Maasai Mara National Reserve | Traveler by Unique
So many different types of landscapes such as the gorgeous coastlines that meet the Indian Ocean, the dry terrain of the Savannah desert, and the staggering mountains dusted with snow compose the unique character of Kenya.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya situated in south-west Kenya, is one of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves and it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible and most spectacular eco-systems and possibly the world’s top safari big game viewing eco-system.
Known worldwide for the annual zebra migration as well as the migration of wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle. The park has a massive population of each animal that makes up the “Big Five”. The “Big Five” refer to lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo and rhinos, which roam through the 583 square miles of park. These animals share the space with cheetahs, jackals, bat-eared fox, hippos and crocodiles. Antelopes, gazelles, and giraffes grazes the planes alongside the enormous bird species population. Birds come and go during the year however, depending on the season, you will be able to see eagles, storks, vultures, cranes, ostriches and the national bird of Kenya, the lilac-breasted roller with its bright purple, green and blue feathers.
The giant park has so many different activities for those travelling to Kenya to admire the great outdoors. There are many guided tours and safaris through the park where you can head straight to the highlighted areas. Taking one of the safari tours in the park is a great way to get everything in.
The safari tours in Maasai Mara range from a few hours to a few weeks if you want to explore some of the surrounding areas as well. The Mara Triangle is one of the hot spots in the park. The Mara River runs through it, giving lots of water to the animals who live around it. The area homes over 1 million wildebeest, over 250,000 zebra and 485 bird species. There are plenty of swampy areas and marshes like the Olypunyata Swamp where the wild life is thriving and you might get to see cheetahs hunting. Lots of exotic birds can be seen flocking above the swamps which make a very pretty site. The Musiara Swamp also has prime wild life watching and the animals wade bravely in the water with the hippos and other hidden creatures. Plenty of birds, hyenas, and zebra hang out here daily.
The massive 18,700 acre, Ol Kinyei Conservancy is located on lands owned by one of the Maasai communities which live in the park. The conservancy has two small safari camps within it, the Porini Mara and Porini Cheetah camp where you can get a more one-on-on experience with the animals, close up.
Walking or hiking in the Maasai Mara is a wonderful and unique experience. You can find many nature walks for wild life viewing and ideal scenery. Another option is to hire a guide from the Maasai villages. They will guide you on the trail of your choice and carry your equipment by donkey. The most popular hike is the Great Rift Valley Trail which was formed millions of years ago. The Great Rift is the largest rift in the entire world so this is something you won’t want to miss. The trails were used originally by the local tribes to walk between villages. Hike through the gorgeous Rift Valley alongside the monkeys, birds and other wild life. See the most stunning views, rock formations and the rich culture of the people. Other great trails are; The Oltyiani Trail, The Ol lasur Trail, The Great Maasai Land Trail and more.
The Nashulai Maasai Conservancy is a good spot to spend a few hours. This is the first conservancy in the park that is led by the community of the Maasai people. Locals live in the conservancy sharing the lands with wildlife and stock animals. Locals came together to make this possible so they could work together in protecting the animals and the lands surrounding.
No matter how you decide to explore the famous Maasai Mara National reserve in Kenya, you are gearing up to see intense wild life as they go about their lives, gorgeous rivers, and flawless scenery. Stop by the Isokon Restaurant, located in the park, for some flavor packed food and a cold drink at the end of the day, to share your stories and pictures. The restaurant is full of other travelers, excited and ready to plan their next adventure. The atmosphere is inspiring, invigorating and you won’t want to miss the perfect ending to an awesome day.