Masai Mara Animals
Masai Mara Animals are the key feature of attraction in Masai Mara National Reserve and the park has quite a number of wildlife species to be seen. Masai Mara national reserve is known for the variety of animals and a large concentration of big cats which can be seen as tourists explore the reserve. This reserve is located in the south western part of Kenya and is part also famous for the wildebeest migration.
The different animals which can be seen in Masai Mara national reserve include lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, zebras, hippos, Thompson’s gazelle, baboons, black rhinos, giraffes, silverback jackal, hyenas, warthogs among others.
Wildebeest: These wildlife species are also referred to as “gnu” and are famous for the great wildebeest migration which takes place between Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve. Many tourists visit the reserve to witness the migration of the wildebeest. The wildebeest migration takes place in the Masai Mara National reserve during the months of July to October across the Mara River. Wildebeest are also known to breed during the rainy seasons.
Lions: Masai Mara national reserve has a large concentration of lions which can be seen in different locations within the reserve such as in the conservancies. Lions in Masai Mara live in groups known as prides and hunting is usually done by the female lions. Lions are known for their fierce roars which is also used by male lions to scare away other lions from their pride and also to mark their territories. The male lions are characterized by having manes and their role is to protect their prides from danger. The lions are usually referred to as the “king of the jungle” and are known for being the big cats that are on top of the food chain and they symbolize power.
Elephants: They are part of the big five animals and are known for being sociable. They feed by using their trunks and also to handle objects and to communicate. Elephants are characterized by their big ears and large tusks. These animals are known to be protective of their young ones and are among the endangered species in the world due to their ivory. They are herbivores in nature and they feed on plants, roots, grass and also tree barks. Elephants also use their trunks to dig up food and to suck water which they spray on their bodies and also cover their bodies in the dust as a form of protection form insects and bugs.
Leopards: These are part of the big five animals and are also known for being a nocturnal species of animals which are cunning. Leopards are known to be good climbers and can be seen in the wooded savannah or rock outcrops in the Masai Mara reserve. They have good vision as well as a good sense of hearing and smell which makes them able to pounce on their unsuspecting prey.
Buffalos: These animals are part of the big five and are known to be wild and aggressive in nature. Buffalos live in herds and are also known to be protective of their own species especially during attacks from predators such as lions. Buffalos are similar in a way to domestic cows and can be seen along river beds and plains.
Rhinos: Black Rhinos are the rhino species which can be seen in the Masai Mara national reserve and they are characterized by being solitary animals, browsers in nature and they feed on bushes plants, legumes, shrubs, and trees. These endangered species are found in protected areas such as sanctuaries and national parks. Rhinos in this reserve can be seen in the riverine forests and thickets and they are also known to take shelter in areas with the higher ground and shallow, porous sandy soils. They protect themselves from danger by using their sense of smell to track other animals. Among the big five, the rhinos are the most endangered species and they are hunted for their horns.
Zebras: These animals are known to be preyed on by most of the big cats as well as other predators. They live in herds and also take part in the wildebeest migration which takes place between Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve. Zebras are also known to feed on plants and can be seen grazing in the savannah plains during game drives and other game viewing activities.
Giraffes: These are the tallest land animals and are characterized by their long neck and legs which helps them to scare off predators. They also have tough, long tongues which they use when they are feeding and they can also feed on thorny treed and bushes due to this characteristic. Giraffes are also known to feed on tall trees with their primary source of food being the acacia leaves. These animals are preyed on by lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs. The young one of a giraffe is known as a calf.
Cheetahs: These creatures are known to be the fastest in the world and they are known to seek a vantage point to look for their next prey. They hunt by stalking close to their prey and then running after it and then striking it down. Many tourists have encountered these creatures since they sometimes come close to tourist vehicles.
Game drives, hot air balloon tours and nature walks are among the ways through which tourists can view the different animals in the Masai Mara national reserve. All the different forms of watching the wildlife species are carried out in the company of a guide or a park ranger and sometimes both.
Other attractions apart from the variety of wildlife species which can be seen in Masai Mara national reserve include the Masai people, Mara Triangle, Mara River, the different conservancies such as Ol Kinyei Conservancy, lemek conservancy, Ol Choro Oiroua conservancy, Mara north conservancy, Olare Orok conservancy.
Different rules and regulations are put in place to ensure the game viewing activity is safe for the tourists and the surrounding of the animals is conserved without affecting the environment around the Masai Mara national reserve.
Rules and regulations in Masai Mara national reserve include the following;
- Avoid driving off the tracks and keep om the main roads.
- Visitors are expected to stay in their vehicles during game drives
- Avoid littering
- Avoid overcrowding the wildlife or making noise and sudden movements
- Removing or collecting anything from the reserve is prohibited
Penalties are also put in place for those who violate the rules and regulations of the Masai Mara national reserve.
Different accommodation facilities are also available for tourists who visit the reserve to see the wildlife species and they cater for the different categories of tourists interested in staying in luxury accommodation, midrange accommodation or budget accommodation.
Visit Masai Mara national reserve for an amazing wildlife viewing opportunity and also experience the beautiful scenery and its different attraction sites.
