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Maasai Mara
South Western Kenya is the heartland of the Maasai.

Masai Mara is "The" park of parks in Kenya. Its grass-carpeted smooth hills, the chocolate Mara river waters with frolicking hippos, as well as the rich faunal diversity, fulfill the expectations of any visitor searching the African landscapes portraited in motion pictures such as "Out of Africa" or "Mogambo". Save particular tastes or special requirements, this is the park on top of the "must" list in the country: no trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit to Masai Mara. True that it's not the best park for birdwatching, and true that some species are not easily found. However, leopards and rhinos abound, and with more than 450 bird species, the reserve should not be envious of Samburu or the great Kenyan bird sanctuaries. Albeit, in an area only slightly smaller than the State of Rhode Island and with a diverse and complex geography, getting lost is far easier than finding a leopard or sighting a given bird species in its multiple woods.
The reserve, gazetted in 1961, is located west of the Rift Valley and is a natural extension of the Serengeti plains, in Tanzania. The Mara river, the reserve's backbone, traverses north to south heading for its westbound way unto lake Victoria, through the Tanzanian park. This course is the natural barrier crossed every year by the large migratory herds of wildebeests and zebras which march across the two parks. As explained below, more than one million wildebeests and 200,000 zebras move in a quest for the best pastures, finding along the way the crocodile-crowded river. When the herds ford the stream, many animals die flattened or drowned and leave their bones by the Mara banks. From July to October, Masai Mara is at its peak, with the seasonal visitors populating the vast grasslands.

Masai Mara's location and altitude, above 1,500 m, yield a climate which is milder and damper than in other regions. The grassy landscape and the nutrient wealth for the great herds are mantained by the abundant rains, which here last from November through June, as a fusion of the two rain seasons (long and short) typical in other Kenya areas. Night storms are frequent. In the hills and plains, grasslands are scattered with acacia woods and bush. The riverbanks of the Mara and of the multiple tributary streams are bordered by dense riverine forests with a good chance to find some of the reserve's bird species.

The Maasai are a strongly independent people who still value tradition and ritual as an integral part of their everyday lives. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area but that they are as much a part of the life of the land as the land is part of their lives.

Traditionally, the Maasai rarely hunt and living alongside wildlife in harmony is an important part of their beliefs. Lions and Wildebeest play as important a role in their cultural beliefs as their own herds of cattle. This unique co-existence of man and wildlife makes this Maasai land one of the world’s most unique wilderness regions.

At the heart of these lands is the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, widely considered to be Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve. The Mara comprises 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest. Contiguous with the plains of the Serengeti, the Mara is home to a breathtaking array of life. The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, and Topi. The Acacia forests abound with Birdlife and Monkeys. Elephants and Buffalo wallow in the wide Musiara Swamp. The Mara and Talek rivers are brimming with Hippos and Crocodiles.

Each year the Mara plays host to the world’s greatest natural spectacle, the Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti. From July to October, the promise of rain and fresh life giving grass in the north brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd. They pour across the border into the Mara, making a spectacular entrance in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon.

At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward through the raging waters, creating a frenzy as they fight against swift currents and waiting crocodiles.

The wildebeest bring new life to the Mara, not just through their cycle of regeneration of the grasslands, but for the predators who follow the herds.

The Mara has been called the Kingdom of Lions and these regal and powerful hunters dominate these grasslands. Cheetah are also a common sight in the Mara, as are Hyena and smaller predators such as Jackals.

The Mara is an awesome natural wonder, a place where Maasai warriors share the plains with hunting lions, a place of mighty herds and timeless cycles of life, death and regeneration.

The Mara is probably the best serviced of all Kenyan Parks and Reserves with a wide range of Accommodation for any budget. The Reserve is a popular attraction with Safari operators. The reserve is ideal for game drives, and some lodges and camps offer walks and balloon safaris.

Wildlife moves freely in and out of the reserve, and through neighbouring Maasai lands. Outside the boundaries of the reserve there are many other small camps and lodges, some of which offer walking, horse riding and other safari options.

The Loita Hills and the Nguruman Escarpment, both considered sacred to the Maasai, offer high forest trekking opportunities for the adventurous traveller.....

How to Get to Masai Mara
The point of road access to this region is Narok, a 3 hour drive from Nairobi. There are regular buses and matatus to Narok from Nairobi and other destinations. Some people choose to Fly to the Mara, which is serviced by 2 airstrips. There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi, and the coast. Private Charters also use these strips.

Getting around Masai Mara
Accessing the Mara area is difficult without private transport. Most visitors come to Maasai Mara as part of a Safari package from Nairobi or in a Hire Car. The park has well established internal roads and tracks. Accessing areas outside the reserve is only possible using basic public transport, and finding your way around can be difficult. Several Safari operators can arrange specialized tours, treks or hikes in this area.

LAKE NAKURU & MASAI MARA SAFARI

Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari : This adventure combines bird watching at the Rift Valley with game viewing in the Mara

ABERDARES & MASAI MARA AFRICAN SAFARI

Aberdares & Masai Mara Safari : This is a perfect short 5-day safari - combining two of Kenya 's best reserves


MASAI MARA BY FLIGHT
Masai Mara by Flight : A one-night 'stopover' safari in the Mara - ideal if your time is limited

HOT AIR BALLOONING MASAI MARA
Hot Air Ballooning is a popular activity in the Masai Mara. Enjoy a Kichwa Tembo & Balloon Safari with a bird's eye view of the Masai Mara.


THE MASAI MARA MIGRATION
The Annual Wildebeest Migration of millions of wildebeest and Zebra in masai mara is the world's greatest wildlife spectacle

MAASAI MARA BIRDING SAFARIS
From hundreds of flamingos to a variety of eagles, the 500 species of bird life will keep birding enthusiasts busy

MASAI MARA WIDLIFE SAFARIS
The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular reserves in Kenya. Rich in wildlife it has to be part of your holiday in Kenya

MASAI MARA MAP
Use our interactive map of the Masai Mara to plan your tour

Maasai culture MASAI MARA INFORMATION

Maasai village gives your Masai Mara safari a cultural edge. The Maasai live a traditional way of life in a 'Manyatta', living in simple mud covered straw huts. With over 500 species of bird life and open scenery the Masai Mara should definitely form part of your Kenyan safari.

Masai Mara is home to a great wildlife spectacle, as sometime between August and November more than two million wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti in search of water and grazing.  

Masai mara Hotels & Lodges and Tented camps-

Accommodations in Masai Mara
Masai Mara has world class hotels and lodges

Masai Mara Serena Safari Lodge
This safari lodge is set on the saddle of a hill overlooking 1 800 -square kilometres of rolling plains and woodlands that contain one of the world's richest wildlife sanctuaries.

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge
This Lodge is set in the Oloolamuita valley in the hillside landscape. The Lodge houses 100 rooms of which 13 are suites and each room and suite has a breathtaking view of the Olooaimutia Valley.

Masai Mara Simba
Masai Mara Simba is a comfortable, exclusive lodge on the banks of the Talek River in the Masai Mara reserve. It was designed to complement its surroundings and is decorated in traditional Maasai style.

Mara Safari Club - Masai Mara
The Mara Safari Club is positioned on the Ox Bow of the Mara River, bordering the world renowned Masai Mara Game Reserve, at the foot of the Aitong Hills.

Rekero Cottages - Masai Mara
Rekero Cottages are situated in the Masai Mara Conservation area, just north of the National Reserve in Kenya. The accommodation is modest and made almost entirely from local materials, overlooking a natural waterhole.


Masai Mara Luxury Tented Camps
Masai Mara Sarova Camp
Indisputably the richest game sanctuary in Kenya, the great expanse of plains set against the distant hills provide a unique backdrop from which to enjoy the magnificent wildlife.

Mara Explorer in Masai Mara
This exclusive five-star camp, situated on a thickly forested river in the middle of the Maasai Mara reserve, offers guests the ultimate wilderness retreat.

Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp - Masai Mara
Kichwa Tembo overlooks the game-filled plains of the Masai Mara and is shaded by dense forest canopy. Each luxurious tent offers sweeping views over the grasslands.

Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp - Masai Mara
The Masai Mara National Reserve lies directly in the path of what is considered to be the greatest spectacle in the animal kingdom: the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania.

Little Governors Camp - Masai Mara
Intimate in character, Little Governors' Camp has just 17 tents set in a tranquil and secluded spot. The Camp is simply spectacular, capturing a part of every visitor’s heart.

Governors' IL Moran Camp - Masai mara
This is an exclusive, intimate luxury safari camp, with an atmosphere of original hunting camps, and situated in the Masai Mara. There are only ten luxury safari tents, hidden deep within the forest, lining the banks of the Mara River.

Governors' Private Camp - Masai Mara
Governors' Private Camp is the jewel in the Governors' Camps crown, for those who want an exclusive taste of the Governors' experience.

Olonana Camp - Masai Mara
Olonana is situated on the banks of the Mara River, in the heart of Kenya's Big Game country. This unique setting offers a world of remarkable opportunities for safari adventurers.

Thank you and enjoy!.