ABOUT MASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK

Situated near Narok in Kenya, Masai Mara is one of the popular reserves. It forms the most spectacular ecosystem of Africa alongwith the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is named in the honour of Masai people who are original inhabitants of the area. The word ‘mara’ means spotted denoting trees, savanna and cloud shadows that characterize the area.

The park is situated on a rift valley. It is bounded by the Serengeti Park to the south, the Siria escarpment to the west, and Maasai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. The reserve is characterized by open grassland dotted by seasonally rivulets. The Sand, Talek and Mara River meander through the reserve.

The park shelters unique fauna including cheetah, serval, hyena, bat-eared foxes, black-backed and side-striped jackals, hippo, crocodile, baboons, warthog, topi, eland, Thompson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, impala, waterbuck, oribi, reed-buck, and zebra. Hippopotamus and crocodiles are found in Mara and Talek Rivers. About 470 species of birds have been identified at the park such as vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested eagles, African pygmy-falcons and the lilac-breasted roller.

WHEN TO GO ?

The best time to visit the park is from July to October when one can spot migratory birds gathering in large number in the reserve.