Things to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve : This is located near the Tanzanian border in southwestern Kenya. The reserve is around 1510 square kilometers in size. When coupled with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the two parks form perhaps the best area in the world to see animals. Over 95 species of mammals and 570 species of birds live in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. From around July/ august to November, the Maasai Mara hosts nearly 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and Thompson’s gazelle in what is likely the world’s largest animal migration.
The animals travel 1,800 kilometers from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and back, following the rains. Masai Mara national reserve is one of the best safari park in Africa rivaling Tanzania’s Serengeti and other famous park such as Kruger national park in South Africa. It is one of the best places in Africa to watch wildlife, and hundreds of thousands of tourists travel each year to see some of Africa’s most famous creatures. The Mara River, the Maisara Swamp, the Maasai Villages, the Narok Museum, the Mara Triangle, and surrounding private Maasai conservancies are the key attractions to see during a safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Being one of the best tourist destination especial for wildlife and bird safaris, Masai Mara offers a wide range of activities, from luxury experiences like hot air balloon rides above the plains with views of wildlife below to less expensive bush lunches and nature walks or wildlife treks. Brief trips to a traditional Maasai tribal community, where guests gain a fascinating peek into the nomadic people’s unique way of life, are among the most popular tourist activities in maasai Mara national reserve. The following are the top 8 tourist activities/ things to do in Masai Mara game reserve, Kenya
- Morning and afternoon game drives:
As previously said, the Masai Mara is one of Africa’s top game viewing areas. Not only does the Mara eco-system provide an opportunity to see Africa’s famous species, but it also provides excellent photographic and film opportunities. Game drives are held throughout the year in places where there is a high concentration of wildlife. A normal game drive begins in the morning or afternoon and is conducted in regular safari vehicles with a retractable roof.
Game drives in the morning begin at 6 a.m. It’s the time of year when most animals are active and in great numbers as they head out to eat. The afternoon game drive begins at 2:00 p.m. and lasts until 6:30 p.m. During an afternoon game drive, the best area to see wildlife is around the watering holes, where they come to drink. In your game drive to maasai Mara, Kenya Expect to see all five big species, including lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards, whether you visit in the morning or afternoon.
Cheetahs are plentiful and well adapted to the Mara, but black rhinos can also be seen. The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is the best spot in Africa to see cheetahs. Seeing one of the big cats take down a zebra or wildebeest is the highlight of any game drive.
- Bird watching
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a birder’s paradise, with over 500 kinds of birds. You can look for ostriches or vultures, which are large birds of prey. Smaller birds can be found breeding in thickets or along escarpment edges. Ducks, egrets, geese, herons, ostriches, hornbills, pelicans, spoonbills, and storks are all common sightings on a regular birding trip. Apart from ostriches, common tourists are primarily interested in martial eagles and vultures. Your Birding safari to Maasai Mara, Kenya is led by ornithologists and naturalists who are very skilled and informed.
- Walking safaris
In addition to the traditional game drives in tour vans, guests can sign up for guided nature walks or for a walking safari. Tourists can view birds, wildlife, and the savanna on foot on these walking safaris. It’s the ideal way to take in the reserve’s breathtaking scenery and panoramic views. Nature walks also allow guests to have a closer look at the surroundings and unspoiled countryside than wildlife drives do.
You will appreciate nature even more if you get close to it. Nature walks are best supervised by very experienced Maasai guides or armed rangers in the private conservancies adjoining the main reserve. The treks/ walking safaris take place in regions where predators are less common and where there are more activities to perform among the Masai Mara mammals.
- Horseback safaris:
It is another amazing tourist activity to enjoy in your Kenya safari tour to Kenya’s Maasai Mara national reserve. This activity is organized in the conservancies rather than in the main reserve. On the back of a horse, participants are taken deep into the Mara to see antelopes, leopards, wildebeest, hartebeest, giraffes, elephants, leopards, lions and other wild animals found in maasai Mara. It is the most environmentally friendly way to tour the area without releasing any noise or pollutants.
- Hot air balloon safari
A hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara is maybe the most amazing way to experience this beautiful habitat. Get a bird’s-eye view of the Masai Mara and admire its beauty from above. The hot air balloon takes off from the Little Governors’ Camp shortly before dawn, rising as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the Mara.
As you glide over the plains, witnessing the wildlife below, enjoy the calm of a balloon trip. As you float through the Masai Mara’s woodlands and rivers, you will have a totally unique experience. As you see the circles of trees, shadows from clouds, and scrubland that make the stunning picture, you can see why the Masai Mara game reserve is the one of the best safari park in Africa.
On your hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara you will fly for approximately an hour, seeing some incredible vistas and taking plenty of photos and films. On many tours, you will be greeted with a champagne brunch prepared where you land, as is customary for hot air balloon rides.
- Bush meals
If you opt to spend your honeymoon in the Masai Mara game reserve, you should not miss out on the sundowners and bush breakfast/dinner. Your hotel/ tour operator (Focus East Africa Tours) can arrange for a mobile dining service with meals, drinks, and wines in the middle of the savanna. Nothing beats witnessing a gorgeous sunset in the great outdoors while being held by your mate.
- Camping and photographic safaris:
If you prefer camping in your spare time, the Masai Mara National Reserve is the place to go. Because you will be alone, the experience will be unique. Sleeping in the middle of the African bush with wild animals not far away is among the unique tourist activities available in the Masai Mara national reserve, Kenya.
The Masai Mara National Reserve has numerous campsites. The majority are public, although there are some private ones with kitchens and restrooms. Some even include pools where you can unwind with your family and friends. Also The Masai Mara National Reserve is famous for its breathtaking scenery, wildlife, and vegetation making is best place for taking fantastic Instagram photos. The reserve has attracted some of the top wildlife photographers who have come to capture its natural beauty and fauna.
- Take advantage of Masai cultural visits.
The Masai have lived on the Mara for several hundred years and maintain ancient practices and traditions, albeit with some modern influences. You can visit a Masai settlement, such as the Mara Rianda, while on the Masai Mara game reserve for cultural safari experience. This is a Masai livestock field surrounded by a hamlet of 48 traditional huts. If you want to learn more about Masai culture and experience traditions and practices that haven’t changed in generations, this is the place to go.
Further Information on Masai Mara safari tour
Because Masai Mara is the best safari park in Africa and has a lot to offer to visitors, you’ll need at least two days to see and experience everything the reserve has to offer. If you include the time spent driving to and from the reserve, this means that a safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve will most likely take three days. Also because Masai Mara national reserve is close and share the same ecosystem with Serengeti national park, Tanzania this means that these two parks can be combined in one safari package/ itinerary for more safari enjoyment and experience.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is best visited between July and October, as well as December and February. The huge migration arrives in the Mara from the end of July to October, and the ideal time to view the big cats in action is from December to February. If you want a more private safari and to avoid the throng, go when the migration is beginning or about to conclude. If you don’t want to see the Great Migration but just want to see the Big 5 in one spot, go during the low season.
To get to the Masai Mara Reserve, fly into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and then drive for four hours and 270 kilometers. If you’re not interested in driving for long periods of time, you can charter a jet, but it will be more expensive.
