Why Maasai Mara National Reserve Remains Kenya's Top Destination

For many, myself included, visiting a national reserve in Kenya and going on safari there in a national reserve is at the top of their bucket-lists. And Kenya is abundant in national reserves with a total of twenty-eight! Of course, in an ideal world we'd all visit all of them, but, for most, visiting one is going to be pushing the boat out, so which do you choose? Out of the 28, Maasai Mara remains not just the top national reserve in Kenya, but the top destination in Kenya, let's explore why:

Because You Can Go On Safari There!

The Maasai Mara is one of the best places to go on safari on the planet. Here you will (probably) see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, hippos, crocodiles as well as lesser known favourites like the bush baby, the bat-eared fox, the red-tailed monkey and the eland. They even have black rhinos, though unfortunately only about fifty in total.

Hot tip: I would also recommend one of the Kenya private safaris so you can really feel like the trip is all about you (and the animals). Make sure you are kind to your tour guides and tip well. Please consider that if you can afford to fly to Africa you can probably afford to tip well, too!

Because Of Its Location And Climate

Maasai Mara is in a great location, just five hours drive from Kenya's capital Nairobi, 400 km from Lake Victoria and right next to the Serengeti. It's also very close to the equator and gets twelve hours of daylight all year around. But that doesn't mean it's unbearably hot, far from it, in fact it's pleasantly warm in the days with cooler nights throughout the entire year.

Because Of The Wildebeest

I've wanted to see a wildebeest in the wild ever since I was five and saw the wildebeest stampede in the Lion King (I was a weird kid). Despite this want, it wasn't until today that I learnt it's spelt 'wildebeest' and not 'wilderbeast'... it is after all, an Afrikaans word. Moving on.

The Masai Mara wildebeest migration is the place to see wildebeest migrating in the world! Over 1.5 million wildebeest migrate up from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in May/June and it's considered one of the Seven Wonders of Africa. Has to be seen to be believed. In fact, it's not just one of the Seven Wonders of Africa, but also one of the Ten Wonders of the World. With crowns like these it's easy to see why the Maasai Mara National Reserve remains Kenya's top destination.

It's Better Than The Serengeti

Okay, I know the Serengeti isn't in Kenya but hear me out: although I would, of course, recommend that you visit both the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Serengeti, you might not have the time and / or budget. Especially considering that the Serengeti is in a whole different country (Tanzania) and you will probably need a separate visa. Let's just say if you're deciding between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, I would recommend the latter. Why? Because the Maasai Mara is smaller than the Serengeti so you actually get a higher chance of seeing the animals you (presumably) came for. Think about it, smaller surface area = greater chance of seeing animals. Yey!

Wrap Up: Why Maasai Mara National Reserve Remains Kenya's Top Destination

Maasai Mara truly has it all, from all the animals you expect to see on safari, and many others too. From one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World to its great location and its superiority to the Serengeti.

Would you like to go to the Maasai Mara and why? Let us know in the comments below or by email!

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ABOUTME

We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.