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Maasai Mara National Reserve

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Dream of Africa and chances are that you dream of the Masai Mara.

This huge expanse of gently rolling grassland – specked with flat-topped acacia trees and trampled by massive herds of zebras and wildebeest – is the ultimate African cliché. But for once the reality lives up to the image and the Masai Mara, which comprises not just the famous reserve but also around a dozen community conservancies, several group ranches and numerous Maasai villages, is for many people not just the highlight of their Kenyan adventure but the very reason they came in the first place. Maasai Mara is about five hours' by road from Nairobi (and Naivasha) - or an hour's flight.

The reserve covers 583 square miles (1510 square kilometres) of outstanding wilderness in South West Kenya. With one of the highest diversity of species, and concentrations of animals, the acacia-dotted plains of the Mara offer wonderful scenery and a spectacular abundance of wildlife. Elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, topi, giraffes, hartebeest, serval cats, bat eared foxes; regal black- maned lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and jackals; monkeys and baboons, vultures, secretary birds, saddle bill storks, hundreds of migratory birds; countless pods of hippos around every bend of the Mara River, carefully watched by the other denizens of the rivers in the Masai Mara - the crocodiles, infamous for their spectacular role in the “Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth”- the annual wildebeest migration between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, in which millions of wildebeest, zebra and topis brave the river, and the predators encountered daily, in their continuous annual treks in search of water and grazing, coming up to the Mara from Serengeti in the neighbouring Tanzania.

The Mara Triangle lies in the western sector of Masai Mara where the Mara River forms a natural boundary line that embraces one-third of the Mara Reserve. Most of the Mara Triangle is part of the main reserve and is not a private conservancy. In addition to the dividing river, the area of the Mara Triangle is also defined by the Oloololo Escarpment (Siria). The area covers 510 sq. Km and is managed by a non-profit organisation – Mara Conservancy. Due to its superb location, animals wander freely between the neighbouring wildernesses; however, the river acts a natural fence that keeps most of the wildlife in the triangle. This outback also boasts an incredible, diverse landscape that includes rivers, streams, swamps, plains, volcanic features and much more. Being the entry and exit point for the Migration, it is the most strategic location for game viewing drive in Masai Mara especially during the migration season.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

The climate in Maasai Mara National Reserve is pleasantly warm, with cool nights, all year round. The area is located just south of the Equator, but at an altitude between 1,500 and 1,900 meters (5,000 and 6,200 feet). Temperatures are slightly higher from October to March, while they are slightly cooler from June to August. At night, it can be a bit cold, and the temperature can drop below 10 °C (50 °F), especially from June to August.

There are two rainy seasons, one that lasts about six weeks, from March to May (called ``the long rains``), and the other that lasts about two weeks occurs from October to December (called ``the short rains``).

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Maasai Mara National Reserve is quite popular from June to October during the GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION; although it is a year-round destination. There are plenty of resident wildlife, particularly within the Mara Triangle.

The Masai Mara offers good bird-watching any month of the year, but the best time is from November to April when the migrants from Europe and north Africa arrive. This coincides with the wet season when many species can be seen in breeding plumage.

WHAT TO PACK

Clothing

For the Hot Weather

Hat

Earth-coloured light pants (Khaki) – long or knee-length pants

Earth-coloured long-sleeved shirts/blouses

Comfortable breathable shoes with a sturdy sole (similar to hiking boots).

Sunscreen

For the Cold Weather

Layering is the motto. While you do not require heavy clothing, it is wise to carry a sweater or two to keep you warm during the chilly evenings. Maasai shukas (shawls/wrappers) work extremely well around bonfires.

Hat

Earth-coloured light pants (Khaki) – long or knee-length pants

Earth-coloured long-sleeved shirts/blouses

Comfortable breathable shoes with a sturdy sole (similar to hiking boots).

Sunscreen

Equipment

Cameras

Binoculars

Power banks

WHAT TO SEE

The Great Migration

Undoubtedly one of the most dramatic spectacles of the world, the Great Migration is the annual trek of close to a million herbivores from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania into the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya in search of greener pastures, literally. The nail-biting Mara River crossings are an absolute must for every wildlife enthusiast’s bucket list.

Big Cat Diary

The Masai Mara boasts one of the highest lion densities in world, so it should come as no surprise that the world-famous nature documentary, Big Cat Diary, is filmed in the Mara. Set out in search of the legendary Marsh pride and the beloved, oh-so photogenic, Scarface himself.

Birds

There are more than 500 resident bird species recorded in the Maasai Mara, that are complemented with Migratory birds from November to April.

WHAT TO DO

Game drives

With or without the Great Migration, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is, undeniably, one of the parks with a high wildlife concentration in Africa. A game drive through the plains will never disappoint.

Birdwatching

The Masai Mara isn’t one of Kenya’s birding hotspots. However, with more than 500 bird species recorded, this isn’t a bad place to mark off a lot of Kenya’s savannah species from your bird list. The park is particularly rich in raptors with 57 species present. Bateleurs can often be seen soaring above the grassy plains and predator kills are a good place to find up to six species of vultures scavenging. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Walking Safari

Set out on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to truly experience the Masai Mara. With great vistas of the plains yonder, breath the fresh air and learn about the little know fauna and flora.

Out of Africa (As an alternative to walking safari)

Retrace the footsteps of Out of Africa, the epic film that made the entire world fall in love with Kenya.

Equestrian Safari

Like the explorers of the years gone by, this is a truly unique way to experience the Mara. Blend in the plains and stroll right by dazzles of zebra, journeys of giraffe and, if the time is right, the mighty herds of the Great Migration.

Sundowner Picnic

Drive up onto the aptly named escarpment, meaning “zig zag” in Maa language, for the most unforgettable sundowners overlooking the vast Mara plains, as well as the Serengeti in the distance. As the sun gently dips over the horizon, stand around a blazing fire, complete with delicious snack and a full bar and bartender, and watch in awe as Maasai warriors perform their traditional song and dance.

Balloon Safari in The Masai Mara

Get a bird’s eye view of Mara – the sweeping plains dotted with acacia tree and the occasional kopje that form the landscape in addition to the staggering wildlife – at dawn on a hot air balloon. Upon landing, enjoy a lavish champagne bush breakfast before returning to your hotel with an en route game drive.

Starting Time: 06.30 Hrs

Duration: 1 Hr

Maasai Cultural Tour

No journey to the Masai Mara would be complete without an authentic cultural experience that gets you up close and personal with the fascinating Maasai people. Learn first-hand the vibrant culture and the traditional way – they will invite you into their humble mud and stick manyattas (homesteads) and reveal their pastoral world and ancient, time-honoured traditions. The visits will be undertaken at a convenient time in during the safari.

NOTE: This excursion is not OFFERED on SET DEPARTURES!!

Duration: 1 - 2 Hrs

FEATURED SAFARIS

Rhumba Kenya
Sakata Kenya
Zouketa Kenya & Tanzania Combined

NB: Our Safaris are combinable with the Beach

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Dream of Africa and chances are that you dream of the Masai Mara.

This huge expanse of gently rolling grassland – specked with flat-topped acacia trees and trampled by massive herds of zebras and wildebeest – is the ultimate African cliché. But for once the reality lives up to the image and the Masai Mara, which comprises not just the famous reserve but also around a dozen community conservancies, several group ranches and numerous Maasai villages, is for many people not just the highlight of their Kenyan adventure but the very reason they came in the first place.

The reserve covers 583 square miles (1510 square kilometres) of outstanding wilderness in South West Kenya. With one of the highest diversity of species, and concentrations of animals, the acacia-dotted plains of the Mara offer wonderful scenery and a spectacular abundance of wildlife. Elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, topi, giraffes, hartebeest, serval cats, bat eared foxes; regal black- maned lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and jackals; monkeys and baboons, vultures, secretary birds, saddle bill storks, hundreds of migratory birds; countless pods of hippos around every bend of the Mara River, carefully watched by the other denizens of the rivers in the Masai Mara - the crocodiles, infamous for their spectacular role in the “Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth”- the annual wildebeest migration between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, in which millions of wildebeest, zebra and topis brave the river, and the predators encountered daily, in their continuous annual treks in search of water and grazing, coming up to the Mara from Serengeti in the neighbouring Tanzania.

The Mara Triangle lies in the western sector of Masai Mara where the Mara River forms a natural boundary line that embraces one-third of the Mara Reserve. Most of the Mara Triangle is part of the main reserve and is not a private conservancy. In addition to the dividing river, the area of the Mara Triangle is also defined by the Oloololo Escarpment (Siria). The area covers 510 sq. Km and is managed by a non-profit organisation – Mara Conservancy. Due to its superb location, animals wander freely between the neighbouring wildernesses; however, the river acts a natural fence that keeps most of the wildlife in the triangle. This outback also boasts an incredible, diverse landscape that includes rivers, streams, swamps, plains, volcanic features and much more. Being the entry and exit point for the Migration, it is the most strategic location for game viewing drive in Masai Mara especially during the migration season.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

The climate in Maasai Mara National Reserve is pleasantly warm, with cool nights, all year round. The area is located just south of the Equator, but at an altitude between 1,500 and 1,900 meters (5,000 and 6,200 feet). Temperatures are slightly higher from October to March, while they are slightly cooler from June to August. At night, it can be a bit cold, and the temperature can drop below 10 °C (50 °F), especially from June to August.

There are two rainy seasons, one that lasts about six weeks, from March to May (called ``the long rains``), and the other that lasts about two weeks occurs from October to December (called ``the short rains``).

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Maasai Mara National Reserve is quite popular from June to October during the GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION; although it is a year-round destination. There are plenty of resident wildlife, particularly within the Mara Triangle.

The Masai Mara offers good bird-watching any month of the year, but the best time is from November to April when the migrants from Europe and north Africa arrive. This coincides with the wet season when many species can be seen in breeding plumage.

WHAT TO PACK

Clothing

For the Hot Weather

Hat

Earth-coloured light pants (Khaki) – long or knee-length pants

Earth-coloured long-sleeved shirts/blouses

Comfortable breathable shoes with a sturdy sole (similar to hiking boots).

Sunscreen

For the Cold Weather

Layering is the motto. While you do not require heavy clothing, it is wise to carry a sweater or two to keep you warm during the chilly evenings. Maasai shukas (shawls/wrappers) work extremely well around bonfires.

Hat

Earth-coloured light pants (Khaki) – long or knee-length pants

Earth-coloured long-sleeved shirts/blouses

Comfortable breathable shoes with a sturdy sole (similar to hiking boots).

Sunscreen

Equipment

Cameras

Binoculars

Power banks

WHAT TO SEE

The Great Migration

Undoubtedly one of the most dramatic spectacles of the world, the Great Migration is the annual trek of close to a million herbivores from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania into the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya in search of greener pastures, literally. The nail-biting Mara River crossings are an absolute must for every wildlife enthusiast’s bucket list.

Big Cat Diary

The Masai Mara boasts one of the highest lion densities in world, so it should come as no surprise that the world-famous nature documentary, Big Cat Diary, is filmed in the Mara. Set out in search of the legendary Marsh pride and the beloved, oh-so photogenic, Scarface himself.

Birds

There are more than 500 resident bird species recorded in the Maasai Mara, that are complemented with Migratory birds from November to April.

WHAT TO DO

Game drives

With or without the Great Migration, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is, undeniably, one of the parks with a high wildlife concentration in Africa. A game drive through the plains will never disappoint.

Birdwatching

The Masai Mara isn’t one of Kenya’s birding hotspots. However, with more than 500 bird species recorded, this isn’t a bad place to mark off a lot of Kenya’s savannah species from your bird list. The park is particularly rich in raptors with 57 species present. Bateleurs can often be seen soaring above the grassy plains and predator kills are a good place to find up to six species of vultures scavenging. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Walking Safari

Set out on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to truly experience the Masai Mara. With great vistas of the plains yonder, breath the fresh air and learn about the little know fauna and flora.

Out of Africa (As an alternative to walking safari)

Retrace the footsteps of Out of Africa, the epic film that made the entire world fall in love with Kenya.

Equestrian Safari

Like the explorers of the years gone by, this is a truly unique way to experience the Mara. Blend in the plains and stroll right by dazzles of zebra, journeys of giraffe and, if the time is right, the mighty herds of the Great Migration.

Sundowner Picnic

Drive up onto the aptly named escarpment, meaning “zig zag” in Maa language, for the most unforgettable sundowners overlooking the vast Mara plains, as well as the Serengeti in the distance. As the sun gently dips over the horizon, stand around a blazing fire, complete with delicious snack and a full bar and bartender, and watch in awe as Maasai warriors perform their traditional song and dance.

Balloon Safari in The Masai Mara

Get a bird’s eye view of Mara – the sweeping plains dotted with acacia tree and the occasional kopje that form the landscape in addition to the staggering wildlife – at dawn on a hot air balloon. Upon landing, enjoy a lavish champagne bush breakfast before returning to your hotel with an en route game drive.

Starting Time: 06.30 Hrs

Duration: 1 Hr

Maasai Cultural Tour

No journey to the Masai Mara would be complete without an authentic cultural experience that gets you up close and personal with the fascinating Maasai people. Learn first-hand the vibrant culture and the traditional way – they will invite you into their humble mud and stick manyattas (homesteads) and reveal their pastoral world and ancient, time-honoured traditions. The visits will be undertaken at a convenient time in during the safari.

NOTE: This excursion is not OFFERED on SET DEPARTURES!!

Duration: 1 - 2 Hrs

FEATURED SAFARIS

Rhumba Kenya
Sakata Kenya
Zouketa Kenya & Tanzania Combined

NB: Combinable with Beach