MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE |
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Warmest: The warmest time of year is December and January.
Coldest: June and July are the coldest months. |
 Maasai Mara Features
Wildebeest Migration
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Hot Air Ballooning
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Huge savannahs of golden grasslands
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Big skies
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Rift Valley escarpment
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Lion sightings
The reserve covers an area of 1,510 km². There is no night driving and vehicles must be back at the lodge by 6pm. Several lodges are located outside the park's boundaries, but as there are few fences you may not be aware of this. This is a Reserve rather than a National Park and it belongs to the Masai people. |
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