Anthony is the author of the lonely planet guide to kenya. Masai mara has one of the most unique ecosystems not only in kenya but africa as a continent with the worlds recognized habitat that habits the largest wildlife. Other maps are of surrounding masai mara conservancies and group ranches eg mara north, siana, lemek. It is not easy for most guest to truly understand the eco system of masai mari game reserve unless he or she gets. Amboseli national park, a former home of the maasai, lies at the foot of mount kilimanjaro. Masai mara and kenya game reserves gamewatchers safaris. Mara north conservancy is a beautiful private wilderness area of more than 30,000 hectares. Below are nottoscale maps of the main masai mara national reserve which itself is generally divided into the eastern side under narok county and western side under transmara county known as mara conservancy.
Masai mara national reserve has constantly been voted africas best game sanctuary. Maasai mara masai mara national reserve, mombasa, kenya, 009 rated 4. More than 140 stunning photographs showcase 65 mammals and 17 reptile species, including 6 snakes. The reserve is located in the great rift valley in primarily open grassland. Maasai mara, also known as masai mara, and locally simply as the mara, is a large national game reserve in narok and trans mara counties, kenya. Masai mara national reserve is one of the most popular tourism destinations in kenya africa.
The masai mara national park is one of the worlds greatest safari destinations, sharing unfenced borders with the serengeti national park in tanzania, and encompassing endless rolling plains, breathtaking scenery, and an abundance of wildlife. Maasai mara national reserve is located in the south western part of kenya, its 180 kilometers away from the kenyan capital city nairobi. Masai mara national reserve and adjacent group ranches. Things to do in masai mara national reserve, rift valley province. Masai mara kenya tourism 2020 travel guide top places. By browsing through this site you agree to our use of cookies. Mara means spotted in the local maasai language, due. Inside kenyas masai mara national reserve your ultimate. It is a vital part of the masai mara ecosystem see. Its southern boundary marks the kenyatanzania border and the beginning of the serengeti.
The 5 best things to do in masai mara national reserve. Together with the serengeti national park in tanzania it forms africas most diverse, incredible and most spectacular ecosystems and possibly the worlds top safari big game viewing ecosystem corona virus while the world is having trouble trying to get to grips with covid19 and. Discuss masai mara national reserve travel with tripadvisor travelers. Sustainable tourism development in the masai mara national. Masai mara national reserve travel kenya lonely planet. Located in the southwest of kenya, the masai mara national reserve maasai mara is regarded as the favourite and most popular reserve for going on safari in kenya, with over 140,000 visitors per year. The mara as the kenya safari park is also known is home to numerous wild animals, spectacular landscapes and more than 560 species of birds. Quality of service challenges for ip networks rhino resource. Masai mara adjoins the serengeti national park of tanzania, from where millions of wildlife travel to masai. When visiting masai mara national reserve, we recommend combining your wildebeest migration safari with amboseli, samburu or laikipia lewa, nakuru and naivasha great rift valley lakes. Maasai mara national reserve masai mara national reserve. It is located in the great rift valley of kenya south west on the country in narok county neighboring serengeti national park in tanzania. Masai mara is blessed in terms of the variety of its topography.
Masai mara national reserve is the most celebrated and arguably best wildlife reserve in kenya. The migration is one of the biggest wildlife events on earth and thousands of people go to see it. The grassy plains and regular rainfall supports a huge population of herbivores, in turn. For many travellers, the magic of western kenya is summed up in two poetic words. It is named in honor of the maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area. Wildlife tends to be most concentrated on the reserves western escarpment. These conservancies are owned by tribal communities and managed by ecotourism operators, and share unfenced borders. Marsabit national park and reserve in the north is noted for its populations of large mammals such as lions. Maasai mara kenya unbiased listing of all properties. Maasai mara national reserve is an area of preserved extraordinary magical savannah mixed around the grassy plains and rolling hills, with the most scaring wilderness southwestern kenya, along the tanzanian border habituating masaimara wildlife eg.
Masai mara is a wellknown national reserve area of kenya. Not only is it engulfed in complete peace and tranquillity, breathtaking views and impressive wildlife. As an optional activity, fly over herds of elephant and prides of lions in a hot air balloon and enjoy a visit to a traditional masai manyatta. Conflict and conservation in masai mara, kenya was a three year research and training programme based in and around the masai mara national reserve, kenya.
It is an extremely popular tourist spot as well, on account of the wildlife and exotic bird species that exist here. Animals of the masai mara is a lavish photographic guide that explores the charismatic wildlife most likely to be encountered by a safari visitor to the masai mara national reserve in southwest kenya. Masai mara map detailed map of masai mara national reserve. Unlike other national parks in kenya, maasai mara is not administered by the kenya wildlife service but rather by local authorities and the maasai people.
Ensure conservation of the reserves globally significant biodiversity maintain the role of the mmnr as the flagship of kenyas tourism industry improve revenues generated by the mmnr, to support cc. The masai mara is dominated by open grassland, but as implied by the masai name mara, meaning spotted, it is interspersed with rocky hills, acacia woodland and riparian forest. This reserve is found in narok county in kenya adjacent to the endless plains of serengeti national park that form the great mara. Anthony is a renowned africa expert and author of the lonely planet guide to kenya. The masai mara national reserve impresses on every level. It was a collaborative programme between the university of kent, uk and six kenyan partner institutions. The maasai mara national reserve mmnr is located in southern kenya, adjacent to the serengeti national park across the national border in tanzania see. Created in 1968 the reserve is around 1,550 km sq, and made up of vast open grasslands, dotted with rocky hills and acacia woodland. Masai mara ecosystem or biodiversity masai mara ecosystem or biodiversity.
Impressive at any time of year, its at its best between july and october when a million migrating wildebeest and tens of thousands of topis, zebras and other animals pour into the reserve from tanzania in search. Professional wildlife and tourism management ensures guests of a truly exclusive and private safari experience with a. Animals of the masai mara download ebook pdf, epub. The masai mara is a relatively small reserve, covering an area of approximately 580 square miles in southwest kenya. The fact that kenya is home to the original safari and the masai mara is the epicenter of the industry should come as no surprise. Discover the maasai mara from angama mara safari lodge, kenya. Get answers to your questions about masai mara national. A case study from masai mara national reserve, narok, kenya. Youre most likely to experience rain between march and may, but it shouldnt impact on your safari experience and the reserve will have fewer visitors at this time. Masai mara adjoins the serengeti national park of tanzania, from where millions of wildlife travel to masai mara every year as this is their migration route.
Detailed map of masai mara national reserve showing the location of all major lodges, tented camps, attractions, campsites, rivers and roads. In this study we have analyzed the general tourist flow in. Masai mara ecosystem or biodiversity biodiversity of. The masai mara is one of africas most famous parks. The masai mara reserve is one of the most used reserves in kenya for off road driving. The reserve lies approx 270km west of nairobi and covers an area of approximately 1,510 sq km, bordering with the serengeti national park in tanzania. Few places on earth support such high concentrations of animals, and the maras wildebeestspotted savannahs are undeniably the regions star attraction. You can also day trek or climb the 2nd highest mountain in africa mount kenya. And in case you are wondering why masai mara is so famous, this unique destination is home to a spectacular. One of the greatest attractions of a trip to kenya is the chance to see animals such as. Maasai mara national reserve forum, travel discussion for. The wildlife viewing is superb throughout the year. Ensure conservation of the reserve s globally significant biodiversity maintain the role of the mmnr as the flagship of kenya s tourism industry improve revenues generated by the mmnr, to support cc.
Maasai mara national reserve geography and ecology the maasai mara national reserve mmnr is located in southern kenya, adjacent to the serengeti national park across the national border in tanzania see maps in exhibit 1. The masai mara is regarded as the jewel of kenyas wildlife viewing areas. Just north of kenyas famous masai mara national reserve, mara plains camp recalls the elegant safari tents of centuries past, set on a private conservancy where the wildlife is plenty and the crowds are nowhere to be found. Their description of the area when looked at from afar. Masai mara game reserve after an early breakfast, spend a full morning on a game viewing drive before returning for lunch. Discuss maasai mara national reserve travel with tripadvisor travelers. Located in the southwest of kenya the 1,510 square km masai mara national reserve is home to an abundance of game including the seasonal wildebeest migration. The mara offers unrivalled views of the worlds greatest migration a wildlife spectacle of over. Masai mara national reserve reserve, kenya britannica. A physical map of the maasai mara region, in southwest kenya, showing precise locations of safari camps and lodges, the maasai mara national reserve and maasai mara conservancies, plus details of main tarmac and gravel or earth roads, rivers and relief features. It is kenyas most popular park and the best place in the continent to see big cats. Together these two protected areas cover more than 1. In approximately july of each year, the great migration arrives in the maasai mara national reserve for its annual fourmonth stay. The classic african savannah forms the heart of popular kenya safaris.
The masai mara game reserve is kenyas finest wildlife reserve, one of the worlds top tourist attractions and vital to kenyas economy. Masai mara is one of the most famous national reserves not only in kenya but in africa at large. The masai mara national reserve is kenya s most celebrated wildlife reserve, and possibly its best for a safari though faces stiff competition from amboseli and tsavo east for this title. Named in honour of the maasai people who call this corner of africa home, the mara is world renowned for its exceptional populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, herdsathousandstrong of buffalo, the rare black rhino and a thriving elephant population. The masai mara reserve is one of the most used reserves in kenya.
This process has increased in most of the kenyan national parks and the wildlife reserve. Masai mara national reserve in kenya is a vast and scenic expanse of gently rolling african savannah plains located in the south west of kenya, bordering the serengeti national park in tanzania and measuring 1510 sq kilometers in area. At the masai mara national reserve youre sure to see lions, elephants, and rhinos. Maasai mara masai mara is situated in southwest kenya and is one of africas greatest wildlife reserves.
The worldrenowned masai mara national reserve is a huge expanse of tawny, sunburnt grasslands pocked with acacia trees and river woodlands, and heaving with animals great and small. Maasai mara, also known as masai mara, and locally simply as the mara, is a large national game reserve in narok and trans mara counties, kenya, contiguous with the serengeti national park in tanzania. Best time to visit masai mara national reserve the masai mara, while known for its great migration months of july to october, is abundant in all manner of wildlife yearround. Maasai mara national reserve kenya tourism federation. Tourism within kenya is found to be very successful in terms of. Maasai mara vacation highlights maasai mara is not the largest conservation area on a kenya vacation but it is certainly the most famous. Other articles where masai mara national reserve is discussed. The masai mara region is comprised not only of the masai mara national reserve the original, staterun park but of a vast area to the north of the reserve, and for many years now, some of this has been set aside for wildlife and conservation of the habitat adjacent to the mara resreve.
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