Masai Mara Game Reserve

What's so special about the Mara?

  • Endless rolling plains, dotted with game
  • The excitement of a dawn hot-air balloon safari, followed by a bush champagne breakfast
  • Game viewing in the golden early morning light of the Mara
  • The variety and abundance of game and birdlife, including the 'Big Five'
  • Location of the BBC's series - 'Big Cat Diary' which follows these beautiful predators
  • The epic spectacle of the annual migration of wildebeest, triumphing against all odds in their trek from the Serengeti to the Mara, in search of food and water.
  • Interacting with the natives of this land, the Maasai, the proud shuka-clad, warrior-like people - dancing with them and visiting their homes.
  • Spectacular sundowners overlooking the Mara plains, often punctuated by blood curling yells of a 'Maasai mock attack'.
  • Walking with a Maasai guide and learning fascinating facts about trees, plants and tribal life.
  • Bird watching for 'twitters"
  • The unexpected thrill of cheetah lazing on the bonnet/hood of your safari vehicle on an early morning game drive.

 

FAST FACTS

Altitude:

1500 - 2170 m above sea level

Area:

1672 sq km

Location:

Rift Valley Province, Narok

Distance from Nairobi:

270 kms

Climate:

Warm, sunny days with chilly nights and early mornings, the highest rainfall recorded  in the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem peaking in December, January and April.

Vegetation:

Open rolling grasslands, riverine forests, acacia woodland, swamps, non-decidous thickets, acacia, croton and tarchonanthus scrub.

Wildlife:

Over 95 species of mammal, including lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, hippo, cheetah, gazelles and zebras.

Birdlife:

More than 550 recorded species including the rare Schalow's Turaco

Roads:

Roads and tracks are usually navigable by 2WD vehicles during the dry season, but 4WD is recommended during the rainy season.

Accessibility:

Accessible by road from Nairobi (5 hours drive) and most game parks & reserves. Accessible by air from Nairobi (1 hour flight) on schedule flights operated by three airlines, twice daily from Samburu (1 ½ hour flight) on schedule flights operated by two airlines, once daily from Mombasa by daily schedule flights as well as charter flights, and from Loisaba/Lewa (1 hour 15-mins) operated by one airline once daily.


What can I do there?

  • Game drives
  • Game and bird walks
  • Balloon safaris with champagne breakfasts
  • Sundowners
  • Bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners
  • Hippo pool breakfast
  • Night game drives
  • View the migration of wildebeest (gnus) from the Serengeti to the Mara
  • Visit a Maasai Manyatta (house)
  • Massage treatments
  • Swimming in some lodge/camp pools


Where can I stay?

  • Luxury and/or eco friendly tented camps and lodges

 

Best time to visit

To view the migration, between June - September for animals coming in and between October - November for game returning to the Serengeti.