Location and Description of Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve is located in South-Western Kenya, on Kenya’s southern border with Tanzania. The Mara, as it is commonly called, covers an area of 1,510 sq km (580 sq mi), is one of Kenya’s best known and most visited parks. The Masai Mara Game Park is a traditional homeland of the Masai people, many of whom follow traditional, pastoral ways of life.

Masai Mara wildebeest Migration

An impressive feature is the annual migration of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles from the plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the Mara's grasslands from late June, tracked by predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena, and circled by vultures as their journey unfolds. Their dramatic river crossings are a reality for tourists visiting in early July-August.

Wildlife and Game Viewing while on Safari to the Masai Mara National Reserve

Apart from the seasonal migration, the Masai Mara National has an extraordinary density of animals including "the Big Five" (lions, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros) and may varieties of plains game that includes elephant, black rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, hartebeest and big cats. The rivers are home to hippo and crocodiles. The Masai Mara National Reserve is also home to 452 species, 53 of which are raptors.