Masai Mara National Reserve - Kenya's Epic Masterpiece

You've heard about the wonder that is Masai mara. You've dreamed of taking an African wildlife safari for ages. Now you just need to plan and are in search of every crucial piece of information about this African jungle so you can live your dream. 

Let's not waste any more time. Here's everything you need to know about Masai Mara national reserve. 

Brief Overview of Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara is a popular African travel destination in Kenya and home to over 95 species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and over 500 bird species. 

Located in Southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzania border, Maasai Mara covers an area of approximately 1,510 square kilometres.

There are conservancies on private lands belonging to the Maasai community. The owners lease the grounds to safari companies for tourism purposes. A monthly fee is paid to the community, and it helps them in education and development. Controlled grazing is still allowed to the locals.

Expect to pay an entry fee to the Masai Mara national reserve. This fee goes towards conserving the park and supporting the local communities. If you stay within a facility inside the mara reserve, the Masai mara park fee will be around $70 for adults and $40 for children and students. Tourists visiting from outside the reserve pay $80 for adults while kids pay $45.

Top Attractions at Masai Mara National Reserve

There's never a dull moment in Masai mara. Here are some of the must-try experiences in the Mara to make this the best African safari you've ever had:

Witness the wildebeest migration

The wildebeest migration is a natural wonder that animal lovers wait for with bated breath every year. When at the Mara during the wildebeest migration period, you'll get a chance to see over one million wildebeest and lots of zebras and gazelles moving through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and back as they look for greener pastures and water.  

The most exciting part of the migration is the Mara River crossing activity. Don't miss the view of the first herd rushing down the river; it's a beautiful sight, full of emotions. It's the beginning of a feasting period for the Mara predators.

The Mara's beautiful and wide-open landscapes make it a fantastic destination all year round for an African wildlife safari adventure. However, the best time to visit is between July and October if you want to catch the river crossing encounter.

Be ready to spend a whole day at the reserve while waiting for the crossing. Sometimes it happens late in the afternoon when the sun is hot and harsh. But believe me, the theatrical experience of the predators grabbing the prey and feasting on them is all worth it.

See the big five on a game drive

Want to see the big 5 in their natural habitat? Book an early morning or evening game drive. A game drive entails exploring the park to see various wild animals. Maasai Mara game drives are best done early in the morning or evenings when the animals are more active. 

You can explore the wilderness of Maasai Mara in a specially designed 4x4 safari vehicle. You're likely to spot hyenas, lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and cheetahs, among many others. 

You have the option of taking a private game drive which no other visitors will join in. Or a public game drive open to other tourists (maximum of 8 passengers). Personal game drives are flexible in time, but they are a bit costly.  

Most photographers and tourists with unique interests, such as the big five safari experience, prefer private game drives. In such cases, a daytime game drive is perfect timing to meet the lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, and the buffalo in their natural habitat.

It's important to note that the main Maasai Mara Reserve offers daytime drives only. Night game drives are allowed on the private conservancies which border the Mara Reserve.

3 The unmatched hot air balloon adventure

Viewing the majestic Masai Mara reserve from up the sky is the ultimate African safari experience. Get a perfect view of the gorgeous landscape, vegetation, and the sun rising while soaring up peacefully on a hot air balloon

The hot air balloon will allow you to catch the lions and other wild animals hunting their prey. Each balloon flight will give you a different view and exciting sight during your stay at the Mara. The wildebeest crossing can be viewed from the comfort of the balloon if you are lucky.

Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience by viewing animals in their daily rituals from above. It is a magnificent way to enjoy nature. The landing is smooth and the most fun part of the hot air balloon.

4 African wildlife safari camping experience

It is never a complete Kenya wildlife safari without camping in the Mara. You can choose to carry your camping equipment like a mattress, tent, gas tank, and burner, or hire them at the camp. This outdoor accommodation will bring you closer to nature during your African wildlife safari. 

Prior booking is recommended to avoid inconveniences. Masai Mara camping fees depend on whether your camp is private or public, age, citizenship, and nationality. Cooks are available for hire, and it is mandatory to hire two rangers for your safety.

The experience of pitching the tents, lighting a fire and making dinner in the jungle is a priceless moment you don't want to miss. You are advised not to store food leftovers inside your tent because it can attract animals. Make early arrangements on all your supplies like food, firewood and your fully charged torches to avoid night movements and inconveniences.

Interesting Facts About Masai Mara

Masai Mara has the highest number of hyenas in Kenya. This has seen the Kenya Wildlife Services set up a hyena research centre inside the reserve.

The two countries share the Mara, located at the Kenya-Tanzania border. No fences or barriers in the reserve allow animals to move freely. They migrate seasonally from the Serengeti National park to the Masai Mara reserve and vice versa.

The Maasai community is involved in conservation efforts to contain poaching and other illegal activities. They play a significant role in accompanying the tourists on a bushwalk. This will allow you to interact with them and have a good relationship with animals.

Going on a Masai Mara African Wildlife Safari

Your Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi can be by road or a 45 minutes flight from Nairobi. A flight is convenient and comfortable, and countless airstrips are owned by lodges in the area.  

Travelling on the road allows you to pass by the best safari parks in Africa, like Lake Nakuru National Park. It is time-consuming and requires a versatile car that can handle harsh weather conditions. A tour van can access some conservancies. A 4-wheel drive is mainly preferred because it will give you an extraordinary jungle experience even if the weather changes drastically.

Book your African wildlife safari early enough to secure accommodation that's usually in high demand during peak months. The best months for Kenya wildlife safari in the Mara are from late June to early October, depending on your targeted activities. Weather during this period is dry, and catching the wildebeest in full flow is almost guaranteed. This does not mean you can't visit the Mara any other time; the circular movement of animals occurs all year round.  

Remember to pack your camera, hats, sunscreen, insect repellant, boots, medication, and clothes. (You don't need any special gear for this safari). See our complete safari packing guide for an exhaustive list of everything you need for your African safari. 

Discover Maasai Mara National Reserve

Visiting Maasai Mara is a dream come true for many tourists. You will wake up to endless adventures on your African wildlife safari at the Mara. 

Since the Mara is part of Tanzania, this gives you an excellent opportunity to combine a Kenya and Tanzania safari. You can dash to the Serengeti National Park and experience the wild animals in another habitat. The park will provide guides who will make your safari even more enjoyable by giving you deep learning about the Mara ecosystem and rain patterns.

You will learn more about the Maasai culture and get a chance to see their unique houses called the manyattas. Satisfy your quest for safari parks in Africa with this Mara epic experience.

By visiting the Mara, you're not only exploring this African natural wonder but also contributing to managing the conservancy. Hence, helping to increase the number of animals and improve community development. Your visit is indeed highly valued. 

Now that you know more about the Masai Mara National Reserve, it's time to book that trip and experience the wonders of nature at the focal point of the Great Mara Ecosystem. 

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