Top Reasons To Visit Masai Mara National Reserve : Masai Mara National Reserve is a nature’s magnificent masterpiece of Kenya that neighbors’ conservancies forming Kenya’s flagship conservation area and one of the remarkable Kenya wildlife and Kenya safari destinations in Africa. It is seated in the south west Kenya. More so, the reserve is famous worldwide due to its vast scenic expanse of gently rolling African savannah plains, estimating over 1,510 square kilometers in area, bordering the great Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the south. The Masai Mara’s sprawling wide-open plains offering a sanctuary for its abundant wildlife that freely roam the vast Masai Mara wilderness and beyond.
Below are the 8 top reasons why people should visit the Masai Mara National Reserve as high lightened;
- Witness the great wildebeest migration-Referred to as the seventh new wonder of the world
Masai Mara National Reserve is ranked as the new wonder of the world because of the interesting spectacle of more than 1 million wildebeests, half a million gazelles and over 200,000 zebras. The Masai Mara National Reserve remains the main astonishing Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas.
Well, the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve is the site of the iconic Great Migration in Africa which is well known as the Gnu Migration, Serengeti Migration and Masai Mara Migration. This annual Great Migration sounds as one of the chief reasons why so many travelers and avid nature enthusiast venture to Kenya, Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve for this worth Migration Safari and once -in -a lifetime experience.
The annual Great Migration event includes adventuring millions of wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra and various number of Grant’s gazelle- other species to see Thomson’s gazelle, eland and impala venture across the Serengeti – Mara ecosystem, migrating from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park into the Masai Mara National Reserve by crossing the great Mara River.
The Mara River crossing is one of the most rewarding and equally daunting endeavors to witness ‘’often called the greatest show on earth as it is filled with number of predators thus making it an incredibly risky journey. Such predators include Nile crocodiles which wait patiently and constantly for the right moment to strike and make the wildebeest their prey.
- Proclaimed one of the greatest wildlife spectacles and remarkable natural wonders in the world;
Witnessing and experiencing the Masai Mara migration event is one of Top Reasons To Visit Masai Mara National Reserve and should be on everyone ‘s African safari travel bucket list.
Interesting facts; This is one of the undoubtedly safari experiences, one shouldn’t miss out to be part -the Great Migration of millions of wildebeest which is an annual experience, where you can experience the nomadic herds across the Serengeti- Mara ecosystem, following an age-ole route in search of fresh grazing and fresh water sources.
This annual Great Migration event typically starts in the Southern region of the Serengeti National Park. The start of the wildebeest migration coincides with the prime wildebeest calving season and thousands of wildebeest calves are born within a couple weeks of each other. All this happen, due to the rapid rise in the number of new – born wildebeest. There is an equally significant increase in the number of predators like lions, leopards and hyenas in the area who are constantly on the hunt for new- bord wildlife.
After the calving season in the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, just as the drought starts to set during the month of May and Tanzania’s dry season approaches – the Great Migration continue to their journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the ‘’Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya’’.
Following the rain seasons, the numerous herds we see them arrive from Tanzania between the month of August and November each year, crossing some of Africa’s most stunning rivers. The multitudes of snorting and cavorting animals, the heart-stopping tension of the river crossings as well as the Sinister patience of the predators that follow the herds – all combined to form an epic life and death saga that plays out beneath Kenya’s beautiful skies.
Best Time to Go for The Great Migration in Kenya; Well, the best time one to go witness spectacular up – close game viewing and undoubtedly wildlife spectacles is throughout the dry seasons starts from September and October are truly remarkable and unforgettable months to enjoy the wildlife spectacle and experience in every way.
Another favorable time to go for great migration event in Kenya starts from July to August to October.
- Enjoy year- round sightings of remarkable wildlife and the African Big5;
Game viewing in the Masai Mara is quite perfect due to its varied landscape, wide open spaces, temperate climate and wide population of resident game. This magnificent savannah grassland are home to safari heavyweight species such as lions, leopard, elephant, buffalo as well as rhinos thus making up the globally acclaimed African Big5 . While rhino adventure is scare, ‘’endangered animals’’ – if you’re lucky, can viewed in the Mara Triangle.
Besides witnessing sensational up -close adventure of Africa’s highly sough after members of the African Big 5 – the Masai Mara National Reserve is also home that harbors the incredible and popular wildlife species such as Zebra, giraffes, eland and gazelle. Other predators can also be seen roaming freely on an open savannah plain of Masai Mara such as spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox among others.
The reserve is also home to a phenomenal array of antelopes including; Topi antelopes, eland, reedbuck, impala and Thomson’s gazelle as well as warthogs, blue hartebeest, hippo, crocodile and red hartebeest.
Trust us, the Masai Mara has got much more up its sleeve! More so, about wildlife highlights, two of which includes elusive and endangered African Wild Dog as well as the famous Masai giraffe ‘’which are commonly found in Kenya and Tanzania’’.
The Masai Mara Big Nine;
Eventually, the Masai Mara National Reserve is one among the few Destinations in Kenya and East Africa where all of the Big Nine wildlife may be adventured on single game drive of 2 to 3 hours. They are additional to essentially Africa’s Big Five animals;
The list includes;
Cheetah
Giraffe
Hippo
Zebra
Buffalo
Leopard
Lion
Elephant
Rhino
Other list of diverse wildlife species to see in Masai Mara includes; Aardvark, Aardwolf, Copper Tailed Monkey, Common eland, Bushbaby, Bat Eared Fox, Antelope, Banded Mongoose, Code’s hartebeest, Crested Porcupine, Dwarf Mongoose, Olive Baboons, Side striped jackal, Pangolin, Oribi, Klipspringer, Impala, Spotted hyena, waterbuck, warthogs, vervet monkey, spring Hare, Slender Mongoose, Topi Antelope among others.
- Top Reasons To Visit Masai Mara : Masai Mara National Reserve is deemed the ‘Home of the Big Cats’’;
The reserve is often known as the Kingdom of lions as they dominate the wide savannah grassland. More so, the Masai Mara national Reserve has been celebrated as the ‘’home of the big cats’’ due to hosting the highest concentration of big cats. It does not sound only East but worldwide thus delivering unforgettable big cat safari experience making it one of the top reasons to visit Masai Mara.
Cheetahs are well adapted to the region’s flat plains, which makes the Masai Mara one of the best places to see these glimpse predators. They often seek vantage points on fallen trees, termite mounds, even game drive vehicles. It is so rewarding and unforgettable experience one to visit Masai Mara and be able to watch the world’s fastest land mammal chase down its prey – there is nothing than watching this world’s fastest land animals in an open plain of Mara.
The African big cats can truly be witnessed during the Masai Mara Great migration season. It’s endless stream of migrating prey offers a great big cat endless ‘buffet of meal options and prey to target. Well, lions, leopard and cheetahs usually grow stronger during this specific time of year. They are also able to have healthy little ones with variety of food to grow.
Note; For the best chance of watching lions on the prowl in search of prey, head out on an early morning or late afternoon safari, it’s easy to see female lions in action.
5.Enjoy phenomenal birdlife &excellence birding opportunities;
Besides from its outstanding diversity of wildlife, African Big5 and big cat population. Birding enthusiasts is also haven here. Since the reserve harbors over 570 recorded bird species, undoubtedly making the Masai Mara a paradise for birders or an excellent birding safari destination on African continent making it one of the top reasons to visit Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara hosts several Kenya’s resident, rare and remarkable endemic and near endemic bird species. This particular birdlife is highly sought after while on your Kenyan Birding Safaris.
The Maasai Mara is rich in raptors with over 57 species present in the reserve. Bateleurs can often be encountered above the grassy Masai Mara plains as well as circling above predator kills.
Other list of phenomenal birdlife that can be viewed in the Masai Mara National Reserve including; Red-Winged Schalow’s Turaco, White-Tipped Crest, Ross Turaco, Orange, buff bel’s fishing owl, Wary Guinea Fowl as well as Secretary bird.
Most spotted bird species in Masai mara includes;
Kori bustard
Rufous- bellied heron
Secretary bird
Sooty chat
Usambiro barbet
Special birds for avid birders & endemic & near – endemic birds in the Masai Mara includes; Southern ground hornbill, Swahili sparrow, African finfoot, Abdim’s stork, Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Denham’s bustard, Giant kingfisher, Rosy-throated longclaw, Rufous – bellied heron, Rufous -throated wryneck, Saddle-billed stork, Tabora cisticola, Silverbird, Yellow-throated sandgrouse, white-bellied go -away bird, purple grenadier, red-throated tit, Ross’s turaco mentioned but few.
Best time for birding in the Masai Mara;
Birding in the Masai Mara is great throughout the year but the best time for bird watching takes place from November to April ‘’best time to see the migratory birds arrive from Europe and north Africa thus making a great time to visit or plan your trip to the Masai Mara, especially the bird lovers.
6.Masai Mara conservancies -Stay in a private conservancy;
The Masai Mara National Reserve sounds as one of the most important wildlife conservation and wilderness areas in Africa.
There is nothing to deny that the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the best wildlife and safari destination to adventure for wildlife viewing in Kenya and entire Africa. More to that, the reserve is one of the most premier conservation areas, one of the many things that divides the Masai Mara that makes it a step above the rest. In fact, it is one of the few places on earth where wild animals and their ecosystem exist in a highly protected environment.
The Great Masai Mara area is made up of this an unfenced reserve where animals roam freely. However, it comprises of several conservancies. These pieces of land are privately owned by Maasai families.
Well, a conservancy is a very specific type of land and wildlife conservation area. Where the Maasai people enter into contracts with safari operators as well as safari lodges in return for any other assistance. Assistance in setting up educational and health care programs to live stock as well as grazing management.
7.The Masai Mara offers vast and varied accommodation options;
The Masai Mara offers a wide range of accommodation that suits every traveler style ranging from ultra -luxurious 5 -start safari lodges, lavish resort, romantic treehouse escapes in the heart of the African bushveld, luxury cave suites, eco-friendly tented suites as well as camps.
Some of the accommodation options are found within the borders of the national park, while others lie on conservancies that surround the reserve.
Accommodation located on private conservancies offer the added bonus and lure of activities not permitted within the park itself. Some of these activities includes going on thrilling night game, venturing out on adventurous nature walks, embarking on off road 4×4 game drives as well as having great opportunity of enjoying dining out in the heart of the African bushveld under the moonlight of Africa’s night sky thus once – in a lifetime of safari adventure in Masai Mara.
- Go meet, interact and enjoy authentic cultural experience with the Maasai people on a community visit. Through visiting the Maasai people, you will enjoy their amazing lifestyle and traditions.
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