The grasslands, rivers and mountain backdrop of the Masai Mara are a spectacularly open and rolling canvas for one of the greatest game arenas in the world. Many people time their visit to coincide with the annual migration—rainfall and the availability of grazing trigger three million ungulates to migrate across the Serengeti Mara Ecosystem.  It is undoubtedly one of the great natural wonders of the world, and nowhere is it more spectacular than in the Mara, where the animals gather from July to October. At this time, the vast herds are not only in enormous concentrations, but they are forced to cross rocky and crocodile-infested rivers.

Mara is a national reserve and does not offer off-road driving, but there are many roads, so this is not usually an issue. Also, be aware that the main crossing points near public roads often attract 100s of day visitors. If you treasure the wilderness feeling, seriously consider avoiding these areas during the migration. In March or April, there are far fewer people and you can still enjoy the wonderful landscapes and excellent predators.

Large numbers of lion, leopard and cheetah can be seen remarkably easily thanks to the openness of the terrain. Elephants, buffalo, black rhino and the distinctive Masai giraffe also occur here along with a diversity of antelope including Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, impalas, duikers, Coke’s hartebeest and large herds of zebra. The park has more than 460 species of birds.

The Mara is only 1300 square kilometres—but it is a seamless part of the 27 000 square kilometre Serengeti Mara Ecosystem, which includes Tanzania’s Serengeti and Maasai land where herdsmen graze their cattle alongside wildlife. Mara North, Olare Orok, Mara Triangle and other concession areas have also been created as seamless extensions of the park. They are administered separately and have strict rules regarding the number of vehicles at sightings. They offer limited road driving, but night drives and walks are other privileges that guests can enjoy in the private concessions.

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