Considered by many the “sanctuary” of Kenyan wildlife, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions and is located in south-western Kenya, belonging to the Serengeti ecosystem. The park’s name derives from the Masai tribe which inhabits various areas of the Serengeti plain, and the Mara river.
The reserve is renowned for its excellent concentration of wildlife and the famous migration of gnu and zebra which takes place in October and April. The Masai Mara park extends over 320 km² and is crossed by the Great Rift Valley. Most of the wildlife is concentrated in the western areas where the plains have plenty of water sources.
Here it is possible to see the so-called “Big Five”, including lions – there are around 1000 specimens in this area. There are also numerous hippopotamuses in the Mara and Talek rivers, whilst the gnu are the reserve’s principle residents. The reserve is also home to other species of antelope, in particular Thomson’s gazelle and Grant’s gazelle, impala and large herds of zebra.
