Wildlife of the Masai Mara

People may come to the Masai Mara primarily for the migrating herds but game viewing in this East African reserve is fantastic throughout the year. On any day at any given time it would be expected to spot a dozen or so different species of animal.

Whichever part of the Mara you visit, you're sure to see an amazing number of animals - from ambling herds of elephants to large prides of lions, stately giraffes to solitary leopards.

As if the packed plains and grasslands aren't enough, the rivers are home to not only great pods of hippos but also giant crocodiles that await the tumultuous crossing of the million-strong wildebeest herds with open-mouthed anticipation.

Even more bizarre are the cattle you will see grazing alongside buffalo and wildebeest. The Maasai people have been granted grazing rights in the Mara and they simply live alongside predators, with their precious cattle, in the indifferent manner in which most of us put up with a noisy neighbour.

Predators

Large numbers of lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena inhabit the Masai Mara, relying on the seasonal dining that the migration presents.

While seeing a pride of lions on a hunt is a sight that's seldom witnessed in other parts of Africa, in the Mara this is pretty common. Here you can see the notoriously lazy king stalking and tackling unsuspecting game.

Rivers within the Mara are often jumped over or forded as wildebeest search out better grazing areas, moving back and forth much to the delight of the enormous crocodiles. Mara crocodiles grow especially fat off the feast that is forced to cross their watery path in the early and final stages of the migration.

Herbivores

The Mara is distinguished by the phenomenal herds of migrating herbivores that sweep across the reserve (roughly from July to October), packing themselves in an area one third the size of the land they have travelled across.

The Mara's open plains - a sight of such beauty and solitude - become thronged with great herds that stretch in every direction. Sitting in a game vehicle surrounded by some two million animals is an absolutely mind-blowing experience that should be experienced by all nature-lovers.

Click here to read a Guide to the Great Migration and here to find out When to Go to the Masai Mara.

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