The Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is widely considered to be Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve, the recently crowned New 7th Wonder of the world,4th preferred tourist destination in the world.The Maasai Mara is probably the best serviced of all Kenyan Parks and Reserves with a wide range of Accommodation for any budget. The Mara is located in the South western part of kenya comprising of about 200 sq miles of open plains,riverine forest and woodlands. The Mara shares massive ecosystem with the Serengeti National Reserve,the plains of the mara stretches across the border into Tanzania.

Maasai Mara Safari

Maasai Mara can be reached by Road and by Air. It takes 4 to 5 Hours drive to the Mara by road from Nairobi through Narok.You can also fly to the Mara from Mombasa , Nairobi and any other parts of Kenya. Maasai Mara is serviced by 2 airstrips. We book our visitors on the daily scheduled flights from Nairobi, and Mombasa both at Moi International Airport and Ukunda Air strip. We also arrange Private Charters to the Mara and also Helicopter Flights to the Mara for Family and Business lients.Accessing the Mara area is difficult without private transport. we take visitors to Maasai Mara as part of a Safari package from Nairobi.

The unique co-existence of man and wildlife

The Maasai tribe regard themselves not just as residents of this area but that they are as much a part of the life of the land as the land is part of their lives.Traditionally, the Maasai rarely hunt and living alongside wildlife in harmony is an important part of their beliefs. The Maasai are a strongly independent people who still value tradition and ritual as an integral part of their everyday lives. Lions and Wildebeest play as important a role in their cultural beliefs as their own herds of cattle. This unique co-existence of man and wildlife makes this Maasai land one of the world’s most unique wilderness regions.

The New 7th Wonder Of the World - The Annual Wildebeest Migration

Most visitors to this area obviously come to see wildlife in their abundance and variety.Visiting the Mara from July through October, visitors take the opportunity to witness one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles, The New 7th Wonder of The world, The Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti.The Mara is an awesome natural wonder, a place where Maasai warriors share the plains with hunting lions, a place of mighty herds and timeless cycles of life, death and regeneration. Annually, the promise of rain and fresh life giving grass in the northern part of Tanzania and southern part of kenya brings more than 1.5 million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd. On the southern plains of the Maasai Mara, the wildebeest herds make a spectacular entrance in a massive, surging column of life that makes a breathtaking spectacle.The best vantage points is on the banks of the Mara River,where visitors come to see the herds making their mass crossings through the wild, crocodile infested waters.At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward through the raging waters, creating a frenzy as they fight against swift currents and waiting crocodiles.These herds attract plenty of predators which include Lions. Whether on the hunt or resting in family groups, Lions are a very common sight throughout the reserve.cheetahs are also oftenly seen here, as are Hyena and smaller predators including Jackals.

What you expect to see in the Maasai Mara

It is in the Mara that on the wide open grasslands you can travel through huge herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, and Topi. The attendant predators are a continual presence among the herds.A safari through the Mara makes the visitor experience several different habitats in a single day. At the waters of the Musiara Swamp, elephants can be found seeking refuge from the heat, while Travelling along the banks of the Mara and Talek rivers, there are excellent views of Hippos and Crocodiles, while the riverine forests abound with Birdlife and Monkeys.As massive herds and predators are the Mara’s great attraction, there is also a wealth of birdlife, reptiles, primates and small mammals to be seen.The Maasai Mara has been called the Kingdom of Lions as these regal and powerful hunters dominate these grasslands.

Walking and Trekking Safaris in The Maasai Mara

Walking safaris in the Maasai Mara is an ideal way to explore this wilderness, and experience the wildlife at ground level. The Loita Hills and the Nguruman Escarpment, both considered sacred to the Maasai, offer high forest trekking opportunities for the adventurous traveller.Mostlodges and camps arrange escorted walks through the bush,sometimes specialized hides and viewing platforms are established in the grounds of lodges or camps.The Maasai Mara is probably the best serviced of all Kenyan Parks and Reserves with a wide range of Accommodation for any budget.

Maasai Mara Balloon Safaris

This is an incredible once in a lifetime experience offers the visitor a fantastic view of the great plains of the Mara, and the chance to drift unobtrusively over the great herds below.To have a unique perspective on this spectacular wilderness, dawn Balloon safaris, carried out daily from several Campsites and lodges,can be booked through Niche Africa Holidays.

We co-ordinate with the 4 Balloon safari organisations in the Mara.Niche Africa Holidays provide a pick up and drop off service for clients staying at among others, Mara Serena, Mara Sarova camp, Sekenani Camp, Mara Sopa, Mara Simba, Siana Springs Camp, Mara Intrepids, Mara Explorer, Ilkeliani Camp, Spurwing Camp, Mara Hippo, Acacia Camp, Mountain Rock Camp, Bike Treks, Gametrackers Camp, Planet Camp, Primetime Camp, Fig Tree Camp, siana Camp and all other campsites and lodges in the Mara.

The Maasai Mara Balloon Safari programme is as follows:-

05.00 Wake up call with an early cup of Tea/ Coffee at Your Camp or Lodge as you are picked and driven to the Balloon site.
06.00 Passengers' arrival at the balloon launch site.

06.15 Balloon lift off for an approximately one hour flight.
On landing a delicious champagne-style picnic breakfast is served in the bush. Flight certificates are issued by the Flight Captain. Passengers game drive to their lodge or camps by 10.00am approximately.

The balloon rate is between US$ 385 - US$425 per person depending with where the launching point is.(Confirmation is needed at Booking time).This cost includes: Picking up from your camp or Lodge,Balloon Flight, Wilderness Breakfast,Certificate of Participation and transfer back to your Camp or Lodge. Not included in these costs are accommodation at, or transportation to the Masai Mara.

Best Time for Game Viewing at the Mara

Morning and afternoon game drives allow you to witness the unforgettable African dawn and sunsets.It is better to see game in the Mara in the early morning and late afternoon, since in the midday heat, most animals generally retreat to the cool of thick undergrowth and become invisible.

Safari Vehicles to Use in The Maasai Mara

The most common means of Game viewing here is in customized vehicles; Both Tour MiniVan and 4x4 Land Cruisers. These vehicles usually have open roofs or sides and are ideal for filming and photography. Since there are a series of maintained roads throughout the reserve, most safari companies offer all day game viewing drives, stopping for a riverside picnic in the midday heat.