Through the Lens: Capturing the Majesty of Masai Mara Safari

Kenya’s Masai Mara is an extraordinary national game reserve, famous for its pristine wilderness. This game reserve offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for travelers to see nature at its finest. Masai Mara is extremely popular for its thriving wildlife wherein many animals can be observed. Read on to find out the best time to visit Masai Mara and other significant details about the reserve.

A Masai Mara safari is diverse and includes various exciting adventures. During the safari, one can spot the African Big Five animals, big and small cats, hoofed animal species, and much more. Further, you can see the incredible wildebeest migration in Masai Mara.

The avifauna of Mara is vivid and displays migratory, endemic, resident, and endangered birds. A trip to the Mara involves considerable planning depending on what you want to see and do.

Best Time to Visit Masai Mara

Masai Mara’s specialty is that one can enjoy safaris in the reserve all year round. No matter when you arrive at the reserve, each month and season displays something new. Visiting the reserve largely depends on what you would like to witness and the activities you want to try in the Mara. The reserve experiences two seasons: the wet and dry season.

The wet season begins in November and last till April, sometimes extending till May. This is the considered as the rainy season. The wet seasons are further divided into short rains, from November to December, and long rains, from April to May.

The short summer rains are usually followed by open and clear skies, although rain is present. The months experiencing long rains should be avoided as flooding can occur which leads to difficult road conditions and the possibility of lodges and camps shutting down.

However, the wet season oversees fewer tourist crowds. Rain creates greenery in the park and clears the dust. Resident wildlife remains present in the Mara while birdwatching can be best enjoyed during this season.

January to March is known as the lion season when zebra, wildebeest, and other plain animals give birth to newborns. The arrival of the abundant newborn calves attracts various predators such as lions.

During these months, one can expect regular sightings of lion pride which typically hunt newborns, providing thrilling predator-prey action. The rains are extremely short and vegetation becomes less dense, making an excellent game viewing possible.

The dry season starts in June and lasts till October. It is the most popular season for tourists to visit. Although these months are dry, the days remain cool, providing a favorable climate. June to August marks the arrival of the wildebeest migration. It is also the best time to plan or visit the Masai Mara reserve. These months may display the river crossing of the wildebeest migration.

• September to October also remains the best time to pay a visit to Masai Mara and enjoy the sights of wildlife and migration.

Masai mara migration period

The great migration or the annual wildebeest migration takes place in Masai Mara starting from June to October. Millions of wildebeest are joined by other plain animals like zebras, impalas, gazelles, and more during the migration. The migration occurs as the animals search for food and water.

They start their journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and cross over to Masai Mara, as both parks lie adjacent to each other. This difficult journey is marked by various obstacles including the Mara River crossing where the animals face deadly Nile crocodiles.

• June or July to October is known as the migration season in Masai Mara. An influx of wildebeest and other animals cover the reserve’s open plains, creating an unbelievable sight to witness. These months also have less vegetation, which makes migration clearer to spot.

Many safari-goers plan their trip to the reserve around the great migration as it is included in the ‘seven wonders of the world’.

• In July, not only can one see the migration arriving inside the reserve but also frequent sightings of the African big five. The Mara River crossing can be seen during August, but it cannot be predicted entirely. Once the animals have crossed the Mara River, they enter the reserve.

In September, the migration is in full swing with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. In October, most of the wildebeest herds can be found inside the reserve before they start going back to Serengeti by December.

• The best time to pay a visit to Masai Mara is during the migration season, from June to October.

What animals can you see on a Masai Mara safari?

There is no denying that Masai Mara is the top destination to enjoy authentic African safaris. This means you get to see lesser-known animal species. As mentioned before, this reserve is famous for its Big Five sightings. This popular group includes lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo, and rhinos which are of great significance to safari.

In addition to the Big Five, four more animals are combined to form the Big Nine. This includes giraffes, hippos, zebra, and cheetahs.

To make safaris even more adventurous, a secret seven group is formed. The name refers to the behavior of the animals which are secretive in nature and smaller in size. As a result, they can be harder to spot during a game drive. This group includes the African wild cat, aardvark, huge spotted genet, civet, pangolin, serval, and porcupine.

Other interesting mammals that roam the reserve are aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, banded mongoose, bushbuck, Coke’s hartebeest, common eland, grant’s gazelle, crested porcupine, impala, klipspringer, Kirk’s Dik Dik, hyena, pangolin, wildebeest, Thompson’s gazelle and much more.

In the forested habitats of the reserve, one can see primate species such as the vervet monkey, olive baboon, and the southern patas monkey.

For overall quality wildlife viewing, the best time to visit is considered to be June-October. These months have pleasant temperatures, warm weather, and clear skies devoid of rain. It is also a popular time for safari-goers to travel to the reserve.

The mara is also a bird watchers' paradise as various species of birds can be spotted here. Some of the special birds to look out for in the reserve are the kori bustard, secretary bird, sooty chat, ostrich, Swahili sparrow, and more.

• The best time for bird watching when you visit Masai Mara is from November to April. During these months migratory bird species from Asia and Europe arrive in Kenya. As these months fall under the wet season, many bird species can be witnessed in breeding plumage.

What is the cost of a Masai Mara Safari?

The cost of a Masai Mara safari trip takes into account various factors. These also include minute details.

For starters, flight cost is among the most significant. The average or minimum flight ticket price to Maasai Mara reserve is US$238 however this cost may vary according to the best time period one pays a visit to Masai Mara or during the peak season.

The other factor which influences your safari cost is transport. The mode of transport from the airport to the reserve includes flying directly to the Mara or taking the road. Flying directly or fly-in camping to the reserve is convenient and comfortable albeit more expensive. It is also quicker than other modes of transport. The cost of road transport depends on the type of vehicle being used and the occupancy.

Accommodation plays a huge influence on the safari cost. Masai Mara Reserve is known for housing a range of accommodations that cater to every preference and budget. From luxury to mid-range or budget-friendly camps and lodges, every kind of accommodation can be found.

Accommodation cost depends on the number of days you stay and the months you visit. The cost of accommodation also varies between low and high or peak seasons.

The cost of your Mara safari also depends on the duration of your safari. If you are on a budget, you can spend a limited number of 3 days in the reserve, for instance, a 3-night stay can cost around $1100. This is once more influenced according to the season or months you plan to visit.

Aside from the activities in your package, if you plan to do additional activities, it may come with an added cost. Other factors that may influence your budget are the number of people, time of the year, park entry fees, insurance, travel visa, and more.

How long should I plan for a Masai Mara safari?

At 1,510 km2, Masai Mara national reserve has a variety of natural habitats which is home to rich wildlife. This vast reserve is further divided into different areas such as the Mara Triangle and conservancies like Olkinyei, Siana, Mara North, and many others.

There are a lot of opportunities to explore the park and its secluded areas. A minimum stay of 4 days and 3 nights is highly recommended if you would like to enjoy the park’s variety of wildlife and habitats.

The longer you stay at the reserve, the more you have the chance to explore it in depth and try out various other activities.

What are the activities to do in Masai Mara besides game drives?

No matter the best time you pay a visit to Masai Mara, game drives are classic activities that one needs to try out. It is also the most popular and common activity of the reserve. Game drives in an open-roof van or closed land cruisers help you get close sightings of wildlife. Game drives take place early in the morning, mid-morning, and in the afternoon.

However, game drive is not the only activity available in the Mara. Other exciting activities can help enhance your holiday and take it to another level.

Nature or guided walks are done on foot where you are accompanied by an expert guide who gives you knowledge about things you come across. Leisure walks can also be enjoyed. Nature walks are one of the best ways to explore the reserve as intimately as possible.

A hot air balloon ride is an exclusive activity that allows you to observe the reserve from a bird’s eye. Floating above the reserve and observing it from above is an incredible experience. A morning hot air balloon ride even allows you to capture the gorgeous Mara sunrise.

Bush lunches or bush meals are usually arranged out in the open savannahs at specially designated sites within the reserve. It includes a range of cuisines, from international to local Kenyan dishes cooked according to the guest’s preferences. A bush dinner may take place near a bonfire along with entertainment such as music, dance, or a storytelling session.

Sundowners are the perfect way to end your day in the reserve. It involves sipping on your favorite drink joined by the rest of the group which may include fellow travelers, family, friends, or significant others while marveling at the beautiful sunset.

What are the cultural experiences to have in Masai Mara safari?

The highlight of a Masai Mara safari is the cultural experience. Kenya is a country filled with vibrant and different tribes. The Maasais are the tribes that live inside the Masai Mara reserve. The reserve is named after the Maasais who are its ancestral inhabitants. They are a dominant ethnic group that surround the reserve.

When you visit the reserve, a trip to Maasai villages is a must. There is no best time to visit the Masai village in the Mara as it is a year-round activity. This cultural experience helps one understand and gain more knowledge about the indigenous Maasais who call the reserve their home.

A Maasai Mara village visit is mostly an excursion wherein for a couple of hours, guests can visit the village and learn about the tribe’s culture. This semi-nomadic and pastoral tribe lives a traditional lifestyle and practices unique traditions. They live inside a hut called ‘manyatta’ and clusters of these huts form a village or ‘Boma’.

Among the most important rituals of the Maasai is the traditional Maasai dance called Adumu. It is traditionally performed during the coming-of-age ceremony of Maasai warriors. It initiates a young Maasai boy into an adult man or warrior. They get warrior status only if they jump the highest. This competitive dance ritual has made the Maasai tribe extremely famous.

Guests can learn about such rituals and practices of the Maasai and even buy handcrafted souvenirs to support the tribe. A Maasai village visit is truly one of the best cultural experiences in Kenya.

It is highly suggested to take a trip to Masai Mara at least once. Since you now know the best time to visit Masai Mara, what to expect in the reserve, the cost surrounding the safari, and the activities you should try, it is time to plan this amazing trip. Contact a professional travel company specializing in Masai Mara safaris to turn this dreamy vacation into reality.