The Masai Mara is not the largest but for sure the most famous wildlife reserve in Kenya. The area got protected in 1961 to ensure the migration can continue. Prof.Dr. Grzimek showed this in his documentary movie,  "The Serengeti shall not die". The area covers 1.530 km2 and is bordering the Serengeti in the South and is as well surrounded by private sanctuaries and Maasai pastures.

The land belong(ed) to the Maasai, who are subdivided into different clans. Traditionally Maasais used the wide grass plains to nomad with their goats and cattle where ever rain falls. Maasais have been living in peace with wild animals. Only warriors have to spear a lion to prove manhood. The conflict between wild animals and human is growing since more and more land gets cultivated and the number of domestic animals and human beings is growing. Private organizations are aiming for a harmonic existence together and therefore created protected areas around the Masai Mara. 

You can reach the Masai Mara either on roads from different directions or in one hour by plane from Nairobi or 1 1/2 hours from the coast. The condition of the roads is currently good.

The plains and the hills are ranging from 1.500 to 2.000 m above sea level. The nights are sometimes pretty cold but at day time temperatures of 20 - 30 degrees can be measured. Open grass plains interspersed with acacia and desert dates alternate with rivers and their skirting forests.

The Masai Mara is subdivided into two areas: East of the Mara river it is managed by the local authorithies of Narok (capital of the Maasai region) in the west the Mara Conservancy, a non-profit-organisation is managing the game reserve. We move on both sides since each has its own beauty.

The rivers Talek und Sand river and their tributaries flow into the Mara river which flows through Serengeti and into lake Victoria. Two bridges are constructed over the Mara river. One is near the border to Tanzania, the other one in the north outside the reserve. The Sand river builds the border between Masai Mara and Serengeti over a long distance. It can be crossed over a bridge at the Sand river gate. The Talek river can be driven through by low water level. 

Large areas of the Masai Mara consist of black cotton soil. This kind of soil gets slippery by rain and makes even 4x4 desperately stuck. During heavy rain some areas are inaccessible and we are forced to stick to the main roads. But we know the Masai Mara very well and know exactly where we find safe ways.

The migration plays an important ecological part. The grass grows during the rainy season from March to June up to 1 m tall.  The grazing wildebeest and zebras shorten it, leaving football pitch like areas behind. This gives young grass the chance to grow when rain falls. Some herbivores like Thomson's gazelles prefer short grass. The big number of herbivores on the other hand attracts carnivores such as lion, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards and vultures. There is always a lot to encounter in the Masai Mara with the peak of the migration from July up to October.

The Masai Mara is the permanent home of giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, warthogs, black rhinos, monkeys, various antelopes, mongoose, jackals, crocodiles and more than 400 bird species. 

The early morning and late evening hours are the best for observation, since most animals are active at that time and rest during the hot noon hours.Therefore we leave as early in the morning as possible and return as late as it is allowed.