Probably the most famous wildlife reserve in Kenya, Maasai Mara is located in the south west of Kenya bordering the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the south. The two parks are separated by the Mara River which is where the Great Migration (The Seventh Wonder of the World) happens. Large herds of a million plus wildebeest, zebra and other wild animals including the “Big Cats” migrate north into the Mara from Serengeti National Park. This migration typically takes place between July to mid-September and involves the wildebeest making dangerous crossings through crocodile-infested rivers. 

Imagine gentle rolling hills, vast savannahs and an abundance of wildlife including the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo and elephant) unconfined and free to roam the vast Kenyan wilderness stretching for miles on end. It hosts over 95 species of mammals and over 570 recorded species of birds.

Maasai Mara or Masai Mara gets its name from the Maasai tribe, nomadic inhabitants of the area and the word ‘Mara’ is their word for ‘spotted’, referring to the ubiquitous flat topped acacia trees, shrubs and bushes that dot the landscape across most of the reserve. Masai Mara comprises a number of conservancies and group ranches bordering the main reserve. Top things to do include morning, full day and evening game drives that end with a sundowner, and hot air balloon safaris. Another popular experience is visiting a traditional tribal Maasai village which allows visitors a fascinating insight into the unique way of life of the famous Maasai, a nomadic warrior tribe found in Kenya and parts of East Africa. There are also nature walks, bush meals and sundowners as some of the other popular things to do in Masai Mara as a tourist visiting this reserve.