| For a long list of reasons Masai Mara is the best | | | | baked surface Masai Mara climate is predictable |
| animal reserve in Kenya. The panorama | | | | with ample rain and the new grass supports an |
| sometimes resembles one of those wild animals' | | | | annual wildebeest migration of up to one and half |
| wall charts, where groups of unlikely looking | | | | million animals from the dry plains o Tanzania . |
| animals' companions are forced into the artist's | | | | To travel through the Masai Mara game reserve |
| frame. You can see a dozen different species or | | | | in August or September, while the wildebeest are |
| more at one time: gazelle, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, | | | | in possessing is a staggering experience like being |
| topi, kongoni, wildebeest, eland elephant hyena, | | | | caught up in the momentum of phenomenal |
| jackals, ostrich and pride of lions waiting for a | | | | historic event. Whether you're watching this or a |
| chance. When the reserve was created however | | | | pride of lions hunting a herb of elephants grazing in |
| the scene looked very different. | | | | the marsh or hyenas squabbling with vultures |
| Traditionally the Masai lived in some harmony with | | | | over the carcass of the buffalo you are conscious |
| wildlife, hunting only lions and in times of famine | | | | all the time of being in a realm apart. There are |
| eland and buffalo the "wild cattle". Only the Okiek | | | | few places on earth where animals hold such |
| people (the "Dorobo in maa" meaning "people | | | | dazzling sway it's as if you had found yourself in |
| without cattle") hunted for a living. When the first | | | | the New York of the natural world. |
| European hunting safari made Masai Mara | | | | With its plentiful vegetation and wildlife the Masai |
| world-famous in the early years of last century, | | | | Mara game reserve's ecology appears at first |
| they were ransacking a region recently deserted | | | | sight to be relatively resilient to the effect of |
| by the Masai. Communities and rinderpest had | | | | huge number of tourist who visit it every year. |
| torn through their cattle herds. By 1961 the white | | | | However, the Masai Mara is the most visited park |
| hunters had succeeded in bringing the Mara's lion | | | | in Africa .On entering the reserve you will be |
| population to nine and Masai Mara was created as | | | | handed a copy of the relevant bylaws and rules |
| a game sanctuary- and a tourist attraction to be | | | | which should be strictly adhered to. |
| administered by the Masai District council Narok. | | | | The vast majority of visitors to Masai Mara come |
| Nearly 2000m above sea level the Masai Mara | | | | on prebooked safari packages which invariably |
| reserve is a great wedge of undulating grassland | | | | work out cheaper than under your own steam. |
| in the remote sparsely inhabited southwest part | | | | Travelers on a budget aren't well catered for in |
| of the country snuggled up against the border and | | | | Masai Mara if you can't afford the more |
| indeed an extension of the even bigger Serengeti | | | | expensive lodges and luxury tented camps there |
| plains in Tanzania. this is a land of short grasses | | | | are very few alternatives to do it your self |
| where the wind plays with dust devils from the | | | | camping. |