What to do/ activities in Maasai Mara national park
Things to do/activities done in Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai mara national reserve is Kenya’s key tourism point receiving lots visitors in the park every year, the park is located in the southwestern region of Kenya and lying along the east African Rift valley in Norok county and extending its binderies to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania all of these making up the Mara conservation region.
The park has got variety of attractions which have generated a number of activities/ things to do in Masai Mara National Reserve. Furthermore, the reserve comprises of the largest land for conservation and this ranges for spectacular game viewing where travelers are able to see different animal species. The park is a home to 95 mammal species thus standing as one of the top tourist destinations for game viewing safaris. However, Masai Mara is one of the most outstanding wildlife conservation and wilderness area in the entire Africa and in the world is famously known for its exceptional great migration of the blue wildebeest which is known as the world natural event that happens annually and also having the massive population of lions, leopards, cheetah, African bush elephants, Zebras among others. Furthermore, is a home for over 500 bird species and these species have attracted number of tourists in Masai Mara and taking part in various activities in the park.
Note that; Masai Mara National Reserve sits in southwestern part of Nairobi city in country of Kenya, covering a total land of about 1,510 square kilometres.
Below are the activities done in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Game drive viewing
Compared to all the safari parks in Africa, game drive is one of the unique ways to explore the depth of the park and get to enjoy wide variety of wild game living in the park. Masai mara national reserve is one of the unique tourist destinations receiving the large number of tourists visiting the Park every year ,Masai Mara being the largest protected conservation area composed with open savannah grassland which are inhabitant for variety of species and the game drive viewing is quite rewarding in here. , Masai Mara is famous for wildebeest migration furthermore the park is a habitat to over 95 mammal species and 600 bird species have been recorded have promoted stunning attractions and excellent game viewing safaris.
Game drive is the famously done activity in 4×4 open roof safari vehicle in order to have a close clear view of wild animals. Game drive is usually done in three session that is Morning which starts at 6:30 am to 10:30 am and this is the best time to catch up with the early hunters and nocturnal animals before they retire to their hideouts. At sun rise, which is the best time to see animals actively grazing on the savannah grass lands. There is also a huge concentration of animals around the river banks drinking water and grassing around.
The evening game drive starts at 4pm till 6:30 pm this is perfect time as the sun sets the nocturnal animals start coming out, you will also spot other animals resting under the tree shades and others grazing in groups. The Night game drive starts at 6:00pm till 7:30pm mediately after dinner this time to see nocturnal animals in the park, enjoy cheetahs, cats has they hunt for prey. The reserve has eco system which is supportive to wide range of animal’s species with the most famous big cats such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants, buffaloes, black and white rhinos. Other species include Gazelles, Giraffes, Oribis, hartebeest, zebras, hippos, crocodiles among others. During all the game drives, you will be in the company of an armed ranger guide to protect you in case of animal attack reason being that Masai Mara has got the largest number of dangerous animals.
Guided nature walks
Being endowed with variety of attractions ranging from animals, different bird species, the savannah vegetation among others, Masai Mara is one top destination to do nature walks, this is also one of the unique ways to explore the rich eco system a park has to offer on foot and get up close and tight with different animal species grazing in the savannah grass land. During the Nature walk, you will be guided by an armed ranger and tour guide who has knowledge about the different trails which are less used by the predators and also get you closer to the animals. You will be able to see animals including; Elephants, Giraffes, Antelopes, Buffaloes among others and also bird species sighted along the trails. This activity is more enjoyable when you carry it out by the researchers and learn more about different vegetation zoning of the reserve, character and behavioural traits of the animals, you will also encounter the local people known as the Masai people with their rich traditional culture. The walk extends up to Masai River where you will see lots of water animals such as crocodile, hippos, water birds along the river banks and many other animals grassing nearer the river.
Culture encounter
Cultural encounter is a must tourist activity that shouldn’t be missed by any traveller in Masai Mara national game reserve. The Maasai culture/ tribe is one of the unique people living in the surrounding areas of the park, they are famously pastoralists and cattle keepers who rare animals both for home and for sale. But historically, they depended on their cattle in meeting all of their basic needs, including; food, clothing, and shelter. Their traditional diet relies heavily on milk and dairy products, lean beef and other meats, cattle fat, and blood.
they have unique culture which cannot be seen elsewhere in the world, these group of people have lived around the reserve for many years. They have interesting traditional norms and customs. Visit the Masai community on your safari to Masai Mara will expose to one of the unique traditions in Kenya, you will see the design of the traditional houses, learn about their life style and get to know how to get fresh blood from animals, milking their indigenous cows, get excited and join their traditional dances style as they jump up and down which is full of fun and enjoyable. You will also learn about the history of the locals who lived here and shared the land with the animals before it was set side as the national reserve. note that, it is good to support sustainable tourism.
Bird watching
Maasai Mara is also known as a haven for birders with over 500 bird species of which more than 60 species of birds are raptors .The reserve boosts with large number of Ostrich known as Maasai Ostrich’ ’.The bird life of reserve can be encountered in different eco system areas that form the reserve such as open savannah ,river banks ,great rift valley escarpment and rock sides .Bird watching activity can be done throughout the year in Maasai Mara and some of the list to see include ;Cattle Egret ,Rufous bellied Heron ,Hamerkop ,Sacred Ibis ,Secretary bird ,Sooty chat ,African Fish Eagle ,Tawny Eagle ,Long tailed Cormorant ,Ostrich ,Sooty chats ,Kori bustard and many more to see.
Great migration wildebeest viewing
You can never go wrong in the Kenya, the Masai Mara brims with the highest concentration of mammal species every year. The reserve is famous for hosting the huge number of wildebeest known as the wildebeest migration where by the biggest population of wildebeests, Zebras and other herbivorous animals are seen crossing from Serengeti national park in to Masai mara region. The scene of the annual trek of about 1.5 million wildebeests are seen crossing the river every year in search for water and pasture.
This is the most famously done activity by many travellers visiting Masai Mara national reserve, a biggest number of travelers come to participate and witness this wonderful experience annually on Kenya safaris. Most travelers call it nature event safaris where you can discover with your own eyes millions of blue wildebeest crossing to Maasai Mara from Serengeti national park just for breeding purposes and looking for fresh green pastures and then migrate back thus making a great movie experience .This unbeatable experience usually occurs in the month of July to October every year. , in order to enjoy this great experience, you need to book as early as possible because during this period of the year the park and all accommodation and lodges are flooded with many tourists who flocks in Maasai Mara to witness the wildebeest migration. This is life time experience you shouldn’t miss in case you’re planning your safari visit in Kenya most especially in Masai Mara.
Horseback riding
Horseback Riding Safaris in Masai Mara is one of the epic activities in the park, Masai Mara is one of the national reserves in Africa where you can experience horseback riding from which you will appreciate and love stunning beauty ranging from the animals, different bird species, you ride through open savannah grass land enjoying the scenery of the land scape as you pass through wide range of animals while enjoying the fresh breeze nature. Most travellers prefer horseback riding than game drive since it is an open done activity as you even get closer to animals. You will be in the company of an armed ranger and experienced guide throughout the activity and to keep security in case you meet the big cats.
Hot air balloon
Masai Mara is one of the famous places in Africa where one can explore the park in open air horseback riding experience as well as in Hot air balloon. This is a unique experience which involves waking up early in the morning to catch up with the sun set as you enjoy flying the plains of Maasai Mara in the sky. While up in the sky, you will have great aerial view of herds of wildebeest which migrates into and occupy the reserve from Palins of Serengeti in to Mara area. Other animals you will view include; herds of buffaloes, elephants, birds of the air like eagle offers a great experience viewing the different wild game below you.
Things to do/activities done in Masai Mara National Reserve
Honeymoon safari
Maasai Mara National Reserve is a unique place for honey moneys as you can enjoy the fresh breeze air around your decorated table under the tree in the middle of the reserve while being guided with the local guide, get amazed about close animals to your sleeping accommodation.
Boat tour, water sports
Travelers can still engage in boat tour experience which is one of the best ways to explore Maasai Mara National Reserve while sailing on waters of lake Naivasha where you will see lots of animals and bird species along the shores, including; the crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes among others. During the boat cruise, you get up and close with the animals, which is one of the unique ways for game viewing.
The Wildebeests start arriving Kenya in June and by July- August, the entire plains of Mara have been occupied by the wildebeests, zebras and gazelles and its when mara crossing is in progress