Masai Mara

The Masai Mara Game Reserve is Kenya’s finest wildlife. Your first sight of this incredible natural wonderland is breathtaking; the landscape rolls away in endless savannah, ensuring that the abundant wildlife are never out of site.

From forest and rivers to hills and escarpments to plains, bush and scrub this diverse landscape is home to an enormous number of different species. Giant herds of Elephants wander slowly but purposefully across the vast grasslands, Gazelle’s, Elands and Topi skip playfully through beautiful scenery and if you are lucky you will see one of their major predators, Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards cunningly lying in wait for their prey and giving chase.

The Mara River traverses the reserve and it is not unusual to see Hippos bathing in the river and crocodiles lying in the baking sun seemingly asleep but in reality poised to pounce at lightening speed for their next meal. Birds, too, are prolific. Including migrants well over 450 species have been recorded, among them 57 species of birds of prey.

Amazing as it may seem this wealth of beauty both in the landscape and the multitude of wildlife which resides here is nothing compared to the amazing sight of the March of the Wildebeests. Each year, somewhere far in the South of the Serengeti, millions of wildebeests lift their heads almost in unison, and begin their long trek from the Kenyan Border to Masai Mara. Tracked by predators and circled by vultures their dangerous journey is a long one. Towards the end of June hundreds of thousands of Wildebeest arrive in Masai Mara and driving in the middle of this stampede is truly awe-inspiring, there is nowhere else on earth to rival this natural marvel.

It is important to remember that game viewing is nothing short of excellent all year round. As well as the expected better known species you will also have numerous opportunities to see some of the rarer and less frequently seen wildlife such as the roan antelope, hartebeest, Bat-eared foxes, topi and many, many more. The unique combination of a gentle climate, beautiful scenery and Abundance of wildlife makes the Masai Mara Kenya's most popular inland destination

Visas for Kenya

Although Kenyan visas have been/are available at point of entry/the border we do recommend you obtain your visas prior to departure if possible as we cannot always guarantee this. If you plan to purchase your visas on arrival, you will need American dollars cash. Check with your embassy before you leave to see whether you require a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

During the dry seasons: it's cooler from the end of May to early October, and warmer from late November to early March. The dry season from July to March is the best time to see wildlife, and the March of the Wildebeests occurs from June – August.

How to get to the Masai Mara?

The Masai Mara lies about 270 km from Nairobi and takes about 5 hours by road. There are scheduled flights, twice daily from Wilson Airport Nairobi, which take about 40 - 45 minutes.

Medical Information

A valid international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required if arriving within 6 days from or via an infected area

Climate

The climate is warm and dry with abundant seasonal rainfall.

Rainfall: The Masai Mara receives the highest rainfall of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem - an average of 1 000mm of rain per year, concentrated in two seasons - March to June (the so-called "long rains") and October to December ("short rains").

As a result of the rains the Masai Mara has sharp seasonal differences in terms of grass growth and numbers of herbivores. The rain has a knock-on effect on the entire landscape and ecosystem, right down to limiting the number of predators. Rain usually falls during late afternoon or at night.

Temperature: Despite being just a few degrees south of the Equator, daytime temperatures are mild due to the elevated altitude. The nights can be fairly cool. Summer extends from October to April, with December to March being the warmest months. All year minimum temperatures are 11ºC/52ºF and maximum temperatures are 30ºC/86ºF.

Overall, the climate of the Mara is gentle and it is rarely too hot. The cool season is from May to September.

Altitude: Kichwa Tembo lies just a few degrees south of the Equator, at an altitude of between 1 600 and 2 000 metres above sea level.

People

The majority of the population is African, divided into three linguistic groups, Bantu, Cushitic and Nilotic, from which the diverse tribes of Kenya have developed.

KIKUYU
The largest group in the country (approximately 2 million) and the most successful at adapting culturally. They migrated to the fertile central highlands between the 16th and 17th centuries and developed as livestock and cereal farmers. Many have become highly successful business people and their representative, Jomo Kenyatta, became the first president.

SAMBURU
The Samburu are pastoralists, who live to the south and east of Lake Turkana. The social structure is essentially a gerontocracy – rule by elders – assuring the elders first choice among the young unmarried women. Men are usually about 30 by the time they marry, but the women marry at about 17 years of age.

MASAI
Probably the most famous of all the Kenyan groups and related to the Samburu tribe. They are pastoralists, noted for drinking cattle blood mixed with milk, a mainstay of their diet. Their love of cattle is legendary and based on religious beliefs. They are a proud people, given to superior airs. Tall and slender, they carry themselves elegantly, dressed in brilliant red cloth with both men and women adorned with beadwork and metal jewellery. The Maasai have survived a troubled history but are under increasing pressure to conform with modern society.

Important Information

Please try to follow these guidelines when visiting the Masai Mara

1) Noise – keep quiet the predators will get hungry if you scare of their Lunch and angry particularly if they have young to feed.

2) Leave Masai Mara as you found it take all litter home with you.

3) Do not feed the animals, stop your vehicle unless at a designated camp and remember however cute they look a lion cub will take your hand off if you put it in the way.

4) It is strongly recommended that you travel with a guide. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the area whilst being safer.

Getting By in Swahili

Hello	Jambo
Yes	Ndiyo
No	Hapana baridi
How are you?	Habari?
Very Well	Mzuri sana
and you?	Na wewe?
Where are you from?	Unatoka wapi?
I'm from. . . .	Natoka
Danger	Hatari!
Friend	Rafiki
Good Bye	Kwaheri
Help!	Nisaidia!
Ok	Sawa sawa
Excuse me	Samahani
Please	Tafadhali
Thank you	Asante sana
Telephone	Simu
Where are the toilets?	Wapi choo?
I'd like a cold beer	Tafadhali nataka bia pombe