Masai Mara Lions
Masai Mara Lions are some of the unique species in the vast beautiful savannah game reserve that has attracted quite a number of travelers to Kenya. The Masai Mara lions have a long history with the Masai people in different aspects such as warriors among the Masai who had to prove their ability and to transition into adulthood from childhood by killing a lion.
Safari to Kenya‘s Masai Mara National Reserve to watch the lions are a very rewarding activity and the roars of lions can be heard as the male lions mark their territory and scare off other males to stay away from their territory. This reserve has a high concentration of lions in its ecosystem.
Lions hunt early in the morning, late in the afternoon and during the night time. Hunting is usually done by the female lions and it involves killing their prey by a bite on the neck or suffocating the prey by clamping down the muzzle.
A group of lions are known as a pride and in Masai Mara national reserve these prides are made up of three males, females and their cubs. It’s common to see the female lions moving with their cubs as they search for their prey.
Lions in Masai Mara national reserve can be seen in different locations such as Ol kinyei conservancy, Porini lion camp in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Serian Mara north conservancy and also in Serian Nkorombo.
Lions can be spotted by their unique whisker spot pattern which is a means of their identification. Lions can also be identified by their nose color, mane size and use of ear tears.
Many tourists are interested in seeing lions which are commonly referred to as the “king of the jungle”. In Masai Mara national reserve and other locations where lions can be seen, these creatures are social compared to other big cats which are solitary.
The lions are known for having a lazy character especially when their prey escapes and they try to chase it which is commonly done by the female lions. The lions are carnivores and they prey on wildlife species such as wildebeest, zebras, buffalos, antelopes and many others.
Another interesting fact about lions in the Masai Mara National Reserve is that they are also known to be scavengers which and they attack hyenas and steal their prey.
After hunting which is done when the lions are hungry, they are known to rest and sleep for a long time of about 20 hours.
Lions can be identified by their manes and the large darker manes are a characteristic which shows that the lion is very strong and this characteristic often attracts female lions while scaring away the other lions.
Lions exchange scents by rubbing against each other which is common among the male and female lions when they meet. Another form of interaction among lions is when they are playing with each other they tend to hide their claws to avoid hurting each other.
The long tails of lions provide a form of balance when the lion is running and it is also a form of signal to other members of the lion pride.
Description of Masai Mara national reserve
Masai Mara national reserve is famous for the wildebeest migration and is known for wildlife viewing opportunity all year round. This national reserve is also known for its private conservancies which include Ol Kinyei conservancy, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara North conservancy, Ol Choro Oiroua conservancy, Mara triangle conservancy, Olderikesi conservancy, Siana conservancy.
The private conservancies are put in place to promote efficient wildlife management and to help the local community to benefit from the revenue generated from tourist activities in Masai Mara national reserve.
These conservancies offer a range of activities that may not be carried out within the reserves such as night game drives, walking safaris and off the track game drives. There are a number of rules and regulations put in place in the conservancy to avoid scaring away the wildlife species.
Many different tourists are interested in visiting Masai Mara to watch the lions and to enjoy other unique attractions in this national reserve as part of their experiences in Kenya.
