MAASAI MARA

The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s top safari destination and the birthplace of the modern-day African safari. Open plains, flat-topped acacia trees, meandering riverine forests, and rolling hilltops make up the backdrop of this beautiful region.

It is well known for the Great Migration of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes that travel through its open plains. In addition to this massive movement of animals, the Mara’s resident predators and scavengers take center stage. Intense competition between predators, over the Mara’s diverse and abundant wildlife, is fueled by strong survival instincts. The Maasai Mara truly provides exceptional wildlife viewing year round.

A common false perception is that the migration occurs at a specific time each year. In fact, the dynamic movement of herds of wildebeests, zebras, and other antelope occurs throughout the year. Their movement is driven by access to water and green pastures. Incredible predator/prey dynamics and risky river crossings take center state as they make their way.

The Mara’s high elevation and proximity to the equator creates warm days and cool nighttime temperatures. The difference between seasonal temperatures is minimal, averaging in the mid 50s at night, and the mid-70’s to mid-80’s during the day. Although there is some variability in the rains, Kenya typically experiences two rainy seasons throughout the year. The long rains typically last from April to May and fall as heavy rain showers. The short rains typically occur in November as intermittent, scattered showers.

The Maasai Mara hosts one of the most incredible wildlife spectacles on this planet. Massive herds of wildebeests, zebras, and other antelopes follow ancient migratory paths shaped by life-giving rains and strong survival instincts. After traveling through the Serengeti in Tanzania, the herds move into Mara to take advantage of fresh grazing from July to October. The Maasai Mara is also home to one of the highest concentrations of predators in Africa. Lions, leopards, and hyenas depend on the bounty that the migration provides, and when the herds move away, their hunting tactics must shift. Predators fiercely compete for resources. Solitary leopards specialize in smaller prey to sustain themselves, while cheetahs can be found hunting in vast plains, chasing down prey at top speed. Large herds of elephants and buffalo make their way across the Mara’s wide-open spaces, and lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare black rhino.