Masai Mara

Packed with wildlife including the Big Five, the Masai Mara is Africa’s iconic safari destination. It is Kenya’s most famous reserve and one of the main reasons why thousands of people visit Kenya every year. The Masai Mara Reserve is in south-west Kenya, extending to the northern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti. Set at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level and covering an area of 583 square miles, the game reserve is made up of seemingly endless grassy plains and rolling hills, crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers which provide sustenance for the abundant wildlife. 

The great migration is an annual highlight, when between June and September, thousands of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes make their journey across Tanzania and Kenya. This is a spectacular natural event that happens each year, leaving you exhilarated after seeing the animals hurtling through the crocodile-infested waters and facing lions and other predators along the way.  

Aside from the Big Five, the Masai Mara is home to cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, antelopes, giraffes and zebras. Large rafts of hippos and enormous crocodiles can be spotted in the Mara River. The park is a haven for birdlife too, with over 450 species including eagles, kites, hawks, falcons and kestrels.

Time in the Masai Mara is spent going on early morning and late afternoon game drives to spot diverse wildlife with the help of an experienced guide. Between safari excursions, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy delicious meals back at the lodge. There is also the opportunity to visit a local school where you can meet the children and be taken round their classrooms, donating school materials and games if you wish.