Maasai Mara National Reserve

Altitude: 5,000 feet above sea level.

Area: 1,510 square kilometers

Airstrips: Keekorok, Siana, Ol’ Kiombo, Serena, Musiara, Ngerende Airstrips.

Opened: November 1974

Activities: Game and bird viewing, Nature walks, Hot Air Ballooning, Maasai Culture.

Map

It is probably the most visited reserve in Kenya. It offers breathtaking views and an extraordinary density of animals including the “big five” and a wide variety of plains game.

An impressive feature is the annual migration of Wildebeest, Zebra and gazelle from the plains of the south – western Serengeti that cross the political borders and rivers to reach the Mara’s grasslands from late June, tracked by predators; lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and circled by vultures as their journey unfolds. The dramatic river crossings are a gruesome spectacle of survival of the fittest.

Apart from the annual migration, game viewing is excellent year round. The elephants, black rhino, buffalo, zebra, hartebeest, topi and the big cats roam the plains and the rivers are home to hippo and crocodiles. 452 species of birds, 53 of which are raptors.

Accommodation ranges from stone built lodges to luxury tented camps. The area to the north owned by the Maasai offers the same great game viewing, game walks and night game drives.