What is the Big Five of Maasai Mara National Reserve? Maasai Mara National Reserve is a well-preserved area dominated by the Savannah wilderness, which is located within the southwestern region of Kenya and shares borders with other countries like Tanzania. Maasai Mara National Reserve was officially established in 1961, and it covers a total surface area of about 1,510 square kilometers. Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to an incredible array of wildlife including the Big Five. other animals include antelope, gazelle, wildebeests, zebra, cheetah, hyena, and wild dog among others. Maasai Mara is an alosa birdwatchers’ paradise, with over 500 species of birds recorded within its boundaries. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is also known for its annual wildebeest migration, which takes place from July to October. More so, this destination was named after the Masai people, who are well known as the oldest inhabitants of Africa. The following are the Big Five of Maasai Mara National Reserve, they include;
Elephant (Loxodonta Africana)
African elephants are among the most often seen members of the Big Five in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. As the largest land animals on the planet, they can reach lengths of up to seven and a half meters, stand nearly three and a half meters tall, and weigh as much as six tons. Despite threats from poachers who hunt them for their tusks, the elephant population in the Mara has been increasing in recent years. These smart and social animals have strong family bonds, led by a matriarch who is usually the oldest and largest female. Female elephants live in groups with their young, while adult males often roam alone or form small groups. Normally, a family group consists of about ten elephants, but they can gather in larger ‘clans’ of up to 70 elephants when the need arises. An adult elephant’s diet includes grasses, fruits, roots, and bark, and they can consume an astonishing 300 pounds of food each day.
Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
Known as one of the most formidable animals in East Africa, the Cape Buffalo also called the African Buffalo has earned its reputation for being dangerous. Lone males can be particularly aggressive and can weigh around 800 kilograms, making them a risky encounter for anyone who crosses their path. Female buffaloes, especially those with calves, are also known to be fierce protectors. In the Maasai Mara National Reserve, buffalo typically travel in large herds of about 100 or more, often staying close to water sources, especially during the dry seasons.
Lion (Panthera Leo)
In the wilds of Africa, lions reign supreme as the ‘king of the jungle.’ These powerful and swift creatures are both fascinating and intimidating. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to about 850 to 900 lions, making it one of the best places on Earth to see them in their natural environment. Lions are highly social animals and typically live in groups called prides, which can contain anywhere from 15 to 20 lions. A pride usually includes a few males, several adult females one of whom is the leader, and some younger lions and cubs. Male lions are responsible for protecting their territory, which can stretch over 30 to 400 square kilometers. While female lions do the bulk of the hunting, the males may help out when larger prey is involved. Their favorite meals are zebras and wildebeests, though they won’t say no to warthogs or buffalo if the timing is right. Interestingly, lions love to sleep, often spending about twenty hours a day napping. Among the famous pride in this area is the legendary ‘Marsh Pride,’ known thanks to the BBC’s wildlife documentaries.
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
While lions might be famous for their power, leopards are known for their elegance and secretive nature. There is a sizable population of leopards in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, but they can be tricky to spot since they are quite shy and mostly active at night. They are classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and human activity. Leopards are solitary animals, typically going solo except during mating season. They prefer living in wooded areas or rocky regions, but you might catch a glimpse of one lounging in a tree. From their lofty perch, leopards use their keen eyesight, acute hearing, and sharp sense of smell to locate prey, which often includes antelopes and baboons. After a successful hunt, they are known to haul their catch up into a tree to keep it safe from other predators.
Rhino (Rhinocerotidae)
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to both white and black rhinos, though the white rhino is seen more frequently, especially near Lake Nakuru. Black rhinos, while a bit smaller and more aggressive, share a similar appearance with only slight coloration differences. There are about 35 to 50 black rhinos living within the Maasai Mara National Reserve, particularly in the Mara Triangle. It’s rare to spot them during a safari since they tend to be solitary creatures. The bond between a mother and her calf is the strongest, as rhinos generally live alone. They have poor eyesight, which can make them quick to charge at moving objects, but they possess excellent hearing and smell. Black rhinos can live for 35 to 40 years in the wild and grow to about one and a half meters tall and three and a half meters long, weighing between 850 and 1600 kilograms.
Great Migration
Besides the big five iconic animals, the Maasai Mara natural reserve is also home to the Great Migration. This annual trek from the Serengeti National Park to the Masai Mara National Reserve by millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles is an incredible sight to see. The animals set out on their trek from the Serengeti sometime in July and August and start arriving in the Masai Mara around the same time. One of the most exciting events of this wildlife is the crossing of the Mara River. During the river crossing the herd animals encounter the perils of crocodiles laying in wait for an easy meal. Come October, the throngs of animals slowly head back to the Serengeti. Naturally, nature lives by its own timetable, so there’s no way to know the exact dates that the migration will occur in any given year. However, the best months to view the migration in the Masai Mara are September and October. Overall, the best months for spotting wildlife in the Mara ecosystem is from June to October. Read more about the great migration.
Maasai Mara birdlife
The Maasai Mara National Reserve has been named an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. The reserve is home to over 500 species of birds that have been identified in the park, many of which are migrants, with almost 60 species being raptors. It is an important area for the threatened birds that call this area home for at least part of the year. Some of the bird species spotted here include Greater Crested Tern, Secretary-bird, Osprey, European Honey Buzzard, Palm-nut Vulture, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Hooded Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Crowned Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Eurasian Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, African Grass Owl, Southern White-faced Owl, Blue-naped Mousebird, Grey-cheeked Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Common Scimitar bill and Green-backed Honeybird among others.
