Masai Mara National Reserve
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Information and guide to Masai Mara National Reserve |
Safaris to Masai Mara National Reserve
| Safari Lodges in Masai Mara National Reserve |
Other
Kenya National Parks and Game Reserves
Masai Mara National Reserve
is situated to the west of Nairobi, on Tanzania's northern
border. This 1,812 squab kms (700 sq. miles) Reserve is the
northern extension of the larger Serengeti National Park - a
massive 56,000 sq. Kms (5,600 sq. miles).
The Maasai Mara offers wonderful scenery and an abundance of big
game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the
visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a
century ago. It is a reserve of breathtaking vistas, panoramas
of vast rolling plains, hills and woodland groves, well watered
by the lovely Mara River which bisects the Reserve from north to
south. The Mara is home to the largest population of lions in
Kenya, these magnificent beasts spending most of the day
sleeping in the shade of acacia trees. Vast herds of buffalo,
zebra and wildebeest roam the plains. Impala, gazelle, giraffe
and hartebeest grace the landscape, the cautious topi may also
be seen standing sentinel on earth mounds on constant look-out
for predators. The waters of the Mara River are home to
crocodiles and pools of hippo, the acacia woodlands and riverine
forests favoured by leopard and elephant, and the open savannah
and dry bush areas host to the plains game and their attendant
predators such as lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal.
The birdlife of the Mara is as profuse as the animal life. On
the open plains there is a variety of bustards and ground
hornbills. Birds of prey are abundant - no less than 53 species
have been recorded, including the magnificent Bateleur eagle. In
the sky there are always opportunistic vultures circling and
waiting in anticipation, and distinctive secretary birds are a
common sight as they stalk sedately over the open plains.
But all this richness is secondary to the Mara's main attraction
- the annual migration which takes place every year between July
and September. Over a million wildebeest and thousands of zebra
trek from the southern plains of the Serengeti, following the
rains, in search of fresh grasslands. The most visual image of
this spectacle is the crossing of the Mara River - when the
great herds surge forward, hurling themselves mindlessly down
the river banks, seemingly oblivious to the dangers below.
Visitors staying in the Mara can enjoy the thrills of an early
morning hot-air balloon safari - drifting over the awakening
plains offers an unusual and unforgettable experience. On
landing, the accompanying ground crew offer a celebratory glass
of champagne, and breakfast cooked on the balloon burners and
served in the bush in true safari style.
2 Days Nairobi
Safari to Maasai Mara (road safari from Nairobi)
2 Days
Mombasa or Nairobi to Maasai Mara Air Safari (air
safari also begin from Nairobi)
3
Days Mombasa or Nairobi Safari to Maasai Mara Safari by Air
Flight (this safari can also begin from Nairobi by air) See also:
Masai Mara Balloon
safaris
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