- Location: Rift Valley, Kenya
- Official website: maratriangle.org
- Foundation: 1961
- Area: 1510 square meters. km
- Elevation above sea level: 1650 m
- Managing organization: Trans-Mara and Narok County Councils
- The cost of safari in the park: 70 euros
Masai Mara is perhaps one of Kenya 's most famous reserves, in fact it is the continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania . Masai Mara is famous for the migration of wildebeest, which passes through its territory every autumn. The park itself is named after the Masai tribe and the Mara River, which runs through its territory. The Masai tribe lives nearby, and 20% of the reserve's income is allocated for its maintenance.
An interesting fact is that Masai-Mara is not quite a national reserve, but rather a reservation. The difference is that this territory does not belong to the state. And now let's find out what the tourist is waiting for in Masai Mara Park.
Nature of Masai Mara
The landscape of the park is a grassy savannah, in the south-eastern part of which grows acacia groves. In Masai Mara, on the slopes of the rift valley, there are a lot of animals. The largest number is concentrated in the swampy western part of the park, where tourists rarely come, and animals always have access to water. The most visited is the eastern border of Masai Mara, located 220 km from Nairobi .
So, the Masai-Mar fauna is cheetahs, hippopotamuses, wildebeest, giraffes, spotted hyenas and, of course, representatives of the Big Five. The latter traditionally include five African animals, which are considered the best trophies on a hunting safari: a lion, an elephant, a buffalo, a rhinoceros and a leopard.
Cheetahs and black rhinos are here under threat of extinction, too few of them remain in the African reserves and in the Masai Mara in particular. But the wildebeest antelope here is more than 1.3 million! There are many in the mare swamps, impal, ghazals of Grant and Thompson, leopards, and zebras, and birds recorded more than 450 species. Here live Masai giraffes - an endemic species, representatives of which you will not meet in another locality. Separately, we should talk about lions, which also live here in large numbers. In the Masai Mara Park, since the 1980s, one pride (nicknamed "marsh") has been observed, which includes a record number of individuals - 29.
Useful information for tourists
Usually tourists go to Kenya in August or September, when numerous antelopes migrate through the parks of Masai Mara and the Serengeti. This area is characterized by a mild climate, although it may be hot in the daytime. Dressing safari is best done with light clothing made from natural, breathable fabrics. If you are planning a trip to March-April or November, you should know: at this time the East African coast is exposed to rains that go always at night or in the afternoon.
The Masai-Mar reserve has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. There are lodges and camping sites, tent camps and comfortable hotels. And, of course, a lot of tourist routes for safari, for which, in fact, tourists come here.
How to get to the Masai Mara National Park?
Masai Mara is located 267 km from Nairobi . From there, you can reach the park by bus or car, spending no more than 4 hours on the road. If you cherish the time, think about the option of flying to your destination and use the services of local airlines that offer flights from the capital's airport twice a day.
The cost of safari in the Masai-Mara is $ 70. per day. This includes accommodation, meals and escort. You should know that walking through the park is prohibited, and you can only move by car.
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