Masai Mara Ecosystem or Biodiversity
Masai Mara Ecosystem or Biodiversity
Masai Mara Ecosystem or Biodiversity: Masai Mara has one of the most unique ecosystems not only in Kenya but in Africa as a continent, with the world’s recognized habitat that harbors the largest wildlife. It is not easy for most guests to truly understand the eco system of Masai Mari game reserve unless he or she gets well experienced guides from reputable operators who can deeply analyze and explain it better.
The reserve is home to more than 90 animal species, besides its wide, well-known great species of birds with over 500 bird species recorded in the reserve. Masai Mara, with its large size and importance, is different from other parks in that the reserve is managed by local communities, hence making 70% of the animals living outside the reserve within the community land.
The Masai Mara ecosystem is divided into three, namely:
The community conservancies, which include Olara Orok, Ol Chorro, Naibosho, and finally Mara North; these conservancies are established by both Communities and private stakeholders, mostly the hoteliers who own lodges around the Masai Mara. They reached in to partnership deal with the Maasai communities to protect, conserve, and manage the reserve, as the local communities are directly involved and benefiting them direct. All the park entrance fees paid by guests are used for achieving the management and protection of the wildlife.
The second but most popular ecosystem is the Serengeti –Masai Mara, which stretches over 24,000km2 from the North of the Masai Mara to the South of the Serengeti in Tanzania, crossing the mighty Mara River that flows across the National reserve.
Masai Mara Ecosystem hosts the spectacular, dramatic wildebeest migration, which is one of the wonders of the world, occurring annually from June to August when millions of wildebeest and thousands of Zebras and other animals cross the River to Kenya for mating and fresh grass, and later returning to the Serengeti around October to November.
Finally, the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, which covers 2,500km2, is part of the small area that is managed together by the Kenyan Government and local community. The Masai Mara Ecosystem forms the busiest.
