There are several unforgettable activities to do in Maasai Mara such as game drives, bush walking, balloon safaris and more. The Maasai Mara(Masai Mara) is located in the South West part of Kenya along the great rift valley area in Narok county and happens to be one of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves. The Maasai Mara ecosystem is made up of 16 conservancies that surround the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The national reserve is approximately 1,510 sq. kilometers and if you add the conservancies the whole area is at least twice that size.
It is named in honor of the Maasai people who are the ancestral inhabitants of the area. ‘Mara’ means ‘spotted’ in the Maasai language. The area is at times referred to as ‘The Mara’. The Mara is well known for its diverse and unique wildlife and it is the premier Safari location in Kenya and East Africa. The reserve voted one of the new Seven Wonders in the World is popular for the annual Great Migration where it sees millions of wildebeest crossing the Mara River.
The Masai Mara holds one of Africa’s highest wildlife concentrations, with over 40% of Africa’s larger mammals. Wildlife that inhabit the reserve include animals like the big five; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses’ and buffaloes among a diverse array of other species like cheetahs, zebras, hyena, giraffes, wildebeests and several species of antelopes.
The conservancies surrounding the reserve are owned and managed in partnership with local communities, tourism operators and conservation organizations. The conservancies are important as the reduce over-tourism pressure in the main reserve and generate income for the locals. Some of them are the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Mara North Conservancy, Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Enonkishu Conservancy and among others.
Best Time to visit the Maasai Mara
The best time to visit is during the dry season this is from June to October. The region’s rainy season is from March and April. If the great migration is your reason for visiting target the months of August to October. Note that there is no specific best month to visit as each has it’s own thing to offer.
The months of January and February are one of the best times to visit the Maasai Mara as they are dry months. The region still holds a lot of water around but this is a good thing as it makes wildlife spotting easier since they gather around watering holes to hydrate during the heat. During this period the region is not as crowded and gives you amazing safari experiences.
March and April through to May are known as the periods of long rains in Kenya. Grass grows long and wildlife sitting is slightly difficult. Flying Safaris are however on offer and you can enjoy exclusive stays in luxury camps within the Mara.
June to October are the busiest times. The reserve is busy and crowded with people across the world arriving to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration. If visiting during this time it is recommended you book your activities and accommodations way earlier.
November and December experience short rains which begin late October. The season is a bit busy towards the end due to the festive season therefore you might want to look into visiting during the early weeks of December.
How to get to the Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is accessible by either road or air.
If you decide to travel by road several routes and entry gates are depending on the chosen gate.
The gates are Sekenani Gate which is the main Gate and is closest to Narok Town and the main entry to central Maasai Mara, Talek Gate that is located near Talek River and is popular for accessing the eastern part of the reserve, Oloolaimutia Gate this serves the southeastern part of the reserve, Musiara Gate that is located in the northern part, near the Mara River, Sand River Gate found in the southern part and is close to the Serengeti border in Tanzania and finally Lemek Gate that serves as the accesses to the northern regions, including conservancies like Mara North.
The route via Narok Town is about 260 km from Nairobi and is the most popular and straightforward route. It takes about 5 to 6 hours and gets you to Sekenani gate. The key points of the route are Nairobi to Mai Mahiu to Narok town and finally Sekenani gate.
The route via Bomet is longer but it offers you access to other gates and is ideal if you are staying in either the southern or eastern part of the Mara. The key points are Nairobi to Mai Mahiu to Bomet and finally Oloolaimutia Gate or Talek Gate.
The final route is via Naivasha/Nakuru. This route is better if you are entering through the northern conservancies or the Mara North region. Key points are Nairobi to Naivasha/Nakuru to Mau Narok to either Lemek Gate or Musiara Gate.
Flying to the Maasai Mara is considered faster and more convenient especially if you are on limited time. There are small aircrafts from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to several airstrips that are within the area near the reserve. There is Keekorok Airstrip that is closest to central Mara. Ol Kiombo Airstrip situated near Talek Gate. Mara Serena Airstrip that is convenient for accessing the Mara Triangle. Kichwa Tembo Airstrip serves the western side of the Mara Triangle. Musaria Airstrip that is to the northern part of the Mara, near Musiara Gate. Finally Siana Springs Airstrip located towards the south eastern region of the reserve.
Flight durations from Nairobi are about 45 minutes while those from Mombasa or Diani are about 2 hours.
Activities To do in Maasai Mara
Game Drives in Maasai Mara
Game Drives are the cornerstone activity in the Maasai Mara. It offers you the experience of observing several different animals in their natural habitat. These drives are done either the early mornings or the late afternoon and are led by experienced guides who provide insights into both the animal’s behavior and the Mara’s ecosystem. Animals like Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Buffaloes, Zebras, cheetah, lion, hyenas and the seasonal wildebeest are common while those like wild dogs, Black rhinos, and leopards are occasional to spot. The reserve is one of the best in East Africa for big cat spotting.
The seasonal highlight for the game drives is the Great Wildebeest migration that occurs every year between July, August and at times as far as late September. Millions of Wildebeests and Zebras leave the northern region of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and cross the Mara River as they head into the Maasai Mara. This spectacle is considered the greatest wildlife migration and around October the herds start to slowly move back into Tanzania. Note that the migration does tend to vary from year to year as the animals move with the rains.
Flying Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Explore Mara’s expansive landscapes and wildlife from a unique and different perspective to that of the game drive. Hot air balloon safaris offer you the Maasai Mara through an aerial view. The safaris begin at dawn and have you gliding over the savannah for about an hour and are often followed by a champagne breakfast after descending.
Guided Bush Walking Safaris
Giving you a more intimate connection with nature as compared to a game drive or balloon safari. Walking safaris involve you and a guide and tracker in carefully selected spots and routes exploring the terrains on foot with the the guides armed. You get to spot the smaller details in the landscape such as animal tracking signs, plants, and insects giving you a better and deeper understanding of the environment.
Note that most of the country’s national parks and reserves do not permit walking safaris and the Maasai Mara National Reserve is not exempt, hence these safaris are conducted in the surrounding conservancies namely Mara North Conservancy, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Naboisho Conservancy, and Ol Kinyei Conservancy.
Horseback Safaris
This safaris offers a more immersive and eco-friendly approach and experience and is conducted in the private conservancies around the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Being on horseback allows you to blend into the environment and means you can often get closer to certain animals like Zebras, Giraffes, and antelopes. Each horseback safari is led by experienced guides and rangers and your skill levels are assessed to tailor the routes and pace accordingly. You will be required to have a certain level of skills to partake in the safari. While some might cater to beginners many don’t as the terrain may be challenging and you may encounter wildlife.
Cultural Visits to Maasai Villages
This offers you the opportunity to learn about the customs, lifestyle, and traditions of the Maasai people. You are often welcomed with songs, dances, and chants performed by the people. They usually reflect their traditions and cultural stories and the warriors often perform the famous jumping dance known as ‘adumu’. A guide, usually a Maasai warrior or elder takes you around the Manyattas and explains their layout and the village structure. You also get to visit traditional mud huts known as ‘enkangs’ that are usually built by Maasai women from a mixture of mud, cow dung, and sticks.
You get an insight into their semi-nomadic lifestyle and how they live sustainably off the land. You’ll get to see the beadwork worn by both Maasai men and women that symbolize their identity, statuses and beauty. Many of the villages have handmade jewelry and crafts for sale and this gives you a chance to support the local community.
You might also get to learn the traditional fire-making technique of using sticks and dry grass and engage in weaponry demonstrations that include spear throwing and some tours include stops at community schools or clinics that are tourism-funded.
