How to avoid crowds at Masai Mara national reserve
How to avoid crowds at Masai Mara national reserve
How to avoid crowds at Masai Mara national reserve: Masai Mara national reserve which is located in the south western part of Kenya is known for attracting large numbers of tourists compared to other wildlife viewing locations such as the wildlife reserves and national parks around the country.
For this reason, many tourists are tasked with choosing the right time to visit Masai Mara national reserve to avoid the crowds which flock the destination as they enjoy wildlife viewing experiences as well as the different attractions at the reserve.
Throughout the year, tourists can enjoy seeing the different wildlife species in Masai Mara national reserve. One of the major attractions which increase the number of tourists at this reserve is the wildebeest migration.
The wildebeest migration involves the movement of thousands of wildebeest in search of greener pasture and water. Other wildlife species which can be seen during safaris in Masai Mara national reserve include lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, hippos, warthogs, giraffes among others.
During the wildebeest migration, tourists visiting Masai Mara national reserve can avoid crowds by opting to explore the areas around the Mara river which is closer to Serengeti national park. this reserve is not only known for the wildebeest migration but also for the Maasai people who are known for their unique culture.
The best time to avoid crowds in the Masai Mara national reserve during the wildebeest migration is in the months of October and November as well as in February and March during the calving season as the wildebeest give birth. Different predators such as lions can also be seen near the grazing area of the wildebeest at this time of the year as they wait to attack the unknowing prey.
Another advantage of visiting Masai Mara national reserve during the months of February and March when avoiding crowds is that the grass is greener and the plains in the reserve offer stunning views of the landscape and amazing photography opportunity.
One of the ways of avoiding the crowds in Masai Mara national reserve is by choosing to visit the private conservancies which surround the reserve and also offer amazing wildlife viewing experiences and activities such as night game drives, nature walks, driving off tracks among others.
These conservancies are co-owned by the landowners among the local community and this is a way of promoting wildlife conservation among the locals and giving back to the community from the benefits generated from tourism in the conservancies.
Conservancies around Masai Mara national reserve restrict the number of lodges and this is a way of reducing the impact of large numbers of tourists at this destination which in a way provides a form of avoiding crowds during a safari.
Due to the few restrictions in the conservancies, the experiences during wildlife viewing are very impressive since wildlife freely roams from the reserve to the conservancies which are remote hence making visits to the conservancies a good way to avoid crowds.
The rangers in the reserve also know the best ways to avoid crowds as well as the best locations to see the different wildlife species and other attractions at the destination during a wildlife viewing experience.
Another way of avoiding crowds during safaris in Masai Mara national reserve is by choosing private safaris which provide a form of flexibility as well as unique wildlife viewing experiences far away from the many tourists who are also exploring the reserve, especially during the high season.
The choice of a guide during a safari in the Masai Mara national reserve also makes it easier to avoid crowds at this destination. This is because they know the locations in the reserve where fewer tourists can be encountered during a wildlife viewing experience.
Guides in Masai Mara national reserve also know the best time to explore the reserve before the crowds of tourists visiting this destination for wildlife viewing experiences gets bigger.
Tourists can also avoid crowds during their safaris to Masai Mara national reserve by deflecting away from the mentality of seeing the big five basically and opt for exploring other attractions at the destination.
The Mara triangle which is found in the northeastern part of the reserve is also a good location in the Masai Mara national reserve to have a good wildlife viewing experience while avoiding crowds during a safari.
The choice of accommodation during a safari in the Masai Mara national reserve is also a good way of avoiding crowds. The locations of some of the accommodation facilities make it easier to see the wildlife species from the comfort of your lodge hence avoiding crowds.
Tourists can also choose to go camping during their safaris in Masai Mara national reserve to avoid crowds. These camps are located in strategic locations which make it easier to experience the beauty of the reserve away from the crowds.
Accessing Masai Mara national reserve
Tourists visiting Masai Mara national reserve can access it by both air and road means as follows;
- By road, tourists can drive from Nairobi through Narok and then proceeding to the reserve. The town of Narok also offers a chance to get an experience of the Maasai culture before continuing to the reserve.
- By flight or air, tourists can access Masai Mara national reserve by flying to the airstrips at the reserve.
Get to know the best way to avoid crowds while experiencing the beautiful nature of the Masai Mara national reserve and its attractions.
