Located in the South west of Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve is a wilderness made of preserved savanna. It connects to the Serengeti in Northern Tanzania. The 1510 sq. km area has breathtaking vistas offering views of endless plains filled with wildlife. The excellent attractions in the park deliver to visitors all year round. Examples include game watching and cultural encounters with the Maasai people. Then, you enjoy the famous and one of Africa’s seven wonders, the Great Migration.
The reserves hosts 95 mammal species and a recorded number of 500 bird species. It is one of the greatest game viewing places in the world. Masai Mara keeps an abundancy of wildlife that is rare to find anywhere in Africa. As a visitor to this park, you cannot miss seeing the Big 5-elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino.
Just 4-5 hours, that’s about 270km from Nairobi, head past Narok town to Sekenani gate. The road is straight and fine. You might as well pass through Lamek and Aitoyt town to get to the reserve. Regardless, plenty of baboons and other wildlife welcome you. A flight to the Masai Mara National Reserve from Nairobi can take you about 40-45 minutes.
Most visitors to the reserve prefer visiting in July to November to experience the Great migration. This is one of nature’s great spectacles. It involves a dramatic movement of about 2 million animals mostly wildebeests, gazelles and zebras. They get in an annual cycle of migration from Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and later back.
During this period, these animals face tough and enormous teeth in the Mara River crocodiles while crossing. This is one of the peaks and during the high seasons, a big number of visitors flock the park. This makes it crowded so one needs to plan ahead of time. The reserve and neighboring conservancies offer accommodation and safaris that range from child friendly to romantic ones.
Opting to stay at the neighboring private conservancies, you enjoy access to superb game watching and migration scenes. Enjoy crowd free off road game drives, horseback safaris, night game drives and guided nature walks.
Hot Air Balloon Safari.
The hot air balloons are one of what you shouldn’t afford to miss. Despite a pre-dawn wake up, the activity will reward you with the best aerial views at sunrise. Fly over biggest herds of buffalos, wildebeests, moving elephants and other wildlife. It really is the best way to see the full splendor of the Mara area. Land from space, and enjoy a welcome for a champagne brunch. There is no perfect way to end a serene safari moment other than this.
Maasai Cultural Experience.
Identify the purest local culture and lifestyle by visiting the Maasai Villages in and around the park. The unspoiled villages of the people who still live in ethnic communities will welcome you. Their warm smiles, dances and friendly community guides make everything seem special.
Have your spouse? Then, do a magical traditional wedding experience or attend any traditional ceremony in the village. Enjoy farm works, shopping in the Maasai market and handicraft workshops.
If you want to explore an exciting destination like this, start with a 3 days in Masai Mara. Alternatively, do a combination of Masai Mara and other parks like Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru in Kenya. You could combine this with Ngorongoro and Serengeti national parks in Tanzania. These offer intimate safaris and a huge wildlife experience.
