Wednesday, December 9, 2009

There's Something Attractive About The Mara

By Gerald Smith

To most people, an African safari is simply Kenya's masai mara.

To many no other place says Africa especially since most wildlife documentaries the likes of National geographic have been shot here.

The Masai Mara also spelled Maasai Mara is a large park reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania. This game reserve is named so for the Maasai people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River, which divides it.

This park by no means Kenya's largest game park is famous for it wide variety of species including Zebra, Thomson's gazelle and the wildebeest animals that form part of the annual migration every year from July to October, where over a million wildebeest, 360,000 Thompson's Gazelle and nearly 200,000 Zebra migrate from the plains of Serengeti within the months of July and August. Following closely behind are the predators the likes of lions and hyena.

Kenya's national parks and game reserves aren't often privately owned unlike other parts of Africa. The reserve area is managed and administered by Narok County Council and the Mara Conservancy a local nonprofit organization formed by the local Maasai, and contains a number of anti-poaching units.

It is estimated that over 300,000 visitors mostly foreigners visit this park. The best time to visit Masai Mara Reserve is during the dry months, July through October. The grasses are long after the rainy season, and it's a great time to see the migratory herds. The Great Migration takes place in July and August, but you are not likely to be disappointed no matter what time of the year you visit.

The symbiotic relationship that the Masai people have developed over the years with the animals is another fascinating aspect of a tour to the Masai Mara. The Masai tribesmen in their long red robes, living in a social formation in accordance to customs and rituals that are markedly different from a European way of life, are one of the chief attractions of the area too.

There are many ways to undertake a Mara Safari with a balloon safari being one of the best. Balloon safaris are done at dawn and often end with a bush breakfast. One can also engage in one of the more traditional safaris in a car or a special tourist bus. There are both Kenya safaris as well as Tanzania safaris that will help you explore the Masai Mara National Parks. You can also undertake a special bird tour. Do not forget, more than 500 species of wild birds inhabit Masai Mara, a number that grows with migration. You can take any of the three ways for a safari, you can arranged for a customized safari, be a part of a package tour from an African safari Tour Operator, or arrange for everything yourself. However, for first timers, the best option is to become a part of the African safari Tour Operator. Book in advance, if you want to tour in the migration season.

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