The Masai Mara habitat is well-known for its diverse animals, such as the big 5 -lions, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, and elephants as well as a variety of other wildlife and birds on the game drive such as, cheetahs, topis, jackals, zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, vultures, hyenas and many others. Waking up early in the morning is always ideal as it’s the best time to spot animals before it’s sunny and windy, animals are also active during such hours.
A game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see plentiful species and breathtaking scenery. This is the ultimate African safari experience, with rolling hills and huge plains. Throughout the year, visitors can expect to see a variety of species, including enormous herds of elephants, buffalo, and other prairie fauna. Predator interactions are also prevalent. Every year, wildebeest migrations pass through the Mara for around three months. Game drives can run from a few hours to a whole day and include a picnic breakfast and lunch. It’s a sight to behold if you’re lucky enough to witness nature’s grandest spectacle, the wildebeest migration. Every year, from July to November, more than two million wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles migrate between Kenya and Tanzania. These animals endure numerous dangers on their trek, including crossing rivers teeming with crafty crocodiles, and confronting vicious predators.
In November, the short summer rains begin, and the wildebeest migrate south to their calving areas in the Serengeti. The wildlife of Mara’s abundant habitat, on the other hand, remains untouched, ensuring an outstanding safari experience at any time of year. Lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards can also be found in the reserve.
The Mara is famous for its majestic black-manned lions, which you will have the opportunity to observe on your game drive. The Mara is home to up to six species of vulture, one or more of which is frequently observed near lion hunts.
In neighboring Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve is part of a vast conservation region that also includes the Serengeti National Game Reserve and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Wildlife can wander freely across this area since there are no fences or man-made barriers, reenacting an age-old natural cycle.
Private tours are highly recommended due to their flexibility and more chances for extensive exploration; however, flying tours are quick and sometimes operated by safari camps/lodges which limit more discoveries.
Travelers with special interests like community discoveries, birding, and more of photography prefer traveling by road. Evening game drives are also a key target by travelers, however, it’s to note the main Mara reserve does not conduct night drves; it’s only permitted to group or individual conservancies adjacent to the park. Hours are 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., depending on which camp or lodge offers guests these night excursions.
Safari providers typically supply vehicles for game drives and other complete safaris in Kenya, especially if you book a road safari from Nairobi. Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 jeeps or minibuses are used. A non-4×4 tour van is another name for it. Some tour vans have all-wheel drive as well. Both types of cars are suitable for safaris and have game-viewing roofs. When he flew into the Mara and reserved a game drive at a lodge or camp, he discovered that some of these camps were “open” on his 4×4 safaris and provided vehicle game drives. You might notice something. These open-sided vehicles are not designed for highway driving and are only permitted to transport tourists within the reserve.
Tour operators in Kenya, as well as the majority of camps and lodges in the Masai Mara, use Toyota land cruisers because they perform well in all-weather and all-terrain conditions. Land cruiser vehicles can accommodate up to 7-8 adults, with one additional seat and one person seated beside the driver. The cars have several game-viewing roofs, the tour van or minibus is slightly more comfortable than the other option.