Without a doubt, the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most breathtaking wildlife destinations across the globe. The rich biodiversity coupled with jaw-dropping scenic visuals makes the reserve worth visiting. With a top-notch reputation that makes Masai Mara a must-visit site for every wildlife lover, the raw beauty of the park will bewilder you. Read until the end to watch a 4k short video of the park and to peruse safari holidays.
The Masai Mara National Reserve shares a border with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Located in the southwestern part of Kenya, the Masai Mara is undisputedly one of the most epic and fascinating wildlife parks. The flat and open African savannah land makes it easy for tourists to spot majestic creatures prowling, migrating and parading on their turf.
For safari lovers, the Masai Mara is a dream come true. It is one of the premier locations, perfect for safari rides. Here, you can spot a wide range of wild animals roaming in their habitat without human intervention. The wilderness coupled with the spotting of animals such as lions, elephants, cheetah, zebra, etc., will leave you awestruck. That is why the sheer number of visitors that explore this wildlife paradise doesn’t come as a surprise.
The Masai Mara National Reserve derives its name from two distinct words – Masai and Mara. Masai refers to the Masai tribe, the nomads that inhabit the area, and Mara, which means spotted. It is a reference to the shrubs, acacia trees, and other vegetation that are observed in the landscape.
Delving Deeper into the Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a vast landscape consisting mostly of flat grasslands. Here, you will see the African savanna in its raw form, making you breathless. The golden grass along with clear blue skies offers the perfect opportunity to spot the wild animals prowling by.
Apart from that, as you venture deeper, you will also see the riverine forest. The Mara River is a stunning beauty, and the flora and fauna surrounding it are out-of-the-world. Hot balloon rides will give you an excellent glimpse of the entire national reserve.
However, the Masai Mara is not restricted to plains only. You will find steep areas, but these are mostly dedicated to luxurious accommodations. When you are up high on the steep areas, you have a better view of the entire landscape.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is more than a regular national park. The area belongs to the nomadic Masai tribe that has been here for decades. During safari rides or hot air balloon trips, you will spot villages.
Moreover, you can also come across villagers along with their herds of cattle. In this ancient land, you can even come across the moran, known as warriors, within the Masai tribe in their conventional garb.
If you are an avid wildlife lover, opting for the Mara North Conservancy, is an excellent idea. This exclusive area offers an impressive game-viewing experience. One unique aspect is that in the conservancy, you are allowed things that are restricted in the rest of the reserve. For instance, you can go for night drivers, nature walks, and ballon rides.
Why visit the Masai Mara National Reserve?
The Masai Mara National Reserve located in Kenya is the hub for wildlife lovers. The rich biodiversity, along with the alluring landscape, compels tourists to come back here. With an authentic promise to having the adventure of a lifetime, planning a visit to the Masai Mara won’t cause any regrets.
Take a look at the reasons that explain why you must visit the Masai Mara National Reserve –
The Famous Wildebeest Migration
Crowned as the seventh wonder of the world, the Wildebeest migration is a remarkable event. Millions of tourists visit the Masai Mara at the time of this natural event every year. If you want to have the best experience of Masai Mara, make sure to time it according to the Wildebeest migration.
The migration of the zebras and wildebeest from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara National Reserve is a chilling sight. The thunderous hooves, along with the survival instincts, make it astounding.
Did you know that this Wildebeest migration is also a survival event? The migration of the wildebeest and zebras is not without any action or fight. As they attempt to cross the Mara River, the crocodiles emerge, eager to hunt.
The bone-chilling terrestrial movement of these wild animals is nature’s finest paradox. To stand witness to this event, timing is crucial. But, it is almost impossible to predict the migration timing. It is given that these animals will cross the Mara River, but then when is a big question.
The Gnu Migration, also known as the Great Migration, is a movement that takes place throughout the year. It is, in fact, a popular misconception that the movement occurs between July and October. In reality, the migration is circular and takes place between the Mara and Serengeti ecosystem all year round.
It is the weather, especially rain, that plays a major role in the migration movement. These animals in search of waters and grazing land follow a well-mapped route. In this amazing journey, the wildebeest and zebras move from Masai Mara to Serengeti and reach the Ngorongoro Crater’s edge. After that, they circle up and move back in the clockwise direction.
Wildlife Diversity
One of the major reasons that lead to the abundance of tourists to the Masai Mara is the rich wildlife. The sheer diversity and magnificence of these creatures will take your breath away. Though the Masai Mara is home to a wide range of wildlife, it is especially famous for the Big Five or Big Nine.
The term Big Five has an interesting history. Originally, it was used by hunters to display the difficulty in hunting these five animals – lion, rhino, leopard, African buffalo, and elephant. However, now, it is simply used by safari companies to promote the spotting of these ferocious animals.
In the Masai Mara, you will come across the Big Five. However, you can also catch a glimpse of the Big Nine. These include hippo, giraffe, cheetah, and zebra. The natural beauty of these creatures moving across the landscape will mesmerize you.
Apart from this, you can also spot an extensive range of snakes, birds, and lizards. The Masai Mara offers shelter to wildebeest, Nile crocodile, aardwolf, aardvark, banded mongoose, spotted hyena, Grant’s gazelle, Bushbuck, and more.
Masai Mara also houses some dangerous snakes. These include Black-necked Spitting Cobra, Puff Adder, Black Mamba, etc. If you are a bird lover, the national reserve will not disappoint you. Here, you will find common ostrich, little grebe, African Darter, black-crowned night-Heron, among other rare breeds.
Hot air Ballooning at Maasai Mara
The safari ride to explore the landscape of the Masai Mara is a given. But, what you can do to enhance the experience, even more, is to opt for a hot air balloon ride. Though a bit costly, it is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget.
With the hot air balloon, you get a panoramic view of the national reserve from above. Here, you will see lumps of animals scattered across the green canvas of the area. Moreover, these rides usually start at early dawn. The marvelous sunrise that you witness will render you speechless.
If you are worried about the price of the hot air balloon rides, you are justified. However, consider the fact that this might be the only opportunity you ever get. The natural wildlife coming to life as the day begins is the kind of memory that will stay with your forever.
The needs and comfort of tourists vary depending on what they can afford and what they need. But, here’s a tip: Save some money at the accommodation and use it to book a balloon safari. Rest assured, you don’t want to miss out on this extraordinary ride.
The Ancient Masai Heritage
One of the noteworthy highlights of the exploration of the Masai Mara National Reserve is coming across the Masai tribe. These nomadic people are the guardians of the landscape. They work in cooperation with the reserve and government to make the destination even more appealing.
It is fascinating to understand that though these people lead a pastoral lifestyle, they are not completely cut off from the world. They are owners of the private reserves, which are given to safari agencies as a lease. That makes it easy for them to make an income while keeping their traditions alive.
On your trip to the Masai Mara, you can explore the landscape, opt for game drivers and encounter the Masai tribe. You can also visit their villages and know more about their traditions and cultures. You might be surprised, but money spent here by the tourists benefits the Masai people greatly.
Apart from this, the Mara Conservancy is responsible for the functioning of the Mara Triangle. It is an area that encompasses approximately a third of the total Masai Mara region. The management company that handles the functioning is a partnership between the Masai community and conservationists. They continuously work to make this section better and conservation-friendly.
The warriors from the Masai patrol the landscape and offers protection. They protect the wildlife, tourist and make sure safety is maintained. This has led to the eradication of poaching almost completely. It also offers sustainable jobs for the local community. If you are keen to view animals, the Mara Triangle is the best place.
Final Say About Maasai Mara
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a slice of paradise for wildlife lovers. With an awe-inspiring flora and fauna spanning across the extensive landscape, visiting the Masai Mara is worthy. Apart from that, the experience of viewing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat is a sight you are unlikely to forget.
That is exactly why millions of tourists visit the Masai Mara every year. If you are an avid wildlife enthusiast, plan your trip to this natural reserve right away.
Book a Safari at Maasai Mara, Kenya here through BookallSafaris…
- 12 Day Kenya Tanzania Safari Masai Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro. A Combination of Eco tents and hotel stays. All park fees included.
- 12 Days Great Migration Tanzania and Kenya Safari. Follow the epic migration of wildebeest and zebras.
African Elephant Snippets in The Zambezi Allies, a novel by E.G.Price
“Savannah elephants are the largest of all elephants. Since ancient times, they have looked after the lands and contributed to the maintenance of the savannah. Without them, many other plants and creatures would not survive.”
The Zambezi Allies, African Wildlife Novel Available on Amazon
He began to frown and Jasiri saw his eyes became wary. “Papio is awed by the sight of a herd of tens of strong elephants. They can be some of the kindest creatures, but they can also be very dangerous.” He paused and pointed at the largest elephant in the herd who had hustled to the front “We must be careful – that is Chena, the giant tusker and great matriarch. Her white trunk is the sign of a leader.”
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