Masai Mara National Park

12. Sep, 2009 0 Comments

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Geography

Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s best-known and finest wildlife reserve. The Reserve is located in the south west of Kenya. The Masai Mara is actually a National Reserve and not a National Park. The Reserve is administered by the Masai people.
Narok County Council, a local non-profit organization, handles the administration of the Masai Reserve together with Mara Conservancy.
The Masai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) covers an area around 1530 square km. The Serengeti Park, the Siria and Maasai pastoral ranches bound this Reserve to all sides. The major rivers draining the Reserve are Sand, Talek and Mara. The Reserve terrain is primarily open grassland. The wild animals move very freely across the Conservation areas and Reserve, which can be considered as a continuous wildlife ecosystem.

Masai Mara Wildlife

Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, Lepard

There are too many different varieties of wildlife and birdlife species in the Reserve. You are very like to see the famous members of Big five i.e., lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo on Masai Mara. Since the lions have got accustomed to the human interference, they can be easily seen anywhere in Masai Mara. Zebra, Wildebeest, giraffe, impala and Thomson’s gazelle are other special creatures to search for on Masai Mara. Black Rhinos are also seen even though at a distance since they are shy to human presence.
Very large sized Nile crocodiles are another attraction in the wilderness reflecting areas of Masai Mara. The Reserve is also blessed with huge and lazy hippos. A diverse and abundant bird life resides at Masai Mara. Species such as eagles, ostriches, storks and vultures are among the more than 50 different birds of prey.
If you want more sort of adventurous stuffs, then hot air balloon rides is on the cards for you in this Reserve. These hot air balloon rides lasts for an hour or so which will give a so overwhelming experience of gliding over a variety of ferocious wild animals with a pumping heart.
For a good taste of traditional culture and customs you could go to Masai villages and interact with those Masai people. Often the Maasai morans (young Maasai warriors) will perform their traditional dance.

Camping & Lodging

Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, Massai

Much number of tented camps and lodges within the Reserve are available for tourists. The Camps and Lodges inside the Masai Mara Reserve include Mara Serena, Governor’s camp, Keekorok, and Sarova Mara. In the Conservation area are Siana Springs tented camp, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Mara Sopa, Mara Simba, Elephant Pepper and Sekenani camp.
The airports located in the Masai Mara reserve area and conservation area are Musiara Airport, Keekorok Airport and Mara Serena Airport ; Mara Shikar Airport, Kichwa Tembo Airport and Ngerende Airport respectively

Fees/Permits

The Reserve is open throughout the year. The Entrance fee is $ 40 for adult non-Kenyans and $10 for children. During night time entry Fee is $ 60 per person. The basic Camping Fees comes around $ 12 per campsite.