East African country, Kenya is renowned for its majestic landscapes, extensive wildlife preserves and classic savanna safaris. This country always surprises it’s visitors, from deserted forests, alpine snows, freshwater lakes and coral reefs and colourful tribal cultures. But it’s leading destination is Masai Mara National Reserve which attracts millions of nature and wildlife lovers due to safari adventure.
Let’s discover more about this safari adventure destination of Kenya –Â
Discover the Iconic Masai Mara
Everywhere in Africa, you will observe the abundance of wildlife and Kenya tops the list of the itinerary of wildlife buffs. Masai Mara National is situated in the southwest of Kenya in the Great Rift Valley in largely open grassland. Maasai Mara is one of the most famous and important wildlife conservation areas in Africa. This national reserve is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains, covering an area of 1,510 km².
The Masai Mara is world-renowned for its spectacular populations of Lion, African Leopard, Cheetah & bush Elephant, wild Buffalo, Giraffe, Hyena, migratory Wildebeest and Zebra. More than 1.5 million animals arriving in July and leaving in November are involved in the annual wildebeest migration alone.
Some 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and over 400 species of birds have been reported in the reserve. The reserve is a paradise for photographers and naturalists as wild animals can often be encountered in the thick scrubs, such as endangered black rhino, large hippo and huge crocodiles are found in the Mara River. Every year, thousands of tourists come to the Mara to enjoy some of Africa’s most authentic safari experiences.
Here are a few activities which you can perform at Masai Mara safari. Take a look.Â
Popular Activities to do at Masai Mara
Exploring the best of Maasai Mara national reserve with the guides/tour operators available there. They give the voyagers a wide range of experience through different Safari activities at the Masai reserve thus making your African trip more remarkable. You can enjoy Game viewing, camping at the reserve, take night game drives, visits to Masai cultural villages, experience ballooning. You can explore these fun activities by car, by walking, horse ride or by taking safari jeeps any time of the day. But consult your tour operators first for witnessing amazing wildlife at Masai Mara.
Great Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve is a wildlife lover’s wishlist worldwide and the reason for the migration of Wildebeests. The Wildebeest migration is one of the world’s seven natural wonders in Masai Mara. It is recorded as the largest annual migration of wildlife on earth. Best known for the Great Migration, this park provides some of Africa’s best wildlife viewing from July through November, when thousands of wildebeest, Thomson’s Gazelle, and zebra migrate here and the Serengeti plains.
The Wildebeest travels miles and miles across the Mara River from the endless plains of the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara National Park. It’s a fantastic, magical and inexpressible live-action, which can not be missed. During the crossing of the river, the journey attracts many creatures, particularly the big cats on land and large Nile Crocodiles on the sea, as it is called Survival to the fittest. Wildebeest migration is one of the most spanning and special wildlife shows in the world. After 2-3 months these animals after migration return to the Serengeti National Park.
Enjoy Safari Game Drive
The game drive is the key activity in all African wildlife protected areas. The game drives can be done the whole day, half day or at night. Masai Mara is among the few national reserves that allow night game drives. Game drives are specially designed to meet your needs, choosing between quick drives, twice a day or an entire-day game drive and picnicking with a rest.
The game drives are carefully scheduled to predict the Great Migration, so you don’t have to go too far to see the big livestock. Interestingly, to improve your chances of seeing this amazing phenomenon, whether the migration has moved off or the epic river crossings are in operation, you might opt to spend more time on the car.
Enjoy Hot Air Balloon Safari
In Maasai Mara National Park, the other great activity is the Hot Air Balloon, which is regarded as a lifetime unbeatable experience. Travellers will also experience hot air balloon rides in the latest model of wildlife game drives. It is a rare opportunity to encounter the best of the meadows from heaven.
The best paths follow the Mara River trail, allowing you to gaze down into the trees, float past the vulture nests and watch the early-morning activities of the boisterous hippos. This can be a totally new adventure fun for you to watch wildebeest from the sky.
Meet Masai Tribe
At Masai Mara after enjoying the safari game, Great Migration and taking a hot air balloon ride, you can meet the Masai Mara Tribe. The Maasai tribe is one of Kenya’s native tribes, occupying the south and north of the land. The local people abandon the semi-desert climate along the Great Rift Valley.
A nomadic lifestyle is followed by the Maasai tribe where they depend on their livestock with little agriculture for means of livelihood. Government from different countries has allowed them to settle around the wildlife protected areas. In the process of reforming the Masai Mara, they are among the few tribes who have managed to maintain their cultures and traditions. Thus you can learn a lot of things from them by visiting Masai cultural village.
Best Time to Visit
The peak season is during the migration phase, between July and October. Excellent game viewing can also be received in early November and February. And every year from around June to November, the Masai Mara become resting stop as it welcomes many wild beasts in the rainy season.
Accommodation Facility in Masai Mara
For every unforgettable safari adventure, accommodation facility plays an important role. Mara Serena and Little Governors Camp are the only two lodges situated near the reserve. Kichwa Tembo, Mpata Club, Olonana, Mara Siria and Kilima Camp are situated on the boundary of Masai.
The sightseers can relax at the lodges after long day safari activities, as accommodations are located both inside the reserve and others outside the Reserve. Camping tents are also available as per convenience by tour operators.
Also Read:Â Top Wildlife Safari Destinations Across the World
