Maasai Mara Game Reserve is located in the South West of Kenya (in East Africa) and as the name suggests – is the heartland of the Kenyan Maasai’s.
Ever heard of the tales of the Maasai morans (Young Men) who take on everyday of their lives in the wild grazing and herding cattle with no fear of the King of the Jungle – The lion?. And tales of the young morans fighting off and killing predators while protecting their herds armed only with a spear and a club.
The Maasai people are well known for their strong cultural preservation amidst modernisation. An 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 live alongside wildlife in harmony is an important part of their beliefs.
Lions, big cats 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 of 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest. Adjoining the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Mara is home to a breathtaking array of wildlife in their natural surroundings where survival is the most natural instinct.
The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, and Topi. The Acacia forests dotting the vast savannah abound with Birdlife and Monkeys. While Elephants and Buffalo’s co-exist 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 seventh wonder of the world, the Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Due to the rains in the plains between May and June, a lush of pasture and grass promise an abundance of fresh life in the Maasai mara and brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together and over 400,000 Zebras into a single massive herd from July to October. They trek hundreds of miles across the border of Kenya and Tanzania 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 frenzy as they fight against surging and swift currents while waiting crocodiles pounce for a meal. The wildebeest migration brings new life to the Maasai Mara, not just through their cycle of regeneration of the grasslands, but for the predators that follow the herds. The Mara has been called the Kingdom of Lions and these royal and powerful hunters dominate these grasslands. Cheetahs 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. Visitor Amenities The Mara is probably the best serviced of all Kenyan Parks and Reserves with a wide range of accommodation; ranging from 5 star lodges and luxury camps to basic camping sites for the budget traveller.
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. Detailed itineraries for lodge Safaris and Camping safaris to the Maasa Mara are available.
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 great forest trekking opportunities (walking safari) for the adventurous traveller…..
How to Get There
The point of road access to this region is Narok, a 3 hour drive from Nairobi. Some people choose to fly to the Mara, which is serviced by 2 airstrips. There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi and from Mombasa in the coast. Private Charters also use these air strips. 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 Hired 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.
Edge East Africa Safaris can arrange specialized tours, treks or hikes in this area.
Facilities/accommodation Lodges in Mara:
Mara Hippo Lodge – 3 Star, Mara Sopa – 3 Star, Sarova Mara – 4 Star, Keekorok Lodge – 3 Star, Kicheche Camp - 3 Star, Kichwa Tembo -4 Star, Little Governors -4 Star, Governor’s Camp – 5 Stars, Mpata safari Club – 5 Star, Mara Intrepids – 5 Star- Mara Safari Club – 4 Star – Ilkeliani – 4 Star, Mara Serena -4 Star, David Livingstone Safari Resort – 3 Star, Mara Explorer – 4 Star – Mara Simba Lodge – 4 Star, Mara Camp – 3 Star, Governor’s IL Moran – 5 Star- Governors Pvt Camp -5 Star, Bateleur Camp -5 Star, Fig Tree Camp – 3 Star, Siana Intrepids.
Kenya