Masai Mara Unmatched Travel Guide and Park Fees and Location
The Maasai Mara, also known as the Mara and sometimes spelt Masai Mara, is a national game reserve in Narok, Kenya, that is adjacent to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. It was named in honour of the area’s original inhabitants, the Maasai people, and is well-known for its remarkable wildlife conservation and wilderness, particularly for its large populations of cheetahs, lions, African bush elephants, and leopards. The “spotted” terrain of the area is caused by the short, bushy trees that dot the landscape, as described by the Maasai people.
The reserve is part of the Serengeti ecosystem, stretching from northern Tanzania to southern Kenya and covering an area of 1,800 square kilometres. This well-watered plain ecosystem supports one of the densest populations of diverse animals on earth, including more than 1 million wildebeests, 250,000 Thomson’s gazelles, 250,000 zebras, 70,000 impalas, and 30,000 Grant’s gazelles. On a Masai Mara game viewing drive, you can also spot a great number of predators, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas.
The Masai Mara is also home to over 470 bird species, including 57 raptor species. Every January, the wildebeests begin to move around the Serengeti towards the new, fresh grazing in the Maasai Mara, which is part of the Great Migration. This natural wonder has made the Masai Mara one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders and one of the world’s Ten Wonders.
Why choose the Mara Experience?
For a first-time visitor to East Africa, the Masai Mara in Kenya is an essential destination, representing a small but vital part of the expansive and wildlife-rich Serengeti, located just across the border in Tanzania. Widely regarded as the ultimate opportunity to witness untamed wildlife in its dramatic splendour, the Masai Mara National Reserve is acclaimed for having the highest concentration of terrestrial wildlife on the planet. The Great Migration, a breathtaking natural phenomenon where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest undertake perilous river crossings as part of their annual migration from Tanzania to Kenya, is a spectacle that lives up to the mesmerizing portrayals in wildlife documentaries.
The iconic images of thousands of animals navigating crocodile-infested rivers during this migration are the stuff of wildlife enthusiasts’ dreams. The Masai Mara is considered the prime location to witness this migration, as the immense numbers of animals are concentrated in a relatively small area, covering just over 1,500 sq. km (585 sq. miles). Picture 2½ million animals filling the plains and rivers, creating a wildlife spectacle of unparalleled proportions.
The Masai Mara is nature’s captivating drama, although not necessarily for the faint-hearted due to its high mortality rate, especially when witnessing predatory actions. Even if your visit doesn’t coincide with the migration, you’ll still encounter one of the world’s richest and most diverse animal kingdoms. By selecting accommodations thoughtfully, you can enjoy an intimate and luxurious experience far from the bustling crowds, ensuring a memorable stay in this remarkable wildlife haven.
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the thrill of a lifetime; Masai Mara, Kenya, Africa.
The Masai Mara National Reserve and its surrounding conservancies are renowned as Kenya’s premier conservation area and one of the most sought-after safari destinations in all of Africa. With its vast expanses of open plains, it serves as a haven for a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, and, of course, Mara’s iconic big cats: lions, leopards, and cheetahs. What makes the Mara truly special is its role as a crucial stopover for the astonishing wildebeest migration, a monumental journey covering an incredible 2,900 kilometres (1,800 miles) in a circular route where visitors can witness this awe-inspiring spectacle from about August to November each year.
Year after year, countless travellers flock to the Mara to immerse themselves in truly authentic safari experiences. Here are just a few reasons why we are enamoured with the Masai Mara safari: