History of the Masai Mara

The Maasai (also called Masai, Masaai) have only lived in the Masai Mara for about 200 years, although archaeological evidence suggests that the area has been inhabited at least since Neolithic times (about 8,000 BC).

The nomadic pastoralist lifestyle of the Maasai has hardly changed with time; they continue to herd cattle, goats and sheep and co-exist with the wildlife.

Kenya's colonial government declared the western area of the Mara a national game reserve in 1948 - this is known as the Mara Triangle. The land east of the Mara river was added to the reserve in 1961, and in 1984 the reserve attained its present size of just more than 1,500km².

The land is managed by two district councils. The Narok council takes care of the Mara Reserve (east of the Mara River) while the Transmara council oversees the Mara Triangle (west of the river). This arrangement has been unsatisfactory in protecting the park's environment, which has suffered through serious mismanagement.

Efforts have recently been made to control tourist development and to protect and restore the park's environment. Among these is the employment of the private Mara Conservancy company by the Transmara County Council to manage the Mara Triangle under their jurisdiction.

This move has resulted in massive improvements in the conservation and environmental situation of the area as well as increased income to local communities.

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