True facts about Maasai Mara National Reserve; Maasai Mara National Reserve lies in Narok country in Kenya along the great Rift Valley and it covers a large piece of land measuring around 1,510 square kilometers. However, the Maasai Mara is an extension of the greater Serengeti which rises around 25,000 square kilometers of its low land in Tanzania. The Serengeti National Park is located in the southern size of the reserve, since Maasai people resides in both countries, there communities are found to the north –east and the Siria escarpment to the west. The Maasai reserve was named in honor of the tribe that used to live in the area for over hundred years. The Maasai word is in local language also Mara and Mara means ‘spotted and refers to the short trees and bushes that dot the landscape, True Facts About Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In additional, Maasai Mara National Reserve is part of a wider Mara ecosystem including the Mara Triangle plus other Maasai conservancies such as Kimintet, Koiyaki, Kerinkani, Maji Moto, Lemek, Mara North, Naikara, Ol Chorro Oirowua, Oloirien, Ol Derkesi ,Olkinyei and Siana . The three main river drain the reserve that is; Talek river, Sand river and famous Mara River. More so the reserve, also comprised of open grasslands, seasonal rivers and acacia trees.
The reserve experiences two distinct rainy seasons; the long rains that tend to fall between April to May and the short rains is received from November to December.
Since the Maasai Mara national reserve is big in size, being big in land measure its most visited size to the East which is managed by the government of Narok County ‘known as Narok County Council’ whereas the Mara Tringle to the west is authorized by the Mara Conservancy. Then outer areas of the reserve where the local Maasai communities resides is managed by elected Maasai leaders. In order to be able to enjoy the park’s activities, you can choose to book 4 days Maasai Mara Safari Tour Package.
Back ground of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Historically, the Maasai Mara National Reserve at first was created as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961 but by that time it used to cover only 520 square kilometers and included the Mara Triangle. In the same year, the sanctuary was extended to the East and later was gazetted into a game reserve covering an area of about 1,821 square kilometers.
In 1974, the game reserve turned into national reserve but the land measuring 159 square kilometers, had to be given back to the local Maasai Community. Unfortunately, in 1984 the reserve’s land had reduced to over 1,510 square kilometers after more land being returned to the local Masai community.
To many tourists tend to ask themselves who are the Maasai or what is their originality. These is one of the African popular tribe ‘’Maasai’’ who are proud of their unique tribe and have remained independent for centuries. They live in south, central and northern side of the Kenya and other groups are found in the Northern part of Tanzania in Serengeti plains. They are famously known of their tall stature, unique eye-catching beads, traditional shuka costumes.
Maasai people still believe in their ancient customs who depend on their domestic livestock for almost everything. In general, the Maasai believe that all cattle in the world belongs to them.
Note , the current past government attempted to drive the Maasai people out of the reserve by force but a decision was made to let them live friendly with wild animals in sections of the reserve, True Facts About Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Wildlife in Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the most visited wildlife conservation areas in Africa that hosts the big five mammals that is Leopards, Rhino, Lions, Elephants and buffaloes. This is the only reserve in Africa to inhabits with an indigenous black rhino population. Between 1970 to early 1980 the park had diversity of rhinos which used to roam around the park’s promises but unfortunately poachers killed most of them. And only 15 individuals were left and these have multiplied in number though never turned into number it was before. Despite, the increase of black rhinos in number is still slow, still ranks the best place to encounter large population of mammals in Africa.
Apart from being a home to big fives ‘’5’’ the reserve also houses other lots of animal species like duiker, impala hartebeests, roan antelopes, giraffes, zebras, topi ,wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelles among others. Overall the number of some of these antelopes increase due to the season because of the great migration of wildebeest from the Serengeti and Loita plains.
The reserve is also inhabitant to species like hippos, crocodiles, Jackals, Cheetahs, hyenas, foxes and servals many more. The area is good for spotting noble bird species ‘’500 species of bird’’ some of the birds to see include; vultures, secretary birds, Ostriches, Marabou stork, lilac-breasted roller ,long-crested eagles , hornbill ,crowned cranes , African pygmy –falcon mentioned but few.
Maasai Mara is quite beautiful when you decide to engage in the main activities such as Game drive where tourists can be able to see vast of wild animals and birds, we recommend you to take a minimum of 4 days on visit to safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve other activities to do include walking safaris, birding, cultural experience, hot air balloon and photographic tours. Though we see millions of tourist flock in the reserve between June to October to enjoy the great wildebeest migration events, millions of wildebeest and hundreds of zebras can be seen crossing Mara River from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara in search of fresh pasture. They cross the Mara river and some of species can’t prevail because of crocodile attack and big cat territory.
The world migration truly offers perfect opportunity to witness the battles between predators and prey.
The most visited months begins from July to October the reserve can be over crowded with tourists and if you wish to do private safari, visit in the rainy season which starts from November and April to May. One to enjoy more of the great migration wildebeest viewing, you can choose to go to the private ranches or book balloon safari in order to observe the migration without too much of the crowds.
Apart from taking 4 days Maasai Mara safari, you can decide to do a combined tour of 7 days Maasai Mara and Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda or Rwanda at affordable price, True Facts About Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Research Activities
A study which was carried out by the International Livestock Research Institute and funded by the Worldwide Fund for Nature between 1989 and 2003 found that the park had on average lost about 70 percent of the population of grazers like giraffes, hartebeest, impala and common warthog. There have been countless cases of wildlife in the reserve being poisoned by communities. Poaching is also another issue to the decline in number of the wildlife in the reserve. Recently, the government brought a tight security around the reserve to end the wildlife threat in the area.
How to get there;
Flying is the quickest way to get to the reserve, fly with daily flight to the Mara from Wilson Airport provided with airline companies like Safari link and Air Kenya. . A flight to access Mara takes around 45 minutes. The aircraft will land just near to your booked camp or other lodge units and be picked up from Olkiombo airstrips.
By drive
From Nairobi city, a drive to Maasai Mara can take about 5 to 6 hours. Road transport is rewarding with breathtaking views including the Great Rift Valley, mount Longonot and view of the country side. Some parts of the road are quite rough and you’re advisable to use a 4×4 vehicle to smoothen your ride. The reserve has offers several entry gates but your tour guide will help you to choose the easiest one.
Get started now! You can contact us Achieve Global Safaris to arrange for you an affordable Safari packages to Maasai Mara or a combined safari tour package with Uganda or Rwanda.
