Maasai Mara National Reserve

Rainbow at Masaai Mara - Rainbow at Masaai Mara

Maasai Mara National Reserve is in the southwest of Kenya. The Maasai Mara is not a National Park, but rather a National Reserve belonging to the Maasai people and administered by the local county councils. It is one of the best known and most popular reserves in Africa.

Maasai Mara National Reserve Halal Explorer

The Maasai Mara National Reserve (also Masai Mara) is each year visited by thousands of tourists, who come here to watch the many different wildlife and birdlife species in the reserve. The reserve is especially famous for the high amount of predators, such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, and the 1½ million wildebeest which migrate through the Mara and cross the crocodile infested Mara river.

The best kept secret of the Mara is the Mara Triangle and the northwestern part of the Maasai Mara which is managed by the Mara Conservancy on behalf of Trans-Mara County Council - the rest of the reserve falls under Narok County Council. Although one third of the Mara and the Mara Triangle has only one lodge within its boundaries (compared to the numerous camps and lodges on the Narok side) and has well maintained, all weather roads. The rangers patrol regularly which means that there is almost no poaching and therefore excellent game viewing. There is also strict control over vehicle numbers around animal sightings which means a better, more authentic, experience when out on a game drive.

The Mara is the most lively during the big animal migration. The migration does not start exactly at the same time each year. It is usually from the end of August to September. Although animals can be seen at any time of the year in May/June it's difficult due to the rainy season with muddy paths.

Its advisable not to book tours that are overloaded with destinations. This is often the case with the one-week safaris offered by the major international tour operators. With too many parks in a week, you have little time in each park to observe the animals because you lose a lot of time in transit.

Check “hot offers” particularly intensely because their program might be completely firm and the accommodations often outside the parks. A good location of the lodge is very important in the Mara. They often use mini buses instead of Jeeps packed with 6 persons, which is the maximum number of seats in a mini bus. You can imagine how packed you are if everyone has a small bag plus photo equipment.

History

Arrowheads and pottery discarded by Neolithic man 2,000 years ago have been found in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Since the 17th century the Masai people have occupied the area - of course together with the wildlife, who are the true landlords here. The Maasai Mara National Reserve as it appears today was established in 1961, and covers 1,510 km² (583 sq miles).

How is the Landscape of Maasai Mara National Reserve

Topi Masai Mara - Topi (Damaliscus lunatus) in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

The Maasai Mara is characterized by four different kinds of topography: sandy soil and small bushes to the east and the Siria Escarpment forming a spectacular plateau as the western boundary of the reserve, lush grasslands and woodlands around the Mara River and open plains with scattered bushes making up the largest part of the reserve. The landscape is very varied and has a romantic feeling to it, as can be witnessed in the film Out of Africa, which was filmed here in 1985.

Flora and fauna

When visiting the Maasai Mara you are likely to see the famous Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Especially lions are common here, and have grown relatively accustomed to their two-legged visitors, which makes them easier to spot. The Mara Plains are teeming with wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, impala and Thomson's gazelle. Also cheetahs, hyenas and jackals are seen regularly in the reserve. In the Mara River large amounts of hippos and crocodiles are enjoying their lives - the crocodiles are especially happy in July and November when thousands of wildebeest migrate across the river causing a sumptuous feast for the hungry crocodiles.

Birdlife in Maasai Mara are abundant and diverse. Species such as eagles, ostriches, storks and vultures are among the more than 50 different birds of prey.

How is the Climate in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara is 1,500-2,200 m (4,900-7,100 ft) above sea level, which makes the climate slightly damper and milder than in other similar regions. Highest temperatures in daytime is 30°C/85°F (warmest in December and January, coldest in June and July), at night the temperature rarely drops below 15°C/60°F.

The rainy season is April-May and November. In these periods some parts of the Mara will get very muddy and practically inaccessible. The dry season occurs from July to October. This is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara as a lot of herbivores indulge in the plants grown long and lush after the rains - and, in these months you will stay clear of heavy showers.

Travel to Maasai Mara National Reserve

By air

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is accessible by regularly scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport year-round. Flights can often run from from Samburu, Lewa Downs, Nanyuki or Mombasa if sufficient demand. If you have a small group, a charter is also an option. The aircraft will land on one of the small Mara airstrips, and from here you need to transfer by vehicle to your particular lodge. Many lodges and camps offer pickups. The flight from Nairobi takes around half an hour, but may land at several Mara strips. Frequency for all airlines depends on the season. Some flights only operate subject to minimum passenger numbers Air Kenya | url = is a reliable state airline

Safarilink | url = Safarilink (in combination with Coastal aviation) also offers connecting Flights from Tanzania via the land crossing at Migori/Tarime.

By road

If you go by vehicle from Nairobi the drive will take you five hours during the dry season, and up to seven hours in the rainy season. By vehicle you can enter the game reserve through these gates: Oloolaimutia -1.61779, 35.38475, Sekenani -1.52240, 35.33629, Talek -1.44324, 35.20898, Musiara -1.27206, 35.06643, Oloololo -1.25810, 34.99798 and Sand River.

The roads in the reserve can become flooded or turned into mud puddles in the rainy seasons in April, May and November.

A lot of travel agencies organise safari trips to Maasai Mara. You can book a package tour, which allows you to put all transportation to and in the park in their hands.

Fees and permits

Entry fee is USD 80 per person per day.
You can book your tour of the National Reserve with a reliable tour operator that will usually bundle the park fee and the accommodation, and the safari vehicle and driver fees to make sure that you can enjoy your adventure and not have to worry about the details.

How to get around in Maasai Mara National Reserve

See also: Safaris -1.44180|35.14938

Ballooning Away in Maasai Mara - Ballooning Away in Maasai Mara

Moving around in Maasai Mara National Reserve must only take place by vehicle - preferably by 4-wheel safari vehicles. Because of the wild animals it is absolutely forbidden to move about on foot outside the camp sites and lodges.

What to see in Maasai Mara National Reserve

The major tourist attraction of this game reserve is, not surprisingly, game viewing. Go on morning, afternoon and night drives over several days in order to see as many as feasible of the resident animals, such as lion, leopard, elephant, zebra, giraffe, Thomson's gazelle, hyena, rhino, hippo and the thousands of migrating wildebeest that makes this park so famous.

Many camp sites and lodges offer game drives with experienced drivers and skilled, well-informed guides. These are well worth your money, as they will provide you with priceless knowledge and help you spot animals you wouldn't see on your own. And please catch as many sunuppers and -downers as you can.

Maasai Mara's most famous sight is the Great Migration, a great animal migration event that takes place in July and August every year.

There is a Maasai village near Oloolaimutiek gate of this game park. It is a good experience and will help you to deepen your understanding of the Maasai's culture and simple way of life.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Maasai Mara National Reserve

Gazella thomsoni in Masai Mara - Thomson's Gazelle

Game viewing - Go game viewing till you drop! You can bring your own vehicle (with or without private driver), take a tour, or some of the lodges provide game drives.

Hot Air Safaris - If this gets a little monotonous (which it probably won't), you can go on a much recommended hot air balloon safari early in the morning and see the sun rising above the wildlife and the magnificent landscapes. And do remember to take lots of photographs! Price is about 450€ (Ksh 45000 ) per person! The flights are mostly booked out by Chinese, so book ahead at times.

Wellness - Some lodges and camps offer massage and wellness treatments making you able to combine wildlife watching with luxury.

Maasai Village Visit - = Your guide should be able to arrange a visit to the local Maasai Village. These are actual living villages rather than historical relics. You will probably have a charge around US$20 from the village, plus whatever conveyance cost you incur. Once in the village, expect to get the opportunity to buy many more handicrafts, etc, from their markets.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Maasai Mara National Reserve

You can buy strings of beads or beads already made up into necklaces and other pieces of jewellery at the gate and outside the entry to the park.

If you want to support local communities do not buy trinkets from the camps and lodges and instead buy them from a local village - 'manyatta'.

Halal Food & Restaurants

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara National Reserve - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Maasai Mara National Reserve, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Maasai Mara National Reserve. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Maasai Mara National Reserve and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMaasai Mara National Reserve: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Maasai Mara National Reserve: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Maasai Mara National Reserve, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Maasai Mara National Reserve, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Maasai Mara National Reserve, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Maasai Mara National Reserve and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Maasai Mara National Reserve, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Maasai Mara National Reserve, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Maasai Mara National Reserve without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Maasai Mara National Reserve is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Maasai Mara National Reserve.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Maasai Mara National Reserve is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Maasai Mara National Reserve, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Maasai Mara National Reserve Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Lodging

Connochaetes taurinus -Wildebeest crossing river -East Africa - Wildebeest crossing river

David Livingstone Safari Resort - ☎ +254737118781, +254208034439 David Livingstone Safari Resort is situated to the northeast of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Lemek Conservancy on a broad bend with hippo pools on the Mara River. The lodge is set in acre 40 of tropical gardens with indigenous plants and botanical gardens it commands one of most spectacular views in the Serengeti- Mara ecosystem; the lodge lies on the Mara River at the edge of Maasai Mara National Reserve and overlooks deep pools where crocodiles and hippos bask all day. Accommodation 80 ensuite rooms and two deluxe suites.

Keekorok Lodge - 1.58920, 35.23600 Bungalows in single-storey blocks, restaurant, swimming pool, regular lectures on Masai lifestyle. It has a timber walkway stretching into the park, and next to the resident hippo pool. It is easy to spot hippos, crocs, buffalo, gazelle and elephant without leaving the lodge. They run their own game drives, and are 1 kilometers from the airstrip, so you can book your own flights, accommodation and drives here without having to engage a tour company.

Neo Classic camps Maasai Mara - Neo Management | 55950 Nairobi ☎ +254 203501450 Check-in: 10:00 / Check-out: 12:00 200 This property located on the banks of Talek river. Tents with WC, Large double beds. Package includes game drives, BLD.

Mara Serena lodge - P.O. Box 48690, Nairobi -1.40250, 35.02611 ☎ +254 732 123 333 73 individual rooms with private balcony and spectacular views, swimming pool, restaurant.

Karen Blixen Camp - Nairobi ☎ +254 20 211496 +254 20 211981 - Luxury camp with private masseuse and wellness treatments, 22 luxurious tents on raised platforms, located at the bank of Mara River with a resident hippo pod providing endless entertainment, restaurant, bar, swimming pool.

Royal Mara Safari Lodge - Nairobi ☎ +254 20 7123356 +254 207123357 - Six luxury guest suites built on elevated cedar and mahogany wood decks with private verandas and intricately hand-carved furniture, located directly on the Mara River, features over 200 resident hippos.

Kensington Tented Camp - Each of the camp's eight Suswa tents are carefully spread along the riverbank in this pristine acre 80 reserve. Isolated and private, yet situated in the midst of a teeming corner of the legendary Mara park, guests will savor this close connection with nature.

Kilima Camp - Kilima Camp is an intimate eco-friendly camp and it consists in 12 tents. Kilima means "mountain" in Swahili and the camp is located on top of the Siria escapement, 15 minutes from Oloololo Gate. It benefits from an amazing view over the Mara river and the plains.

Ngerende Island Lodge - A luxury safari lodge strategically located at the edge of the Mara river. The lodge comprises of only seven elegant suites, stylishly designed to guarantee guests great comfort and exclusivity while on their safari in the Masai Mara.

Mara Explorers - -01.4927500, 035.3607500Addresses are informal in this area. Contact Mara Explorers ☎ +254 706 856216 US$16 Masai Mara is never cheap, but Mara Explorers is a great budget option for those travelling independent of a tour group. They can connect you with vehicles and guides to see the park. At night, men with spears and strobe lights will be on hand to chase out leopards and elephants. Family run, hot water, electricity, no Wi-Fi.

Zebra Plains Mara Camp - A small camp in the Mara between Reserve and Olare Orok Conservancy. 4 tents small and very comfortable, approx. 20 minutes from the Olkiombo Airstrip and the Double Cross area.

Malaika Camp - 1.412, 35.048 Opened 2015, a private eco camp with 5 tents located directly on the Mara river and about 20-30 minutes from the Olkiombo Airstrip. Here you can find pure nature

Camp Oloshaiki | -1.4600, 35.2202 Nice camp at a good location at Telek river

Aruba Mara Camp & Safaris - -1.4413, 35.2077 Nice camp at Talek river near Talek gate. The camp has its own drivers, who are very familiar with the park.

Mara Intrepids Tented Camp | -1.4279, 35.1646 nice camp deep within the park near Talek River

Mara Eden Safari Camp - -1.416, 35.051 very nice camp directly at Mara river

Governors’ Camp | -1.1430, 35.3213

Outside the reserve

Manyatta Camp - -1.61340, 35.38757 Double US$120-180 Located just outside the eastern Oloolaimutia Gate with stunning vistas over the park. It's feasible to reach the village of Oloolaimutia with public transport from Narok. The matatu is leaving Narok in the morning time and returning in the afternoon.

Camping Places

In the Mara Triangle part of the Maasai Mara there are both public and private campsites available to use. For full details of payment amounts and availability of campsites go to the Mara Triangle website].

Camping at Oloololo gate - There is a public campsite next to Oloololo gate with shower and toilet facilities, and is very clean but basic, with great views over the Mara and the protection of the rangers camp nearby.

Camping at Serena Hotel - There is also another public campsite next to Serena Hotel which has longdrop toilets.

Camping at the river - The private campsites are located along the river and have a special booking fee.

Aruba Mara Camp Site - 1.4430, 35.2085 Small, cozy, family-run and located directly at the Talek Gate by the river.

Stay Safe

News & References Maasai Mara National Reserve

Travel Next

If you're heading next for Lake Naivasha or Nakuru you can get off in Mai Mahiu at the junction of the Old Naivasha Road, so you can skip the Nairobi traffic jams. From there frequent matatus head north.

Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo East National Park
Nairobi
Mombasa

Maasai Mara National Reserve

From Halal Explorer

Contents