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Top 8 Activities To Do In Maasai Mara
This blog talks about the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara and they include; the great wildebeest migration, balloon safaris, game drives, visit the Maasai people, nature walks, bird watching, photography and Horse ride safari. These will make your stay at Maasai Mara enjoyable.
Maasai Mara National Park is located in the South West of Kenya Rift Valley Province parts next Narok which occupies up to an area of 580 square miles. Maasai Mara national park was established in 1961. Maasai Mara is among the famous reserves areas in Africa and the most visited in Kenya with world-renowned for its exceptional populations of lion ,leopard, cheetah and African bush elephant. The climate in Maasai Mara is pleasantly warm, with cool nights, all year round. The area is located just south of the Equator, at an altitude of 1500 and 1900 meters.
Here are the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara;
1.Game Drives In The Maasai Mara
This is main event of your Mara safari experience and is among the top 8 activities in Maasai Mara. Experience a magically game viewing moment during the game drives. Game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve can be done both in the morning and evening hours . Game drives take you exploring the Masai Mara in search for wildlife.
Enjoy game drives in the comfort of a custom designed 4×4 vehicles suitable for game viewing accompanied by the a well experienced guide/drive who will spot the best locations of the park for best game viewing. During the game drive, witness the big five and other mammal species for instance giraffes, hippos, hyenas, Nile crocodiles, wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, antelopes and more.
2.Great Migration Wildebeest Viewing
What’s a safari in Maasai Mara without the great wildebeest migration. Wildebeest migration is the top notch experience and among the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity since millions of tourists flock to Kenya every year from July to October to see over 1.5 million wildebeest from Tanzania’s Serengeti to the Maasai Mara.
During nature event safaris, travelers can witness millions of wildebeest crossing from Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara for breeding and pasture, creating a once-in-a-lifetime memories.
To enjoy this amazing nature phenomenon, which is well-known around the world, you must book as soon as possible because the park overflows with tourists that come to Maasai Mara specifically to experience a great movie of wildebeest migration. This is one of the best-selling products, attracting visitors from all over the world to watch the migration first hand, as it is considered one of the world’s marvels. Watching the wildebeest migration is worth all your time and money.
3. Hot Air Balloon Safari
A balloon safari is a romantic way to experience the reserve on a gateway and among the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara. A hot air balloon is a big balloon filled with warm air that floats in the sky, with a basket underneath for passengers to ride in.
Its a once in a lifetime experience, flying in a hot air balloon over the Maasai Mara offering a dramatic experience of the grasslands and wild life in slow motion. The balloon takes off around 6am and glides silently over the savannah grasslands below. The good thing about the Mara weather is that it is conducive for balloon rides to be operated daily, throughout the year.
During the flight you will fly over various parts of the Mara reserve below. Upon landing about an hour later, a delicious sit-down breakfast awaits, complete with waiting staff and a full hot breakfast ‘in the bush’ accompanied by chilled sparkling wine or champagne. For all lovers, this is one of the things you need to try when you visit the Maasai Mara and leave with a thousand memories.
4. Guided Nature Walks In The Maasai Mara
Nature walks are a great way to explore the ins and outs of Maasai Mara National Reserve. The park is suitable for nature walks due to its savannah vegetation naturally gifted with variety of species to encounter and this can be done on free time during your stay at Maasai Mara.
A guided nature walk with a native and armed guide can provide a close-up glimpse of wild animals like the big five. Other species in the park include giraffes, antelopes, and many more. Please note that these are endangered animals which you can only view from a distance.
This activity is surely one of the top 8 activities in the Maasai Mara Reserve and more enjoyable when conducted by nature lovers and researchers and birds as they get to learn more about the vegetation of the park, closer contact with the small animals that aren’t easily visible during the game drives. You will also encounter the local people known as the Maasai people and learn more about their interesting culture. You can still reach the Maasai River and sight animals such as crocodiles, hippos, water birds, and more. Maasai is also known as an African boy’s name that translates to ”owner of the land.
5. Bird Watching In The Maasai Mara
Bird watching is among the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve. Dwell in the paradise of wonder as you watch different bird species in this great park.
Maasai Mara is a birders haven about 500 bird species, including more than 60 raptors. The reserve has a huge quantity of Maasai Ostriches. Birds can be found in several eco-systems inside the reserve, including open savannah, river banks, the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and rock sides. The reserve also receives migratory birds from Europe. the best game viewing time is when the park is during the wet season.
Bird species to look out of in the Maasai Mara include of the Cattle Egret, Rufous bellied Heron, Sacred Ibis, Secretary bird, Sooty chat, African Fish Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Long-tailed Cormorant, Ostrich, Sooty chats, Kori bustard, and many more.
6. Visit The Maasai People
Culture depicts an African Safari and visit to the Maasai people is also among the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara. The Maasai Mara completes your African Safari with an authentic and educative visit to the Maasai People. The Authenticity and heritage of the Maasai community will leave you amazed.
The Maasai are semi-nomadic and pastoral, they rely entirely on the land. After depopulating their surroundings, the Maasai tribe migrates to the next place in order to survive. Until European settlers arrived, the Maasai people owned nearly all of Kenya’s most fertile territory.
The Maasai visit is done in the afternoon where you will be driven to the local community. You will learn about the culture, norm and way of life of the Maasai people. Enjoy the Maasai traditional diet of meat, milk and blood. Tour the Maasai traditional homes that are created by women and they are either round or leaf shaped enclosed by a fence known as Enkang.
You will make different souvenirs like stools, beads, sandals among others. The day will be crowned with the Maasai traditional dance were both the locals and the visitors will engage in. While dancing as they jump up and down, their beads make a clinking noise which adds rhythm to the dance.
7. Horse Riding Safari
As Maasai Mara is a haven for everything and horse riding is one of the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve. This exhilarating riding is what you need when you after along game drive. You will be lead by the professional guides, on this breathtaking activity as you encounter wildlife in its authentic bush experience.
The horse riding safari is one of the exciting and intriguing activities as wildlife is easily spot. You also get to see other animals you didn’t see during the game drive. There is no greater feeling than a horse ride in the wilderness.
With sunsets like no other and vast plains to race across, you will not be disappointed mounting up here and taking on the Maasai Mara on horseback. If you are new to horse riding, you can get a 30-minute lesson on basic horse riding before you can later on go for the horse safari ride.
8. Photography
Masai Mara is a haven to great shots as you wonder in the park. Rejuvenate your spirit as you capture great and life time memories. Masai Mara stands out as one of Africa’s finest wildlife destination. Capture the big cats, the big five and many more mammals in sunset motion. Photography is one of the top 8 activities to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Best Time To Visit Maasai Mara
The best time to visit Maasai Mara National Reserve is annually though the year is categorized with two seasons dry and wet seasons and during peak season between July and October is the great time to visit the reserve on nature event of wildebeest migration. Then early November to February best season to offer rewardable game viewing and other activities offered with in the park. The best time for bird watching is from months of November to April when European and Northern African migratory birds arrive.
Animals In Maasai Mara
Lion: The Maasai Mara is synonymous with the iconic African lion, and witnessing these majestic big cats in their natural habitat is a profound experience. Lions, known as the “king of the jungle,” roam the savannah, forming social groups called prides. Observing their intricate social dynamics, from playful cubs to the strategic hunting techniques of adults, provides an awe-inspiring glimpse into the circle of life on the Mara plains.
Elephant: The gentle giants of the Maasai Mara, elephants, roam the landscape, leaving a lasting impact on both the terrain and the hearts of visitors. These intelligent and emotional beings travel in family groups, led by the matriarch, and their presence in the Mara adds a sense of both grandeur and vulnerability. Watching elephants interact, protect their young, and graze across the grassy plains underscores the vital role they play in maintaining the Mara’s delicate ecosystem.
Wildebeest: Every year, the Maasai Mara hosts one of the most spectacular natural events—the Great Migration. Wildebeests, with their distinctive appearance and seemingly endless herds, embark on a perilous journey across the Mara River in search of greener pastures. This mass movement, driven by instinct and survival, is a testament to the resilience and cyclical nature of life in the Mara.
Giraffe: The elegant giraffe graces the Maasai Mara with its towering presence, often seen gracefully moving through the acacia-dotted landscape. Their distinctive spotted coats and long necks make them a symbol of grace and beauty in the wild. Observing giraffes browsing on treetops or engaging in a gentle dance, known as “necking,” is a reminder of the extraordinary biodiversity that thrives in the Mara.
Cheetah: The Maasai Mara is a haven for the world’s fastest land mammal—the cheetah. With its sleek physique and distinctive tear markings, the cheetah is a formidable predator capable of remarkable bursts of speed. Tracking a cheetah through the grasslands and witnessing its lightning-fast hunting techniques is a thrilling and unforgettable experience, showcasing the raw power and agility of nature.
Hippopotamus: The Mara River, weaving through the heart of the reserve, is home to the formidable hippopotamus. Despite their seemingly docile appearance, hippos are among Africa’s most dangerous animals. Witnessing these massive creatures wallow in the river, displaying their impressive territorial behavior and vocalizing with grunts and roars, provides a captivating glimpse into the aquatic world of the Maasai Mara.
Top Accommodation Facilities In Maasai Mara
There are a number of lodges , hotels , motels that one could decide to stay in on there visit to Maasai Mara national park. These lodges are within and outside of the park. The accommodation ranges from budget lodges, midrange lodges and luxury lodges which is good for all kinds of travelers.
How To Access Maasai Mara
By Road; The most efficient way to access Maasai Mara national park is by use of road transport since it is affordable and allows to enjoy sight seeing stunning vegetation and attractions along your way to the national park. It can be conducted by using a trained tour guide to help show directions and where the different animals are located according to the time of the time of the year. This type of transport is suitable lovers of road safaris.
The Maasai Mara national park has many gates that include Oloololo and Talek and one should know the correct gate to use in order to avoid time wastage since some gates are further than others.
By Air: Maasai Mara National Reserve can also be accessed by use of air transport although it is costly or expensive. You can access Maasai Mara National Reserve by air from Jomo Kenyatta Airport is the main hub in Kenya and Kilimanjaro Airstrip in Arusha. Air travel is suitable for people who don’t want to spend long hours on the way and the medically unwell persons.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the best time to witness the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara?
The Great Migration usually occurs from July to October, with river crossings being most dramatic during this period.
2. What type of accommodation options are available in the Maasai Mara?
Accommodations range from luxury lodges to tented camps, offering diverse options to suit different preferences and budgets.
3. Are vaccinations required before visiting the Maasai Mara?
While no specific vaccinations are mandatory, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for recommended vaccinations before traveling to the region.
4. Can I engage in hot air balloon safaris in the Maasai Mara?
Yes, hot air balloon safaris are a popular and exhilarating way to experience the Maasai Mara from above, providing breathtaking views of the wildlife and landscapes.
5. Are there opportunities for cultural interactions with the Maasai people?
Yes, many lodges offer cultural visits to Maasai villages, providing a chance to engage with the local community, learn about their traditions, and enjoy traditional dances.
6.What wildlife can be seen in addition to the Big Five in the Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, and an extensive variety of bird species,
Kubwa Five Safaris has incredible budget friendly Maasai Mara tours suitable for all groups of people. All you need to do is book with us and experience an unforgettable safari experience.