Masai Mara national reserve
Masai Mara national reserve Overview
Masai Mara national reserve is the most popular tourist destination in the sub-Sahara region. This is the safari destination you are guaranteed of seeing the big five at close range in their natural habitat.
Masi Mara is characterized by Savannah grassland with rolling hills. The Mara plains are covered with lush grass, dotted with acacia trees with animals loitering all over the park. Here, you will find all kinds of animals roaming freely in their natural habitat. There is a lot of concentration of animals per square kilometer. From the big five, small five, ugly five, shy five… all of them. You will find them here.
Depending on the season, you might be lucky to experience the great wildebeest migration. An event where you witness the thundering hooves of over two million animals migrating from Tanzania’s Serengeti national park to the Masai Mara game reserve. Among other amazing things you can enjoy during a safari are game drives, a visit to the Maasai village, a hot air balloon safari, nature walks, picnicking, and many more. Masai Mara national reserve has a lot of posibilities.
Masai Mara national reserve Location
Masai Mara is located in southwestern Kenya at the Kenya-Tanzania border, bordering Serengeti national park. The area surrounding the vast national reserve has a lot of conservancies and Maasai villages. The closest town near the reserve is Narok.
Due to its location and a lot of activities, Masai Mara has a lot of airstrips for fly-in tourists. They can take a flight from Wilson Airport.
Weather and climate in Masai Mara national reserve
The Weather in Masai Mara is pleasantly warm, with cool nights, all year round. The area is located just south of the Equator, at an altitude of 1500 and 1900 meters. It receives 12 hours of daylight on any day of the year. The temperatures are slightly higher from October to March, reaching an average of 30C/85F, while they are slightly cooler reaching as low as 13C/55F from June to August.
Dry season
This is an enjoyable time to be in the park with lovely weather. Typically, there are sunny days and it’s rarely very hot. Don’t forget to pack winter clothing for early morning game drives. You will enjoy Masai Mara more during the dry weather because roads are passable, and animals can be easily spotted in their watering holes.
June, July & August – It can still rain, but mostly the weather in Masai Mara is sunny and dry. Afternoon temperatures reach an average of 25°C, but evenings and early mornings can get cold with temperatures of around 12°C.
September & October – Still a dry season of the year, although rain is possible some days. Temperatures increase slightly in October and hover around 27°C before they decrease with the beginning of the rain.
There are many overcast, cloudy days. Afternoon showers are the norm. Daytime temperatures don’t vary much. The nippy early mornings have temperatures around 13°C/55°F. pack warm clothing.
Wet Season
November & December – This is the beginning of the rainy season with these months experiencing short rains. The average afternoon temperatures range from 27°C.
January & February – Rainfall eases between the short and long rains, although showers do still occur. The exact timing of this drier period is somewhat challenging to predict.
March, April & May – April is the wettest month. It doesn’t often shower all day, but rainfall is regular. Tracks might become slippery and difficult to navigate. Early mornings are a bit warmer with average temperatures of about 13°C.
In General Masai Mara weather is always favorable for an African safari. However, you need to pack proper clothing.
Masai Mara national reserve Wildlife
Masai Mara national reserve has a magnificent collection of wildlife and it is quite possible to spot not just the 'Big Five' as often mentioned widely, but also the 'Big Nine', including the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, Cheetah, and Hippo. Due to the nature and richness of flora and fauna in the park, one can see all of the above animals within an hour of the game drive in the reserve. The game reserve is quite the animal kingdom and likely the very best place to see an amazing ecosystem of African wildlife in the wilderness.
The Masai Mara isn’t one of Kenya’s birding hotspots However, with more than 500 bird species recorded, it isn’t a bad place to mark off a lot of Kenya’s savannah species from your bird list. The park is particularly rich in raptors with 57 species present
Best time to visit Masai Mara national reserve
The best time to visit the Masai Mara is between late June and October, during the driest months. These are the best months for wildlife viewing because the vegetation is thinner and animals gather around rivers and water holes. It does offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year, but the rainy months (March, April, November, and December) make some of the roads difficult to navigate. The wildebeest migration and the river crossings in particular are difficult to time, but your best chance to witness this spectacle is in late September and October.
Attractions in Masai Mara national reserve
You have a myriad of options when you are on safari on what to do. Here are some of the things to do in Masai Mara
Wildebeest migration.
As you land on the Masai Mara, the first thing that should click in your mind is the wildebeest migration. Over two million animals migrate from Tanzania to Kenya through the Mara River. The experience is so spectacular that you won’t like to miss it.
Air balloon safari.
Experience the Masai Mara aerial view. Here, you will be on an air safari where you will be treated to a clear view of the park’s animals from the right angle.
The sight of animals grazing around the park as others play around is not only therapeutic, but also creates memories.
Visit Masai village.
The Masai people are the most adored due to their authentic African culture. Visiting their villages will shed light on their culture, how they value cows, and their initiation ceremonies. These are the true Africans who have held their culture unadulterated.
Masai Mara national reserve Safari
Masai mara is spectacular. To most people who have never visited, it is a must-visit national reserve in Kenya.
At Denki Travel, we have safari packages that our clients are at liberty to choose any that suits them, Due to our flexibility, you can drop us an inquiry and we help you plan your dream African safari to Masai Mara. Below are some of the safaris to Masai mara national reserve.
