History of Masai Mara National Reserve

History of Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve as a protected area was first established as a wildlife refuge in 1961 covering an area of 520 square kilometers, later the area of the reserve was increased to 1,821 square kilometers which laid the foundation for a game reserve.

By the time of its establishment, the reserve was situated in the Narok County Council. In 1974 a portion of the reserve of 159 square kilometers and another 162 square kilometers was given back to the neighboring communities. By 1984, the reserve had only 1,510 square kilometers making the present day Masai Mara National Reserve.

History of Masai Mara National Reserve — Cubs in Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve is part of the Greater Mara – Eco System together with the Mara Triangle and several conservancies that include Koiyaki, Mara North, Lemek, Olkinyei, Ol Chorro Oirowua, Ol Derkesi, Siana, Maji Moto, Kerinkani, Oloirien, Kimintet and Naikara.

Attractions in Masai Mara National Reserve.

Wildlife

Masai Mara National Reserve boasts a wide range of wildlife with over 95 mammal species including an abundance of herbivores and predators, animals found in Masai Mara National Reserve include Masai giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, gazelles, lions, leopards, roan antelopes, elands, gazelles, Nile crocodiles, black rhinos, Kirk’s dik-dik, tree hyrax, baboons, monitor lizards among others.

Birdlife

Masai Mara National Reserve is a birder’s haven boasting over 470 bird species. The reserve is ranked among the best birding destinations in Kenya and one of the Important Birding Areas. Masai Mara National Reserve is home to over 53 birds of prey and 12 species of Cisticola, birds found in the reserve include Abdim’s Stork, African finfoot, African wood owl, Ayres’s hawk eagle, Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Denham’s bustard, Giant kingfisher, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Grey penduline tit, Hildebrandt’s starling, Jackson’s widowbird, Lazy cisticola, Ostrich, Purple grenadier, Red-throated tit, Ross’s turaco, Rosy-throated longclaw, Rufous-bellied heron, Rufous-throated wryneck, Saddle-billed stork, Schalow’s turaco, Secretary bird, Silverbird, Southern ground hornbill, Swahili sparrow, Tabora cisticola, Temminck’s courser, Trilling cisticola, Usambiro barbet, White-bellied go-away bird, Woolly-necked stork, Yellow-mantled widowbird, Yellow-throated sandgrouse among others

The Great Migration

The annual wildebeest migration also known as The Great Migration is the most spectacular wildlife occurrence regarded as the largest migration of land, over 2 million wildebeests together with thousands of zebras and gazelles among other angulates migration from Serengeti National Park to the plains of Masai Mara National Reserve between the end of July and the end of November in search for water and pastures.

The herds enter Maasai Mara National Reserve by crossing Mara River referred to as Mara River Crossing which is the deadliest event of the migration as many wildebeests face off with the fierce Nile crocodiles and some of them are washed away by the high – speed running water, only the strong ones survive and enter into Masai Mara.

The migration is dictated by rain and thunderstorms and there is do set dates to which it happens.

How To Get To Masai Mara National Reserve

Road and air transport are the best way to get to Masai Mara National Reserve.

By road – the reserve lies about 270 kilometers northwest of Nairobi the capital of Kenya and it is a drive of approximately 5 hours through Narok town where you will have a stopover at the Rift Valley View Point to enjoy spectacular views of the rift valley.

The reserve can also be accessed from other Kenyan wildlife destinations like Lake Nakuru National Park.

By air – there domestic and chartered flights from Wilson Airport located South of Nairobi to several airstrips serving the reserve such as Keekorok Airstrip, Serena Airstrip, Musiara Airstrip, Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, Siana Conservancy Airstrip, Ol Kiombo Airstrip and Ngerende Airstrip.

Where to Stay in Masai Mara National Reserve

There are many accommodation options in Masai Mara National Reserve in form of tented camps and safari lodges, these accommodations are categorized as budget, midrange and luxury.