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1. General
Information
One
of the most popular game reserves in Africa, the Maasai Mara national
reserve
covers an area of 1510 sq kms. Mara means "spotted" in maa, the
common language meaning clusters of bush which dot the plains. It is
located
in southwestern Kenya, about 300 km from Nairobi. The Loita
Hills to the East, Itong Hills to the North, and Siria Escarpment to
the west form its
borders and it is a natural extension of the
Serengeti. It is owned and managed by the Maasai people.
Its
claim to fame is the movie "Out of Africa" which was shot here in the
1980s. Animals do not recognize borders and thus roam
freely between
the Mara and Serengeti in Tanzania. The Mara River forms the boundary
between the two. It flows from north to south then finally into
Lake
Victoria. There are several Maasai Mara lodges and camps conveniently located within and around the
reserve.
2. Getting There
It
takes about 5 hours to get there by road and 45 minutes by air.
There
are scheduled flights from both Jomo Kenyatta National Airport and
Wilson Airport. You can also go by train to Naivasha then travel by
road
into the reserve. Several private tour operators provide safaris
to the reserve and game drives within.
3. Major
Attractions
It
is in the Mara
that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural
world takes place. This refers to the annual migration of millions of
wildebeest and zebra from
the Serengeti, north to the Mara in search of
water and pasture. More than 1.5 million are estimated to take part in
this great movement. This action
is known as "Natures passion play" It
occurs between the month of July and august. In October, when the
reserve experiences short rains, the
animals return south. Other
animals resident in the reserve include all of the big five, gazelles,
buffalo, black
rhino, cheetahs, hippo, crocodiles, jackals, hyenas,
antelopes, leopards and many more. More than 500 species of birds have
been recorded such as
ostrich, lark, sunbird, and several species of
birds of prey.
The grassy savannah landscape enhances the beauty
of the reserve. Scattered
acacia woods and bush stand out in the
plains. There is also a riverine forest, due to the presence of the
Mara River, where most of the bird species
dwell. The Maasai culture is
another major attraction. One of the best-known tribes, the Maasai have
maintained their culture even as other tribes fall
prey to modern
practices. Their bright colored clothes and traditional dances are a
must-see.
If you have sufficient funds, consider taking
a
balloon trip over the reserve. This popular and thoroughly memorable
ride usually commences before dawn and includes a champagne
breakfast.
Viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience.
There
is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Most Maasai Mara
lodges and camps are conveniently located within the game reserve due
to its long distance from any major town. Contact us today to book your Maasai mara safari or to get help in picking the
best hotel or lodge in the mara.
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