Activities in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Activities in Maasai Mara National Reserve: Masai Mara national reserve is a jewel of Kenya’s tourism with excellent Kenya game viewing safaris and expeditions, Masai Mara national reserve is a large ecosystem located in Narok county of Kenya and situated in the Rift Valley Province. Masai Mara national reserve is a must visit Kenya destination popular the great wildebeest migration which is one of the world’s natural wonders and the greatest wildlife million experienced on planet earth, wildebeest migration involves migration of 1.5 million wildebeests accompanied by thousands of zebras, gazelles and Elands.
Masai Mara national reserve is loved by tourists partly because of the huge numbers of wildlife living in the endless plains of the park such as the big five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffaloes and African elephants) and many more.
As a fascinating and most visited Kenya safari destination, Maasai Mara national reserve has a lot of adventurous safari activities to offer, safari activities offered in Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve include
Sighting/watching the great wildebeest migration
Sighting or watching of the great wildebeest migration is the highlight of both Kenya and Masai Mara national reserve when it comes to Kenya wildlife tours and tourism at large, the great wildebeest migration is one of the world ‘s wonders where thousands of animals migrate from the plains of Serengeti national park in Tanzania to Masai Mara national reserve following the rain pattern.
The great wildebeest migration involves over 1.5 million wildebeests accompanied by thousands of zebras, gazelles and elands, the highlight of the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara national reserve is the river crossing which is a struggle for the fittest occasion and the most dramatic part of the migration. As the wildebeests try to cross Mara to get into the plains of Masai Mara national reserve, they face off with the predators that is lions, leopards, cheetahs along the banks of the river and crocodiles in the waters of the river waiting to feast on the wildebeests and their calves.
Game viewing
Game viewing is one of the most thrilling and adventurous Kenya safari activities offered in Masai Mara national reserve, the reserve is a renowned home for various species of wildlife species which are spotted while grazing in the plains of the park on game drives. Games drives in Masai Mara national reserve is done in a 4X4 wheel vehicle and conducted on various trails running through the park under the supervision of a ranger guide.
Game viewing in Masai Mara national reserve is thrilling and adventurous Kenya wildlife viewing safari offered as morning, afternoon and evening game drives, morning game drives begin as early as 06:00 am offering magnificent sight of the sunrise and early risers such as lions, cheetahs, elephants and many more.
Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara national reserve starts at 02:00 am offering sights of animals congregating at the watering holes to drink water and evening game drive are done in the dark hours of the night starting at 6:00pm, with the help of a spot light you get to spot many predators such as lions, elephants, cheetahs as they try to hunt for their meals.
Generally, game viewing in Amboseli national park offers sights of many aniamals living in the reserve such as lions, elephants, cheetahs, masai giraffe, cheetahs, oribis, spotted hyenas, giraffes, gazelles, hippos, hartebeests, zebras, antelopes, crocodiles and many more.
On game viewing safari you also get to enjoy the panoramic views of the endless plains of Masai Mara national reserve and numerous species of birds such as
Bird watching
Masai Mara national reserve
Walking safaris
Walking safaris in Masai Mara national reserve is an ideal safari activity for nature lovers, walking safaris are done on foot offering an opportunity to visit the parts of the reserve one cannot reach using a vehicle. Masai Mara national reserve comprises of breathtaking panoramic views created by endless savannah plains and Mara river, there are many trails used on walking safari.
These trails run through the reserve and the most amazing trail is the one running on the banks of Mar river and while on a Kenya walking safari you get to spot many animals such as antelopes, lions, wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, oribis, elephants, buffaloes and birds such as ostriches, storks, ibises, spoonbill, ducks, geese, herons, egrets, pelicans and many more. Walking safari in Masai Mara national reserve are done with a guidance of a trained and well-informed ranger guide.
Hot air balloon safaris
One of the most incredible way of exploring Masai Mara national reserve is one a hot air balloon safari, Hot air balloon safari is a thrilling safari experience offering aerial views and best sights of the endless plains of the reserve and various animals and birds.
Hot air balloon in Masai Mara national reserve starts as early as 6:00 am with a glass of coffee then climb into the balloon’s basket, the flight takes about 1-2 hours. While on this experience you will spot many animals such asantelopes, lions, wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, oribis, elephants, buffaloes and many more.
Hot air balloon safari is an ideal safari activity in Masai Mara for watching the wildebeest migration and photography safaris.
Visiting the local Masai people
The Masai local people are the initial inhabitants of the Masai plains and currently living in communities sharing borders with Masai Mara national reserve, the Masai local people are one of the few remain African tribes with undestroyed culture, traditions and norms.
The Masai local people live in fascinating local village/homesteads of about 50 houses locally known as the Bomas, the Bomas are circular in form and they are built using local materials such as mud, wood and wood. Visiting the local Masai people you will be able to enjoy and watch their unique traditions, cultural practices and customs such as rearing the cattle, entertained by local music, dances and drama, milking of the cattle, making of beautiful jewelry pieces and many more.
Best time to visit Masai Mara national reserve
Masai Mara national reserve is a very remarkable destination one should not miss visiting while on a Kenya tour or an African safari, Masai Mara national reserve can be visited all year round but the best time to visit the park is in the dry season in the monthly period of July to October.
What makes dry season to be the best time to visit Masai Mara national reserve for a Kenya safari is that the grass cover is short which makes viewing of wildlife easy.
Where to stay in Masai Mara national reserve
Masai Mara national reserve is a very famous safari destination comprising of numerous safari lodges, hotels and camps offering accommodation to tourist of a Kenya tour in the reserve, accommodation in Masai Mara national reserve is offered in Ashnil Mara camp, Angama Mara, Mara Serena safari lodge, Keekorok lodge, Olumara tented camp, maraBush camp, Fairmount Mara safari club, Esikar gardens hotel, Maendeleo Parkview hotel, Mara frontier hotel among others.
