Safari Activities in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Safari Activities in Maasai Mara National Reserve : Maasai Mara national reserve is a world-famous wildlife safari destination and one of the top safari destinations in Kenya located in the great rift valley of Kenya in the south west region of the country, Maasai Mara national reserve is situated in the Narok County neighboring Serengeti national park of Tanzania. Maasai Mara national reserve covers an area of 1,510 square kilometers featuring open plains, rolling hills, Mara River, Talek River and various habitats such as shrubs, savannah and grassland.
Maasai Mara national reserve is recognized and listed among the best safari destinations in the world for offering not only adventurous but memorable Kenya safari activities.
Kenya safari activities offered in Maasai Mara national reserve include
Game drives
Maasai Mara national reserve is one of the best wildlife safari destinations in Kenya and Africa as well offering excellent game viewing safaris, Maasai Mara national reserve is rich with wildlife species including the big five living in the Mara eco-system. Game drives in Maasai Mara national reserve are offered as morning game drive, afternoon game drive and night game drives.
Morning game drives: morning game drives in Maasai Mara national reserve begin as early 06:00 am are the best option for watching early risers and watching the sunrise over the endless landscape of the reserve. High concentration of animals such as lions, elephants, cheetahs, wildebeests, leopards are spotted before they scatter offer into hiding.
Afternoon game drives: Afternoon game drive are conducted after lunch and they usually start at 02:00pm , on this session of game drive expect to watch many animals such as gazelles, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and many more as they congregate at watering holes to drink water.
Night/evening game drives : Night game drives in Maasai Mara national reserve start at 06:00 pm to dark hours of the night, with a help of a spot light you have an opportunity to spot nocturnal animals and predators as they hunt such as leopards, lions, cheetahs, African wild dogs and many more.
Game drive in Maasai Mara national reserve are done in a 4X4 wheel vehicles with open roofs and with a help of an experienced safari guide, generally game drives in Maasai Mara national reserve are opportunity to watch various animals living in the reserve such as lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, gazelles, African wild dogs, crocodiles, zebras, cheetahs among others.
Birding
Maasai Mara national reserve is a birder’s paradise and one of the most recognized Kenya birding destinations in the country, the reserve is a habitat to over 500 species of birds living in various habitats of the park ranging from savannah grasslands, forests and swamps along the Mara River.
Birding in Maasai Mara national reserve is conducted under the guidance of an experienced ornithologist who knows the pattern of the birds in the reserve, some of the birds you will have pleasure of spotting include Abdim’s stork, African finfoot, African wood owl, Ayres’s hawk eagle, Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Denham’s bustard, Giant kingfisher, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Grey penduline tit, Hildebrandt’s starling, Jackson’s widowbird, Lazy cisticola, Ostrich, Purple grenadier, Red-throated tit, Ross’s turaco, Rosy-throated longclaw, Rufous-bellied heron, Rufous-throated wryneck, Saddle-billed stork, Schalow’s turaco, Secretary bird, Silverbird, Southern ground hornbill among others.
Watching the great wildebeest migration
The great wildebeest migration of one of the highlights of Maasai Mara national reserve and a reason to why millions of tourists flock the country on a Kenya wildlife safaris, great wildebeest migration is one of the nature wonders in the world and the great wildlife migration ever witnessed on earth. Wildebeest migration involves the movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests accompanied by Thompson and Grant’s gazelles and zebras from Tanzania’s Serengeti national park to Kenya Maasai Mara national reserve with crossing river Mara.
These animals move in attempts of looking of green pasture and water, the most eye catching episode of the great wildebeest migration is the river crossing at Mara river, the river crossing is a deadliest occasion as wildebeests and other migrating herds enter into crocodile infested Mara River. Some of the migrating herds lose their lives in the river and again they face off with the predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs waiting to feast on the animals.
Watching the great wildebeest migration is watched in the period of June – November.
Walking safaris
Walking safaris are such amazing Kenya safari experience offering an incredible interaction experience with nature, this experience gets you closer to nature and appreciate the beauty, wilderness and panoramic views of Maasai Mara national reserve. Walking safaris in Maasai Mara national reserve are conducted on numerous walking trails running through the reserve and on walks you are led by a safari guide and an armed ranger for security purposes.
Walking safaris in Maasai Mara national reserve offers an opportunity to spot animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs and many birds such as African wood owl, Ayres’s hawk eagle, Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Denham’s bustard, Giant kingfisher, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Grey penduline tit, Hildebrandt’s starling, Jackson’s widowbird, Lazy cisticola among others.
Hot air balloon safaris
Hot air balloon safaris are the best alternative for game drives while on a Kenya wildlife safari in Maasai Mara national reserve, hot air balloon safaris are breathtaking safari experiences offering aerial views of the vast plains of Maasai Mara national reserve and perfect for watching the great wildebeest migration and taking pictures.
Hot air balloon safaris are done in a floating balloon lasting for about 2-3 hours starting as early as 6:00 am before sunrise, the experience ends with a picnic lunch served in the wilderness of the reserve and accompanied by a glass of champagne. While on Hot air balloon safari expect to enjoy viewing many animals such as wildebeests, zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, African wild dogs, Nile crocodiles among others.
Maasai cultural encounter
Maasai cultural encounter is a thrilling Kenya cultural safari done in the Maasai people who are considered to be one of the most hostile tribes in Kenya, the Maasai people live in the communities situated along the borders of the reserve and visiting these people offers a memorable experience. Maasai are nomadic pastoralists depending on livestock rearing as a way of life, while on a Maasai cultural experience you will enjoy local dances, songs and drama, encounter the impressive bomas, the unique clothing style of the Maasai adorned with beautiful ornaments including necklaces and earrings.
If you have booked your safari to Kenya’s leading safari destination you are missing out on a great deal of adventures and fun, book your with us as soon as possible.
