Activities to Do in Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve also known as Maasai Mara is the most popular reserve in Africa and a famous wildlife destination in Kenya known for its huge numbers of wildlife including the Big 5 and the Great Migration.
Masai Mara National Reserve is a vast scenic expanse of endless and gently rolling African savannah plains located in South West region of Kenya stretching to the border of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the south, the reserve covers an area of 1,510 square kilometers.
The name Masai Mara is derived from the local Masai people who were the residents of the area before it was established as a protected area, the Masai people migrated from the Nile Basin and settled in Masai region. They described the area as Mara which is the native translation for spotted when they looked at it from a distance, today the Maasai people live in communities in northern, central and Southern Kenya mostly around national park as well as Northern Tanzania.
Masai Mara National Reserve voted as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World is a premier Kenya Safari Destination renowned for its spectacular natural diversity of wildlife including large prides of predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs and the Great Wildebeest Migration which is the largest migration of wildlife ever witnessed on planet with over 2 million wildebeests across the Mara – Serengeti eco system on their annual journey.
Safari Activities to Do in Masai Mara National Reserve
Game Drives
The remarkable game viewing safari is the major Kenya safari activity in Masai Mara National Reserve, this activity offers visitors a chance to explore the endless plains of the reserve and spot various wildlife hosted in the reserve from your comfort of a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
Game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are offered as morning game drives starting at 06:30 am, afternoon game drives starting at around 2:30 to 3:00 pm and night game drives starting in the dark hours of 06:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Morning game drives and night game drives are the best session to spot predators and nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, hyenas among others. As you drive through the endless plains of the reserve on several trails, animals to lookout for include elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, wildebeests, elands, zebras, gazelles, African wild dogs among others.
Witness The Great Wildebeest Migration
Witnessing the Great Migration with the most spectacular wildlife experience and a bucket list activity to most travelers visiting Kenya and Africa for a safari, every year between the end of July and end of November. Over 2 million wildebeests together with thousands of Thomson gazelles and zebras migrate from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara National Reserve with river crossing at Mara River.
Hot air balloon Safaris
Hot air balloon safari is a thrilling wildlife safari experience offering visitors to explore the reserve from a different perspective, as you fly above the endless plains of Masai Mara national reserve. Visitors are rewarded with aerial views of the plains and animals such as lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, gazelles among others. For honeymooners and photographers, this is the most perfect experience to have in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Birding
Masai Mara National Reserve is a great Kenya birding destination offering some of the best birding experiences in the world, the reserve is home to over 500 bird species including more than 50 raptors, migratory and resident species.
Some of the birds to lookout for in Masai Mara National Reserve include Madagascar Pond-Heron, Pallid Harrier, Jackson’s Widowbird, Red-throated Tit, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, Corncrake, Lesser Kestrel, Caspian Plover, White Stork, restricted-range Jackson’s widowbird, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike among others.
Maasai Cultural Encounter
The Masai people are one of fascinating local tribes to visit while on a safari Kenya partly because they are one of the few local tribes in Africa with culture and traditions that have not been affected by technology and modernity, the Masai people used to live in areas around protected areas such as Masai Mara national reserve. Currently the live in areas along the borders of the reserve and they still practice their nomadic way of life, culture and traditions.
On your visit to the Masai Village, you will get a deeper insight about the Masai people, their culture and traditions. You will learn about their lifestyle, take part livestock rearing, be entertained by local dances and drama among others.
When to visit Masai Mara National Reserve for a safari
Masai Mara National Reserve is an all year – round destination, however the best time to visit the reserve for a Kenya safari experience is during the dry months of late June and October. In the dry season, it is easy to spot wildlife as the vegetation cover is thin and animals congregate around the remaining watering holes in large numbers.
To witness the Great Migration most especially the spectacular Mara River Crossing, the perfect time is in late July – October.
