Masai Mara National Park is a tourism hotspot of travelers to Kenya, it is most sought after when it comes to wildlife species, the Masai Mara National park was gazette as a way of protecting animal species that call this home, it is named in honor of the Masai People who are the original inhabitants of the national park they speak the “Maa” they are nomadic pastoralists who have settled around the conservation areas of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro conservation area the northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara of Kenya which is known for the great wildebeests migration and home to the so-called big five of the wilderness (Lions, Leopards, African buffaloes, elephants and Rhinos).
Wildlife in Masai Mara national park is considered one of the most concentrated in Africa variety of species, these are dotted within the Savannah plains that seem to be endless, woodlands, marshy swampy areas, shrubs and short bushes, example species include waterbucks, bushbucks, elands, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, oribi, Jackson hartebeests, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, side stripped hyenas, giraffes, aardvark, aardwolf, jackals, African hare, antelopes, banded mongoose, bat eared fox, grant’s gazelles, Dwarf mongoose, porcupine, klipspringer, pangolins among other species, there are over 500 bird types that have been recorded in the park some of which are endemics of the great rift valley region, birds like ostriches, pelicans, hornbills, flamingoes, vultures, crested crowns, eagles are present in here.
Wildlife in Masai Mara National park is best seen during tourism activities in the conservation area, game drives are the primary thing to do , these are conducted in sessions, the first one being in the morning at 6:00am, this is the best time to see wildlife of the park, animals tend to be busy during this time and active, as the predators are out to hunt the other species are out to graze as well, the afternoon time from 2:30pm is ideal to view wildlife in the park as well, Masai Mara national park is one of the few places of the wild where doing night game drives is allowed, Game drives are undertaken for 2-3 hours however guests have the opportunity to take all day long while participating in game drives.
Hot air balloon Safaris in the Masai Mara national park are a beautiful way to experience game in the national park, imagine viewing these from a high level, balloon safaris are arranged from dawn, guests get to watch when the crew team arranges to fly, a briefing is done from the pilot on how you should conduct yourself while flying, it takes a team of up to 6 members for 2-3 hours enjoying wildlife in Masai Mara national park, the protected area is a great destination to go birding in the country, there are many bird species that have been recorded here, the best time to go birding is during the wet season in November when the park receives migratory species.
In conclusion wildlife in Masai Mara national park is a big fusion of species, these live together in harmony wit other creatures of the conservation area.