Masai Mara National Reserve gets its name from local Kiswahili word, “Mara” which means “spotted”. Masai Mara was named in honor of the local tribe who occupy the plains of the region known as the Maasai people. Holidays to Masai Mara Kenya offer you a cultural encounter with the tribe, the Maasai people are one of the famous African tribes we’ll known for their residence near many Parks across Kenya and the African Great lakes region. The tribe has preserved their African culture up-to present day which is clearly reflected by their dress code and ways of living. Masai Mara National Reserve is located in Narok County, Southern park part of Kenya. The Park is considered to be one of the greatest safari holiday destinations in Africa. At Masai Mara Holidays, our holiday packages to Masai Mara bring you to a close home encounter with the incomparable population of lions, cheetahs, leopard and Elephants within the Masai Mara. You must have heard of the The Great wildebeest Migration in Africa, a seasonal movement of large herds of wildebeests accompanied by zebras and antelopes. This Great Migration takes place in Masai Mara National Reserve and is the sole reason why many travelers have listed safari holidays to Masai Mara Kenya’s as part of of their travel plans. The Great Mara comprises of two major sectors; Masai mara National Reserve and The Mara Triangle, while on a safari holiday package to Masai Mara Africa, the Mara triangle is an excellent section for game drives, it is known to have the highest concentration of animals to include the big five. However, Masai Mara also encompasses of other conservancies to include: Olkinyei, Siana, Maji Moto, Koiyaki, Naikara, Lemek, Ol Derkesi and Oloirien.

Wildlife in Masai Mara National Reseve:
Holiday Packages to Masai Mara take you for an exclusive game viewing experience in the Mara and It’s is a positive statement to say their is nothing lacking In Masai Mara National Reserve. Enjoy a wide range of wildlife species to include the Big five: lions, leopards, Rhinoceros, Cape buffalos and Elephants while on a Safari holiday to Masai Mara Kenya. However the number of Rhinoceros/ black rhinos is known to have reduced due to the poaching acts in the early 1970. The ivory extracted out of the black Rhino had good market according to history and this accounts for the low current population of Black rhinos is that Great mara. Antelope species can be found in the The Great Mara, These species include: the coke’s hartebeests, duikers, impalas and Grants Grazelle. Masai Mara is also known for the distinctive Masai Girafffe and rare existence of the white giraffes.
Enjoy viewing the Aquatic wildlife Species on a Safari holiday package to Masai Mara, these species include: crocodiles and hippopotamus that are in large numbers mostly situated along the rivers, Mara and Talek. Foxes, Jackson heartebeest, jackals, cheetahs and hyenas are also found in The Great Mara. Wildebeest, Thompson’s Grazelle, topi and zebras herds total population is in millions in number with in Masai Mara. These herds can be witnessed seasonally on a holiday package to Maasai Mara as they migrate into the Masai mara Reserve across the Mara River all the way from Serengeti National Reserve in Tanzania. This is what is referred to as the Great Migration in Africa. The herds move in search for pastoral ranches within the Masai Mara. The wildebeests whose population is estimated in millions are the sole occupants of the Masai Mara. These wildebeest highlight the annual Great Migration which is also known as the wildebeest Migration. Many travelers from different corners of the world book Masai Mara holiday packages during this season to witness the excessive numbers of widebeests involved in the migration. The Great Migration is known to be the greatest and most impressive natural migration in the whole word, there is no such an experience any where else of the globe. This Migration is estimated to have over 1,300,000 wildebeest 97,000 Topi 500,000Thompson’s Grazelle, 200,000 zebras and 18,000 Elands.

Birding in Masai Mara National Reserve:
A Masai Mara Safari also offers you a unique birding experience, The Great Mara is gifted with more that 470 bird species with both raptors and Migrant species. Of these, the highest percentage are migrants with leaves to about 60 species known to call Masai Mara home to atleast half the year. Birders across the world visit the park on various holiday packages to Masai Mara in huge numbers annually, a typical birding Safari to Masai Mara is highlighted with a visit to Lake Nakuru known for having the world’s most concentration of flamingoes.
Birds species with in The Great Mara include: The African Pygmy falcons, Long Crested Eagles, Ostriches, Crown Cranes, secretary Birds, Marabou stocks, vultures, hornbills and lilac-breasted Roller (Kenya’s National bird)

How to get to Masai Mara National Reserve?
After booking your Masai Mara holiday Package, accessing the Park should be easy, Masai Mara National Reserve is about 280km from Nairobi, This journey to the park can be accessed by both air and by road. There are several airfields that were established in the Park to Accommodate travelers who prefer taking flights to the Park. Airfields include: Mara Serena Airport, Ngerende Airport, Tembo, Ngerende, Kichwa, Keekorok, Angama Mara and Musiara Airport. Which airport is preferable? It all depends on your Masai Mara Safari booking; which accommodation did you book for your stay in the Park? Most of the Airports are close to different lodges which it is in your best interest to book a flight to Masai Mara to an airport closest to your booked accommodation. A flight to Masai Mara from Nairobi via Jomo Kenyatta international Airport is only 45 minutes which saves you the 6 hours you would have endured on the road.

Which is the best choice to access Masai Mara?
The journey to Masai Mara National Park both by air and road has disadvantages and advantages. Before booking a Masai Mara Safari or running into conclusion about which travel means you will take while on your Masai Mara Safari holiday, kindly look through these factors that will help you to have a better choice. If you have a lot of time to embark on your holiday safari to Masai Mara, road access would do you no harm, matter of fact it’s the best option you can have, the option gives you an opportunity to enjoy the country scenic views along the drive to include suburbs of Nairobi, the great rift valley escarpments which is a major en route stop over. You should also note that when planning your Masai Mara Safari holiday, the drive is a cheaper option compared to booking a flight to the Park. However, along the drive you will encounter bumby roads as you approach closer to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The last 80km can go for about 3 hours on the road which reflects just how much of a delay the bumpy roads bring about. It is at this point that a 4 x4 vehicle becomes a must have while embarking on your holiday package to Masai Mara.

Flying to Masai mara
This is ideally the best option for travelers having a short time to spend on a holiday to Masai Mara Kenya. (Less than nights) Flights to the Masai Mara depart from Wilson international airport which is about 1 hour from Nairobi with consideration of Traffic jam. The 3 companies licensed to operate flights to the Masai Mara include: Air Kenya, Safari Link and Fly Safari. Flying to the Great Mara offers you an amazing opportunity to view beautiful aerial views of the Park. The aircraft really fly low which offers you a chance to Enjoy aerial scenic views of the Savannah grasslands while on you Masai Mara Safari package or your choice, Thea views are blended with spotted shrubs and the major highlights, the Mara river as it makes it’s way through the Park.There are also arranged flights from Tanzania at Mombasa and Malindi together with Zanzibar all going to Masai Mara.

Best time to visit on a Masai Mara Safari Holiday:
Having to Choose a Masai Mara Safari Holiday Package, the dry season from June to October is the best time to go on a Safari to Masai, but the peak season being July to September. The beginning of January through the end of February signals the warmest and wettest period in the region. This means the wildlife will be in shorter supply due to the start of the rainy season, flooded roads and generally wet weather. This time makes it poor for game viewing while on Masai Mara Safari Holidays, combined with slippery roads, mosquitoes are also much more prevalent during this period. June sees the start of the dry season with water levels and riverbanks teaming with wildlife, you will be able to observe the wildebeest migration crossing to Maasai Mara and Serengeti, one of the most exciting experiences on safari holidays to Masai Mara Africa. December can also be an excellent time to visit Masai Mara Kenya with lush green scenery making an ideal habitat for migratory birds and the newborn animals. Our Masai Mara holiday packages take you for an exclusive and Adventurous Masai Mara Safari holiday experience. Our popular holiday safari packages to Masai Mara holidays include: Masai Mara and mountain gorillas, Masai Mara Kenya safaris, Masai mara family holidays, Masai Mara and Zanzibar Holidays, Masai Mara and beach holidays, Masai Mara and Tanzania Safari holiday, Masai Mara and Uganda safari Holiday and Masai Mara, Uganda and Tanzania Holidays.

Masai Mara Safari holiday Cost:
The cost of a Safari holiday to Masai Mara varies with; the number of people traveling, the time of travel (season) , the type of package desired and the number of days to be spent on a Safari to Masai Mara

1.The Number of People:
The number of people in a group traveling to Masai Mara for a Safari determines the cost of the package in a way that the more the people in a group the lesser the cost per person likewise the smaller the group the more the cost per person charged. This theory of pricing is based on costs shared per person such as transport, room sharing and so on, with many people having to share a given cost, this lowers the price for a big group.

2. Type of Package for a Masai Mara Safari Holiday
There are three types of Packages you can opt for while planning a Safari tour to Masai Mara, these are broken into: luxury, midrange and budget type of Safari packages.

Luxury Safari Package
With a luxury type of package, you enjoy a Safari holiday to Masai Mara with accommodation in top luxury Safari lodges within the Park ranging for $250-$500 per person for a night on full board. The luxury package also comes with guaranteed full time transportation in a 4x4 Safari Jeep/ land Cruiser throughout your Safari

Midrange Safari Package:
A Midrange Safari package to Masai Mara offers you an experience to the wilderness of Masai Mara National reserve with accommodation in moderate lodges within the the Park Ranging from $180-$210 per Person for a night on full board. With the midrange package you also get transportation throughout the Safari in a 4x4 Safari Van.

Budget Safari Package
A budget Safari package to Masai Mara comes with night accommodation on a Safari in budget accommodations lodges within the Masai Mara ranging from $150 or less on full board person for a night. This package also comes with full time transportation throughout the Safari in a 4x4 Safari van.

3. Number of days Spent on a Masai Mara Safari
This is quite evident the number of days you choose to spend on your Safari to Masai Mara will affect the cost of your Masai Mara holiday.

4. Time of Travel
There are two seasons to travel in the on a Masai Mara Safari holiday, these are; the low and high season. The high season in Masai Mara is also known as the peak season which is characterized by many visitors, dry months with scattered or no rainfall at all. The high season in Masai Mara starts in July up to September but also December to February is part of the high season although these are not excellent months considering the annual Wildebeest Migrationm is out of sight. During the high season, booking prices are high due to the high demand many visitors plan their travel in this exact time. On the other hand the low season on a Masai Mara Safari is characterized by poor months with rainfall and few visitors. During these months booking prices are low and is a good time to get yourself a good deal for a holiday to Masai Mara.

Where to stay on a Masai Mara Safari Holiday
There are two options where you can stay; at a lodge or at a campsite, if you are
a photography enthusiast I would suggest that you stay somewhere near the river within the Mara. There are a lot of campsites and lodges on the river side and though their packages are slightly on the higher price but never the less there are a lot of advantages as well: Early imorning as soon as your up and ready to explore Masai Mara, immediately you head out out of the camp, your already on safari, there's no need to enter any Park gate or anything like that so catching the early morning light and evening light falls into place if you're staying somewhere in a campsite unlike staying outside the park where you have to travel for over an hour to get to the entry point and main photography areas yet morning and evening are crucial times since half of the action happens in the morning.
If your looking for comfort, a lodge should be your best but not in a way like campsites are not comfortable, with a campsite you may not the luxury of a swimming pool like in a Safari lodge where you get some basic comfort and nice
air-conditioned room.

The type of Safari vehicle:
What kind of a vehicle should you opt for while on a Masai Mara Holiday ? Essentially there are two types of vehicles which apply in a lot of places in Kenya; one is the Land Cruiser or the old Land Rovers and the other one is the Safari Vans. The key point to note here Is that there is a difference in pricing as far as the Land Cruiser, it a bit more expensive majorly because it's a 4x4 all-terrain bike and at times in a places like Masai Mara when it rains the tracks become so muddy and you may have to cross some over flowing rivers so a 4x4 is highly recommended. On the other hand a Safari van is a cheaper way to do but at Masai Mara Holidays we highly emphasize that travelers should stick to a land cruiser for a guaranteed smooth Safari.

Getting a good Safari guide:
At Masai Mara Holidays we do believe there are different ratings of guides, certain companies unlike other destinations, in Africa there is a high chance that your guide will be your driver as well and this is the person you will spend 90% of your time on a Safari with. Having worked with among the best international filming crews and
photographers, at Masai Mara Holidays we do understand and coordinate the requirements of all our travelers. The quality skills and professionalism of a guide definitely matter because if you are into serious wildlife and photography but get got stuck with the wrong wrong set of people it's all a wastage of money.