Being one of the few sites on earth where wild animals and their ecosystem coexist in a well-protected habitat, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is a top conservation area and one of the best wildlife attractions in Kenya and Africa. It offers one of the best Kenya wildlife safaris.
The reserve is renowned for its great wildlife, which includes big populations of lions, cheetahs, elephants, African buffalo, and rhinos, to name just a few of the hundreds of different animal and bird species that call the reserve home.
The annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara, or “Mara,” as it is commonly referred to, is another reason Masai Mara is recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. That alone is a compelling argument to put the Masai Mara on your bucket list.
In today’s essay, we’ll go over the top five reasons why you should visit the Masai Mara in Kenya, among many others.
- The annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara
One of nature’s most spectacular displays arrives in the Masai Mara from July through November. The sheer amount of wildebeest entering the area is mind-boggling; the herds are so large that they can be seen from space! The Wildebeest Migration is a spectacular mass migration of about two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle that occurs on a cyclical yearly cycle influenced by rainfall. To travel to the Mara’s fresh grazing from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the wildebeest must cross dangerous rivers while dodging crocodiles.
As if that weren’t enough, there are predators chasing them from behind and others waiting for them in front after crossing the brown hippo population-filled river that is protecting their territory space. Many of the “struggling to cross” are left as food for the diet-changing ravenous crocodiles. Doesn’t this sound like a fantastical interpretation of how nature works? This is unquestionably a great experience during the Kenya wildlife safaris in Masai Mara.
- Scintillating Game Drives
Thanks to its varied landscapes, large open areas, moderate climate, and diverse population of resident animals, the Masai Mara offers great year-round game viewing. Safari heavyweights like lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo live in its champagne-colored savannahs, together with well-known animals like zebra, giraffe, hyena, eland, and gazelle. There aren’t many rhino sightings, but if you’re lucky, you might find one in the Mara Triangle.
The Mara is renowned for producing outstanding big cat sightings, including lion, leopard, and cheetah. The Masai Mara is one of the greatest sites to watch cheetahs because of how well they have adapted to the area’s flat plains. They frequently try to get a good view from downed trees, termite mounds, and even game drives!
Surprisingly, the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya provides more than you could possibly imagine. There are opportunities to view the Big 5 on a one-day game drive, in addition to a ton of other animals and wildlife behaviors. Have you ever seen those lions on television catching an antelope and tearing it apart? The likelihood of running into something similar and much more, such as the elusive leopard successfully pursuing its prey and pulling it up a tree, is great.
Thousands of vultures wrapping, tearing apart, and turning a massive dead elephant into nothing but carcus as hyenas try to steal a lion’s meal? You will undoubtedly see this when on a Masai Mara safari.
- Hot Air Ballooning
You may combine thrilling 4×4 games watching with Maasai-guided nature walks and top off your Masai Mara safari with an unforgettable hot-air balloon ride. This is an experience that is priceless and well worth the money. A flight in a hot air balloon will give you a bird’s-eye perspective of the reserve as it soars through the sky. The scene is a broad expanse of green with animals scurrying and running across it.
When the hot air balloon takes off in the morning, you’ll have a front-row seat for an amazing sunrise.
You’ll receive a sumptuous champagne breakfast while the orange rays gradually drive away the ominous clouds. It will undoubtedly result in an experience that is worthwhile of repeating
The greatest flight patterns follow the Mara River’s course, allowing you to peer down into the woodlands, float past vulture nests, and watch the early-morning routines of boisterous hippos. After landing on the plains, you’ll be served to a sumptuous bush brunch with champagne.
- Cultural Encounters
The Masai Mara is a fascinating place to learn about and explore the Masai people and culture. An ethnic group of Nilotic-speaking people living in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania are known as the “Maa” speaking people, also known as the Maasai or Masai.
The pastoralist tribe that is still authentically African serves as a good example. You would be interested in learning about and understanding the diverse cultural customs and beliefs of this pastoralist community. They provide cultural interactions with the Masai settlements and show how they have lived from the early centuries to the present.
Despite the fact that owning cattle still occupies a significant place in their culture, a growth in safari tourism has inspired many Maasai to train as professional safari guides and camp managers. You’ll have many opportunities to speak with Maasai guides and camp staff while on a Masai Mara safari.
- Well Maintained Reserve & Accommodation Availability
Because Masai Mara Game Reserve is a popular tourist location, the infrastructure is excellent. The roads throughout the last four years have been a true reflection of heaven. The wildlife viewing tracks in the parks administered by Kenya Wildlife Service and the Masai management are an ideal mix for animals viewing during the Kenya wildlife safaris.
It is easier to fly into the Mara and land between the game reserves, providing an opportunity to begin viewing wildlife from the skies.
There are a variety of various lodgings in and around the Masai Mara national reserve, ensuring that you have a somewhere to sleep before and after your amazing safari. Consider luxury safari lodges, tented camps for safari adventures, and five-star hotel places.