Masai Mara
The Masai Mara National Reserve (also spelled Maasai Mara), is the northern counterpart to the world-famous Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Both situated in the same contained ecosystem (Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem), the Masai Mara is particularly famous for sharing the annual wildebeest and zebra migration with the southern plains of its Tanzanian cousin, and experiences the world's most diverse migration of grazing animals in the world; 1.3 million wildebeest and several hundred thousand other ungulates travel across East Africa in search of food and birthing grounds. See "How the migration works" and "Plan a migration safari". The migration is so immense, its called the "Great Migration" and we have safaris which specifically concentrate on viewing this amazing spectacle. 
Primarily made of grassland plains and riverine woodlands (following the Mara and Talek rivers), the park also has hills covered in forest to the south-east, providing some broader landscape that allows for a splendid aviary variety. A delicious sounding escarpment, the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment, forms the western border and is part of the great Rift Valley which extends from the Mediterranean Sea to South Africa.
A well established infrastructure provides some of the most memorable African safaris around - indeed the Mara is one of the oldest sites for visitors to explore the continent, and activities have evolved from the old-fashioned hunting to more ecofriendly alternatives; horseback safaris, cultural visits, lodge and camping outfits, hot air ballooning (brilliant!) and special interest safaris...particularly ones of a photographic nature.
The Masai Mara's reliable and consistent lion population (over twenty separate prides), made it the site of choice for the famous BBC programme, "Big Cat Diary", and many a wildlife documentary has found its roots in the reserve. Indeed we offer our clients the opportunity to take part in "Elephant Memories Safari" which is run on set departure dates during the year. The rest of the Mara's wildlife is by no means less significant, and is often treated with a degree of grudging admiration by safari operators in other national parks! A good network of roads and access make game viewing particularly good.
Our most highly recommended safari on the Mara, takes place in a small, private bush camp away from the crowds. This is a real safari without the bling at excellent value for money. Click to "Laikipia and Masai Mara safari special" for more information.
The Maasai have only inhabited the Mara Reserve for about 200 years, and there is some evidence that Neolithic settlements were present in the Lemek Valley. In terms of the more recent Masai populations, fortunately the pastoralist lifestyle of the tribe has changed little over the years, and the Maasai are remarkable in the level that they have managed to co-exist with the natural environment and local wildlife whilst raising domestic livestock on the same grazing grounds.
The dominant inhabitants are the wildebeest but there are many other antelope present - Thompson's and Grant's gazelle, impala and topi. Zebra are present in good numbers and around 161 000 migrate annually along with the wildebeest and Thompson's gazelles. Masai giraffe and the common giraffe are all part of the scenery and good specimens of roan antelope are found on the borders of the Masai Mara. With such plentiful numbers of ungulates on the plains, many of the well-known predators are present in good numbers - lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena are the most well-known. A rare nocturnal species is the bat-eared fox but porcupine, jackal and aardvaark are also seen during the long, dark nights.
Of the 450 species of birds seen in the area, the most frequently photographed is the lilac breasted-roller. Vultures and marabou stork gather round kills and the secretary bird, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostrich and African pygmy falcon are fairly common sights.
Access is easy, a 4-5 hour drive from Nairobi or alternately, daily flights from the majority of Kenya's airports make it to the reserve. Accommodation is available for all budgets.
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Our Recommended Tours
Laikipia Plateau and Masai Mara Reserve - 6 nights/7 days
The special rate valid in the low season 01-30 Jun & 01 Nov - 14 Dec and represents a saving of US$340.00 per person on the high season rate. High season rate applies 01 Jan - 31 Mar & 1 July - 14 July.
An amazingly great value safari covering two of the main game viewing areas and their highlights in Kenya. The offer includes all flights and transfers, meals, accomodation and activities on the ground in Kenya. Highlights of the safari include high quality of guiding in off the beaten track bush camps. No bling just a good value safari in one of the highest rated safari camps on Trip Advisor.
Laikipia and Masai Mara - 8 nights/9 days
The price includes all flights and transfers, meals, accomodation and activities on the ground in Kenya. Highlights of this trip include horse riding, fly camping and walking in Laikipia along with exceptional gameviewing without the masses in both Laikipia and the Masai Mara
Masai Mara Reserve and Kenya coast - 16 days/15 nights
Price is a guideline only as the cost changes according to time of year
This safari is designed for a real holiday combining the very best of game viewing in the prime location of the Masai Mara in one of the top safari camps, with a relaxing 10 day break on the Kenyan coast afterwards.
The safari camp has some of the best-known Masai guides in Kenya with superb guiding skills and includes some cultural interaction. On the coast the resort is low key, relaxing, right on the beach and with excellent water sport facilities available including big game fishing.
Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks - 5 nights/6 days
This excellent short stay safari combines the two most popular parks in Kenya. You will stay in small bush camps where quality of guiding is the highest priority. These camps are as individual as the different habitats they occupy and while tented, have en-suite bathrooms and all the comforts so necessary in this environment.
Our Amboseli camp is just outside the busy section of the park, at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro and offers the opportunity to enjoy breakfast in the open air with a view of the mountain right above you. Elephant tracking, stories and interaction is the speciality of this camp although joining in with the local Maasai is also an important activity. Our Mara camp is superb - the best guides in Kenya if not East Africa, 5 star game viewing in the heart of the Mara and wonderful hosting and company at meals. The camp itself has a prime position in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Masai Mara & Lake Natron Fly-in Safari 6 nights / 7 days
The price shown is per person for travel in mid Season and includes all arrangements starting and ending in Nairobi. Price in High Season from US$ 4,750 per person.
This safari combines a prime wildlife area on the Northern edge of the Masai Mara with a private conservancy on the edge of the Nguruman Escarpment in Southern Kenya. Both areas offer uncrowded wilderness off the beaten track.
In the Masai Mara we've chosen a season bush camp offering an authentic Mara wildlife experience. Walking, undwinding around the glowing embers of a campfire all add to the true bush safari.
In contrast, our luxury lodge at Shompole overlooks the volcanic hills of the Great Rift Valley. The unique contemporary style blends the African bush with white quartz stone and polished fig-wood. Water is a main feature of the property, flowing through each room.
Samburu and Masai Mara, Kenya - 7 night/8 day safari
The rate is per person; the special rate applies to safaris which take place in the low season.
This safari concentrates on drawing you into the secret lives of elephants along the lines of the new BBC 1 documentary "The Secret Life of Elephants". Participants in the film include Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Iain Douglas-Hamilton and the action takes place in Samburu. Visit the same area and find out the emotional and dramatic secrets of these majestic pachyderms.
Chyulu Hills, Laikipia Plateau and Masai Mara - 9 nights/10 days
The price includes all costs other than international flights and is per person and is valid July, August, September.
Our "pick" of our Kenya safaris because it covers the three best game viewing areas; you will most likely see the Big Five, the little Five and much more besides. You will also see Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya and much of the Kenyan countryside from the air including the spectacular sight of the Rift Valley escarpment.
With just a little extra cost and planning, this safari is easily converted into a dedicated riding safari for the novice or the experienced rider and can include full or half day rides on any of the days at Chyulu Hills or on the Laikipia.
Camp closed April, May and November.
Other Options
Most safaris in Kenya combine Masai Mara with Amboseli and the Kenyan Coast.
Specialist travellers might want to look at some of the more remote options ... nearby Lake Naivasha has seasonal migrations of millions of lesser flamingoes and only sees a minor fraction of the Mara's visitors. Lake Turkana is definitely off the beaten track!
Kenya Safari Spots
Kenya Overview | Masai Mara | Laikipia | Amboseli | Kenyan Coast | Lamu | Samburu | Lake Naivasha | Northern Frontier District | Lake Turkana | Lake Nakuru | Chyulu Hills | Shompole | Tsavo West | Tsavo East | Lake Victoria | Meru
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