National Park - 1.510 sq km - Managed by Local Authorities
The Masai Mara National Reserve is administered by the local county council. It is probably the most famous and most visited reserve in Kenya. It offers breathtaking views (seen in the film ‘Out of Africa’, much of which was filmed here)an extraordinary density of animals including the “Big Five” and many varieties of plains game.
An impressive feature is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the Mara’s lush grassland from late June, hunted by the predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. Their dramatic river crossings are a reality for tourists visiting in July – August.
Apart from the seasonal migration, gameviewing is excellent year round. Game includes: elephant, Black Rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, roan antelope in small numbers, white-bearded gnu, Oribi, warthog, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, hartebeest and the big cats; the rivers are home to hippo and crocodiles.
Maasai Mara has the largest population of lion.
Birdlife is as profuse as wildlife.This include red winged schalow's turaco, white-tipped crest, ross turaco, orange buff pel's fishing owl, wary guinea fowl. The open plains birds include Jackson's bustard, black-bellied hartlaubs bustard. 53 species of birds of prey have been recorded. Secretary birds are common.
Accommodation ranges from stone lodges to luxury tented camps. They are Keekorok lodge 265km(165m) from Nairobi, Mara Serena lodge on the west of the park, East African Wildlife safari camp and the Governors camp. The northern area owned by the Maasai, offers great gameviewing, game walks and night game driving. Safari operators set up private camps for groups of clients seeking exclusive, traditional safaris outside the Reserve. Within the Reserve there are four Tented Camps (total 320 beds) and three lodges (total 454 beds).
Climate:
Hot and dry
Facilities:
Lodge, Hotel, Campsite, Banda
Activities:
Game viewing, Ballon rides, bird watching
Access Roads:
One
Airstrip:
Four
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