MASAI MARA

- Masai Mara  - 

 

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The Masai Mara, separated from Tanzania’s Serengeti only by the Mara River, is not only Kenya’s most famous reserve, but arguably one of the best known wildlife destinations on the planet. With its golden savannah dotted with acacia trees and the imposing life-giving Mara River, it offers not only fairy-tale landscapes but also the perfect habitat for all big cats (lion, leopard, cheetah), and has the highest lion population in Africa – which is reason alone to add this reserve to your travel bucketlist.


With more than 90 animal species and nearly 500 bird species in the ecosystem, the Masai Mara is a magical place for safaris all year round, including most animals from the Big 5 to zebra, giraffe, hyena, eland and gazelle, can be see throughout all seasons. Rhino are more elusive, but these endangered animals do roam the Mara Triangle and you may very well be one of the lucky ones to catch a glimpse.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Mara also plays host to the world-renowned wildebeest migration between the months of July-October. Every year approximately 1.5 million wildebeest cross the crocodile-infested Mara River in search of greener pastures in what is often described as the greatest natural spectacle in the world.
 
Kenya generally has fewer crowds than Tanzania, so if you dream of witnessing the famous river crossing, the Masai Mara is your ideal destination. We at The Travel Cafe make it our business to stay up to date on the whereabouts of the herds, and will help you choose the best camp to maximise your chances at witnessing this life changing event.


While entirely unfenced, the Mara can be divided into the National Reserve as well as a number of smaller intimate conservancies, who are all connected without fences between them.

The national reserve offers spectacular safaris, however it does not allow night drives, bushwalks or off-roading and has no limitations on number of vehicles allowed. The smaller conservancies offer more exclusive and intimate experiences, including bush dinners, night drives, off-road driving and walking safaris, which are an amazing way to experience the African bush. Head to the beautiful Mara North, or the exclusive Mara Naboisho Conservancy, home to the best walking guide in Eastern Africa, in order to experience an exclusive luxury safari experience.


The Masai Mara is also unique from a cultural aspect as it is managed not on national level as most other reserves, but instead by the local communities. The Masai people have shared the land with their animal neighbours for thousands of years, and continue to live in proximity and harmony with the surrounding wildlife.

By taking the management of their lands in their own hands, they find themselves directly participating in wildlife conservation and have found unique local solutions resulting in a revolutionary new conservation model.


While visiting the Masai Mara, you cannot fail to learn about and interact with this vibrant intelligent people, who have managed to keep their traditional striking dress code, their traditional housing and religion and yet have developed a keen business acumen.

Each region is unique!

Click on the different regions below to find out more about the unique beauty each offers, and when the best time is to visit.

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- Best time to go to Masai Mara -

Best time to go to Masai Mara

Winter (June - October): While the Masai Mara is truly a year-round destination from a game watching perspective, the months from July to September are the ones to choose if you wish to witness the wildebeest migration. The Great Wildebeest Migration rightfully deserves its standing as one of the natural world’s most astonishing spectacles. Comprising more than 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, the Great Migration constitutes the last surviving multi-species migration on the planet. Watching these herds cross the perilous Mara river is an experience that will stay with you all your life.  


Summer (January - March): For a quieter safari experience, consider January to February, after the short autumn rains have dispersed. This season is almost as perfect as winter, and yet surprisingly underrated by most safari aficionados. February is a month of births for many antelope species. As baby antelopes are a lion’s favourite delicacy, this is the best season to come if you want to increase your chances of watching lions hunt. This is also the best time for bird watching when migrant birds arrive in their thousands to take up colourful residence on the savannah.


Spring (November - December): Spring is the season of the short rains in the Masai Mara. The rain falls in form of short late afternoon showers, so it won’t really impact your game viewing while on safari. Depending on the year, you might still catch the end of the migration and you will get to observe the nature around you changing from golden yellow to vibrant green hues almost overnight. Photographers usually chose this season for added contrast to their nature shots. 


Autumn (April - May): April and May bring the long rains, with torrential continuous downpours and muddy washed-out roads, some of them unpassable. At The Travel Cafe, we consider this our least favourite season to go to the Masai Mara, however even this season has its fans as the savannah becomes clear, free of dust and haze making Africa’s stunning landscapes look at their absolute best.
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