The Masai Mara ecosystem in Kenya happens to be a unique Savannah ecosystem. The place is quite well known for the diverse habitat that it presents. It happens to be home to an extensive range of over 90 species of animals and over 500 species of birds. The ecosystem is part of a larger landscape and stretches across the Mara River.
It is famous for spotting diverse wildlife and the magnificent view of the great migration. It is also well known for its safaris and game drives. This is the right space if one has to view the big five mammals. The vegetation here also happens to be quite unique, from trees and shrubs to the various plants that have adapted to the persisting conditions here.
Know more about the National Reserve
- The Masai Mara National Reserve happens to be a part of the Greater Masai Mara area.
- It is not fenced, and animals here are free to roam.
- There happen to be several conserves that make up the conserves.
- These lands happen to be owned by Masai families.
- The aim of conservancies here is to preserve the well-being of the ecosystem and life native to the land.
- The communities put in extensive effort when it comes to investing in and funding various initiatives associated with the same.
- The Masai Mara Conservancies happen to be one of the greatest tourist hot-spots in Kenya.
- It offers one various opportunities to indulge in different activities and tours while also providing them with a chance to explore the culture of the people native to the land.
If you happen to be visiting the Masai Mara National Reserve, here are the various other places that you can include in your itinerary.
Mara Triangle
- Location: This region is quite well known part of the Masai Mara National Reserve situated in the northwestern part.
- Management and vision: It is managed by a non-profit organisation with the help of locals and the aim to do so is to strengthen anti-poaching programs on the behalf of the trans county council. The conservancy significantly focuses upon ensuring the well-being of this ecosystem and the hard-working locals here aim to keep up with sustainable practices associated with tourism. The overall management approach for this conservancy is quite transparent to ensure the welfare of wildlife as well as the guests. Here, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Mara Triangle happen to have a natural boundary.
- Tourism and transport: The Mara Triangle happens to be quite less crowded. This centre of attraction can be easily accessed by tourists who take domestic flights. There happen to be two airfields in the region, namely the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip and the Serena Airstrip. The flights here operate on a regular basis. The location of the Mara Triangle is quite favoured by animals, and the river prevents the animals from crossing to the other side of the reserve. The beauty here is quite diverse and it is a valuable location for game drives. There also happened to be plenty of camping and lodging options for people to choose from.
Mara Naboisho Conservancy
- Location and area: The river greatly impacts the region, flowing in the south-western part of the Masai Mara National Reserve it occupies about 50,000 acres of land.
- Management: The conservancy was established in 2010. 425 Maasai landowners and conservationists came together to bring this conservancy into existence. The management here focuses on spreading awareness and sensitivity associated with the preservation and conservation of native wildlife. This region also happens to have an extensively high number of researchers.
- Wildlife: It is quite famous for the large number of lions and huge prides of the same that reside in the area. One can also witness animals such as caracals, elephants, serval cats, giraffes, wildebeests and much more. It can also provide bird watchers with the opportunity to view rare bird species such as the bush pipit, falcons, white-headed buffalo beaver, and much more. One can also witness the migration from this conservancy.
- Transportation and tourism: It is quite accessible and takes about a five-hour drive from Nairobi. On the way here one gets to catch a glimpse of various towns and villages. This conservancy can be accessed via flights, which are regularly scheduled from Wilson Airport.
Oi Kinyei Conservancy
- Location and area: The conservancy covers an estimated area of about 17,500 acres. The Conservancy borders Naibosho in the West and Saina on the eastern side.
- Management: Established in 2005, due to the effort of 172 land owners, this region offers people the opportunity to explore the region in all of its glory. This wildlife conservancy belongs to the local community here and is also managed locally.
- Wildlife: It happens to be one of the largest conservation areas in Masai Mara, which is home to a significant density of animals, specifically big cats such as lions and leopards.
- Significance: This conservancy happens to be one of the most sought-after and busy attractions. When it comes to the Masai Mara National Reserve. This offers a mesmerising and undisturbed scenery for visitors. The Conservancy also provides the tourists with an opportunity to view the great migration, specifically during the calfing season lying between the months of February and March.
Olare Orok Conservancy
- Location and area: This conservatory is of significant ecological importance. Besides offering great beauty, the conservancy shares a border along with the Maasai Mara National Reserve near its lower valleys. It is the region where the Ntkiakitak and Olare rivers flow.
- Management: Established in May 2006, the conservancy was founded by 277 Maasai landowners who agreed to set aside around 3500 acres of land. They removed their cattle from the said land, allowing the herbivores to migrate towards these lands, which were subsequently followed by carnivores to balance the ecosystem here. The management extensively works with the Kenya Wildlife Services. They promote the welfare of wildlife through research and various relevant foundations.
- Wildlife There happen to be extensive acacia trees and woodland in this region. This conservatory happens to be quite a hotspot for viewing the big five mammals, namely, lions, buffaloes, elephants, white rhinos, and leopards, besides animals such as cheetahs, hippopotamus, zebra, and giraffes.
The Otare Motorogi region happens to have the largest pride of lions and the highest number of them in the whole of Masai Mara National Reserve. This region also happens to be a buffer zone when it comes to the animals that migrate between Mara and other regions. The eco-balance here is quite good and shows a positive increase in the natural behaviour of animals specifically pertaining to the predators, including the various endangered species, such as rhinos and African wild cats.
- Tourism and transportation: The region happens to have various camps such as the Porini Lion Camp, Mara Plains Camp, and more. When it comes to accessing this Conservancy, it is easy to reach it by road through Narok town. One can also find direct access to the conservancy by air for a regular domestic flight run from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the conservancy on a regular basis.
Mara North Conservancy
- Location and area: It happens to be the largest Conservancy in the Masai Mara National Reserve. It spans over an area of nearly 70,000 acres situated in the northern part, as its name suggests. It is a part of the greater Mara ecosystem pertaining to the northwestern zone.
- Management: Established in 2009. This conservancy was a result of collaborative efforts from 12 different member accommodations, supported by over 800 locals who owned the land. The money collected as the fee often goes into contributing to the production and enforcement of the various things associated with wildlife conservation. The main focus here is the promotion and preservation of wildlife as well as that of the locals.
- Wildlife: It happens to serve as the home for leopards, and it is hence often termed the Leopard Gorge. The hills here provide a safe environment that is also cool and suited for the young big cats to thrive in. Hence, they often remain hidden in the caves to train and then later reside in the wild. When visiting this Conservancy, one has the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the big five, namely elephants, rhinoceros, buffaloes, lions, and more. There also happens to be an ample population of zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, and much more.
- Tourism and transportation: During the months of December to May this Conservancy witnesses thousands of wildebeests in migration. This draws in a lot of tourism. There also happen to be extensive accommodation facilities here. This conservancy is quite easy to access by air due to the number of domestic flights. Scheduled here on a regular basis from Wilson Airport. The well-connected roads that enter the conservancy through Narok town allow one to access the area through land.
Koyaiki Lemek Conservation Area
- Location and management: The conservation area covers approximately 19,000 acres of land. The aim of this Conservancy is to maximise the sustainable approach to the Mara ecosystem.
- Wildlife: It is currently known as the Lemek Conservancy. It provides an opportunity to witness open grassland Savannah areas. This conservancy is home to big cats such as leopards who reside on the trees. This region is also a witness to the great migration.
- Tourism and transportation: The game drives here also happen to be quite good, and people have the opportunity to explore off-road games, take nature walks, take tours, and cultural tours happen to be well sought after. The accommodation here is quite within budget and there happen to be plenty of options. This conservancy lies a four-hour drive from Nairobi by road. The journey via road is quite smooth and offers extensive views. The Conservancy can also be accessed through air since there happen to be daily scheduled flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi city.
Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy
- Location and management: Spanning over an area of 17,000 acres, this conservancy is managed by Seiya Limited. Placed on the northern part of the Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Initiatives: This conservancy is quite unique because it happens to be fairly new and extensively works towards benefiting the rights of natives in the area. Efforts have been made to establish various schools in the conservancy to help uplift and educate the local communities. This conservancy extensively helps improve the economic status of the people residing around it and supports various local projects. The Conservancy also puts in extra effort to ensure proper management and provide various opportunities for the local people to generate income. It extensively works towards conservation and encourages an independent approach.
- Significance: Those who are interested in learning more about the culture and traditions native to the region, will find this a great opportunity to explore this region. There happen to be extensive accommodations available in the conservancy as well.
Nashulai Masai Conservancy
- Landscape and area: This conservancy covers over 5000 acres of land, most of which is woodland and Savannah. It happens to be one of the most well-known national reserves in Kenya and happens to be quite at the heart of the ecosystem.
- Management: Established in 2016, the consultancy was established due to the vulnerable nature of the ecosystem. This conservancy has paved way for much development, for it was the very first conservancy established in the Maasai region. It is run by a private community and extensive efforts are being put in place to not only improve upon ecosystem, but also the life of the community that resides in and around the region.
- Vision and initiative: The management here currently primarily focuses on improving and preserving the condition of the ecosystem and wildlife is returning. Animals that now reside here include elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras and more. This region is considered an important connecting corridor when it comes to wildlife that migrates and undergoes extensive conservation.
Efforts are now being put in place to ensure that the ecosystem here remains conserved.
- Wildlife: Home to the world’s greatest biodiversity. This conservancy is located in the African Great Rift Valley. The terrain here is also quite diverse, including deciduous thickets, rocky escarpments, woodlands, riverine forests, swamps, and much more. This conservancy offers one the opportunity to experience curated safari day visits, and much more. Visiting this region is also quite accessible through various means.
Olypunyata swamp
- Significance: It happens to be one of the best places where one can encounter an extensive range of large wild animals. The swamp often sees herds of grazers such as zebras and elephants gathered during the hot months. Birdwatchers can also catch a glimpse of rare aquatic birds in this area. The scenic beauty around this region is unparalleled and quite unique.
Frequently asked questions
How can one reach Masai Mara and relevant conserves?
Travelling to Masai Mara is quite convenient and easy. Those who are willing to visit the Maasai National Reserve, and the related conservancy can opt to take the airways, for there happen to be many airstrips in the area. Visitors can also travel to Maasai Mara by road, opt for a guided safari, or drive themselves.
The journey usually starts from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya and then continues to the relevant natural reserves. When flying, one can start from Wilson airport in Nairobi and it takes anywhere between 1 to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending upon the trip location, to reach the destination conservancy.
The departure times for these flights and their routes vary a bit depending upon the local weather conditions and relevant requirements. It is possible that multiple stops are made on the route to the destination. When it comes to driving, the National reserve has many gates that one can drive to. These happen to be the Sekenani Gate, Oloolaimuteik Gate, Mushaira Gate, Talek Gate, Oloolo Gate and the Sand River Gate.7 Usually, the entry point for an individual is decided based upon the camp that they choose to stay at.
Which is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Conservancy?
This national reserve offers one the opportunity to view exceptional wildlife throughout the year. Thus, it depends upon what it is that one is aiming to experience, that can significantly determine the time to visit. If one is aiming to view the great migration months of July to October happen to be quite suitable. Should one be on a tight budget, travelling during the off-season can prove to be greatly helpful. The best time therefore, depends upon the preferences and options that one chooses.
Is it suited for birdwatching?
Yes, Masai Mara National Reserve, is quite well suited when it comes to bird watching for the region offers the opportunity to witness words of various kinds. It is home to over 470 species of words.
How advanced should one book their safari at the national reserves?
Safari camps in this region, operate at high occupancy levels. These can be completely booked during the peak seasons, such as during the great migration season. Hence, it is recommended that one start planning the Safari holiday approximately 8 to 12 months prior to their visit.
If choosing to travel during a peak times, it is always advised to plan the travel at least a year in advance. It is not uncommon to find some popular spots booked for years. Hence, one needs to be careful about the time, the season, and the spaces they want to visit.
Should one have any preferences when travelling with family in a group, one should start planning as soon as possible due to the scale of requirements and the fact that the lodges happen to have a limited number of suitable rooms for one to reside in.
