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The Greatest Wildlife Spectacle on Earth at Masai Mara

Background Information
The Masai Mara (also spelled Maasai Mara ) is a large park reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park Game reserve in Tanzania . Named for the Maasai 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 zebra and the wildebeest from the Serengeti every year from July to October, a migration so immense it is called the Great Migration.

The Masai Mara is perhaps most famous for its lions . All other members of the " Big Five" are to be found in the Masai Mara, although the population of black rhinoceros is severely threatened, with a population of only 37 recorded in 2000. Hippopotami are found in large groups in the Masai Mara and Talek Rivers . Cheetah are also to be found, although their numbers are also threatened, chiefly due to tourist disruption of their day-time hunting. As mentioned above, the plains between the Mara river and the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular regarding lion and cheetah.

As in the Serengeti, the Wildebeest are the dominant inhabitant of the Masai Mara, and their numbers are estimated in the millions. Around July of each year these ungainly animals migrate in a vast ensemble 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 an immensity of herbivores: some 1,300,000 Wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson's Gazelle, and 191,000 Zebra. These numerous migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by a block of hungry predators, most notably lions and hyena.

Lodges and camps inside the Reserve include Mara Serena, Governor's camp, Keekorok, and Sarova Mara.In the Conservation area are Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Siana Springs tented camp, Mara Sopa, Elephant Pepper, Mara Simba, and Sekenani camp.

Mara Serena Airport, Musiara Airport and Keekorok Airport are located in the Reserve area of the Masai Mara. Mara Shikar Airport, Kichwa Tembo Airport and Ngerende Airport are located in the Conservation area of the Masai Mara.

SPECIAL MASAI MARA SAFARI PACKAGES:

›3 Nights Keekorok Offer

›5 Nights Kenya Delight

Accommodation
There are plenty of accommodation facilities ranging from lodges to camping facilities.

Treetops Hotel Aberdare
The famous Treetops Hotel started life in a very humble way. In 1932, its first visitors gingerly climbed the wild fig tree supporting the two-room tree house. By 1952, Treetops had expanded. Now a four-room construction. Treetops welcomed a young English girl, its most famous visitor. This young English girl climbed the tree as a princess one afternoon, to descend the following morning as Queen Elizabeth I I, her father, King George VI, had died during the night.

David Livingstone Safari Resort
commands one of the most spectacular views in the Serengeti-Mara eco-system; the hotel lines the Mara River on the edge of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and overlooks deep pools where hippos and crocodiles bask all day.

For more on accomodation please click here

Read about the Maasai People

The Masai tribe lives in Kenya. They are predominantly a warrior tribe whose lives revolve around herding cattle. One of their beliefs is that God entrusted His cattle to them. Thus, they measure their wealth by the number of cattle they aquire. A stereotypical image most people have of the Masai warrior is that of a tall and slender man clutching a spear in one hand with his red cloth wrapped around his waist or over his shoulders.
Click here and get to know more about the Maasai People