Masai Mara National Reserve

Background Information
The Masai Mara is one of the best known and most popular reserves in the whole of Africa. At times and in certain places it can get a little overrun with tourist minibuses, but there is something so special about it that it tempts you back time and again.
Seasoned safari travellers, travel writers, documentary makers and researchers often admit that the Masai Mara is one of their favourite places. So why is that? Perhaps it is because of the 'big skies', the open savannahs, the romance of films like 'Out of Africa' and certainly because of the annual wildebeest migration, the density of game, the variety of birdlife and the chance of a hot air balloon ride.

Also because of the tall red-robed Masai people whose lifestyle is completely at odds with western practices, and from whom one learns to question certain western values.

A combination of all these things plus something to do with the spirit of the place - which is hard to put into words - is what attracts people to the Mara over and over.

The Masai Mara lies in the Great Rift Valley, which is a fault line some 3,500 miles (5,600km) long, from Ethiopia's Red Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and into Mozambique. Here the valley is wide and a towering escarpment can be seen in the hazy distance. Most of the game viewing activities occur on the valley floor, but some lodges conduct walking tours outside the park boundaries in the hills of the Oloololo Escarpment. The animals are also at liberty to move outside the park into huge areas known as 'dispersal areas'. There can be as much wildlife roaming outside the park as inside. Many Masai villages are located in the 'dispersal areas' and they have, over centuries, developed a synergetic relationship with the wildlife.

There are four main types of topography in the Mara: Ngama Hills to the east with sandy soil and leafy bushes liked by black rhino; Oloololo Escarpment forming the western boundary and rising to a magnificent plateau; Mara Triangle bordering the Mara River with lush grassland and acacia woodlands supporting masses of game especially migrating wildebeest; Central Plains forming the largest part of the reserve, with scattered bushes and boulders on rolling grasslands favoured by the plains game.

ANIMALS & BIRDS

In a short stay during the wildebeest migration you could see thousands of animals, at other times there are still hundreds. The plains are full of wildebeest, zebra, impala, topi, giraffe, Thomson's gazelle. Also regularly seen are leopards, lions, hyenas, cheetah, jackal and bat-eared foxes. Black rhino are a little shy and hard to spot but are often seen at a distance.

Hippos are abundant in the Mara River as are very large Nile crocodiles, who lay in wait for a meal as the wildebeest cross on their annual quest to find new pastures.

Every July (or sometimes August), the wildebeest travel over 600 miles (960km) from Tanzania's Serengeti plains, northwards to the Masai Mara and the Mara River is the final obstacle. In October or November, once they have feasted and the grass has all but gone, they turn around and go back the other way.

The Mara birds come in every size and colour including common but beautiful ones like the lilac breasted roller and plenty of large species like eagles, vultures and storks. There are 53 different birds of prey.

SEASONS

Altitude is 4,875-7,052 feet (1,500-2,170 metres) above sea level, which yields a climate somewhat milder and damper than other regions. The daytime rarely exceeds 85°F (30°C) during the day and hardly ever drops below 60°F (15°C) at night.
Rainy Season: It rains in April and May and again November and this can cause some areas of the Mara to be inaccessible due to the sticky 'black cotton' mud.
Dry Season: July to October is dry and the grass is long and lush after the rains. This is a good time to come and see the huge herds of migratory herbivores.
Hottest time: The warmest time of year is December and January.
Coldest Time: June and July are the coldest months.
MASAI MARA SPECIALITIES

· Wildebeest Migration
· Hot Air Ballooning
· Huge savannahs of golden grasslands
· Big skies
· Rift Valley escarpment
· Lion sightings
FACTS

Altitude : 1,450 - 2,080 m (4,757 - 6,824 ft)
Reserve area : 392 km²
Localisation : Near the city of Narok (District of Narok)
Distance : 267 km from Nairobi (about 4 hours drive)
Entrances : the park has 6 entrances (Sekenani, Ollolaimutiek, Sand River, Talek, Musaria and Oloololo gates) and 5 airstrips.
Historic : Opened November 1974.
Attractions :
o Annual wildebeest and zebra migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in June-September.
o Exceptional gameviewing ("Big Five") : lion, elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, buffalo (but also leopard and cheetah).
o Big hippopotamus pool at the Mara River.
o Traditional Maasai Culture.
o Fabulous views of the plain & Rolling hills/slopes & Oloololo escarpment.



CAMPING SITES & BANDAS/SELF-CATERING (in/around the park)

All campsites are located near the Talek gate and are managed by Maasai living in Talek town. There are also a few very basic bars and garages in the town.
Crocodile Campsite : The campsite has the advantage of being the closest to the Talek gate. Rates are 250 Kshs per person/day, 300 Kshs for the firewood, 300 kshs for a watchman per day and night. You can also ask for goat/cow meat for a nyama choma. Hot shower and toilet available.

Ilaramata Special Campsite (K.T.17) : The campsite is close to the back entrance of the Fig Tree Lodge and is really nice. The best place to camp around Talek. Night watchman is advised as the campsite borders the Talek river. Hot shower and toilet available.
Riverside Campsite : One of the first campsite of the Mara, the Riverside campsite is opposite to the New Crocodile Campsite. The campsite has also a permanent shelter which is very useful during the rain season. Hot shower and toilet available.

LODGES, TENTED CAMPS & HOTELS
There is a large choice of lodges and tented camp in and around the game reserve.

IN THE PARK

Mara Sopa Lodge:
"The lodge blends in perfetly with its surrounding hillside landscape. The accent here is on the Masai people and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, birdlife, and natural flora to be found in the Masai Mara."

Sarova Mara Camp Lodge:
"The Camp is set in the African bush but the luxurious tents all have permanent roofs, zip-up fronts, electricity and ensuite facilities."

Keekorok Lodge:
"Keekorok Game Lodge was opened in 1965 and was the first lodge to be built in the Mara. And it is sited in the direct path of the annual migration..."

Mara Simba Lodge:
"Mara Simba was conceived as the ultimate lodge in the Masai Mara. The emphasis is on exclusivity and comfort, the ambiance is Maasai, the decor incorporating ethnic design elements from the culture of the proud tribe in whose realm the lodge is set...."

Fig Tree Camp:
"Fig Tree Camp is set on the banks of the Talek River and is one of the originals camp of the Maasai Mara. The luxury accomodation and quality services make the Mara safari the highlight of any Kenyan trip...."

Mara Intrepids Club:
"Welcome to Mara Intrepids - the most talked about destination in the world's most talked about wilderness. Sitting above a sweeping bend in the Talek River, at the confluence of the Maasai Mara's four game-viewing areas, the camp enjoys one of the most spectacular locations in the entire Mara ecosystem..."

Mara Serena Safari Lodge:
"The Mara Serena Safari Lodge is the ultimate safari destination and is set high on a bush-cloaked hill, embraced by arcing vistas and washed by a sea of richly rolling grasslands..."

Governor's Camp:
"The setting is magical. So much so that almost a century ago it was reserved, exclusively, for Kenya’s colonial Governors and their royal visitors. Now Governor’s Camp nestles in the forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, it’s waters teeming with hippo and crocodile...."

Little Governor's Camp: Contact -
"The guide Kenya’s Best adds: There is something about this camp that is very friendly, yet private. Guests seem to enjoy mingling with the staff and each other, and because of the smallness of the camp, you really feel special."


AROUND THE PARK

Siana Spring Intrepids:
"Siana Intrepids occupies a lush indigenous forest watered by the largest natural Siana Springs. The camp offers guests unique opportunities for thrilling walking safaris, night drives and fly-camping along the seasonal streams beneath the Ngama Hills..."

Oseur Tented Camp:
"Oseur Tented Camp nestles in shady riverine forest and is divided into three units of ten tents, each one is designed to be self-contained with its own dining tent, bar and log fire to preserve the feeling of intimacy only possible in a small camp...."

Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp:
"Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp consists of 40 Hemingway-style safari tents shaded by dense forest canopy. The camp's two thatched rondavels overlook the Sabaringo River, shaded by tall Fig and Ebony Trees...."

Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp:
"Kichwa Tembo Bateleur Camp is an exclusive enclave of nine elegant tents. The magnificent appointment of the camp ensures shade from a dense forest canopy and unobstructed views of the game-rich plains..."
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