Masai Mara National Reserve
Located in south-western Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve
(Maasai Mara) is regarded as the most favorite and is definitely the most
visited game reserve for a
safari in Kenya, with
over 140,000 visitors per year.
The reserve lies approx 270km west of
Nairobi and covers an area of approximately 1,510 sq km, bordering with the
Serengeti National
Park in Tanzania. The landscaped is mostly open Savannah grasslands and
acacia shrubland.
The
wildbeest
migration starts any time from late July when the wildebeest follow the
rains and head towards the wide and open grasslands of what has become known as
"the Mara" for grazing. They are accompanied by
Zebra, Thomson's gazelle. The migration may be
late, but the wildebeest will always make the trip, driven by dry conditions in
the Serengeti and led by the lightning and thunder to the north. Come November
they start the homeward leg, bound again for the Serengeti.
The Masai
Mara is reknown for it's large population of
lion, but other animals such as
hippo, crocodile and vultures are in abundance
during the Great Migration, as they prey on the weak and young migrating
animals. Other game to be found in the Masai Mara at any time of the year
include;
elephants,
cheetahs, baboons, gazelles,
giraffes, jackals,
leopards, hyenas, water
buffalo, ostriches, and a large variety of
antelope and birdlife. The Masai Mara also has over 450 species of birdlife, of
which more than 50 species are Raptors
Whilst the whole Reserve offers
very good wildlife viewing at all times of the year. The western side in the
Great African Rift Valley is where the wildlife is more concentrated, due to
water being plentiful and the region being less visited by tourists. The
Eastern side is much closer to Nairobi and therefore more popular with tourist
on
safari.
There
are a number of lodges and tented camps for visitors located inside the Reserve
and in the Conservation area around the reserve.
Whilst the Masai Mara
is only 270 kms from Nairobi, the road conditions to and in the Masai Mara are
generally poor. It can take 6 + hours to reach the park, longer during the
raining season. Many visitors, who are limited on time, choose to fly-in. There
is a main networks of roads throughout the park and side tracks crossing from
one to another. During the raining season many of the side roads will be
impassible.
A very popular activity in the Masai Mara is a
Balloon Safari and, although fairly pricey, it
is a well worth once-in-a-lifetime experience. The open savannah plains give a
great opportunity to see so many of the animals from the air in peace and
serenty and the panoramic scenery is absolutely breathtaking
The best
time to visit the Masai Mara is July to October, when the
annual migration of wildebeests,
zebras and gazelles roams these grounds, but
wildlife viewing is excellent year round.
--> View Photos taken in Masai Mara National
Park
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