| #ffffff;" /> | | | | Mara River fraught with ravenous crocodiles and |
| Kenya is not renowned as the land of safari for | | | | frolicking hippos await the galloping herd of animals. |
| nothing. Apart from breathtaking scenery, miles of | | | | When the migrating herds pick a spot to cross the |
| scorching white sandy beaches, welcoming people, | | | | river, more die by drowning or between the jaws of |
| numerous game parks and reserves and wildlife, | | | | the sneaky crocodiles, while attempting to cross the |
| there is the Maasai Mara. They say you | | | | churning waters of the Mara River. Once the Mara |
| haven’t been on safari till you’ve | | | | pastures have been exhausted, the herds head back |
| been to the Mara. | | | | to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro plains where fresh |
| The Mara is arguably Africa’s crown jewel in | | | | rain has nourished the grasslands. Numerous other |
| terms of wildlife. The Maasai word | | | | animals reside in the Maasai Mara like Impala, the are |
| ‘Mara’ means | | | | nocturnal bat-eared fox, the Roan antelope, the |
| ‘spotted’ in English perhaps referring | | | | Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, Topi, Zebra, Giraffes, |
| to the countless wild animals that dot this gently | | | | Coke’s hartebeest, Hyena, Cheetah, Wild |
| undulating 1510km² of grasslands. Maasai Mara is | | | | dog, Jackal, Hippo, Kongoni, Eland, Monkeys and |
| endowed with an extraordinary density of animals | | | | Ostrich . |
| including the Big Five (lions, leopard, elephant, buffalo, | | | | The panoramic landscape of the Maasai Mara is also |
| rhinoceros) and an array of plains game. The Maasai | | | | captured in various films like "Out of Africa" and its |
| Mara lies about 270 km from Nairobi and takes about | | | | wildlife in documentaries like the BBC Television show |
| 5 hours by road if you fancy seeing the beautiful | | | | Big Cat Diary. Another thing you must do is take the |
| Kenyan countryside on your way to Maasai Mara. | | | | early morning Maasai Mara balloon Safari and softly |
| Flights that take about 40-45 minutes are also | | | | glide in the endless azure African sky. The feeling of |
| available. Birds are featured in plenty, for those in | | | | floating in the skies with hordes of wild game |
| love with the winged wonders. Over 450 species of | | | | marauding in the plains below is just beyond |
| birds including 50 species of birds of prey have been | | | | description. The sight of giraffe heads bobbing among |
| recorded in the Mara. | | | | the trees and the chill of the wind whispering around |
| They include Vulture, Widow bird, Secretary bird, | | | | the balloon will be forever engraved in your memory. |
| Crowned crane, Red-billed Oxpecker, Ostrich, | | | | After the exhilarating sashay in the heavens a glass |
| long-crested Eagle, Pygmy falcon, Scale francolin, | | | | of champagne is served for those who love to toast. |
| hornbill, African goshawk, Fiscal hike, Yellow-throated | | | | Then a sumptuous freshly prepared breakfast is |
| long claw, Marabou, White-backed vulture, and Prowl | | | | served in the bush in the middle of nowhere. Oh you |
| plovers. These birds can be seen perched and chirping | | | | will wish that your life was such a continuous |
| away on groves of acacia and thorn trees that | | | | luxurious adventure, especially when you get back to |
| interrupt the grass-carpeted landscape. All these | | | | the concrete jungle (city) or your work place. |
| animals can be viewed by taking game drives into the | | | | If you fancy a trip that also explores the culture of |
| wilderness of the Maasai Mara. | | | | the locals of the Mara, the Maasai, guided tours can |
| However, this extravagance of fauna, this plethora | | | | be arranged. It will be interesting to learn how these |
| of flora, this expansive blue African sky and the | | | | ancient peoples and their livestock have adapted to |
| untouched untamed landscape, all dwarf the | | | | coexisting peacefully with wildlife and the savannah. |
| unparalleled sensation of the relentless march of the | | | | Tents can be made available and tourists can spend a |
| wildebeest. The great wildebeest migration is a | | | | night in the homesteads of the Maasai to the sound |
| wildlife marvel beyond comparison. Witnessing this | | | | of hyenas laughing and lions roaring. |
| marvellous play of nature is an awe inspiring | | | | There is a wide range of accommodation available in |
| experience. More than 500,000 wildebeest and | | | | the Mara. The resorts in the Maasai Mara revolutionise |
| 200,000 Zebra accompanied by other herbivores | | | | the meaning of luxury by the way they pamper and |
| migrate far south from the plains of the Serengeti to | | | | spoil their clients. Both local and five star cuisines are |
| the Maasai Mara for the luscious pastures occasioned | | | | served accompanied with drinks. Some of the |
| by the long rains of April and May. But the trek is | | | | Resorts are the Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, |
| punishing because the migrating herds attract the | | | | Maasai Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Saruni Camp, and |
| attention of a voracious horde of predators, | | | | Mara Safari Club Hotel. Do not forget to carry a pair |
| especially hyenas and lions. The predators single out | | | | of good quality binoculars, get the necessary |
| the lame and sick animals for easy prey. | | | | immigration jabs and take anti malarial medicine. |
| Another natural barrier in the form of the chocolate | | | | |