Activities in Maasai Mara National Reserve | Great Migration Safaris | Kenya Safari Tours.
Things to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve: Safaris to Maasai Mara National Reserve are filled with excellent wildlife sightings as well as other exciting adventures. With an abundance of wildlife roaming the savannah plains, including lions, zebras, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos and hyenas, among others. Here are the best things to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Game Drives
Game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve offer visitors an opportunity to explore the savannah grasslands and spot many of the animals calling the reserve home, plus an abundant and diverse range of birdlife.
Game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve are offered as morning and afternoon game drives or full-day game drives. Also, night game drives are arranged, but not in the main reserve; they happen in the private conservancies. On full-day game drives, you go with a packed lunch, giving you flexibility to explore the reserve’s most remote locations. Animals to look out for during game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve include leopards, cheetahs, lions, zebras, wildebeests, elephants, gazelles, giraffes, spotted hyenas, among others.
Witness the Great Migration
The Great Migration, also known as the annual wildebeest migration, is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles, and witnessing it is one of the bucket list experiences to have in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Every year, over 2 million wildebeests, accompanied by thousands of zebras and gazelles, make up the bulk of the migration. But they are not the only players; lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards and other predators take full advantage of the passing animals and exploit every opportunity to get a meal.
The herds arrive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve anytime from July to September, departing from around October to November for the return journey to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
Bush Walks
Walking in the African Bush is a sensory experience like no other. The smell of the bush and sounds all around you, the proximity of big game, spotting the birdlife and small animals you wouldn’t be able to see on a game drive. It makes for wonderfully thrilling hours.
In this experience, you are led by a Maasai warrior who will point out flora and fauna, teach you to track, and explain Maasai cultures and traditions as you go. Adventurous guests can enjoy a faster version, doubling up as bush exercise.
Hot Air Balloon Safari
Drift serenely over the Mara on a hot-air balloon safari, a magical way to see and appreciate the grandeur of the landscape and the wildlife scattered across its plains. This bucket-list experience starts with a 4 am pick-up from your safari lodge or camp to ensure you are airborne to see the sunrise, an unforgettable sight that is worth getting out of bed for. As the first sunrise heats the group, you will soar up in the sky, glide over the Maasai Mara Plains and enjoy aerial views of the endless landscapes, rivers snaking through the landscape, herds of buffalo and elephants, prides of lions, and so on.
The hot air balloon safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve lasts for 1 hour, and on landing, you are treated to a champagne breakfast, toasting to conquering the sky. Later, return to your lodge or go for a game drive.
Community Tour
The community tour in Maasai Mara National Reserve takes you to visit the local Maasai village, the Manyatta. The Maasai people are one of the few tribes in Africa to have remained true to their ancient traditions, and the possibility of sharing their culture and traditions is a privilege.
On arrival, expect a warm and memorable welcome to the village by Maasai dressed in traditional regalia before meeting local families and touring their homes. Depending on the time of day, you can help milk the cattle (done in the morning and late afternoon) or herd cattle, goats and sheep back to their enclosures for the night (evenings).
You are then treated to a performance of the “Adumu” dance, a traditional fire-making demonstration, and a Maasai beading workshop where you can make a Maasai ornament or item of jewellery. Also, you may purchase authentic handicrafts made by the villagers themselves.
The second part of the community tour takes you to visit a primary school where you tour classrooms, meet the children and can enjoy a game of football. The tour explains the history of the school, exciting developments planned and how it is helping the children secure a better future for the community and the long-term conservation of the Mara’s unique ecosystems. 50% of the proceeds go directly to the families of the village, and 50% goes to a bursary kitty supporting the schoolchildren with secondary school and college fees.
Visit the Weekly Maasai Market
Every Thursday, generally between 10 and 3 pm, the Maasai from the surrounding area bring their cattle, goats, sheep and local produce to sell. The market is about a 20-minute drive from the main entrance of Maasai Mara National Reserve, and a visit can easily be combined with a morning game drive. To visit the market, it is free of charge; however, we recommend taking some local currency to purchase some items while you are there.
What is the best time to visit Maasai Mara National Reserve for a safari?
Maasai Mara National Reserve is an all-year-round safari destination; however, the best time to visit for safari depends on what you intend to see and experience during your Kenya safari. To witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, an event that takes place across the savannah plains of the Maasai Mara, the best time is from July to October. For overall sightings of wildlife in the Maasai Mara, the best time is during the dry season, which runs from July to October; in these months, the vegetation cover is thin, creating uninterrupted sightings of the animals. Also, because most waterholes dry up, animals are easily seen congregating around watering holes.
For visitors interested in a unique and unforgettable safari experience, the best time to visit is during the green season, which is March to May and November to December. This season experiences heavy rains, roads are muddy, and mosquitoes are present; still, the safari experience is enriching and exciting. Some of the lodges and camps in Maasai Mara National Reserve close; those that stay open offer discounted rates, thus more affordable safaris.
