Information about Masai-Mara national park

Kenya is one of the most comfortable countries for exploring Africa’s wildlife. Currently, the country has 60 national parks and reserves. Most of them are located within a few hours’ drive from Nairobi International Airport. Each park is unique and worth visiting, but the best and most popular one is, of course, the Maasai Mara.
The Maasai Mara Reserve, named after the region’s indigenous Maasai people and the Mara River, is located in south‑western Kenya, in the Rift Valley. The total area of the protected territory is 1 800 square kilometres.

First and foremost, the Maasai Mara is famous for the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras, which takes place from June to September. During the migration, more than 1.5 million wildebeest move across the Maasai Mara. Over the course of three months, the herds of wildebeest and zebras graze almost all the grass and then move on to the neighbouring Serengeti Reserve.
For most visitors to the Maasai Mara National Park during the migration period, the highlight is watching the wildebeest herds cross the river — which is full of crocodiles.This is an incredible and often highly dramatic spectacle.

In addition to the migration, the Maasai Mara National Park is known for its high concentration of lions. Today, the Maasai Mara is home to the largest lion pride in Africa. Leopards, cheetahs, servals and caracals are also commonly seen there.
Unfortunately, the cheetah population is under threat of extinction, and the national park authorities are carrying out extensive work to conserve the cheetah population.

The Maasai Mara Reserve is also known for its careful treatment of rhinoceroses. It runs a special protection and conservation programme for them. Currently, around 50individuals live in the park — this is the largest population of rhinos living in completely wild conditions.
Other large mammals, such as elephants, buffaloes and hippos, are very commonly seen. Hippos, in large numbers, inhabit the Mara and Talek Rivers, sharing the waterways with crocodiles.

It is worth noting that hyenas receive special attention from scientists in theMaasai Mara, as their numbers have started to grow in recent years. These remarkable animals, often unfairly portrayed as anti‑heroes, are the true sanitation workers of the savanna. Together with other scavengers, they clean up all animal remains and help prevent the spread of disease.

Giraffes also live in the Maasai Mara, and it’s not uncommon to spot large families of more than 20 individuals. Several antelope species can be found in the national park, including Thomson’s gazelles, dik‑diks, impalas, wildebeest and others.
In addition to the wide variety of mammals, the Maasai Mara National Park is home to more than 400 bird species.

The Maasai Mara Reserve is home to a vast variety of mammals, reptiles and birds.Most of them can be observed in the park all year round, but the most exciting periodis from July to September, when millions of wildebeest and zebras migrate to theMaasai Mara from neighbouring Tanzania in search of fresh grass. This period is known as the Great Migration.

So, which animals can you expect to see with a 99 % chance, and which ones might be harder — or even impossible — to spot?

You can almost certainly see the following animals:

• buffaloes;
• elephants;
• giraffes;
• baboons;
• warthogs (locally nicknamed “lion sausages”);
• zebras;
• wildebeest (only during the migration period);
• Thomson’s gazelles;
• impalas;
• topi antelopes;
• tiny dik‑dik antelopes;
• giant eland antelopes;
• hippos;
• crocodiles (in the Mara and Talek River areas);
• lions (there are very many of them here);
• hyenas.

CheetaCheetahs are seen less frequently and are on the brink of extinction. However, they are still not too hard to find — you just need to look for them. Much will depend on your guide.
Leopards are more numerous in the Maasai Mara than anywhere else in Africa, but they are very secretive animals, so you’ll need to search for them too. Always look for them in trees near rivers and streams.

There are only about 60 rhinos left in the Maasai Mara, so spotting one also requires time and patience.
Servals and caracals are very hard to find. They are so cautious and small compared to other wild cats that looking for them is practically pointless — you’ll just have to rely on luck.

Among birds, the most commonly seen are large species such as vultures, marabou storks and ostriches. There is also a great variety of smaller and much more colourful feathered creatures.

In 1948, the first protected area was established in the western part of what is now the Maasai Mara — it was a zone where hunting was monitored. In 1954, a complete ban on hunting lions, rhinos and cheetahs was introduced.
The Maasai Mara Reserve was founded in 1961. Initially, the area of the Mara was just 520 square kilometres. Later, the territory was significantly expanded to the east, covering more than 1 800 square kilometres. The park’s management was taken over by the Narok County Council.
In 1984, part of the reserve’s territory was returned to local communities, which reduced the park’s area to the current 1 510 square kilometres.
In 1994, the Mara was divided into two parts:

• the eastern part, which remained under the management of the Narok regional government;
• the western part, which came under the control of the Trans‑Mara County Council.

The western part of the Maasai Mara, better known as the Mara Triangle, quickly fell into decline and, in 2001, was transferred to the management of the non‑profit organisation Mara Conservancy, which has been running this part of the park ever since. The eastern part of the Maasai Mara is still managed by the Narok County Council.

To ensure that your visit to the Maasai Mara does not disturb the animals and that you stay safe, a set of simple rules has been developed — and they should be taken very seriously.

You will most likely want to get as close as possible to the wild animals, and sometimes the animals themselves show just as much curiosity and come very close.For the sake of stunning photos, tourists often put themselves at incredible risk, forgetting that many animals — even non‑predators — can pose a serious threat.

Guides, trying to earn generous tips, often take risks and break the established rules,endangering tourists and causing discomfort to the animals.
Please read the rules of the Maasai Mara National Park and make every effort to followthem — even when other tourists do not. First and foremost, think about your safety:

• Respect the sanctity of wildlife in their natural habitat — this is their home.
• Do not feed the animals: it disrupts their natural diet and leads to dependence on humans.
• Keep noise to a minimum and do not play loud music or radio — noise disturbs the animals and may annoy your fellow travellers.
• Always stay inside the vehicle, except in specially designated picnic areas.
• Getting out of the vehicle near river crossings is prohibited.
• Do not chase or disturb the animals.
• Cheetahs must not be allowed on or in vehicles. Maintain a distance of 25 metres from cheetahs, especially those with cubs. Under no circumstances approach a cheetah that is moving towards your vehicle, as this may provoke it to jump onto the car. Violating this rule is considered a disturbance of wildlife.
• Do not speed up or make noise to attract the animals’ attention — respect their right to privacy.
• Do not use flash when photographing animals: it may harm their eyesight.
• Avoid sitting or standing on the roof or bonnet of the vehicle during a safari and/or at wildlife viewing spots.
• Observe the speed limit: do not exceed 50 km/h on main roads and 30 km/h on internal safari tracks.
• Pets are not allowed in the park.
• Never drive off‑road — this causes significant harm to the environment. Stick to graded roads and established tracks.
• At wildlife viewing spots, maintain a minimum distance of 25 metres from the animal being observed, and park at the side of the road to allow others to pass.
• Do not surround the animals — they must have the opportunity to scan the surrounding area for potential threats.
• Do not leave any litter, and never leave or discard burning or flammable objects.
• Make sure you have received the necessary receipts from the KATO office or at the park gates, and be prepared to present them upon request by park staff.
• Use only designated (official) gates to enter the park.
• Leave before dark. Visitors are not permitted in the park outside the hours of 6:30 am to 6:35 pm.
• Do not cross the border into Tanzania.
• Night safaris are prohibited.
• Resident vehicles must display a valid annual park access licence.
• When there are more than five vehicles at a wildlife viewing spot, the viewing time is limited to 10 minutes.
• Vehicles waiting for their turn to view wildlife must stay at least 100 metres away.
• Do not use specialised equipment (drones, remote‑controlled recording devices) without prior permission from the Narok County authorities.
• For any complaints, please contact the office of the Chief Park Warden in Sekenani.
• Enjoy your stay in the Maasai Mara — your enjoyment is our joy.
• Welcome back to the Maasai Mara, time and time again.

If you violate any of the above rules, the management of the Maasai Mara Reserve has the legal right to:

• impose an on‑the‑spot fine of 10 000 Kenyan shillings;
• immediately remove the vehicle and/or people from the park;
• prohibit the vehicle and/or individuals from further entry to and presence in the park.

Categories of violations and fines

Failure to pay the park entry fee:

• a) For a vehicle: 2 000 Kenyan shillings per entry;
• b) For the driver: 2 000 Kenyan shillings;
• c) Repeated failure to pay: 4 000 Kenyan shillings.

Possession of an invalid ticket: 3 000 Kenyan shillings per person.
Driving off‑road: 10 000 Kenyan shillings, plus a ban on entering the park for repeated offences.
Disturbing wildlife: 10 000 Kenyan shillings.
Littering in the park: 5 000 Kenyan shillings.