masai mara
A region truly described by its people
The Masai Mara is named after the Masai people that inhabit the region and the Mara River which snakes through the reserve. It is home to the 'big five' amongst many other species making a Masai Mara safari tour one of the most popular destination and activities in Kenya. The Masai Mara also plays host to the incredible spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration. The area has an amazing concentration of wildlife, particularly when the migratory wildebeest and zebras are grazing on the lush plains from June to October. Surrounding the Masai Mara National Reserve are a number of private conservancies of varying sizes owned by Masai communities.
What wildlife can you see in the Masai Mara?
The Masai Mara is home to an abundance of wildlife including the Big Five: lions, African elephants, cape buffalo, black rhinoceros, and leopards. In addition, there are herd animals living here including zebra, gazelle and antelopes. Crocodiles, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs and jackals can also be found on the reserve. For bird watching fans, there are more than 470 species of birds that can be viewed in the national park, such as vultures, ostriches, hornbills and Kenya’s national bird, the lilac-breasted roller.
Visitors to the national reserve can witness the incredible wildebeest migration as they traverse the Great Plains between the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. It’s a truly spectacular sight, with over a million wildebeest thundering across the savannah in search of greener pastures.
