THE BRIEF HISTORY OF TRAVEL TO MARA

The Maasai Mara is in southwestern Kenya on the border with Tanzania. The reserve is situated in the Rift Valley with Tanzania's Serengeti Plains running along its southern end. The Mara River runs through the reserve (north to south) hosting plenty of hippos and crocodiles and making the annual migration of over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras an extremely dangerous undertaking

The Maasai Mara is a land that forever changes; lush green, stretched out plains gradually become golden waves of tall red oat grass, gently parted by herds of visiting wildebeest that clear the canvas for another painting.

A lack of fences allows this ecosystem to reach all the way down to Southern Serengeti and right across the entire Maasai Mara and Greater Mara Ecosystem. One morning you can wake up to a herd of five hundred elephant making their way slowly through the Ol Punyata swamp, the next day they’re gone.

large swamp, streams, salt lick, meandering Mara River, and a rainfall of up to 1,500 millimeters a year, means that there is enough food and water to keep wildlife in the Mara Triangle even during the dry months.

WILDEBEEST MIGRATION

By the month of June a gentle wind ripples through the tall red oat grass, and the only animals easily visible are the slow moving elephants and giraffes, or a lone topi standing on an abandoned termite mound. Stillness sits across the savannah and the lions of the Mara lie in the shade of the acacias, waiting in anticipation. 

THE BIG CATS

When the savannah turns a golden red in the month of July, and the zebra start pouring in across the river, the first herds of the wildebeest arrive and the feasting for the Maasai Mara’s predators, and scavengers, begins.

BLACK RHINO

In 1971 there were around 120 black rhinos in the Maasai Mara, but by 1984 this number had dropped drastically to just 18 individuals. When the Mara Conservancy started in 2001 there was only one known rhino left in the Mara Triangle; an aggressive female, very wary of people and vehicles, and very difficult to spot. 

BIRD LIST

From the moment the day wakes until the sun has made her departure, birdsong can be heard across the Maasai Mara. Due to the wide variety of habitats more than 470 bird species have been recorded inside the reserve; from the oversized ostrich to the superb starling. 

MARA TIMELINE

1880s

Prolonged drought followed by epidemic of bovine disease pleuropneumonia; large numbers of wildlife and Maasai cattle lost.

1900

Maasai population leave traditional grazing grounds to concentrate around newly-developing centres like Nairobi.

1930s

Woodlands become more established, providing the perfect habitat for tsetse fly and close to uninhabitable for humans and livestock.

1948

The Mara Game Reserve is created and covers the area referred to today as the Mara Triangle. Hunting is regulated.

1950s

Immunisation campaign in cattle results in disappearance of rinderpest among buffalo and wildebeest, creating significant rise in populations.

1954

Lion, cheetah and rhino given total protection from hunting.

1961

The Mara Game Reserve is extended to become the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

1984

Three sections of the reserve are excised to give Maasai access to watering points.

1994

The reserve is divided between Narok and the newly formed Trans-Mara County Council, with the Mara Triangle now part of Trans Mara.

2001

Local leaders initiate the Mara Conservancy to manage the Mara Triangle on behalf of the Council.

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HOW PARK FEES ARE DISTRIBUTED

§  Ticketed Sales

§  Non-Ticketed Sales

WHAT WE DO : OUR WORK & PROJECTS

Among what the transmara county does jointly with the county of narok

§  Anti-Poaching & De-Snaring Patrols

§  Anti-Animal Harassment Department

§  Cattle Compensation Scheme

§  Canine Distemper & Rabies Vaccinations

§  Tracker Dog Unit

§  Maasai Mara Management Plan

§  Mara triangle maasai villages association

§  As well as camping at one of our private or public campsites, visitors to the Mara Triangle can also choose from a small number of camps and lodges that game drive in the Triangle.

§  Listed to the left are the camps and lodges that both use and their guests pay a park fee towards the conservation of the Mara Triangle. 

§  As well as website and contact information, we have included a Trip Advisor widget that lets you read independent reviews from guests who have actually stayed at the camps and lodges. Please choose establishments that support both local communities and conservation.

§  BATELEUR CAMP

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§  KICHWA TEMBO

§  KILIMA CAMP

§  MARA SERENA

§  MARA SIRIA

§  MPATA SAFARI CLUB

§  MARA WEST

§  SANCTUARY OLONANA

§  An aerial photograph of a herd of Wildebeest following a few leading zebra in Maasai Mara

§  Wildebeest, topi, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle migrate into and occupy the Mara reserve, from the Serengeti plains to the south and Loita plains in the pastoral ranches to the north-east, from July to October or later. Herds of all three species are also resident in the reserve.

 Elephants

 Leopard climbing down from a tree

§  All members of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, African elephant, African buffalo, and Black Rhinoceros) are found in the Maasai Mara. The population of Black rhinos was fairly numerous until 1960, but it was severely depleted by poaching in the 1970s and early 1980s, dropping to a low of 15 individuals.

§   Cheetah with cubs

§  Hippopotami and Nile crocodiles are found in large groups in the Mara and Talek rivers. Leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, and bat-eared foxes can also be found in the reserve. The plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Siria Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular regarding lion and cheetah.

§  As in the Serengeti, the wildebeest are the dominant inhabitants of the Maasai Mara, and their numbers are estimated in the millions. Around July of each year, these ungainly animals migrate north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pasture, and return to the south around October. The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving some 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson's gazelles, 97,000 Topi, 18,000 elands, and 200,000 zebras. These migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by hungry predators, most notably lions and hyena

§  Numerous other antelopes can be found, including Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, impalas, elands, duikers and Coke's hartebeests. Large herds of zebra are found through the reserve. The plains are also home to the distinctive Maasai giraffe. The large Roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely present elsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders.

§  More than 470 species of birds have been identified in the park, many of which are migrants, with almost 60 species being raptors.^[6] Birds that call this area home for at least part of the year include: vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested Eagles, African pygmy-falcons and the lilac-breasted roller, which is the national bird of Kenya.

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND THE MASAI MARA RESERVE

·         Game Drives. If you have flown straight to the Maasai Mara Reserve then your safari package will usually include several daily game drives. If you've rented your own vehicle then it is recommended you find a map of the reserve or take an askari (guard) with you.

·         Walking Safaris. If you enjoy a little adventure try a walking safari with a Maasai guide. The best ones are outside the reserve boundaries in the Conservancies.

·         Cultural Tours with the Maasai. Visiting a traditional Maasai village is frequently included in a safari package to the Maasai Mara. While not really an authentic experience you may learn something about the Maasai. You can also take some excellent cultural tours to learn more about the Maasai.

·         Hot Air Ballooning is a popular pastime that provides an expensive but unique experience. Every lodge and camp will be able to set up a flight for you. The balloons usually fly at dawn and last about an hour. Upon landing most balloon companies offer a champagne breakfast.

HOW TO GET TO THE MASAI MARA

The Masai Mara Reserve lies 168 miles from the capital city of Nairobi. The trip takes at least 6 hours by car because the roads are quite poor and should not be attempted unless you have a 4WD vehicle. If you do plan to drive, avoid the rainy season since many of the roads become totally impassable. For further information on road routes see Kenyaology's very comprehensive guide to driving to the Maasai Mara Reserve.

Many tourists choose to fly into the Maasai Mara National Reserve because of the poor quality roads. But flying makes your safari quite a bit more expensive (since you have to then add the game drives to your tour) and you miss out on some of the adventure of traveling in one of Africa's more remote areas.

Many safari packages include air but you can also purchase a ticket locally. Safarlink offers two scheduled flights a day from Wilson Airport; the flight takes 45 minutes.

LODGES AND TENTED INSIDE THE RESERVE INCLUDE CAMPS :

·         Mara Serena Lodge. This luxury lodge is beautifully situated on a hilltop overlooking the Mara river. Its the perfect location during the great wildebeest migration. The hotel is well laid out and integrated into its surroundings. It has 74 ethnically decorated rooms, a swimming pool, bar and restaurant. Prices start at $170 per night for a double room.

·         Keekorok Lodge. The first lodge built in the Maasai Mara Reserve and they chose one of the best spots. During the annual migration guests have been known to watch a lion kill from the bar. The hotel has 158 rooms in various styles, some are chalets and some are bungalows. There's also a swimming pool (and one for hippos next door), a bar and restaurant. Prices start at $200 per night for a double room.

·         Mara Simba Lodge. An environmentally friendly luxury safari resort, the Mara Simba lodge is set on the banks of the Talek river inside the Maasai Mara Reserve. There are 84 rooms each with their own verandah overlooking the river. There's a restaurant, swimming pool, shop and bar. Prices start at $150 per night for a double room

·         Governors Camps. There are 4 campsites owned and run by the Governors Camp group. All are luxury tented camps in beautiful settings inside the Maasai Mara Reserve. The largest is the original Governors Camp with 36 tents situated along the banks of the Mara River. Rates start at $275 per person sharing a double tent, this includes food, game drives and accommodation.

The Little Governors Camp is more intimate with just 17 luxury tents situated around a waterhole where you can enjoy a bonfire at night while sipping excellent wine. Rates start at $290 per person sharing a double tent, this includes food, game drives and accommodation.

The Governors' Ilmoran Camp offers the height of luxurious camping with just 10 tents each with their own verandas, flushing toilets, Victorian baths and comfortable beds. The food is of course excellent as well. Rates start at $390 per person sharing a double tent, this includes food, game drives and accommodation.

The Governors Private Camp is as luxurious as the Ilmoran Camp but even more exclusive since only single parties are able to rent it out at one time. A minimum of 4 guest must stay for at least 3 nights. Rates start at $500 per person sharing a double tent, this includes food, game drives and accommodation.

·         Sarova Mara Tented Camp. Easily accessible, this tented campsite is quite large with 75 luxury tents set in beautiful gardens with streams on either side of the property. There's a main lodge with bar, restaurant and swimming pool. Rates start at $210 for a double tent

·         Mara Intrepids Club. Situated above a bend in the Talek river, 30 luxury tents make up this campsite. There's a bar and restaurant area, swimming pool and every night bait is laid out so guests get to see the otherwise elusive leopard while sipping cocktails in safety.