SAFARIS
MASAI MARA
Masai Mara, a wildlife photographer’s dream playground, is located in the far southwest of Kenya in the Great Rift Valley. Its official name is Masai Mara National Reserve, a vast wilderness of abundant big game, spectacular landscapes and the scene of one of the planet’s most dramatic wildlife migrations.
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MASAI MARA
INTRODUCTION
Masai Mara, a wildlife photographer’s dream playground, is located in the far southwest of Kenya in the Great Rift Valley. Its official name is Masai Mara National Reserve, a vast wilderness of abundant big game, spectacular landscapes and the scene of one of the planet’s most dramatic wildlife migrations.
The Maasai people, a semi-nomadic tribe of pastoralists who have long inhabited this region, describe the landscape, “mara”, which means “spotted”, in a reference to the dotted appearance of trees, bushes and the shadows of passing clouds on the plain. The Reserve was established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary. The Masai Mara is one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife: the concentrations of game here are astounding. Famous residents in the reserve are the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhinos). There are many other animals such as cheetah, giraffe, hyena, hippo and crocodile and more than 500 species of birds. Famous photographers Jonathan Scott and Angela Scott shot the BBC’s Big Cat Diaries documentary show on the reserve’s plains.
Although the wildlife viewing at any time of the year is excellent in general, the Masai Mara is best visited during the months of the Great Migration, which has been called the Eighth Wonder of the World. It usually starts in July and ends in early October. During this period, millions of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle make their way north into the Masai Mara Reserve from the Serengeti, crossing the Mara River in search of fresh grazing grounds. It is an astonishing experience watching vast herds of animals on the move, as well as the thrilling kills by the big cats and crocodiles.
The Masai Mara is also a stunning place for landscape photography; photos of animals with a backdrop of seemingly never-ending savanna dotted with photogenic acacia trees are so unique to Masai Mara. The expansive grasslands of the Paradise Plains attract vast herds of plains animals, especially during the Great Migration; it is also famed for exciting big cats such as lions and cheetahs sightings. The Mara River wends its way through the national Reserve; it is home to hippos and crocodiles. Some of the crossing wildebeests and zebras fall to victims of crocodiles in the river during the Great Migration.
A visit to a traditional Maasai village is a unique part of experience on your safari. We received a welcome singing and jumping dance by the villagers. The Masai live lives entirely devoid of western influence. Observing daily life in a Masai village or manyatta, is not only educational, but incredibly memorable.
SAFARI GUIDE
Getting a good guide is crucial for your safari experience. Mr. Nickson Saruni Kaleku has worked as our guide during our visits to Masai Mara. He is a Maasai native, grew up in a village outside of Masai Mara preserve. He has been a Safari tour guide since 2012, after passing the professional examination with a Bronze medal from the Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association. Nick has in-depth knowledge of Masai Mara and wildlife in the area. He is very passionate about the welfare of wildlife and the preservation of nature. He also has very good knowledge and understanding of photography, especially with wildlife photography. With a calm personality and a sense of humor, he is truly a great tour and photography guide. Nick is married with four children.
