Situated in the southwest of Kenya, covering an area of 1,510 square km (583 square miles), the Masai Mara National Reserve is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains.

Which country is the Masai Mara on the border with?

Kenya's most famous national reserve, the Masai Mara runs along the country south-west border with Kenya, just across the border from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

What airport is near Masai Mara?

Nearest Airport: At 225 km, the Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi is the most convenient for international visitors.

Why is it called the Maasai Mara?

It is named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who migrated to the area from the Nile Basin. Their description of the area when looked at from afar: "Mara" means "spotted" in the local Maasai language, due to the many short bushy trees which dot the landscape.

Is Maasai Mara safe?

Masai Mara National Reserve is very safe to visit, in our opinion. Most people fly to the park, which is not only the most comfortable, but also the safest way to travel. Crime towards travelers is rare in Kenya's wildlife areas.

Masai Mara | The Safari of a LIFETIME!

Are there snakes in Masai Mara?

Never go near open water at night. Some snakes are dangerous; in the Maasai Mara the really dangerous snakes are the Black Mamba, Black-necked Spitting Cobra and Puff Adder; all have killed people. ... Snakes usually avoid confrontation.

Why do animals migrate in Masai Mara?

Every year between June and December, one of the world's largest and longest animal migrations takes place in East Africa. Over two million wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other animals travel across the Serengeti into Kenya's Maasai Mara in pursuit of greener pastures.

Is Masai Mara a jungle?

Is Masai Mara a Forest or Typical Jungle ? ... Actually in reality, Masai Mara is open, unforested grassland over a gently rolling landscape, known in East Africa as a typical Savannah vegetation zone. Yes, there are patches of what you can call forests, but these are scant and quite light.

Is Maasai Mara a wonder of the world?

Kenya's Maasai Mara Game Reserve has been named the 7th Wonder of the World in a poll of experts conducted by ABC Television's Good Morning America.

Which is better Masai Mara or Serengeti?

Serengeti vs Masai Mara Safari - the verdict

Basically, there's no one better than the other here, both Serengeti and Masai Mara are amazing safari destinations. Masai Mara is probably slightly more concentrated (year-long) from a wildlife point-of-view, but Serengeti has mind-blowing vastness.

How far is the Masai Mara from Nairobi?

Travel Alert

The Masai Mara is located 270km/167mi northwest of Nairobi. The road is notoriously bad and the driving time is about five hours. Most people fly to the park. It is also possible to drive from Lake Nakuru NP.

What is the best time to go to Masai Mara?

The best time to visit the Masai Mara is from late June to early October - you'll catch the wildebeest migration in full flow. Midsummer can get busy though, so come at the beginning or end of that period for full on wildlife without crazy crowds.

How big is the Maasai Mara?

Maasai Mara National Reserve stretches 1,510 square kilometers (580 square miles) and raises 1,500-2,170 meters (4920-7120 feet) above sea level. Contiguous with the plains of the Serengeti, the Mara is home to a breathtaking array of life.

How many lions are in the Masai Mara?

The Masai Mara Lions

It is estimated that there are close to 850 to 900 Lions in the Masai Mara National Reserve and surrounding conservancies. Lions are the most sociable member of the larger cat family.

What is it like in Maasai Mara?

What is the Masai Mara like? The Mara has a fairly consistent landscape of open grasslands. This is classic 'savannah' country with golden grass, blue skies, and the occasional tree. ... The Mara is a national reserve that belongs to the Maasai people (who speak the Maa language) rather than a national park.

What are the original 7 natural wonders of the world?

These 7 natural wonders of the world include the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Paricutin, Mount Everest, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Victoria Falls, and the Great Barrier Reef. Many of these naturally-formed displays require an aerial view to capture the vastness of each phenomenon.

What is the 9th Wonder of the World?

Chyna: 9th Wonder of the World | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights.

Which is eighth wonder of the world?

One of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is renowned for its 5th century pre-Christian frescoes. It has also been declared by UNESCO as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Why do tourists visit Masai Mara?

Abundance of wildlife

The Masai Mara is home to Africa's famous Big Five species, as well as an abundance of other wildlife, including wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, antelope, ostrich, giraffe, cheetah, hyena and many more.

What type of people are the Maasai?

The Maasai (/ˈmɑːsaɪ, mɑːˈsaɪ/) are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations internationally due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress.

How many animals are in Masai Mara?

The expansive Mara reserve boasts close to 100 animals and over 500 recorded species of birds, one of the largest concentrations of animals in the continent. The Mara gives an all year show of nature's enchanting cycle of birth, growth, survival and eventual death.

What happened to Maasai?

Along the way he was killed by a posse, west of the town of San Marcial, New Mexico, between Socorro and Hot Springs, though no evidence of Massai's death was ever produced. Some believed the Apache Kid was actually the man who died that day so the area was later named the Apache Kid Wilderness.

How long has the Maasai tribe been around?

According to the tribe's own oral history, the Maasai originated north of Lake Turkana (north-west Kenya) in the lower Nile Valley. They began migrating south in the 15th century and arrived in the long trunk of land stretching across central Tanzania and Northern Kenya during the 17th and 18 century.

What month is the Great Migration in Kenya?

July to October. July to October is peak season for migration safaris and is when most river crossings take place. During these months, herds are making their way between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara so this is when you'll have the best chance of seeing a river crossing.