The Terrific Maasai Mara National Park

Maasai Mara is located in the south-west of Kenya and is one of the greatest wildlife reserves. Adding Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara and the both will form Africa's most diverse, wonderful, and most incredible eco-systems and nearly the world's top safari big game viewing eco-system.  Masai Mara National Park extends to 1,510 1,510 sq km (580 sq miles) and goes 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level.  

The area hosts over 95 species of mammals and more than 570 species of birds. Together with Serengeti National Park, there is no place to have the best wildlife viewing in the world. Maasai Mara National park is about 4-5 hours by road from Nairobi City the capital of Kenya and 40-45 minutes by flight. The road to Masai Mara is great in most of the parts. There is a part from Narok town to Sekenani Gate that is a dirt road but fairly good. An alternative road exists via Lemek & Aitong however it's anything but smooth, actually, it's quite bumpy.

As the end of October approaches, the journey of many familiar animals to Africa is coming to an end. A journey that begins in July and ends in October of every year for thousands of wild animals, to the land of Kenya, and approaches the plains and valleys of the Masai Mara in search of water and food. This is called "The Great Migration" of these animals from Tanzania to Kenya. The Maasai Mara Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in the world, with an area of 1.51 square kilometers. The reserve got its name from the name of the Maasai people, the ancient inhabitants of the area, a nomadic ethnic group who lived in Kenya, and northern Tanzania. 

The reserve is located near the Kenyan city of Narok, which is on the borders with the neighboring country of Tanzania. The reserve is only a few miles away from the Serengeti National Park in the Tanzanian city of Arusha, which surrounds it from the south, and from it, hundreds of thousands of animals migrate to the Maasai Mara Reserve in the hot and dry months. In 1961, The Maasai Mara reserve came out to the light, to be a home for many African animals, some of which are rare, and some of which you may hear the name of it for the first time in your life without even knowing that this animal has existed in the first place.

The tropical sun hits the African plains and the air now is filled with the smell of hot dust in the summer months, a scent that cannot be separated from the savannah as is the case with the smell of cut grass in the summer of England. That is when the peak tourist season begins. By this time, you can see some giraffes roaming the fallen acacia trees, or standing in the middle of the bumpy road in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. In the great migration from July to October, a large number of rare animals cross the Mara River on top of them are zebras (steppe zebras) that almost cover the river due to their large numbers. They are destined to either return in October or eaten crocodiles hidden in the river that wait desperately for the zebras to come. 

Among the migratory animals is a rare animal called "noe", also known as "African thietel", which is an animal belonging to the bovine family of mammals, weighing between 230 and 280 kg. Additionally, Thomson's gazelle, whose name is attributed to its discoverer, the Scotsman Joseph Thompson, also migrates to the reserve along with the antelope which also comes in the great wave of migration to the reserve. The reserve is rich with picturesque birds that attract attention and allow you to take some wonderful pictures, in this charming nature. 

There are about 470 species of migratory birds, of which 60 are species of birds of prey. Tanzanian lions, tigers, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and Cape buffalo (African buffalo) are the indigenous inhabitants of the Maasai Mara reserve. Besides them, hyenas, eared foxes, bats, and jackals can be found while wandering the reserve. And in the Mara River, crocodiles live side by side with hippos. If you go deep into the reserve from its river valleys towards the rocky cliff where the tall savannah grass is headed, you can see the foxes with two ears of bats, and the animals of the big cat family such as leopards and tigers, which conveys the real feeling of your presence in Africa. 

Being a fertile oasis to welcome African animals, Kenya wanted to make it a tourist resort that generates financial profits for the country, and that was done by creating wonderful hotels and rooms inspired by the surrounding environment. These rooms make you feel like you are at the heart of the African jungle. The nature of the place is picturesque, and the tranquility of the atmosphere there is breathtaking the thing that makes it an opportunity for many who seek to escape from the pressures of life and live in a natural environment covered with greenery, surrounded by all kinds of animals.

- With the Wildebeest migration taking part in July- October, it is the best time to see this amazing movement of animals. However, it is not guaranteed that the wildebeest reaches Maasai Mara.  

- The time from December to February is also a good time to visit as it is dryer and good to see big cats.  

- Maasai Mara is considered an all-year-round destination with big cats and they are available and all the big games still in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem.  

- According to the amount to be seen in the national park from three to four-day safari is very suitable for just the Maasai Mara. Additionally, you can add a few more days to see the rest of Kenya and possibly add Amboseli National Park to your list.  

-The Place is the perfect spot for those who are interested in Photography.