as they explore the vast savannahs, grasslands, and forests of this East African nation, home to the an incredible variety of iconic species, like the big five mammals like lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffaloes.
3 Days Masai Mara National Reserve
4 Days Masai Mara Safari from Mombasa
4 Days Masai Mara National Reserve safari
5 Days Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari
5 Days Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari
6 Days Nairobi and Masai Mara Safari
Activities to Do in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Activities to don in Maasai Mara national reserve encompass a wide range of exciting and then immersive safari experiences that allow the visitors explore the reserve’s incredible wildlife, stunning landscapes and then rich cultural heritage, including game drives, which offer opportunities to spot the Big five and witness the Great Migration, guided walking safaris, which provide a chance to explore the reserve’s biodiversity on foot, hot air balloon safaris, to learn about the traditional way of life, customs and traditions of the Maasai people and other activities that includes bird watching, photography and sunset drives, making Maasai Mara national reserve an ideal safari destination for the nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and cultural tourists seeking an unforgettable African safari experience.
Guided nature walks:
Maasai Mara national reserve is the best safari destination to do guided nature walks as this is the best way to explore the reserve without a safari vehicle. Guided nature walks can be led by the game ranger well equipped with a gun using the trails that are less used by the predators while enjoying the closeness of animal species like giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, and among others as they are grazing around the park. Guided nature walks is the most of exciting and unique but most rewarding that is walking on foot with locals .
Maasai village tours:
Maasai village tours in Maasai Mara national reserve offer a unique cultural experience with African Vacation Safaris, as this allows the visitors to immerse themselves in the traditional way of life of the Maasai people. One of the Africa’s most iconic and resilient indigenous tribes and during these tours, visitors can learn about the Maasai customs, traditions, and history and participate in activities such traditional jumping dances, beadwork, and craft-making, and then the visitors can also can insight into the Maasai livelihoods, including cattle herding, and learn about the importance of livestock in Maasai culture and many village tours are community-led.
Hot air balloon:
Hot air balloon in Maasai Mara national reserve this is riding over Maasai plains that is serene and breathtaking safari experience, offering a unique perspective on the reserve’s vast plans and incredible wildlife, as the balloon soars gently above the treetops. This provides a bird’s-eye view of the landscape and allows the visitors to witness the majestic beauty of the African savannah and enjoying the gentle breeze carrying the sweet scent of acacia trees, and as the balloon drifts over the reserve.
Bird watching:
Bird watching in Maasai Mara national reserve is a paradise for the orthithologists and then nature enthusiasts, with over 450 species of birds recorded, including the iconic species such as lilac-breasted roller, African fish eagle, and secretary bird and among others. Then visitors can spot a wide range of birds, from majestic raptors like eagles, hawks and kites to colourful bee-eaters, kingfishers and rollers and the reserve’s diverse habitats like grasslands, woodlands and wetlands support a rich variety of birdlife, making it a gorgeous safari destination for birdwatching safaris, within the guidance of experienced guides.
Horseback riding safaris in Maasai Mara national reserve.
Horseback riding in Maasai Mara national reserve offers a thrilling and immersive way to explore the reserve’s vast plains and witness its incredible wildlife, that allows the visitors to experience the African savannah from a unique and intimate perspective, as they ride horseback through the grasslands and woodlands, spotting animals like giraffes, zebras, antelopes, elephants and others in their natural habitat. This experience provides an opportunity to connect with nature and experience the thrill of being on horseback while surrounded by the sights and sounds.
Game drives:
Game drives in Maasai Mara national reserve are the most fascinating safari activities done in the reserve in 4×4 open roof safari van or extended land cruiser while spotting the incredible animal species very close. During the game drives in the reserve they are done in different shifts that is during the morning game drive to catch the spotting of early risers this is very rewarding as the animal species can be active as they looking for food of the day in the open savannah grassland especially the big five mammals that includes lions, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards and elephants.
Attractions in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara national reserve attractions majorly the conservancies in the reserve offer exclusive attractions including guided game drives, walking safaris, wildlife viewing opportunities, and among others, allowing the visitors to spot the wide range of wildlife such as the Big five mammals including rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, lions.
Mara Triangle:
Mara Triangle, one of the conservancies of the Maasai Mara national Reserve, is situated in the reserve’s northwest and offers an overview of the area’s sights and attractions. The management of Mara Triangle which was established by the Maasai community to support the Trans-Mara County Council’s anti-poaching plans, it was dedicated people and established the Mara Conservancy with the goal of promoting sustainable tourism through transparent, accountable management that takes into consideration the needs of both visitors and animals. Mara triangle is situated near the Mara River, which acts as a natural border, separating it from other areas of the Maasai Mara national Reserve.
Mara North Conservancy:
Mara North Conservancy (MNC), which occupies 69,160 acres and borders the Maasai Mara national reserve on the north, is the largest conservancy in the area. Mara North conservancy has a wide variety of Maasai Mara attractions. And this makes up the Greater Mara ecosystem in the North Western Zone, which is the home to leopards and known as Leopard Gorge because the hills provide a cool, safe haven for all the wildlife. The Mara North provides visitors with Masai Mara attractions, a wilderness adventure to discover the most isolated areas of Kenya’s wilderness, and the conservancy hosts; the big five, which consists of rhinos, elephants, lions, buffalos, and leopards, are among the migratory and permanent wildlife of Masai Mara.
Mara River.
Mara River flowing through Maasai Mara National reserve is a lifeline for wildlife and a key feature of the reserve’s landscape, supporting a rich biodiversity of aquatic life and providing an important source of water for animals, particularly during the dry season, and the river is as well famous for the dramatic wildebeest crossings that take place during the annual migration, where the thousands, zebras, and gazelles brave the waters, dodging crocodiles and other predators, and visitors can spot a variety of wildlife along the riverbanks including the hippos, crocodiles and numerous bird species such as African fish eagles, kingfishers and among others that makes Mara River a scenic and wildlife-rich safari destination within the reserve.
How to get to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Getting to Maasai Mara national reserve involves several options, depending on your starting location and then the preferred mode of transportation, but generally, the most common way is to fly into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya, from where you can take a domestic flight from Wilson Airport to one of the reserve’s airstrips, such as the Keekorok or Mara Serene, which offers breathtaking views of the landscape and a chance to spot the wildlife from the air, or opt for a road transfer which takes you around 5 to 6 hours from Nairobi the capital city of Kenya, while passing through the scenic Great Rift Valley and then offering you with the incredible opportunities to stop at the viewpoints and then the local towns along the way, while another option is to take a guided tour or join a safari package that includes transportation from Nairobi or other major towns in Kenya or Tanzania, which often includes game drives, accommodations, other safari activities and regardless of the mode of transportation, it’s essential to plan ahead, and African Vacation Safaris is available to book your safari with us in order not to be disappointed especially during the peak season, thus to ensure a smooth and then the enjoyable safari to this world-renowned wildlife safari destination, where the Maasai Mara’s rolling grasslands, riverine forests and abundant wildlife await, offering an unforgettable safari experiences for the nature lovers, photographers and then the adventure seekers and among others.
Best Time Visit to Maasai Mara National Reserve
The best time to visit Maasai Mara national reserve depends on your preferences and what you want to experience, but generally, the reserve is open-year, offering unique safari opportunities for wildlife viewing and exploration in every season, with the peak tourist season that occurs from July to October, coinciding with the great migration, where the millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles migrate from the Serengeti national park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara national reserve in search of greener pastures, creating an unforgettable spectacle of wildlife and drama. During the annual wildebeest great migration, a variety of the wildlife is present in Maasai Mara national reserve like the big cats for example the cheetahs, lions, leopards that come to feast their prey. The life cycle of this wildebeest favors the growth pattern of other creatures as they keep wandering around looking for the water and food, then the predators get the chance to feed on them as leading to healthy off springs. On a Kenya safari, the travelers get the opportunity to view and the some of the best moments to take the pictures that makes the entire safari a magical and then adventurous safari experience that every tourist to explore in Kenya.
Plan your Kenya Safari to Masai Mara National Reserve Now!
Are you looking for top notch Africa Safari experts or safari recommendations to Masai Mara National Park, Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to guide you at every step for an unforgettable Kenya Wildlife Safari experience.