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South Western Kenya
is the heartland of the Maasai.
The Maasai are
a strongly independent people who
still value tradition and ritual
as an integral part of their everyday
lives. They regard themselves not
just as residents of this area but
that they are as much a part of
the life of the land as the land
is part of their lives.
Traditionally,
the Maasai rarely hunt and living
alongside wildlife in harmony is
an important part of their beliefs.
Lions and Wildebeest play as important
a role in their cultural beliefs
as their own herds of cattle. This
unique co-existence of man and wildlife
makes this Maasai land one of the
world's most unique wilderness regions.
At the heart of
these lands is the Maasai Mara Game
Reserve, widely considered to be
Africa 's greatest wildlife reserve.
The Mara comprises 200 sq miles
of open plains, woodlands and riverine
forest. Contiguous with the plains
of the Serengeti, the Mara is home
to a breathtaking array of life.
The vast grassland plains are scattered
with herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle,
and Topi. The Acacia forests abound
with Birdlife and Monkeys. Elephants
and Buffalo wallow in the wide Musiara
Swamp . The Mara and Talek rivers
are brimming with Hippos and Crocodiles.
Each year the Mara
plays host to the world's greatest
natural spectacle, the Great Wildebeest
Migration from the Serengeti. From
July to October, the promise of
rain and fresh life giving grass
in the north brings more than 1.3
million Wildebeest together into
a single massive herd. They pour
across the border into the Mara,
making a spectacular entrance in
a surging column of life that stretches
from horizon to horizon.
At the Mara River
they mass together on the banks
before finally plunging forward
through the raging waters, creating
a frenzy as they fight against swift
currents and waiting crocodiles.
The wildebeest
bring new life to the Mara, not
just through their cycle of regeneration
of the grasslands, but for the predators
who follow the herds.
The Mara has been
called the Kingdom of Lions and
these regal and powerful hunters
dominate these grasslands. Cheetah
are also a common sight in the Mara,
as are Hyena and smaller predators
such as Jackals.
The Mara is an
awesome natural wonder, a place
where Maasai warriors share the
plains with hunting lions, a place
of mighty herds and timeless cycles
of life, death and regeneration.
The Mara is probably
the best serviced of all Kenyan
Parks and Reserves with a wide range
of Accommodation for any budget.
The Reserve is a popular attraction
with Safari operators. The reserve
is ideal for game drives, and some
lodges and camps offer walks and
balloon safaris.
Wildlife moves
freely in and out of the reserve,
and through neighbouring Maasai
lands. Outside the boundaries of
the reserve there are many other
small camps and lodges, some of
which offer walking, horse riding
and other safari options.
The Loita Hills
and the Nguruman Escarpment, both
considered sacred to the Maasai,
offer high forest trekking opportunities
for the adventurous traveller.
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TERMS
& CONDITIONS
Price
Includes:
-
Transportation
in a custom
safari minibus
with pop-up
roof ideal
for game
viewing
and sight
seeing.
-
Services
of a trained
and experienced
English
speaking
driver/guide.
- All
meals provided
while on
safari.
-
Bottled
water for
use during
the safari.
-
Park entry
and gate
fees.
Not
included:
-
International
air transportation
to and from
Nairobi.
-
Expenses
of personal
nature such
as visas,
travel baggage
insurance,
laundry,
beverage,
tips etc.
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