The Masai Mara lies about 270Km from Nairobi and takes about 5 hours by road. There scheduled flights daily from Wilson Airport Nairobi, which takes about 40-45 minutes. The Park is 1510sqKm. However the wildlife is far from being confine within the reserve boundaries and an even larger area referred to as the dispersal area extends north and east of the reserve. The Masai live within the dispersal area with their livestock and

centuries of close association with the wildlife has resulted in an almost symbiotic relationship between Man and beast.

The Masai Mara is one of Kenyan's finest wildlife reserves and perhaps the whole of Africa. Everything about this reserve is outstanding. The wildlife is abundant with about 67 different large mammals including the big five. Birds too are prolific, including migrants about 500 have been recorded, among them 57 birds of prey, The climate too is gentle, rarely too hot. The rain, when it falls almost always chooses the late afternoon or night. Altitude is between 1500 to 2170m above sea level.

THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION

In November 2006 the Masai Mara was named as the 8th wonder of the world because of what the experts termed as " the uniqueness of the area and the preservation it provides to so many species living in harmony."

July to October is when the wildebeest migration is in the Mara, the sensation is unparalleled. Each year, far south in the great vastness of the Serengeti, the wildebeest start their long trek to the Kenyan border and the Masai Mara. After exhausting grazing in Tanzania's northern Serengeti a large number of wildebeest and Zebra enter the Masai Mara around the end of June drawn by the sweet smell of Red Oat grass raised by the long of April and May. It is estimated that there are 2 million migrating wildebeest in this trek.

There is nowhere else on earth to compare with this wildlife spectacle. But the trek is costly. The herds draw ravening packs of predators, especially Hyenas and Lions. The laggard and the sick never complete the cycle. More die by drowning or by the teeth of the cunning crocodile, whilst trying to cross the swirling muddy waters of the Mara River.

Once the Mara's grass has being devoured and when fresh rain in Tanzania has brought forth a new flush there, the herds turn south heading hundreds of kilometres back to Serengeti and the Ngorongoro plains. There the young are dropped in time to grow strong to undertake the long March north six months later.

This wildlife marvel has to be seen to be believed and its surely something to see once in a lifetime. Come join this year and witness one of nature's greatest spectacle.

WHERE TO STAY