Masai Mara is an area preserved Savannah wilderness in South Western Kenya along the Tanzanian boarder. It’s (also known as Masai Mara and by the local Mara). A large game reserve Natoko county, Kenya region Tanzania. Masai Mara game reserves stretches 1510 sq km and raises 1500 – 2,170 meters (4,920 – 7,120 ft) above the sea level. It was originally established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary.

The Mara covered only 520 sq km (200 sq miles) of the current area. The Masai Mara lies in the great Rift valley which is a faulty line some 5,600 km (3,500 miles) long from Ethiopia’s Red Sea. Its animals include Lions, Cheetah, Elephants, Zebras and Hippos.

Wildebeests traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills and its crossed by Mara Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villagers (Nkanga) of Masai people.

 All members of the big five (Lions, Leopards, African Elephants, Cape buffaloes, and Black Rhinoceros) plus popular species Buffaloes, Cheetah and Eland are found in the Masai Mara. More than 470 species of birds have been identified in the park.

The big numbers are migrants such as Eagles, Storks and Vultures. Mara River is a home to the abundant Hippos and very large Nile crocodiles that lay in wait for meal as the Wildebeests cross on their annual quest to find new pastures.

 There are four main types of topography in the Mara: Ngama hills to the East with sandy soil leafy bushes liked by black rhino, Oloololo escapement forming the western boundary and reaching to a magnificent plateau, Mara Triangle bordering the Mara river with rush grassland and Acacia woodlands supporting masses of game especially migrating wild beasts; central plains forming the largest part of the reserve with scattered bushes and bounders on rolling grassland favored by the plains game.

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

 Traditionally, the Masai rarely hunt and live alongside wildlife in harmony which is an important part of their beliefs. They are well known as cattle keepers. Lions and wildebeests play an important in their cultural beliefs and this unique co-existence of man and wildlife makes this Masai area one of the world’s most unique wilderness region.

Top 6 things to do at Masai Mara National Park:

Game drives, Nature walks, Birding, Balloon Safaris, Cultural visit, visit the Mara river.

Hotels

Hammerkop Migration Cap

Olengoti Eco Safari Cap

Eagle view

Spirit of Masai Mara.