Masai Mara safari adventures feature the best of Masai Mara National Reserve one of East Africa’s leading wildlife safari destinations. The reserve is located in southwestern Kenya covering a land area of 1510 square kilometers.
Masai Mara National Reserve is comprises the Mara Triangle and several conservancies that are mainly private. They include Mara North Conservancy, Maji Moto Conservancy, Lemek Conservancy, Ol Chorro Oirowua Conservancy, Naikara Conservancy, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, and Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Masai Mara is adjacent to Tanzania’s Serengeti and together they form an ecosystem where the wildebeest migration happens. The Masai Mara ecosystem alone is great with diverse wildlife species and a rich cultural heritage of the Maasai people. These make Masai Mara safari adventures exceptional for savanna wildlife and cultural experiences.
The Maasai People
The Maasai people are Nilotic of origin and are predominantly pastoralists just like many other Nilotic tribes. They traditionally worship a god called Engai and the lion is sacred to them as they see it as a totem. Masai are guardians of the ecosystem and only kill Lions when there is a ritual for rights of passage. The Maasai culture is unique in dressing as men and women wear beautiful custom dresses and wrappers. The Maasai women complement these with ornaments and jewelry they locally make.
Several people also make body piercings and dots on their faces that they believe are a sign of beauty.
Some Maasai people still practice their traditional ancestral culture much as a reasonable number has changed because of modernization. At the moment authentic Maasai experience can be enjoyed in the countryside including the Masai Mara National Reserve area.
Wildlife in Masai
Masai Mara National Reserve is home to over 95 mammals. These include the big five mammals that are elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and Rhinos. Savanna’s major big cats are also present in the reserve including cheetahs. Masai Mara has one of the highest lion concentrations making it among the best places in East Africa to see lions.
The Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara ecosystems are diverse ideal for classic savanna wildlife experiences. Lions and other big cats thrive on the abundance of prey that include several antelope species and major grazers in the ecosystem. On Masai Mara safari adventures you can easily spot any of these big cats and big Five Mammals.
Masai Mara is home to wildebeests whose population is estimated at over 1 million individuals. These move over the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems annually looking for fresh pastures in one of the planet’s mass animal movements. The great wildebeest migration is the most anticipated wildlife activity and involves zebras, Thompson gazelles, and Topi among others.
Other notable wildlife safari species in Masai Mara include giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, and wild dogs though these are rarely seen. The reserve is also a birders haven with over 500 bird species 57 of which are raptors.
Safari Adventures In Masai Mara
Game Drives
Masai Mara National Reserve can be best explored while on game drives on the different trails that the reserve has. Early morning game drives are ideal for catching up with the early risers including the big cats. There are also several nocturnal animals that you can catch up with as they return from hunting.
Overall wildlife viewing is great in the morning as the animals get ready tp face their day. These game drives take about 3 to 4 hours depending on one’s interest. For those on photography safaris who would like to capture the rising African sunrise over the horizon, morning game drives are great.
The famous wildebeest migration safaris are also primarily enjoyed while on game drives. Luckily, the migration herds are often in Masai Mara from June to September which also doubles as dry season. Here game drives are easily done following the wildebeest migration with minimal rain fall disturbances.
For more chances of wildlife viewing then evening game drives are very ideal. As the major wild animals retire and sun setting over the beautiful horizon, game drives are great and truly rewarding. A number of evening game drives are ended with sun downers.
Balloon Safaris
Balloon safaris are a great way to explore the vast Mara ecosystem. These give a panoramic view of the open plains along with the major wildlife species in it. Balloon safaris are adventurous and also take around 2 to 3 hours of amazing scenic views. They can be arranged early morning or in the evening. Early morning balloon safaris often end with bush breakfast or champagne in the wilderness.
Nature walks
Guided nature walks are other incredible Masai Mara safari adventures. These are guided by the Maasai people who are believed to be the guardians of Masai Mara. On guided nature walks you get to see several wildlife including the smallest species of insects that you are unable to see on game drives and while on hot air ballon safaris.
On guided nature walks you get to interact with the knowledgeable local guides getting to know more about the conservation journey that the reserve has gone through.
Community Visit
Community visits to the Maasai people are great for culture and historical experiences while in Masai Mara. There are still several people with great African and Masai values and these take you through their ways of life. You get to interact and actively participate in some local activities.
Best time for Masai Mara Safari Adventures
The reserve can be visited anytime of the year irrespective of the season. For best wildlife views, photography and wildlife safari events like the wildebeest migration, it is recommended to visit during the dry season. Masai Mara’s dry season starts from June to September and it also doubles as the peak tourist season.
The Wet months of April, May, and November are still great times for a safari. Rainfall favors the growth of lush vegetation that the major grazers feed on. The vegetation is however used as cover by the predators that camouflage ready to take out their prey. The wet season months from November to May are ideal for birding Disocvery Journeys as it is when the migratory birds are in the area. Migratory birds come from as far as North Africa and Europe.
Accommodation Facilities in Masai Mara
There are several accommodation options in Masai Mara from under-canvas tented camps to safari lodges. Mara Serena Safari Lodge is the only lodge option in the Mara Triangle. This gets fully booked a couple of months in advance and it is advisable to book it ahead of time if you want to fully explore the Mara Triangle.
The different conservancies around Masai Mara also have several lodge options. Notable lodges in Masai Mara include Mahali Mzuri, Angama Mara Lodge, Sand River Masai Mara, Mara Bushtops, and Little Governors Camp Among others.
At Discovery Journeys we tailor-make safaris and can explore with you this great wildlife destination. We recommend at least a 4-day Masai Mara tour for those with limited time in the area. For more chances of wildlife viewing and encounters, you can however book an 8-day Kenya Safari to Masai Mara and other Kenya wildlife destinations.
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