Masai Mara has a lot to offer and many things to do. It is a place filled with many opportunities that visitors get to enjoy and have a good time. As one of the most famous wildlife destinations in Africa, it has other unique features that are not find in other places.
In this blog post well look at what to expect in Masai Mara to keep you on the loop and do a proper plan and research.
1.Abundant wildlife
One of the obvious things to expect in Masai Mara is abundant wild animals including the Big five, big cats, herbivores and the birdlife. There is also unique and endangered species that are rare in most of the wildlife destinations.
Masai Mara provide a perfect spot to see the lions, leopards, buffalos and the rhinos. Visitors can expect to see the lions and leopards and cheetahs while visiting the place. These big cats can be seen especially while hunting or when they are being feed on.
There are more than 450 bird species ranging from the ostriches to the very small birds. It provides a good spot to observe the birds and at the same time take pictures.
During the early morning and late afternoon game drives expect to be assigned guides who will help in tracking the animals and spot them while they are relaxing and feeding.
2. Seasonal Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest make journey from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara during the months of Jul and October in search of greener pastures here in Kenya. They are in a group of many other animals including the zebras and gazelles.
All this migration takes place in Mara river where the river is invested with crocodiles. This is where the fun gets with adrenaline rush. The visitors get to enjoy the constant struggle of the wildebeests, gazelles and zebra cross to the other part of the river trying so hard to escape attack by the crocodile.
Other predators that can be seen during this time is the hyenas, leopards and the lions. They make use of this opportunity to prey on the animals on the move.
3. Scenic Views of the Mara Landscape
The land consists of the golden savannah plains with endless grasslands combined with the acacia tress which give the area have beautiful views that allow photography to take place. The acacia tress forms an umbrella-shaped appearance that give the place an adventurous area.
The presence of Oloololo escarpment is characterized with rolling hills and plains which during the sunrise, the views are breathtaking. `The stunning sunrise makes the place good for many activities including photography, birdwatching and also the animal viewing.
The Mara River and Talek attract animals from various places to come to have water and return to their places. This presents a perfect opportunity in which the victors specially on game drives get an up-close view of the animals.
4. Variety of Accommodations
Masai Mara has a variety of accommodation where the visitors book for their stays. This ranges from lodges and friendly camps. There are amenities provided within the accommodation including the private decks, ensuite bathrooms and rooms with excellent hospitality.
The accommodation ranges in price with most of them being affordable while others have high-rate fees for the services they offer. They provide a wide range of services in which the visitors can choose from.
Examples of such accommodation options here include Tayari Luxury Tented, Mara Forest Camp, Mora Frontier hotel and Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
5. Weather and the Best Time to Visit
The weather at Masai Mara is quite predictable with the dry season ranging from June to October. This usually is the best time for wildlife viewing. The season has warm and cool favoring the migration of the animals to other places.
The wet season start from November to May and at this time there is abundant birdlife and a great time for photography. The rain hits the roads and makes them muddy and inaccessible.
The day time temperatures at Mara ranges from 20°C to 30°C with cool nights. This is the best time to chill and relax while enjoying the view of the Mara.
6. Game Drives
Masai Mara has three main types of game drives that take place in different times of the day. These game drives start in the morning, the afternoon and then to last one of the Night game drives.
The morning game drives takes place between 6.00AM to9.30 AM. This is the best time when most animals are active especially the loins and the cheetah. They can be spotted scanning the plain for their prey.
An afternoon drive starts at around 3.00 PM to 7.00 PM, the time when the sun and the heat has dropped. Herbivores emerge from the hideouts to graze while the predators continue with their hunt.
The Night dives at Masai Mara are offered by the conservancies and not the reserve. Is the best time to spot rare animals especially the hunters.
7. Hot Air Balloon Safari
For aerial view of the landscape and the wildlife, the reserve provides the visitors with the booking option of the hot air ballon. It presents a good opportunity for the photography and champagne breakfast.
All this activity starts as early as 5 in the morning requiring a small fee. It is an enjoyable activity can take approximately 1 hour where visitor can be able to experience travel on the air.
Conclusion
There is so much to expect in Masai Mara, some come as a surprise to many. The reserve offers to many things that are enjoyable to many ranging from the game drives to hot air safaris. It is also important to note that these services come with a small fee and hence you need to plan well by doing a proper research before coming here.
