Known for its rich wildlife, Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular reserves in Kenya and among all, here you could be able to take a look at game population. Extended upto 1530km² in south-western Kenya, it has derived its name from the indigenous people called Masai and the nearby Mara River. The place, during the months of July to October witnesses an intense migration of many animals from the Serengeti. The place is located in the Rift Valley, and its surrounding areas are totally forested. The rolling grass land is chief attraction of the reserve and the magnificent beauty of Mara River is ultimate.

Came into existence in the year 1961, the site is fairly accomplishing its duty of defending the wildlife from cruelty of hunters. The place is looked after by local Mara Conservancy and Narok County Council. The animals are also allowed to roam outside the park and the vicinity is called ‘dispersal areas’ and many local inhabitants are also residing in that area. Here, you will witness a miraculous view of animals and humans living together with utmost harmony.

Rocking Masai Mara Wildlife and birdlife

If you are really interested in exploring the maximum amount of wildlife of the reserve than be there during the months of July to October as many animals migrate to the park from the Serengeti. The most seen animals are lions, cheetah, foxes, hyenas, leopards, and Black rhino. The migrated animals include zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle and they go back to their original destination during October and November.

You could also feel the presence of more than 400 bird species and those are marabou storks, hornbills, vultures,  Eagles, vultures, and ostriches, among others.

Enjoyable Activities

Hot Air Ballooning

It is one of the must-experiencing activities in the reserve. The activity will be provided by almost all the lodging areas. The flight will let you to take a look at entire surroundings including views of animals, landscapes and the magnificent view of sun rising.

Voyage by walking

If you want to turn the exploration much exciting activity than walking around the Masai Mara national reserve is the best idea.

Explore through the surroundings

If you really want to enlighten yourself about the Masai culture than simply move towards the local village and try to mingle with the locals.

Viewing Game and wildlife

The reserve is not bounded with walls, so you can easily take a look at the games and other wildlife from any corner of the spot.

Weather matters

The dry season is observed during months of July to October whereas; rainy season can be witnessed during the months of April, May and November. The vicinity is coolest in the months being June and July and the hottest months being December and January.

Reaching there

By Air

The service is provided by Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Rail routes

This facility is available from Nairobi’s Naivasha Station

Car

By car, you can reach there within six hours time as the distance between Nairobi and the reserve is near by 165 miles.

Bus

Many tour operators provide the services to the reserve, hence you can opt for this mode of transportation also.

Entry Amount

To get inside the Masai Mara national reserve, an adult non-Kenyan has to pay US$60 and for children it is $30. As far as lodging is concerned, you will find many camps and lodges in and around the reserve.

To create a national park on and around Mount Kenya, the Government of Kenya had four distinct reasons. To boost up the local and national economies there is a need of tourism, to preserve the biodiversity within the park, to protect it as a great scenic beauty and to safeguard the water catchments for the neighboring area.

The local inhabitants respected the mountain for generations and the mountain is the official home of ‘Ngai’, the Kikuyu tribe’s Supreme Being. Johann Ludwig Krapf was the first to sight the snowy peak in 1849. The meaning of Mount Kenya or “Kere Nyaga” is the Mountain of Brightness as the Kikuyu call it, rising above the sea level to 5,199m and in the entire continent of Africa it is the second highest mountain peak.

The Mount Kenya national park covers an area of around 715 square kilometers which is 276 sq miles and the forest reserve covers an area of 705 square kilometers that is 272 sq miles. The forest reserve and the national park collectively make an area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers 1,420 square kilometers which is about 548 sq miles.

This park offers a beauty of its own with pleasant mountain scenery that attracts more tourists to come and share the glory of the heavenly world especially the mountain climbers who leads to the top of the mountain through difficult routes. The Volcanic deposit in the nearby area’s soil and the vast quantity of fresh water coming down the slopes makes the agriculture area more favorable.

Lovely lakes, tarns, glaciers, peaks and natural mineral springs make the area more stunning. In the lower slopes dry upland forests are found and from the 2,000m upwards montane forest starts. This forest usually includes cedar and podo. Visitors can watch a mixture of plants of nearly 11 species.

Wildlife live in the park are extensive and some are unique on their own like Colobus Monkeys, Cape Buffalo, elephants, black rhinos, leopards etc. Bongo antelopes and giant forest hogs are out of few that attracts more tourists on the park including many species of birds like Kingfisher, Olive pigeons and red-fronted parrots.

One could reach easily to this famous and excellent spot by flying to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport. Apart from this you can also travel by train and reach to Thika Station that will lead you to this national park. Well, you can also take bus services to Nanyuki from Nairobi. If you are willing to travel through car, take an A2 that will take you from Nairobi traveling across Murunga and later going through Mount Kenya and making way to Nayunki.

After reaching there you can stay at the lodges present in the park or at various types of huts like seven climbers’ huts. Outside the park, there are self-help banda sites where you can easily stay. Well, most of the visitors stay in hotels or resorts. For luxury, the Mount Kenya Safari Club is the best place to stay.

Temperatures, rainfall and humidity vary widely in Kenya due to its diverse geography. Hence, the best time to visit the national park is from July to February.

Mount Kenya is the place where tourists can find almost everything to enjoy their time with snow-covered mountaintops as well as large cliffs and glaciers. Along with that there are thick forests and pouring waterfalls to boost the energy of the people. So, try out and see the change in your life as if you are in heaven.