The Mara National Reserve is home to over 1.5 million Wildebeests, thousands of Zebras, Hippopotami, Nile crocodiles, the rare Wide Rhinos, over 400 bird species among other animals and wild plantation/MAASAI MARA.COM
The Mara National Reserve is home to over 1.5 million Wildebeests, thousands of Zebras, Hippopotami, Nile crocodiles, the rare Wide Rhinos, over 400 bird species among other animals and wild plantation. It is also hosts some of the country’s best hotels, has amazing airstrips and a great nomadic community.
If you are here in the country for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit which will be chaired by US President Barack Obama alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta, we are giving you eight reasons on why you should go to The Mara:
- Home to the world’s Seventh Wonder
Every year, over one million Wildebeests migrate from Serengeti into the Maasai Mara by crossing The Mara River. What makes its more spectacular is the presence of predators in the river, namely Nile Crocodiles and other animals waiting to hunt down the wildebeests as they crossover.
“I travelled from across the world to come witness the great migration of the wildebeests from Serengeti Park to Maasai Mara via The Mara River which is expected in the next few weeks. I have always wanted to see this, so I came to Kenya a few weeks earlier to get prepared as I enjoy the rest of Maasai Mara’s wildlife,” said John Kenon, an American tourist visiting The Maasai Mara.
- The Animals
Wildebeests aside, Maasai Mara is home to thousands of different animal species. The big five, namely elephants, rhinos, lions and buffaloes can be found there. And that’s not all; the small five, which include Elephant Shrew, Buffalo Weaver and Leopard Tortoise among others, can also be found there.
“The Maasai Mara has some of the most amazing and rare animals on the continent. For instance, the few Wide Rhinos found in Africa are actually found here, which is reason enough to come here,” Head of Corporate Affairs, Kenya Tourism Board Kimutai Ngeno said.
- It is Safe!
The security at Maasai Mara is on point. Hardly will you travel a few miles without bumping into security keepers on patrol. The Kenya Wildlife Service deploys its Officers throughout The Mara to ensure that both the wildlife and tourists visiting the Reserve are safe.
“I want to encourage the world to come and experience The Mara because it is not only magical and it is very safe. Things are not as bad as the International media makes it to be, I have not for one instance felt unsafe during my stay here,” Hinta Tulsi, a tourist visiting Maasai Mara from Abu Dhabi said.
- Accommodation
Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Kichwa Tembo, Ole Mara Kempinski, Sarova Mara Camp and Mara Serena Safari Lodge are just a few of the wide variety of the available accommodation at the Maasai Mara. These come with twenty first century facilities with a touch of the Maasai culture.
“Our clients get to sleep in tents. However, these are not your ordinary tents as these come with up-to-date facilities that you will find in hotels elsewhere, but you still get to feel like you are in the wild since they are not your ordinary hotel rooms. We are therefore calling out to all tourists, both local and international to some enjoy the hospitality offered at this part of the country,” said Fairmont Mara Safari Club Manager Munene Ngotho.
- The People
You have heard of the bravery of the Maasai People but still doubt whether those stories are true, well they are not. Maasais, especially the Morans, do literally walk across the wild Mara fearlessly. Gong there will also give you an opportunity to interact with these communities that live close to The Mara and they will give you their experiences of living close to wild animals.
“I got to see real Maasais who have the whole package; from the long braided hair to muscles popping from their attires to their natural charm. It was really amazing. Now I know what everyone is usually gushing about!” Louise Femie, an Australian Tourist visiting The Mara said.
- The Experience
You not only get a chance to take cool selfies that have fabulous hashtags such as #TembeaKenya and #ChooseKenya, but you also get to experience nature at its best. Being woken up by hippo noises instead of screeching alarm noise is great of course. You will also experience taking safaris in the dusty wild as you watching lions make meals out of stray Antelopes!
“The wild does not get better than Maasai Mara. This place gives you a thousand and one reasons to come back. The whole package is here, from the wildlife, the people, the weather, the food, everything falls into place seamlessly,” Kichwa Tembo Assistant Manager Stanley Mpakani said.
- Accessibility
The Maasai Mara is now more than ever very accessible. First, there are daily flights going into Maasai Mara by different airlines, such as SafariLink, into different locations at The Mara hence opening it up to more people.
“Gone are the days when travelling to Maasai Mara was such a struggle. We now fly daily to Maasai Mara to ensure that tourists get a chance to go where they wish in the Reserve. Flying daily also opens up The Reserve as more people will find it much more accessible hence convenient,” John Buckley, SafariLink Managing Director stated in a past interview.
- The Activities
You get hot air balloons, safaris in the wild and game viewing and so on at Maasai Mara. Hotels on location also offer diverse activities for their visitors. Most hotels at The Reserve have fun things to do such as Swimming, playing tennis, spas and massages among other activities.
“There is so much to do at the Maasai Mara. We went on a hot air balloon and it was so much fun and thrilling. I cannot wait to tell my friends about Maasai Mara, I will come back again,” Elliot Soulford, an English tourist staying at Fairmont Mara Safari Club said.
