The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the greatest wildlife reserves in the world. It is located in the South-Western area of Kenya and takes up an area of around 1,510 square Kilometres. The terrain of the park is mostly made up of open plains of grass, with small rivers emerging within any dips in the ground during rainy seasons.
For 2009-2010, the entrance fees to the park costs $60 USD for non-Kenyan resident adults, and $30 for children, however fees can vary each year, so it is best practice to check the Kenya Wildlife Service website for any fluctuation in admission charges.
Although the Masai Mara doesn’t compare in size to other parks in East Africa, its concentration and density of wildlife is particularly high. Whilst on safari in there, you can spot many different species of bird, including grey heron, sacred ibis, great egret, crowned and twany eagle, ground hornbill, hamerkop, grey-headed kingfisher, marabou stork, lilac-breasted roller and the large masai ostrich. There will also be the opportunity to spot animals, such as the legendary African ‘big five’, which is made up of elephant, cape buffalo, black rhino, leopard and lion are all present with the park, however numbers of black rhino are currently low, with an overall population of only 37 when last counted in the year 2000.
Along with it Tanzanian neighbour the Serengeti, the Masai Mara is home to one of the greatest natural wildlife events in the world, the great migration. This migration sees a collection of nearly 2 million animals including wildebeest, zebra and gazelle make their annual, perilous journey from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara Plains in search of pastures new. En route, the migrating animals are often met with many obstacles, such as predators such as lions looking for a kill, and even drowning or being snapped up by a hiding crocodile as they cross the Mara River.
If you are interested in taking a Masai Mara safari, then get in touch with a local Kenya tour operator to create a custom, private Kenya safari itineraries to ensure that you adventurous vacation is perfection.