Maasai Mara, the world’s premium safari destination, has a lot to offer. Diverse wildlife, colorful avifauna, picturesque vistas, and amazing culture are just some of the reserve’s highlights. Masai Mara is an ideal safari spot to fulfill your thrilling adventures in the wild. It offers unique experiences that are seldom found elsewhere. Before we dive into the unique experiences at Masai Mara, here’s a brief overview of the reserve itself.
The Masai Mara National Reserve
The massive 370000 acres of Masai Mara reserve is a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. It offers the classic, rugged, safari experience due to its unfenced borders and private conservancies. As far as the eye can see, the Mara is dotted with iconic Acacia trees, craters, and kopje. The golden savannah is another recognizable landscape of the Mara.
Masai Mara borders the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem maintains the overall biodiversity of the reserve, including the wildlife. This shared ecosystem has allowed the wildebeest migration to occur, one of the world’s biggest migrations in the animal kingdom. This annual migration oversees millions of wildebeest, thousands of zebras, and other ungulates traveling from Serengeti to Masai Mara every year. This migration is the greatest spectacle anyone could witness in the wilderness, complete with intense river crossings and thrilling chases.
Masai Mara is also home to the Big Five game that you need to spot during your safaris. This animal group includes the elephant, lion, leopard, cape buffalo, and black rhino. There are other species of wildlife such as the rare wild dogs, cheetahs, hyenas, different types of antelopes, giraffes, and even monkeys living in different habitats of the reserve.
The avifauna of Maasai Mara is also dynamic with endemic, rare, and migratory bird species spotted around the reserve.
Unique experiences at Masai Mara
The list of experiences and activities is endless, with so much to see and do in Masai Mara. Although this reserve is synonymous with safaris, you can do more than just the classic jeep safaris. If you want to make your holiday memorable and exclusive, make sure to try out these unique experiences in Masai Mara:
Walking safaris
You’ve seen and heard about vehicle-based safaris but did you know there’s another way to experience nature around you? Bush walks or walking safaris are one of the most unique ways to not only see the wildlife around you from a close distance but connect with it at an intimate level.
The purpose of walking safaris is to allow you to spot and feel things that are typically missed out on during jeep safaris. It helps in heightening your sensory awareness and understanding the ecosystem around you. The guides are the local Masai people who have lived there for years and know the land like the back of their hand. As they guide you along during the walk, you will learn to identify animal tracks and bird’s calls, while connecting with the Masais and promoting sustainability.
Hot air balloon rides
Also called a hot air balloon safaris, this is one of the most luxurious and unique experiences at Masai Mara. Flying high above the vast plains of the Mara and witnessing wildlife from a bird’s eye is an unparalleled experience.
Hot air balloon rides not only offer a unique perspective of seeing the reserve but also help you cover a large portion of it. This activity allows you to spot as many diverse geographical landscapes or areas of the Mara as possible. The ride usually takes off during the sunrise wherein you can spot the nocturnal wildlife from the distance as well as the big queue of the wildebeest migration slowly continuing their journey during the season. Hot air balloon rides combine both safari and adventure to provide you with unparalleled memories.
Masai Mara Village Visit
The Masai people are the indigenous tribe that have lived inside the Mara reserve for centuries. They are equipped with indigenous knowledge of the reserve and play an integral role in safeguarding it. Alongside safaris, visitors also have a chance to immerse themselves in the Masai culture and their way of life through village visits.
Village visits are among the unique experiences at Masai Mara. Accompanied by a local guide, visitors can enter the Masai villages and interact with the tribe who are always eager to share their traditions, folklore, and customs. Visitors can enter inside their humble huts called Bomas, witness their traditional singing and dancing, and even learn the intricate beadwork of the Masais.
After visiting the village, visitors are typically encouraged to purchase souvenirs handmade by the tribe which include beaded pieces of jewelry, wooden carvings, and leather goods. While it is not mandatory to purchase the souvenirs, each purchase contributes to the community. It is highly recommended to try out this experience without which your Masai Mara safari usually remains incomplete.
Sky Decks
Wonder what it’s like to sit under the clear night sky and discover the constellations in the Milky Way galaxy? This is the exact experience offered by Ilora Retreats, a luxury camp set in Masai Mara. This camp’s sky deck has its very own star beds. The beds are perched upon the sky decks, laid out in the open.
When the night falls, you can stay at the sky deck or make yourself comfortable on the sky beds. Highly expert guides join your side, pointing at the stars and sharing their knowledge of the cosmos with you, And what’s better than sipping on cocktails and marveling at the universe? This is one of the unique experiences at Masai Mara only offered by Ilora Retreats.
Activities for Juniors
Undoubtedly, Masai Mara is a learning ground for African nature and the ecosystem. But it offers an increased invaluable opportunity for children and their curious minds. Safaris in Masai Mara are centered around families while keeping it as fun and adventurous as possible.
Luxury camps like Ilora Retreats offers exclusive unique experiences at Masai Mara crafted solely for children. Guided by experts and mentors, children can embark on guided walks to kick-start their adventure. They can learn about wildlife and the importance of conservation through these walks.
Children can even unleash their spirit for adventure and try their hands at pottery, bead making, throwing spears like the Maasias, and making fun clay designs. These activities not only help them engage in something different but also allow their creativity to flow. It nourishes their brains and brings them closer to nature.
Photography safaris
For budding photographers, photography safaris take place in Masai Mara. It is one of the unique experiences at Masai Mara. Offered by only a few camps such as Ilora Retreats, photographers are encouraged to embark on safaris and capture their ‘award-winning’ shots in the stunning Mara.
These safaris are guided by specialized experts who know the perfect place and time to click the ideal pictures. Additionally, the safari vehicles are also designed in a way to provide better viewing and ideal photo angles. At Ilora’s photo lounge which is equipped with relevant facilities, photographers are encouraged to share their best works and share tips with each other.
With so many unique experiences at Masai Mara waiting to be explored, connect with Wild Voyager and plan your safari trip today.