For many, the highlight of the Great Wildebeest Migration is witnessing thousands of animals rushing down the Mara River. They had to stay out of the way of the crocodiles’ fangs in order to reach the fertile terrain beyond.
The Masai Mara is home to the great migration. Over a million wildebeests migrate through the well-known Masai Mara in Kenya each year from the Serengeti national park in search of better grazing.
During the months of July to October, there are large herds of the wildebeests and other animals will fight to make their way into the Masai Mara. This is as they run away from the dry Serengeti national park in Tanzania. The wildebeests have to cross the crocodile infested waters of the Mara River. The spectacle of how the wildebeests plash this water to cross to the other shore and also survive the crocodiles is really interesting. That’s why the Masai Mara national reserve is the most visited national park in Kenya.
Because of these migration patterns, the Masai Mara has the highest animal concentration in all of East Africa. Visitors on safari to the Masai Mara national reserve are particularly interested in seeing the African big five species, which are abundant in the park.
The Masai Mara National reserve is located in the south western region of Kenya. The reserve is bordered by the Serengeti National Park of Northern Tanzania to for m the great Serengeti Mara conservation area. The Reserve gets its name from the Masai people of the area.
Another aspect of the Masai Mara that you should consider is their distinctive cultural identity. You should investigate their past and present to learn about their way of life.
For travelers interested in the great migration of the wildebeests, the best time to visit would be between July to October. You will also have a chance to see some migratory birds if you visit between October and April. December and March are the best warm months for the game viewing.
Maasai Village Visit
The Masai people are the tribe that used to inhabit the Masai Mara National game reserve. The Masai are nomads but since most of the land they used to used for grazing their cattle has been taken by the park for conservation, they have ventured into other activities like crafts and tourism. They have maintained some of their culture and they can showcase it when you visits their homestead. They Masai live in bomas.
This is one of their traditions that they have not abandoned. When you visit the Masai and explore their culture, you are also contributing to conservation indirectly. Support the Masai by buying their crafts and donating to some of their initiative. The livelihoods of the Masai used to depend on the Park and the fact they can’t used it as often as they used to. The community keep them busy and if they survive with such initiatives. Then they won’t retaliate to go back to their old ways and go back into the park.
Visit Masai Mara in Kenya with these recommended Kenya tour operators or drop us an inquiry below to book your safari in Kenya directly through this website.