Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya is Africa’s most famous and sought after safari destination. Masai Mara National Reserve is dotted with rogue acacia trees and huge diversity of wildlife, rewarding travellers with one of the most amazing safari experiences.
Introduction to Masai Mara National Reserve and what to expect
Introduction
Masai Mara National Reserve, also known as the Masai Mara, is one of the best safari destinations in Africa on the same footing as the Serengeti National Park Tanzania found in the northern part of the country. Africa safaris visiting Masai Mara National Park are very memorable, with most travellers looking to see the safari highlights of Africa able to visit both Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park Tanzania given their near proximity. Masai Mara National Reserve is your best destination for the Great Migration where over 2 million wildebeests, zebrs, gazelles among other grazers move from Serengeti National Park to Masai mara every single year.
Masai Mara is often described as the jewel of Africa, which derives her name from the local Maasai tribe who inhabit the land for ages on end.
What to Expect
Masai Mara National Reserve is an amazingly beautiful Kenya safari destination attractive for the African Big 5 animals, big cats, beautiful landscapes and the Great Wildebeest Migration. Masai Mara National Reserve is not just a wilderness destination, there is a significant human population living in the reserve, the Maasai people who travellers can encounter with Masai cultural tours while in the reserve. While Masai Mara National Reserve has large big game and a variety of wildlife, it is the African Big 5 animals and the great wildebeest migration that impresses the travellers the most, along with the breath taking landscape and views.
Masai Mara National Reserve Location
Masai Mara National Reserve is located in Kenya’s South Western region. Masai Mara National Reserve covers about 583 square miles, surrounded by conservancies that add the more than 350,000 acres to form the greater Mara area, with the most prominent private conservancies being the Mra North, Mara Naboishso, Ol Kinyei and Olare Motorogi.
Masai Mara National Reserve Entry Fees
Masai Mara National Reserve entry fees are levied in categories that include adults, children and infants. While children below 5 years are exempted from paying Masai Mara National Reserve entrance fees. Children aged 6 years to 12 years pay 45usd per child per day, while adults including children aged 13 and above pay 80usd, per person per day. The Maasai Mara National Reserve entrance fees are valid for 24 hours only, and once paid are non-refundable.
Attractions in Masai Mara National Reserve
Wildlife in Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the top attractions that travellers come to Masai Mara National Reserve in the first place. There are a variety of wildlife in Masai Mara National Reserve including the African big 5 animals, big cats, large mammals, among so many others.
African Big 5
Masai Mara National Reserve inhabits all the African big 5 animals that are most sought after by tourists who visit Masai Mara. The African big 5 animals in Masai Mara include lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos. There are over 800 lions in Masai Mara and the conservancies around, thereby guaranteeing your chances of spotting lions in Masai Mara National Reserve while on Masai Mar safaris.
Large Mammals
Masai Mara National Reserve inhabits a huge variety of large mammals which can be seen on Kenya safaris with Masai Mara safaris any time of the year. Masai Mara National Reserve has in thousands hippos, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, among so many others.
Big Cats
Travellers after spotting the Big Cats in Masai Mara National Reserve can see so many of them here while on Masai Mara safaris. The big cats in Masai Mara National Reserve include lions, leopards, cheetahs, which are also much sought after animals in Masai Mara.
Great Wildebeest Migration
One of the top attractions in Masai Mar National Reserve include the great wildebeest migration. Witnessing the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the amazing and top reasons that travellers do visit the reserve, to witness one of the most spectacular spectacles in the world.
Birds
There are over 500 species of birds in Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara National Reserve is indeed a birder’s paradise from where travellers can see a variety of bird species including giant Ostriches, as well as Egrets, Geese, Ducks, Pelicans, Spoonbills, Herons, among so many others.
Maasai Culture
The Maasai people are known world-wide for their vibrant red robes called the sukkahs, and tremendous bravery as they are fierce warriors in the wild living with the wild game of Masai Mara National Reserve
Things to do in Masai Mara National Reserve
Game Drives
Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve take you through the vast rolling plains of savanna grassland making up Masai Mara National Reserve. Most game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are cantered on the Central plains which is the largest part of the Masai Mara National Reserve full of dense bushes, grasslands and a huge variety of wildlife in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Guided Walking Safaris
Guided walking safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve can be arranged for, for an opportunity to come up close with nature and wildlife.
Horseback Riding
Looking to chase the wild game in the wild, horseback riding safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve Conservancies can be arranged for. Be sure to talk to your tour operator about your preferred safari activities in Masai Mara and you shall be amazed by the amazing experience.
Hot air balloon safari
A hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara National Reserve gives you an opportunity to have aerial views of the reserve, seeing much more than you may have with just game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Maasai Cultural Experience
A Maasai cultural experience sees you experiencing the local Maasai way of life, as fascinating as it is for an opportunity to learn about the rich history of the Maasai people, as well as culture. From centuries of living in the wild which many fear, the Masai people have mastered living off the land. Take on a Masai cultural tour and be guided by the local Maasai people themselves through the lands they have inhabited for ages past.
When to Visit Masai Mara National Reserve
The best time to go to Masai Mara National Reserve is between July and October, when the Great Wildebeest Migration is at its best. This time is also the dry season when more animals congregate in the few waterholes in the reserve. Temperatures in Masai Mara National Reserve remain consistent year-round. The months of January and February are the driest months, offering some of the best wildlife viewings and great conditions for the safari.
How long to spend in Masai Mara National Reserve
How much time do you need in Masai Mara? How many days do you need for safari? These are some of the questions that may pop up when planning your Kenya safari to visit one of the most sought after Kenya safari destinations, Masai Mara National Reserve. Well you need at least 12 hours to visit Masai Mara, considering the long drive from Arusha. While 1 Day Masai Mara Safaris can be arranged for, they require early rising as early as 4am. Travellers with some time at hand can spend 2 or more days in Masai Mara National Reserve. To enjoy and explore Masai Mara National Reserve to the fullest, you may need at least 3 nights and 4 days in the reserve, enjoying the various activities in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Getting to Masai Mara National Reserve
You can get to Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya by both road and air. By road, Masai Mara is about 6 hours only from Nairobi city. Travellers not after long drives can fly, with the various domestic airlines available as well as developed Masai Mara airstrips. Flying from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Masai Mara can take about 45 and 60 minutes only.
Accommodation in Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve accommodation is one of the things to look at while planning your Masai Mara safari. There are a variety of accommodation in Masai Mara which travellers can stay in while on Masai Mara safaris, depending on your budget. There are super luxury, luxury, mid-range and budget accommodation in Masai Mara National Reserve that travellers can stay in while visiting Magical Kenya on Masai Mara safaris. Some of the Masai Mara National Reserve accommodation include Keekorok Lodge, Mara Intrepids Tented Camp, Ashnil Mara Camp, Zebra Plains Mara Camp, Richards’s River Camp, Little Governors’ Camp, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, among so many others. Depending on your budget, be sure to get great accommodation and enjoy your much anticipated Masai Mara safari.
Popular Kenya safaris including Masai Mara National Reserve
There are various Kenya safaris, as well as Tanzania safaris or even Uganda safaris which include Masai Mar National Reserve. Some of the top 5 safaris including Masai Mara national Reserve include 3 Days Masai Mar Wildebeest Migration Safari, 6 Days Masai Mara and Serengeti Safari, 7 Days Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari, 5 Days Masai Mara and Bwindi Gorilla Safari, or even 3 Days Budget Masai Mara Safari, among so many others are some of the safaris you can book for an opportunity to explore the spectacular Masai Mara National Reserve.
