Location of Masai Mara National Reserve
Location of Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya
Location of Masai Mara is in the south western part of Kenya in the western arm of the rift valley in Narok county and it is a gifted park. This reserve is one of Kenya’s top destinations and as such many tourists visit the Masai Mara reserve to see its different attractions and engage in a variety of tourism activities as they enjoy the beautiful scenery around.
The diversity of flora and fauna in the Masai Mara national reserve has greatly contributed to the increase in the number of tourists to this destination.
This location is also known for the wildebeest migration which is among the unique natural wonders which take place within the Maasai Mara reserve. This migration involves thousands of wildebeest moving across the Serengeti plains to this location across the Mara River.
Tourists experience the wildebeest migration in this location during the months of July to November. Zebras also accompany the wildebeest as they migrate in search of water and better pastures.
Other wildlife species that can be seen during the migration to this location include crocodiles in the Mara river which wait to feast on the wildebeest as they struggle to cross to the other side of the river. Predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs also prey on the wildebeest.
Some of the attractions which can be seen in the Maasai Mara reserve include the following;
- Wildlife species are among the attraction in the Masai Mara reserve. A high concentration of predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and other wildlife species such as oribis, hyenas, giraffes, gazelles, hippos, hartebeest, rhinos, zebras, antelopes can be seen in this reserve. The big five can be sighted by tourists during their game viewing activities which take place at different times of the day such as in the morning and in the evening in different locations within the reserve.
- Bird species that can be sighted in the Masai Mara reserve include both migratory and native birds such as swallows, weaver birds, shrikes, ostriches, cormorants, hammerkops, yellow billed storks, ibis, vultures, secretary birds, herons among others.
- The Maasai people make up the local community which stays around the Maasai Mara reserve. The Maasai have created relationships with the reserve in that they support tourism practices and also practice conservation, they also act as tour guides and are also employed in some of the accommodation facilities in the reserve. Tourists interact with this local community to learn about their way of life, see local arts and crafts such as beaded jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bangles among others. Tourists can also watch traditional dance performances as they interact with the Maasai.
How to get to Masai Mara reserve
The town which is close to the Masai Mara reserve is called Narok. Tourists can access this reserve by both driving or flying options of transportation.
By road, the reserve can be accessed from Nairobi along a bumpy road and then proceed to the Maasai Mara reserve from Narok. The types of cars which are recommended for tourists who drive to the reserve are 4×4 cars due to the bumpy roads.
Tourists who opt to fly to Maasai Mara reserve can fly to any of the airstrips in the reserve such as Shikar airstrip, Ngerende airstrip, Musiara airstrip, Ol kiombo airstrip, keekorok airstrip, Sian springs airstrip, Maasai Mara Serena airstrip, Kichwa Tembo airstrip, Maasai Mara cottars, Olare Orok among others.
The types of flights offered to tourists at the different airstrips within the reserve include domestic and scheduled flights.
Another important aspect when choosing the location for a safari is the accommodation facilities. The accommodation facilities in the Masai Mara reserve include luxury accommodations, midrange accommodations, and budget accommodations.
