Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya Masai Tour – The best safari in Kenya.
Maasai Mara is Kenya’s popular safari spot, named after the Masai people who live there and the Mara River running through the reserve. Maasai Mara Game Reserve is the ultimate wildlife safari destination in Kenya and the world. Indeed the top African safari tour.
The migration happens every year, from July to October – the subject of one of the ‘seven wonders of the world – the great migration. Huge flocks of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya.
It is a dangerous journey, and the animals must cross a river along the way, where crocodiles are waiting in the water. On the other side of the river, they must avoid being hunted and eaten by the vast population of predators. The predators include lions, cheetahs, and leopards, to be found in the Masai Mara Reserve.
It is also known as Maasai Mara and locally as The Mara. Maasai Mara Game Reserve is a vast game reserve located South West of Nairobi. Mainly, it is the Capital City of Kenya and a Kenyan safari hub. The Mara is an extension of the neighboring Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve is famously known worldwide for its high population of leopards, lions, and cheetahs and the annual migration of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, and wildebeest trek to and from the Serengeti each year from July to October. It is known as The Great Migration. The highlight is the river crossing where crocodiles lay in wait to make a kill while others drown in the already swollen river. In addition, it is a dramatic scene for travelers to The Mara during the Kenya safari experience. The annual phenomenon attracts hundreds of Kenyan safari enthusiasts to witness this remarkable journey of the wildebeests.
About Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya
While on the Maasai Mara safari tour, wildlife to be seen includes the migration of wildebeests, Thomson’s gazelle, topi, and zebra that migrates annually to the Mara.
Also, resident to the Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve is the big five members (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and Black Rhinoceros).
Within the Mara River and Talek Rivers, the Nile crocodiles and hippopotamus are seen in large numbers. Hyenas, bat-eared foxes, cheetahs, and jackals are present in the reserve. Within Masai Mara safari, the plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Siria Escarpment are probably the best for safari game viewing, particularly for the lion and cheetah.
Like the adjoining Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the wildebeests are the inhabitants of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Their numbers are estimated at several million. In July of every year, the wildebeests migrate towards the north from the Serengeti plains to the Masai Mara safari. Mainly in search of freshly sprouting pasture. They then make a return journey to the south in approximately late October of each year.
The Masai Mara Great Wildebeest Migration
On a Kenya safari, The Great Migration is probably the world’s most attractive natural event. It involves more than 1.3 million wildebeests, 97,000 Topi, nearly 500,000 Thomson’s gazelles, 200,000 zebras, and finally about 18,000 elands. The migrating animals are without doubt closely followed along their route by hungry predators. Most markedly lions and hyena, out to make their kill from them. Due to this dramatic phenomenon, many travelers also migrate into the Masai Mara on safari in Kenya from July to October. This is a scene to only be seen exclusively while on a Maasai Mara tour in Kenya.
There are many other antelopes to be found in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. These include eland, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, Coke’s hartebeest, and duiker. Large herds of zebra are to be found throughout the reserve. Maasai Mara safari is also abode to the majestic Maasai giraffe. Rarely seen in any other part of Kenya, the Roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox can be found here in The Mara.
Remarkably, Masai Mara Game Reserve there are over 470 species of birds that have already been recorded in the Mara. Most of these birds are migrants and about 60 species are raptors. For avid bird watchers, vulture, hornbill, secretary bird, marabou stork, Maasai ostrich, crowned crane, African pygmy falcon, long-crested Eagle, and the lilac-breasted roller are residents. So to say, The Mara Game Reserve is a fit destination for Kenya bird-watching tours.
About Travel to this Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve wildlife jewel
Masai Mara is the most popular safari destination in Kenya. Here you have great chances to see “The Big Five” (lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, and elephants). The beautiful national park allows for a fantastic safari and there is also the opportunity to visit a local Maasai village. Also, fly in the hot air balloon over the plains. Virtually all wildlife can be seen in the Masai Mara.
One notable sight is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. They move from the Serengeti plains across the border of Tanzania and the Mara River. Eventually, reaching the pastures of Masai Mara in late June. This dramatic passage of the river and the predators’ hunting of migrating animals can be experienced from early July to August. The reserve is teeming with bird life and around 450 species have been registered in the area.
After the Masai Mara safari, you have the opportunity to relax on the world-famous beaches of Mombasa. The beaches have beautiful white sand and extend up to 150 meters wide at low tide. It is a great place to dive and snorkel, and the coral reefs are full of colorful wildlife. How else can it be a perfect ending to your African safari adventure?
At African Sermon Safaris we are experts at planning personalized journeys to suit your distinctive tastes, interests, and budget. Meanwhile, let us organize your ultimate travel experience today.