Is Maasai Mara worth visiting?

Is Maasai Mara worth visiting? The most well-known wildlife safari location in Kenya is without a doubt Maasai Mara National Reserve. Over decades, it has solidified its position as a must-see destination for safari enthusiasts, mostly due to the ease with which animals may be spotted and the Great Wildebeest Migration. The fact that the game is becoming more common in this area is due to effective conservation efforts, but it’s also easy to locate because the terrain is open and level, making it possible to search the horizon for a telltale “lump” or shadow that may be anything from a cheetah to a topi. This vast flatness is also the reason for the “greatest show on earth,” which is witnessed annually when two million ungulates mostly blue wildebeest with a scattering of plains zebra pass through in search of new grazing. Excellent game viewing is made possible by the terrain; all you need is the best binoculars you can get.

What is the Maasai Mara like?

The wide grasslands of the Mara are a rather constant landscape. This is traditional “savannah” country, with blue skies, golden grass, and the sporadic tree. We flew over the trees in a hot-air balloon, so it’s doubtful that you will explore into the riverine forest along the Mara River unless you remain there.

Luxurious lodges like Angama Mara have been constructed here to take advantage of the expansive views from a steep escarpment that rises out of the plains; however, keep in mind that the journey down onto the plains to observe game gets longer the higher you are.

Rather than being a national park, the Mara is a national reserve that is owned by the Maasai people, who speak the Maa language. This indicates that there are villages on the area, and you can see the herders leading their magnificent herds of Maasai cattle to water. Yes, you will witness “warriors,” also referred to as “moran,”

Adjacent to the reserve is a separate private tract called the Mara North Conservancy. If you are an enthusiastic safari traveler or photographer, it is something to think about as it provides a more secluded and exclusive game-viewing safari.

Will I see the Migration?

This is a situation where time is everything. In August, the wildebeest from Tanzania’s nearby Serengeti cross the Mara River, and they stay there until October, when they begin to head back down to the Eastern Woodlands. However, as life doesn’t operate on a schedule, early or late rains can cause events to happen sooner or later by a few days or even weeks.

Should you be sincerely interested in witnessing the Mara River crossings, you should make reservations as soon as possible (accommodation is limited and fills up quickly) and acknowledge the possibility that the wildebeest may have other agendas. When they finally arrive at the river, they occasionally congregate for days, keeping guests on the edge of their seats.

 

The river crossings are not for the timid: if you are uncomfortable with the idea of drowning, broken legs, a lot of distressed animals howling, and crocodiles actually making a killing in the bloody water, then reconsider whether you or your kids truly want to witness this occurrence. Learn about additional considerations for a Migration safari.

Joining a movable camp that moves its location in response to the movements of the herds is another fantastic option to see the Migration. You will be closer to the action and give up comforts like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a swimming pool, but you will also be in the centre of things as many predators take advantage of the plentiful food during the Migration.