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Hello everybody! This post is about our safari experience in Maasai Mara National Reserve during migration period with a deaf local driver.
This safari was special for me.
First of all, it was my last safari experience in Kenya. Soon after it I was about to leave Kenya.
Second of all, we planned our safari in Maasai Mara during Great Migration, which made it so special. That time we did not know what to expect. In my blog I will tell you what to expect and what you should be prepared for while game driving in Maasai Mara.
Third of all, Maasai Mara is the most popular National Park in Kenya and it is globally famous for its exceptional population of lions, leopards and cheetahs, and the annual migration of zebra, Thomson's gazelle and wildebeest to and from the Serengeti (Tanzania).
And finally, it was our first time to be part of a group in the bus. We got used to drive ourselves in our comfortable Nissan SUV. We stopped where we needed and drove as slowly as it was appropriate for the best photo opportunities possible. However being part of a group, we understood how difficult it was to make our driver stop for us to make some decent photos. Sometimes we were sad because of that, sometimes angry but mostly just had fun.
Masai Mara is named in honor of the Masai people the ancestral inhabitants of the area.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is only a fraction of the Greater Mara Ecosystem, which includes the following Group Ranches: Koiyaki, Lemek, Ol Chorro Oirowua, Olkinyei, Siana, Maji Moto, Naikara, Ol Derkesi, Kerinkani, Oloirien, and Kimintet.
If you decide to drive to Maasai Mara yourself remember that roads to this National Park are VERY BAD, sometimes there aren't ANY ROADS AT ALL. However this park is relatively close to the capital, Nairobi City (about 270 km) and it takes about 5-6 hours by road or 40-45 minutes by flight to get there.
The whole trip was very tiring. We drove very fast, trying to overtake hundreds of other minibuses heading to Maasai Mara. When the real road finished all I remember is dust. on our way we opened windows to let some fresh air but because of our crazy driving and dirt road we were covered with dust.
The pleasant thing was that approaching the park we drove through maasai villages and had a quick look at local people's live.
Maasai women with their distinctive dress on
For me personally, these people living near the park are not real Maasai. They live from selling goods and showing their villages to tourists.
Maasai woman selling goods in front of Maasai Mara National Reserve entrance
Immediately after we entered the park, I understood why is Maasai Mara so famous all over the world - here we saw so many animals like never before.
Maasai Mara National Reserve stretches 1,510 sq km (580 sq miles) and raises 1,500-2,170 meters above sea level. It hosts more than 95 species of mammals and 570 recorded species of birds.
Even zebraz didn't look trivial in Maasai Mara
Animal called Topi
Giraffes are definitely the most beautiful savannah inhabitants
Big Five member - buffalo
Gazelles
This massive antelope is called Eland
While giraffes are the most beautiful to watch, as for me, herds a elephants are definitely the most impressive.
Vulture
Lilac-breasted Roller - Kenya's national bird
Driving in Maasai Mara
Not sure,but our driver argued this tree to be called Sausage Tree
Taking pictures in Mara may be even romantic
Thompson's Gazelles
Mongoose
Vultures
Jackal
Our game drive in Maasai Mara was a unique unforgettable experience. I advice all to go there once and feel the real spirit of African Safari.
On the sunset we left the park tired but happy because we were to come back the very next day.
Leaving Maasai Mara National Park
Thank you for reading my blog.
In my next post I will tell you about Wildebeest and Zebr Migration in Maasai Mara and will show you photos of this incredible movement of animals.
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