Masai Mara Wildlife
The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream come true, with its breathtaking diversity of over 90 animal species and countless bird species. This reserve is a vital part of the Great Mara ecosystem, a rich and diverse habitat that supports a wide array of wildlife, including the Usambiro Barbet, which inhabits open areas such as savannah and grassland within the reserve.
Visitors to the Masai Mara game reserve can expect to encounter the iconic Big Five—Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo—as well as the Big Nine, which includes Cheetah, Giraffe, Hippo, and Zebra. This makes the Masai Mara a top destination for tourists from around the globe, eager to experience the quintessential African safari and the mesmerizing Masai Mara wildlife. Next, we look at the popular Masai Mara wildlife in details, but before then, here is how to reach us to book your safari.
How to Book Your Masai Mara Safari from India
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The Big Five in Masai Mara Game Reserve
The term “Big Five” refers to the five most iconic and sought-after animals in Africa: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo. The Masai Mara is one of the few places on the continent where you have a high chance of seeing all five during a single safari.
These wild animals are considered the ultimate African safari experience, with Lion, Elephant, and Buffalo being the most commonly sighted, while Rhino and Leopard are more elusive. Spotting the Big Five in their natural habitat is a thrilling experience that draws wildlife enthusiasts to the Masai Mara year after year. As one of Kenya’s major game reserves, the Masai Mara offers a glimpse into the heart of the African wilderness, where grassy plains stretch as far as the eye can see, teeming with animal species. The reserve’s rich wildlife diversity is comparable to other renowned parks such as Tsavo East National Park, making it a must-visit for anyone passionate about nature and adventure.
Lion (Panthera Leo)
The lion is often called Africa’s ‘king of the jungle.’ It’s both amazing and a bit scary because of its strength and speed. In the Masai Mara National Reserve and nearby conservancies, there are about 850 to 900 lions. The Mara is one of the best places to see these powerful animals in their natural habitat. Lions are social big cats and usually live in groups called prides, with about fifteen to twenty lions.
A pride can have up to three male lions, several adult females (one is the leader), and young lions. Male lions protect large areas of land, while female lions do most of the hunting. They love to eat zebra and wildebeest, but also hunt warthogs and buffalo. Lions also prey on nocturnal animals like aardvarks, which are small burrowing mammals that eat insects at night. Lions are known to sleep a lot, about twenty hours a day. The Masai Mara is also home to the famous ‘Marsh Pride,’ made popular by the BBC’s Big Cat Diary and Dynasties. Other places to see lions in Kenya include Nairobi National Park, Serengeti National Park, Tsavo National Parks, and Marsabit National Reserve.
African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana)
One of the most common ‘Big Five’ animals you’ll see in the Masai Mara, located in southern Kenya, is the African elephant. It’s the largest land animal in the world. Elephants can grow really big, up to seven and a half meters long, almost three and a half meters tall, and can weigh as much as six tons. Even though poachers hunt them for their ivory tusks, the number of elephants in the Mara has been going up. These smart and social animals have strong family bonds.
They live in groups led by females, called matriarchs. The matriarch is usually the biggest and oldest elephant. She leads a group of female elephants, called cows, and their babies. Male elephants often live alone but sometimes form small groups. Family groups usually have about ten elephants, but sometimes they join with others to form a bigger group, or ‘clan’, of up to 70 elephants. Elephants eat grasses, fruit, roots, and bark and can munch on up to 300 pounds of food a day.
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
While lions are known for their strength, leopards are admired for their grace and stealth. There are quite a few leopards in the Mara, but they are shy and hard to spot. They are also on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable because their homes are disappearing due to human encroachment. Leopards are solitary animals and hunt mostly at night.
They live alone and only meet other leopards when it’s time to mate. They like living in wooded savannahs and rocky areas, and you might see one in a tree. From there, they use their sharp senses to find prey and pounce from above. They like to eat antelopes and baboons. In addition to their usual prey, leopards in the region may also encounter different zebra species, including the plains zebra and the less common mountain zebra. After catching their food, they carry it up into a tree to keep it safe from other predators.
Rhino (Rhinocerotidae)
In Kenya, you can find both white and black rhinos, but white rhinos are more common, especially near Lake Nakuru National Park. Black rhinos are smaller and more aggressive. Even though the Masai Mara has a good number of black rhinos, seeing them is rare. There are about 35 to 50 black rhinos in the Masai Mara, but they sometimes cross into the Serengeti. Black rhinos are usually solitary, except for the bond between a mother and her calf.
They have poor eyesight, which makes them charge at anything that moves. The Rhinocerotidae family, to which these rhinos belong, has numerous extinct species, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts for the remaining populations. However, they have excellent hearing and smell. Black rhinos can live up to 35 to 40 years in the wild. They can grow to be one and a half meters tall and three and a half meters long, weighing between 850 to 1600 kilograms.
Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
The Cape Buffalo, also called the African Buffalo, is one of the most dangerous animals in East Africa. Male buffaloes that are alone can be mean and unpredictable, weighing around 800 kilograms. Female buffaloes are very protective of their babies. In the Masai Mara, buffaloes usually hang out in groups of about 100 or more, often near water, especially when it’s dry.
Other Dangerous Animals in Masai Mara
Beyond the Big Five, the Masai Mara is teeming with a variety of other wildlife, including the Big Nine. The savannah and plains antelope, such as the Common Eland, thrive in this region, particularly in the savannah scrub of East and Southern Africa. This diverse array of animals showcases the richness of the African savannah and can often be spotted during a single game drive of just 2-3 hours. The abundance of wildlife in the Masai Mara ensures that every safari is a unique and unforgettable experience, offering glimpses of the incredible biodiversity that defines this iconic reserve.
Giraffe (Giraffa)
The Masai giraffe, the tallest of all land animals, is a majestic sight in the Masai Mara. Some males can reach heights of over 5 meters, making them a standout feature of the landscape. Kenya is home to different subspecies of giraffes, including the reticulated or Somali giraffe and the Masai giraffe. The Masai giraffe is characterized by its jagged spots, while the reticulated giraffe has polygonal liver-colored spots. Giraffes are known for their graceful movements and can run at speeds of up to 50-60 km/h. They spend approximately 16-20 hours a day feeding, with Acacia tree leaves being their favorite snack.
Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius)
The hippo, the third-largest land animal, is a common sight in the rivers, swamps, and lake shores of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Adult male hippos can weigh nearly 1500 kg. These massive creatures spend their days keeping cool in water and mud, emerging at dusk to graze on grass. The Masai Mara is home to large numbers of hippos, with male hippos ruling over specific stretches of river and overseeing groups of five to 30 female hippos and their young. Despite their seemingly docile appearance, hippos are one of the most aggressive and dangerous animals in Africa.
Zebra (Equus quagga)
The Masai Mara is home to large herds of plains zebras, a species known for its striking black-and-white stripes. Plains zebras are slightly smaller than Grevy’s zebras but larger than mountain zebras, with broader stripes than both. They inhabit treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands, thriving in both tropical and temperate climates. The savannah and plains antelope also share these habitats, emphasizing the rich biodiversity of the region.
Plains zebras are social animals, forming harems consisting of a single male stallion, several female mares, and their young. Bachelor male groups also exist, and at times, several groups join to create larger herds that work together to keep watch for predators such as lions, spotted hyenas, crocodiles, cheetahs, and African wild dogs.
Another fascinating species in the region is the straw coloured fruit bat, the second largest fruit bat in Africa, known for its diverse habitats and strong flying abilities.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve, located in southern Kenya, is a protected area renowned for its abundant wildlife and the spectacular annual Great Migration. Nestled within the expansive Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, the reserve is home to over 90 species of mammals and a myriad of bird species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Africa, the Masai Mara National Reserve attracts visitors from around the globe, all eager to experience the breathtaking African savannah and its incredible biodiversity. Whether you’re on a game drive or a guided walking safari, the reserve offers unparalleled opportunities to witness the raw beauty of nature in its most pristine form.
Mara River and the Great Migration
The Mara River is a lifeline for the wildlife in the Masai Mara National Reserve, playing a pivotal role in the annual Great Migration. This natural wonder sees millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of lush grazing grounds. One of the most dramatic and perilous moments of this migration is the crossing of the Mara River, where the animals face the threat of lurking crocodiles and other predators. This awe-inspiring event typically unfolds from July to October, with the peak viewing months being September and October. Witnessing the Great Migration and the Mara River crossings is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that showcases the relentless cycle of life in the African wilderness.
Masai Mara Great Migration
Another big attraction in the Masai Mara is the Great Migration. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles travel from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara. It’s an amazing sight! They start their journey around July and August, and one of the most exciting parts is crossing the Mara River. Crocodiles wait in the water for an easy meal.
By October, the animals begin heading back to the Serengeti. Nature doesn’t follow a set schedule, so the exact dates of the migration can change each year. The best time to see the migration in the Masai Mara is in September and October. For spotting wildlife in the Mara, June to October is the best time. You can read more about the Great Migration.
Masai Mara birdlife
When you stay in the Masai Mara, don’t forget to look up! There are over 500 bird species in the area. In addition to the Masai Mara, Tsavo West National Park is another significant location for bird conservation in Kenya, offering a diverse range of bird species. Your guides will help you spot the colorful birds flying around.
You might see the bright green and yellow feathers of a Fischer’s Lovebird or a Kori Bustard. The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is important for bird conservation. The Masai Mara is also famous for its raptors, with 57 species, including the impressive Bateleur eagle. Bird watching is great all year, but it’s best from November to April when European migratory birds arrive. You can read more about Masai Mara birds.
