Parks & Reserves
The Masai Mara is a large national reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania. Named after the Maasai tribes people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River which divides it, it is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle every year from July to October a migration so immense it is called the Great Migration.
With an area of 1510 km² the Maasai Mara is not a national park, but a national reserve and is most probably the famous in reserve in Africa.
Around the Maasai Mara national reserve are a number of large group ranches that are owned by the Maasai people. In the west is Kerinkani, Oloirien, Kimintet, to the north is Koiyaki, Lemek, Ol Choro Oiroua, Ol Kinyei, and to the east of the Maasai Mara is Siana, Maji Moto, Naikara and Ol Derkesi. These group ranches do hold most of the accommodation that varies from Delux to campsites and so providing accommodation for every budget. Please have a look at the map to see which properties are in these group ranches.
Location
The reserve is located on the border with Tanzania, Narok District south western Kenya.
Climate
Altitude is 4,875-7,052 feet (1,500-2,170 metres) above sea level, which yields a climate somewhat milder and damper than other regions. The daytime rarely exceeds 85°F (30°C) during the day and hardly ever drops below 60°F (15°C) at night. It rains in April and May and again November and this can cause some areas of the Mara to be inaccessible due to the sticky 'black cotton' mud. July to October is dry and the grass is long and lush after the rains. This is a good time to come and see the huge herds of migratory. The warmest time of year is December and January while June and July are the coldest months.
Accommodation:
- Keekorok Lodge
- Sarova Mara Camp
- Mara Serena Lodge
- Mara Sopa Lodge
- Fig Tree Camp
- Kichakani Mara Camp
- Governor Camp
- Kichwa Tembo
