Masai Mara National Reserve

Explore the most celebrated ecosystem in the world; Masai Mara, part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Within this diverse and stunning area, enjoy game drives in the park where you can see the Masai Mara's Great Wildebeest Migration in season.

Location & size:

The Masai Mara is situated in Kenya, to the East of Lake Victoria.  The Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly Kenya's most famous, covering almost 1,500km².  The Masai tribe of the region lend their name to the Masai Mara.

Landscapes & vegetation:

The vast, seemingly endless grass plains of the masai mara , are punctuated by twisted, solitary acacia trees and large kopjes.  However, the Masai Mara National Reserve contains a diverse array of habitats from hilly and rocky to plains, hills, valleys, rivers and associated riverine vegetation and forest.  

Mammals:

The sheer profusion of life supported by the Masai Mara & Serengeti Ecosystem is beyond belief.  The Masai Mara is most famous as being the migratory grounds of, over 1 million wildebeest, half a million zebras and a quarter of a million Thompsons gazelles.

The annual wildebeest migration which occurs within the Masai Mara & Serengeti Ecosystem is the largest mass movement of terrestrial mammals on the planet, with over a million wildebeest and countless zebras making the journey. 

After the rut (wildebeest mating) in June-July, the wildebeest begin to migrate north through Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, and across the Mara River in Kenya's Masai Mara. The wildebeest cross the Mara River numerous times from August to October depending on the rains - this sight makes for an amazing spectacle!

A large number of predators benefit from the annual migration, including lion, vultures and crocodiles.  Depending when you Safari you will be able to witness the awe-inspiring Great Wildebeest Migration, with a good chance of seeing the river crossings.

The Masai Mara is home to many other species of mammals – Leopards, cheetah, hyena, rhino, families of elephant, herds of cape buffalo, the elegant giraffe, eland, various species of antelope and gazelle, monkey, families of warthog and a host of others. 

Birds:

Often overlooked is the abundance of bird-life in the Masai Mara.  The Masai Mara is home to over 500 species.  Ostrich and secretary birds can be seen wandering through the grass, whilst black crested snake eagles and African fish eagles hunt from the air.  Flocks of the bizarre-looking and large marabou stork can be seen sitting in trees.   Ruppell's Griffon vultures and Egyptian vultures follow the Great Migration, gorging themselves on carcasses left behind in the Masai Mara.

Birding in Masai Mara - more info

Reptiles & fish:

The reptiles of the Masai Mara are often overlooked, however there is plenty to keep the herper occupied. The most visible of the Masai Mara reptiles is undoubtedly the nile crocodile, which you will see probably in the Mara & Talek Rivers.  If the timing is right, you may even see a crocodile make a kill during the famous wildebeest river crossings.

There is also a large variety of snakes in the Masai Mara (including huge African rock pythons, black-necked spitting cobras and puff adders), lizards such as the enigmatic red-headed rock agamas and chameleons, and the well-respected leopard tortoises (sometimes called mzee kope by locals).

Herping in Masai Mara - more info

Wildebeest on their Great Migration
(Connochaetes taurinus)

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