Maasai Mara – the pride of Kenya

Stretching over 1510 square kilometers, this region is full of breathtaking vistas, endless plains and an abundance of wildlife.

The reserve has been named after the ancestral inhabitants of the area, the Maasai people, as well as their description of the area as seen from afar. The word Mara, or Maa in the Maasai language means spotted as referring to the trees, savanna and cloud shadows that mark the area.

This land has also become well-known for its Maasai lions, the Tanzanian cheetahs, African leopards and the great migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle from the Serengeti each year. It is for this that tourist flock to the area and why the Maasai Mara has become the pride of Kenya – which you can now experience on a Kenya safari.

History

When the wildlife sanctuary was established in 1961, the reserve covered a mere 520 square kilometers. This area was extended in the same year to cover an additional 1301 square kilometers. But it was only in 1974 that the sanctuary was given National Reserve status and a portion of the reserve was handed over to local communities.

This reserve is just across the border from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Together the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park forms the gigantic ecosystem of the Serengeti. Protection and management of these areas is under the management of national parks authorities and community-run schemes.

The landscape of the reserve is mostly open savannah with seasonal rivulets scattered few and far between. In the south east of the reserve, there are clumps of the unique acacia tree. The animals are concentrated more on the western border, at the Esoit escarpment of the east African rift. Here the land is swampy, with a good supply of water.

However, apart from the scenic landscape and the Maasai people in their striking red garb, what draws in the crowds year after year is the world famous annual Great Migration. Around two million wildebeest, followed by thousands of zebras and Thompson’s gazelle will start to arrive from Tanzania each year just as soon as the rain starts.

During the trek, these animals will need to cross the Mara River, known for its gigantic crocodiles that wait in the waters to grab their prey. It is not just the rivers where the heart-stopping tension of an epic life-and-death saga plays out as the herds try to cross.

In the grass, the lions of the Maasai Mara wait patiently for the herds to cross. The best known are the Marsh Pride, a family of lions that can be found along the Mara River. Thousands of animals are birthed on this trek each year. Far from being easy pickings, a new-born wildebeest will find its legs within a few hours, and be capable of running with the herd.

There is no problem selecting accommodation in the area. The Fairmount Mara Safari Club is a premium resort that is surrounded on three sides by the Mara River. Accommodation is limited to 50 luxury tents, all of which have four poster beds and views over the crocodile and hippo-filled Mara River. Dining takes place either on your own private deck, or at the boma, which represents a traditional homestead.

From this resort, guests can take a game drive, balloon safari, or walking safari with a Maasai guide. Alternatively, you can visit the Sarova Mara Game Camp. Accommodation here is in the form of luxury tents set between indigenous shrubs and exotic trees. A Maasai village adjoins the camp, allowing guests a unique experience with an intimate view into the Maasai culture.

Getting there

Getting there is usually by road or air. A drive to the Maasai Mara will take you 5 to 6 hours from Nairobi. It is a scenic route to travel and the road is smooth. Halfway, in Narok, there is a fuel station which is a good place to stop for snacks, drinks, and to use the rest rooms. From Narok to Sekenani Gate the road is a bit rough, with the tar road ending. The dirt road is normally graded and maintained in good condition, but a good off-road vehicle is probably best. You can hire a 4×4 vehicle in Nairobi which will make your road trip much easier.

If driving is not your thing, you can opt to fly to the Maasai Mara. There are a few companies that provide this service. The flight normally takes around 40 to 45 minutes from Nairobi with SafariLink and around 2 hours from Mombasa with Mombasa Air Safari.

How ever you get there, the Great Migration is truly a spectacle of nature. Millions of animals, moving by instinct, making this annual journey – there are few more humbling and awe-inspiring events. It is a true wonder of the natural world.