Masai Mara national reserve

Overview of the Masai Mara.

Location Information

It is located in the former Rift Valley Province and the current Mara County in South West of Kenya and South East of Lake Victoria. This is an area located slightly south of the Equator.

The open area:

The vast open area covers an area of 1510 sq km where the greater portion is the savanna grassland with the greatest diverse ecosystem in Africa together with the Serengeti.

Altitude

It stands at an Attitude of 1500 to 1900meters (4950-6234 ft).

Access to Maasai Mara by road and air.

The journey from Nairobi to Masai Mara game Reserve by road is about 270 kms. This journey will take a traveler or group of travelers roughly 7 hours on average. Travel by air using a chartered plane from Nairobi takes about 60 minutes. There are daily flights to and from Nairobi where a traveler can connect with international flights from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

The Mara Triangle Ecosystem

Animal species:

Easily spotted species are the big 5 (Lions, Buffaloes, Leopards, Elephants and Rhinos) the wildebeests easily spotted crossing the Mara river during the famous annual wildebeest migration, diverse species of carnivores in the open hunting grounds of Mara and plain herbivores searching for feeding grounds.

The park has the highest concentration of wildlife, including the big five. It also has the largest number of African Lions, including the Black Manned lions.

Other animals species include zebras, antelope, wildebeest, oribis hyenas, giraffes, warthog, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos, topi, baboons, hippos and crocodiles in the Mara river.

1. Carnivores

Available in the game reserve are:- Lions Leopards Hyenas Cheetahs Jackals CrocodilesWild cats species Wild dogs species Etc.

2. Herbivores

The species include: - African elephant Rhinos Buffaloes Girraffes HipposWilderbeasts Zebras Antellopes Water bucks Warthogs

Birds species

Rich variety of different kind of birds including birds of prey such as vultures commonly found in Masai Mara and other Kenya parks.

The mara boasts of over 400 different bird species which includes; secretary birds, crowned crane, ostrich, long crested eagles, vultures, hornbills and marabou storks.

There is however other national parks in Kenya richer in birds life than the Mara. If you are interested with diverse birds life, consider stopping at Lake Nakuru national park. Have your itinerary inclusive of this safari as you proceed travelling to Mara.

Vegetation

The vast area is an open savannah grassland with scattered bushes, umbrella acacia shrubs, thorny tree species, woodland, a river forests along the Mara river and swampy vegetation in water logged areas.

The Climate partern that Shapes your Safari experience

Temperatures

The climate is slightly warm during the day with cool nights, all the year round.

Temperatures remain hottest during the months of December through February reaching a maximum of 30C (85F). Temperatures however cool down during the months of June through August to a minimum of 13C (55F).

Rainfall patterns

Mara triangle has two main rainy seasons. The wettest seasons being Mid October through November and April through early June. The rest of the months are relatively dry including July through early October and between December through March.

For your travel plan to Masai Mara during the wet season, make sure you carry with you rain boots and rain court. Consider taking a four wheel drive van such as a Toyota Land Cruiser or a Land Rover for extreme muddy grounds instead of a normal tour van.

There are many tour companies specializing with Masai Mara packages and car leasing companies that will be willing to hire a car for your use.

During the rain seasons, the reserve is greenest and the best time to view the grazing animals. Immediately after the rainy season, grasses grow so long and may be difficult to spot the wildlife. Carnivores such as lions and leopards can he spotted with careful search in the long grasses.

If choosing to visit Mara during the dryer seasons, you get an ideal moment for easier spotting of the game when grasses are short. Travel by road is also easier during the dry spell where any normal tour vehicle will make it to Mara.

Accommodation facilities in Masai Mara

There are several lodges, ranging from luxury to budget as well as campsites within the Mara national reserve,ideal for every ones budget and preference.

Preference is due to wildlife all year round, and the annual wildebeest migration between July and September to October making Masai Mara a prime safari location.

Key activities in the Masai Mara Ecosystem

Activities to conduct while in Masai Mara game reserve and the grater Mara Triangle.

Popularly known for the Wildebeest Migration, there is easy spotting of the big 5, Hot air ballooning, Safaris travels, camping safaris (luxury tented camp safaris, budget camping safaris), chattered air flight safaris, bonfire adventures, game drives, game watching and nature travels for nature travelers and nature lovers.

1. Wildebeest Migration

Key highlights: Annual Wildebeest and Zebra migration from Serengeti national park to Masai Mara national reserve which occurs from July to October in search of greener pastures in the Mara.

This migration is recorded as the seventh wonder of the new world

Crossing at the Mara river by over 1.5 million wildebeest and Zebra crossing from Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya in search of green pastures.

Spectacular crossing of the wildebeest on the Mara waters and the hunting of wildebeests by the large crocodile population inside the waters of Mara river.

Largest spotting of diverse ecosystem from over 400 birds species, land and water carnivores, herbivores in a spectacular manner full of life in the Mara Triangle..

2. Bonfire Adventure safaris

Bonfire adventures are popular during the cool months of June through August. Evenings have cool air and you may need to accompany yourself with warm clothing in the evenings.

3. Balloon Safaris

Balloon flights are an ideal choice for getting an overview glimpse of the Mara, an exciting and great run experience. Take the trip for about an hour floating over the savannah in a hot air balloon in the early morning before the heat from the sun.

Balloon safaris is ideal choice for nature lovers while in Masai Mara.

Remember to take a hat to protect your head from the heat of the gas burners while taking a hot air balloon trip.

Have an arrangement for your accommodation facility to have your breakfast ready after taking the air ballooning, while preparing for your next itinerary. There are all sorts of accommodation facilities that match your budget and convenience in Mara Trianle. Preplan for early bookings during peak seasons to avoid disappointments.

Your budget should include transfers, accomodation and meals in your proffered facility in the Mara.

4. Walking Safaris.

Walking safaris are a great experience to have a feel of the Mara ecosystem. Walking safaris are not allowed inside the game reserve, but can be available with the hotel offering your accommodation or outside the reserve within the outer conservancies and group ranches.

Here you get an opportunity to view animals from a close range together with your travel group. Your local tour guide especially trained Maasai guides will give you a detailed experience for you walking safari in Mara.

5. Game drives

Game drives are a great way for you to view wildlife from a close range inside the Masai Mara game reserve. You get an ideal moment to view the Mara ecosystem, the wild animals in their natural habitat. The game drives can be done inside the park only during the day, while night game drives are only conducted outside the park.

Self drive is fine for visitors familiar with the reserve while tour guides familiar with the reserve are ideal for visitors who are not familiar with the Masai Mara ecosystem. Make the best preparations when moving in to find this great diverse ecosystem regarded to as one of the eighth wonder of the world.

6. Night game drives

Night game drives are ideal for the spotting of nocturnal carnivores and herbivores some of which are unspotted during the daylight.

7. Flying and bush camping

A flight and a bush camp campsite can be exclusively set up for you, a couple or family in Masai Mara. With the adventure, you will have an excellent opportunity to;

a). Cook dinner around the campfire

b). Enjoying the overnight melodies of the jungle from the lions, elephants, buffaloes in a real and exciting environment in the wild.

c). Over the night sleep in a tent enjoying the Mara skies

Several days night out will entirely refresh your body from your daily stress in an environment that is totally rejuvenating to your body and mind

8. Experiencing the rich Masai culture of conservation and hospitality with a Masai Moran tour guide

Taking an itinerary that incorporates a visit to the Masai villages is rewarding. You get a glimpse of the strong Maasai culture that is undiluted and free from influence from the western civilizasition.

A Maasai tour guide will take you to their homes and intermingle with their families and friends as you get to learn about the rich Masai culture entrenched with conservation.

You get to learn of Mara surrounding conservancies such Mara Naboisho Conservancy from these Masai tour guides

Other key activities in the Mara include the Bush Dinners safaris and Horseback