Masai Mara National Reserve: The Masai Mara National Reserve is a wildlife reserve located in southwestern Kenya. It is named after the Maasai people who are the traditional inhabitants of the area and the Mara River that flows through the reserve. The reserve covers an area of approximately 1,510 square kilometers (580 square miles) and is part of the larger Serengeti-Mara ecosystem that extends into Tanzania.
The Masai Mara is renowned for its abundant wildlife, particularly the wildebeest migration, which is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world. The migration involves over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving between the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya in search of water and grazing. This annual event takes place between July and October and is a major attraction for tourists.
Apart from the wildebeest migration, the Masai Mara is also home to other wildlife such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and various species of antelopes. The reserve offers excellent opportunities for game viewing and bird watching.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is managed by the Narok County Council and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kenya. It is easily accessible by road and air and has a variety of accommodations ranging from luxury lodges to budget campsites.
What Does Masai Mara Mean
The Masai Mara is named after the Maasai people who are the traditional inhabitants of the area, and the Mara River that flows through the reserve. The word “Mara” means “spotted” in the Maasai language, referring to the distinctive appearance of the landscape with its patches of trees, bushes, and grasslands. Thus, the name Masai Mara means “the spotted land of the Maasai”.