THE ENCHANTING MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Also known as The Mara, this famous national reserve lies in the Maasai land in Southwestern Kenya and borders the great Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the south.

It is located 257kilometres from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. You will take approximately 6 hours to drive over good roads to reach The Mara. You may make a stop-over at the Mau Escarpment viewpoint, which offers a wowing view of the Great Rift Valley.

Around June every year, the wild action gets intense as hundreds of visitors flock to The Mara to witness the great wildebeest migration regarded by many as the World's eighth wonder.

The County of Narok runs the Mara National Reserve in collaboration with the local community. It is an exceptional case study of local management of community resources. In addition, there are some private conservancies inside the Mara run by non-profits, with most of the proceeds going to community upkeep and conservation projects.

Let’s see what Maasai Mara has for us!

Vegetation and Landscape in Maasai Mara National Reserve

A more significant portion of the Mara is covered by the magical savanna grassland that stretches beyond what the eyes can see, providing ample feeding ground for thousands of grazers and the perfect camouflage for the ever-lurking, hungry predators.

Maasai Mara also features many rivers-Mara River is the largest of them all. It originates from the Mau Escarpment, snaking through the reserve and finally flowing into Lake Victoria. This freshwater source keeps the Reserve green and is primarily considered the lifeline to the Mara ecosystem. Even in the dry season, the Mara River remains a steady watering point for the animals.

Why you should visit the Maasai Mara Reserve

There are many compelling reasons you should ensure to check the enchanting Masai Mara off your bucket list! Well, it's not just home to the annual spectacular wildebeest migration. You are almost always guaranteed to see the Big Five (the Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Buffalo) when you visit and experience the Masai people's way of life. Moreover, the money you spend on park fees goes back to community conservation efforts.

Lions

A pride of lions is one thing you will not miss if you visit Maasai Mara. A pride has 6 to 20 lions, both male and female; males are responsible for leading the pride and marking the territories while the females take the lead in hunting, occasionally calling on their males to take down larger prey. The Mara vegetation and climate are adapted to nurture lions and other species in the cat family. Unlike leopards, lions are known to be sociable and almost showy-never afraid of human attention or the click of cameras as visitors come to within meters of the King of The Jungle.

Elephants

The World's largest land animals weighing up to 6 tons, the African elephants are prevalent in this reserve. Males will often be spotted grazing alone while females (cows) and calves graze in herds. Poachers decimated huge elephant populations in the 1990s, but thanks to heightened conservation efforts and legal measures, The Mara's elephant population has seen a steady increase.

Wildebeest and the Great Migration

Wildebeest (the African antelope) are slightly bigger than your typical antelope. Wildebeests have a mane around their neck and are very common in Maasai Mara. However, the wildebeest are not available throughout the year; they juggle between the Maasai Mara and Serengeti for feeding and breeding. Around July-October every year, the animals (wildebeest, elands, Great & Thompson gazelles zebras) arrive from Serengeti National Park in droves via the Mara Crossings. It's calving season, and many young ones and weaklings do not make it across the river- they either drown or are made a meal by the Mara River crocodiles. This spectacular event dubbed the Great Migration has often been described as the 8th Wonder of the World- a testament of just how rhythmic nature may get when left uninterrupted.

Cheetahs and Leopards

The more agile, stealthier, and smaller cats can be spotted in the Maasai Mara. Cheetahs can be seen alone but mostly spotted in a group. With some luck and the scouting eye of an experienced guide, you may see at least three of the infamous Five Mara Brothers cheetahs as they hang out in the plains, probably after a sumptuous meal.

Researchers assert that there is an abundant leopard population in the Mara. Leopards are pretty shy, known to be lone hunters in the night. Therefore, sighting them during the day is not easy.

Inset: You can literary smell the excitement upon sighting the elusive African leopard.

Experienced guides will take you to the right spots. . They prefer to live in wooded savannahs-perfect for

camouflage and rocky outcrops- vantage points to locate prey; however, there's also an excellent chance you'll spot one perched up in a tree Leopards are aggressive hunters with a palette for antelope meat. Adult leopards prefer a solitary life and only mingle during mating. They prefer to live in wooded savannahs-perfect for camouflage and rocky outcrops- vantage points to locate prey; however, there's also an excellent chance you'll spot one perched up in a tree. Their vision, hearing, and

sense of smell are highly developed to help them locate and pounce on their prey.

Other Animals

The vast reserve is home to tens of other species of animals, birds, and insects, which together form complex symbiotic relationships that are often featured in Animal Planet and National Geographic. At the Mara, it is guaranteed to see zebras, giraffes, monkeys, ostrich, a wide variety of birds, crocodiles and hippos, hyenas, antelopes, and more.

Maasai Cultural Experience

Despite modern-day pressure on our ecosystems, the Masai people-who have lived here for centuries still find a way to coexist with wildlife-thanks for prudent management of this resource and numerous conservation projects. With some arrangements, your driver/guide will facilitate a visit to a Masai Cultural village. You will enjoy their history, experience their way of life, and jungle survival skills like lighting fire using the friction method, get opera-grade Masai dance & warrior dance. In addition, with as low as 10 dollars, you can buy skillfully hand-crafted souvenirs like bracelets, key holders, leather belts, and necklaces to mark the beautiful memories while here.

Where to stay

There are many camps, hotels, and lodges in Maasai Mara, ranging from budget level to royal luxury.

Luxury hotels & lodges

To get the most out of this fantastic jungle, we would recommend at least a minimum of 2-days at the Mara; ideally, one being a full-day safari where you get to sample packed lunch out in the African savannah! While the reserve has strict rules, conservancies inside the park can offer more personalized, intimate experiences like guided safari walk on foot or horseback. A local Masaai guide may even teach some basic animal tracking skills!

Budget Hotels and Lodges

Are you traveling on a budget? Luckily, The Mara has numerous facilities catering to budget travel. Here are some of our

favorites, and by any means, it's not an exhaustive list!