Located in south-west Kenya, about 300 km from Nairobi, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is recognized as one of the greatest games reserves in Africa. Any safari trip to Kenya will probably not be complete without including Masai Mara safari in the list of fun things to do. The reserve is one of the top popular and most famous reserves in Africa.
The 320 sq km game reserve, which comprises a stunning expanse of grassland, is home to a wide range of animal species, including the big cats; lion, cheetah and leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippo, zebra, crocodile, wildebeest, African hunting dog and many others.
Masai Mara National Reserve is nourished by the Mara River, a tributary of the Talek River. The park’s western border has the highest concentration of wildlife. This area is not easily traversable as the swampy ground becomes impassable during and after heavy rains. As such, most visitors arriving from Nairobi opt for the eastern edge of the Masai Mara.
Masai Mara Wildlife
Each year, thousands of tourists troop into Kenya in mass for Masai Mara safari tour to catch a glimpse of wide range of wildlife and birds in the beautiful reserve. Masai Mara is particularly renowned for huge number of predators in the reserve which include cheetahs, lions, as well as wildebeest numbering about 1.5 million.
As you embark on your Masai Mara Safari, you will probably see the popular ‘big five’: lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Particularly, lions are common in this reserve. Mara plains harbor zebras, wildebeest, impala, cheetahs and jackals.
The highlight of the Masai Mara Kenya safari is without doubt the Great Wildebeest Migration – the dramatic annual event that sees more than 1.5 million wildebeest moving from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania in search of greener pasture.
During the migration, the animals pour across the border into the Masai Mara, making a dramatic entrance in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon.
At the Mara River they assemble on the banks before plunging forward through the violent waters, creating a frenzy as they fight against fast currents and giant crocodiles. Within no time, the banks of the river become awash with carcasses of the unlucky animals – estimated at about 250,000.
After crossing the Mara River, the lucky animals finally get to the plains of the Masai Mara between August and September, where they stay until October when they return to the Serengeti with the promise of rain and lush grass.
Masai Mara weather
Located at an altitude of 4,875 to 7,052, feet above sea level, Masai Mara Game Reserve has more moderate temperatures than the rest of Kenya. Day time temperatures run at 32ºC maximum and night temperatures rarely drop below 12º.
Masai Mara enjoys warm and mild weather throughout the year. The reserve never gets too hot or cold and this makes it a favourable game viewing destination all year round. The game reserve’s weather consists of a hot season, cold season and rainy season. The hot season is usually from December through March when temperatures range between 28ºC and 32ºC. On the other hand the cold season lasts from July through September, although temperatures rarely fall below 12ºC.
The long rains season is usually between March and May while the short rains occur between November and mid December. The game reserve may be difficult to navigate during the rainy season.
Therefore the best time to go to Masai Mara, from a weather point of view, is the period between mid December and March and July to September.
Between July and October Masai Mara’s vegetation is lush and the daytime temperatures are pleasant – making it the best time go on a game viewing safari in Mara. As such, the reserve experiences the highest number of visitors during this period.
June and July are the coolest months at the Masai Mara Game Reserve while December and January are the hottest.
Getting In
Masai Mara National Reserve is situated right inside South West of Kenya. Masai Mara can be accessed by flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport. It can also be accessed by flight from Lewa, Samburu, Nanyuki, Downs, or Mombasa. As you alight from the aircraft for a Masai Mara safari trip, you can get to your final destination with a car. The best and quickest option is to fly to the Masai Mara, particularly if your accommodation is located at the Mara Triangle.
Best Times to Visit
Masai Mara weather is favorable for safari throughout the year. This means you can go on a Masai Mara safari at any time of the year, although most people like to time their visit with the Great Wildebeest Migration.The migration is not so predictable, but if you time your safari from mid-August to early November, your chances of witnessing the spectacular event are good.
Masai Mara is accessible by both road and air. It takes 5-6 hrs to reach the park by road and 45 minutes by air. There are scheduled flights from Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi. Many tourists opt to fly into the Masai Mara as the poor state of roads can be quite challenging.
Masai Mara Fees/Permits
Entry fees are applicable for accessing Masai Mara National Reserve and other fun things within the location. An adult will pay up to $80 which remains valid for 24 hours. Kids above 3 years and young adults below 18 will pay about $45, while children below age 3 gain entrance at no cost. Also, you can get around Masai Mara National reserve with ease as there are Masai Mara safari vehicles to take people around.
Where to Stay on Safari
The reserve has many accommodation options catering for all budgets, tastes and interests. These range from basic camp sites to luxury Masai Mara lodges, high-end tented camps, small private camps for your exclusive use and much more.
Some of the most popular lodges here include Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara River Camp, Kichwa Tembo Camp, Mara Safari Club, Mpata Safari Club, Governors Camp and Sarova Mara among others.
