The Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, in mainly open grassland. It borders the Serengeti National Park and together they form Africa’s best known wonder – the annual Great Wildebeest Migration. The area got its name in honour of the Maasai people.
Meet the Maasai tribe
The Maasai have lived in this region since they migrated from the Nile Basin centuries ago. Mara means “spotted” in Maa language and refers to the region’s landscape which is marked by many short bushy trees scattered all over the outstretched savannah. To get more familiar with the Maasai lifestyle, you can visit a village in the reserve.
Great Wildebeest Migration
The National Reserve is home to more than 95 animal species and over 400 species of birds. The wildlife is usually based on the escarpment of the reserve. Mid-July to mid-October is the best time to visit the Masai Mara. Why? Since this is the time for the Great Wildebeest Migration of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, antelopes and impalas. By mid-July, they normally start crossing over from the Tanzanian Serengeti. This annual migration involves over 2.5 million animals. Together they cross the dangerous Mara river in massive herds in order to find fresh grass on the other side. Crocodiles always wait in the waters – threatening for the animals and thrilling for you!
Masai Mara Triangle
The Masai Mara Triangle is a special area of the Masai Mara National Reserve that is managed by a non-profit conservancy formed by local Maasai communities. With the Mara River running through the triangle, it is also one of the best destinations in the world to spot wildlife.
You have an excellent chance to see animals here. The famous Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – live in the Masai Mara Triangle. And with a bit of luck you can see cheetahs, servals, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, and black-backed or side-striped jackals. The Mara Triangle is also home to hippos, crocodiles, baboons, warthogs, topis, elands, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, oribis, reed-bucks, zebras, and many more…
