Masai Mara National Park
Masai Mara National Park is in the south east of Kenya. The Masai Mara is actually not a National Park, but rather a National Reserve belonging to the Masai people and administered by the local county council. It is one of the best known and most popular reserves in Africa.
Culture and History
The Masai Mara National Reserve is each year visited by thousands of tourists, who come here to watch the many different wildlife and birdlife species in the reserve. The reserve is especially famous for the 1.5 million wildebeest migrating through here twice a year.
History
Arrow heads and pottery discarded by Neolithic man 2000 years ago have been found in the Masai Mara Reserve. Since the 17th century the Masai have occupied the area - of course together with the wildlife, who are the true landlords here. The Masai Mara National Reserve as it appears today was established in 1961, and covers 1,510 sq km (583 sq miles).
Landscape
The Masai Mara is characterised by four different kinds of topography: sandy soil and small bushes to the east, the Oloololo Escarpment forming a spectacular plateau as the western boundary of the reserve, lush grasslands and woodlands around the Mara River and open plains with scattered bushes making up the largest part of the reserve. The landscape is very varied and has a romantic feeling to it, as can be witnessed in the film 'Out of Africa', which was filmed here in 1985.
Flora and fauna
When visiting the Masai Mara you are likely to see the famous Big Five: lion, leoprad, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Especially lions are common here, and have grown relatively accustommed to their two-legged visitors, which makes them easier to spot. The Mara Plains are teeming with wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, impala and Thomson's gazelle. Also cheetahs, hyenas and jackals is seen regularly in the reserve. In the Mara River large amounts of hippos and crocodiles are enjoying their lives - the crocodiles are especially happy in July and November when thousands of wildebeest migrate across the river causing a sumptuous feast for the hungry crocodiles. Birdlife in Masai Mara are abundant and diverse. Species such as eagles, ostriches, storks and vultures are among the more than 50 different birds of prey.
Climate
Masai Mara is located 1,500-2,200 metres (4,900-7,100 feet) above sea level, which makes the climate slightly damper and milder than in other similar regions. Highest temperatures in daytime is 30C/85F (warmest in December and January, coldest in June and July), at night the temprature rarely drops below 15C/60F. The rainy season is April-May and November. In these periods some parts of the Mara will get very muddy and practically inaccessible. The dry season occurs from July to October. This is the best time to visit the Maasi Mara as a lot of herbivores indulge in the plants grown long and lush after the rains - plus, in these months you will stay clear of heavy showers.
Travel to Masai Mara National Park, visa requirements
The Masai Mara National Reserve is accessible by flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport and from Samburu, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki or Mombasa. The aircraft will land on one of the small Mara airstrips, and from here you need to transfer by car to your particular lodge. The flight from Nairobi takes about half an hour.
If you choose to go by car from Nairobi the drive will take you five hours during the dry season, and up to seven hours in the rainy season. By car you can enter the game reserve through these gates: Sand River, Musiara, Oloololo, Talek or Sekenani.
Please remember that the roads in the reserve can become flooded or turned into mud puddles in the rainy seasons in April, May and November.
A lot of travel agencies organise safari trips to Masai Mara. You can book a package tour, which allows you to put all transportation to and in the park in their hands.
Fees/Permits
- Entry Fee is USD 40 per person per night.
Get around
Moving around in Masai Mara National Reserve must only take place by car - preferably by 4-wheel safari vehicles. Because of the wild animals it is absolutely forbidden to move about on foot outside the camp sites and lodges. A more unconventional way to get around in the reserve is by hot air balloon trips, which is a great way to see the animals and the area a little from above.
Masai Mara National Park attractions and sightseeing
The main attraction of this game reserve is, not surprisingly, game viewing. Go on morning, afternoon and night drives over several days in order to see as many as possible of the resident animals, such as lion, leopard, elephant, zebra, giraffe, Thomson's gazelle, hyena, rhino, hippo and the thousands of migrating wildebeest that makes this park so famous. Many camp sites and lodges offer game drives with experienced drivers and skilled, well-informed guides. These are well worth your money, as they will provide you with priceless knowledge and help you spot animals you wouldn't see on your own. And please catch as many sunuppers and -downers as you can.
City tours
Go game viewing till you drop! If this gets a little monotonous (which it probably won't), you can go on a much recommended hot air balloon safari early in the morning and see the sun rising above the wildlife and the magnificent landscapes. And do remember to take lots of photographs! Some lodges and camps offer massage and wellness treatments making you able to combine wildlife watching with luxury.
Shopping, Masai Mara National Park souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Masai Mara National Park nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Lodging
- Keekorok lodge, bungalows in single-storey blocks, restaurant, swimming pool, regular lectures on masai lifestyle
- Mara Serena lodge, P.O. Box 48690, Nairobi, KENYA, Tel: (254 050) 22253/(254 050) 22137, Fax: (254 050) 22382, 73 individual rooms with private balcony and spectacular views, swimmimg pool, restaurant
- Karen Blixen Camp, P.O. Box 9913-00100, Nairobi, KENYA, Tel: +254 20 211496, Fax: +254 20 211981, E-mail: info@karenblixencamp.com [1], luxury camp with private masseuse and welness treatments, 22 luxurious tents on raised platforms, located at the bank of Mara River with a resident hippo pod providing endless entertainment, restaurant, bar, swimming pool
Camping
Backcountry
Stay safe
Get out
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