Masai Mara animals

Masai Mara animals are the key attractions in the African busiest national game reserve. Masai mara is one of the famous protected area not only in Kenya but entire African continent.  The reserve is taken as one of the finest game reserve with the finest collection of different animal species. Most tourists know Masai mar as a home of the world’s largest animal migration that is wildebeest migration. But there are other Masai Mara animals that are found at the park which includes all the African Big 5 (lions, leopards, Rhinos, Buffalo and Elephants)

Due to the wide range of Animals in Masai Mara, it has made the reserve one of the favorite protected areas for tourist in Kenya. Your Kenya safari to Masai Mara national reserve is value for many as the guest is assured of enjoying the great wildlife experience. The reserve is the most visited game reserve in Kenya with a wide range of attractions found at the park. Masai Mara animals are densely populated and majority are being permanent residents except the annual wildebeest migration. The reserve is the largest protected area in Narok town, unlike other protected areas of Kenya which are managed by Kenya Wildlife Services. Masai mara national reserve is managed by Narok town council.

The renowned national reserve is gifted with scenic views of the animals and other wildlife that are viewed throughout the year. Masai Mara animals are consists of over 90 animal species which are all residents of the area. Below are the highlights of the Masai Mara animals

Lions

The lions constitute the largest population of the big cats in Masai mara. The park popularity is based on the large prides of lions that are found at the park. There are three large popular prides of lions that are found at this park. They include the Cheli pride, Enesikiria pride and the Peacok pride. One may wonder how these prides can be identified, they are named following the nearest camp the prides like to occupy.  The king of the jungle remains one of the feared Masai Mara animals. There population is not much growing compared to other animals just because they are much vulnerable at their early stages of life growth.

Cheetahs

Cheetahs are the fastest animals on earth, they are the simplest among the big cut family that is why they can be kept at homes as a pet. They look alike with leopards with small difference in their coloring and the teary line in their eyes. Masai mara national reserve has a good population of the cheetahs. They are easily seen during your game drive when lying on top of the termite moldes. They arfe easily seen since they donot hide and fear people much compared to leopards. They like killing the small prey, they prefer killing large birds for their food,

Rhinos

Masai Mara animals constitute of African Big 5 with rare Black Rhinos found at the park. In most documentation of the Masai Mara national reserve it shows that the game reserve donot have Rhinos but later many guests have sighted the black Rhinos at the reserve.  The shy large animals live in isolation from other animals. They fear for their safety as poaching scared them away from open places. They are found in the thick scrubs in the reserve.  In the recent years the population of Rhinos at the park have dramatically stabilized. This has increased the Masai Mara animal’s species.

Leopards

Leopards are the smallest Masai Mara animals among the big cat family. Its shy, much muscular and well-built compact body. For one to see the leopards you must be with experienced driver guide who uses the eagle eye for spotting them. They spend much time resting on the branches of the trees. When moving on ground they over bend in the size of the grass hence making it hard to be spotted. They are the deadliest Masai Mara animals that move as solos only be found in pairs during the reproductive season.  In Masai mara leopards are seen mostly around the Leopard George. The population of the leopards in Masai is good making it much easy for the guests to view the leopards during their game drives. Leopards kill the prey and take it up to the tree where they peacefully enjoy their meals.

Elephants

African Elephants are the largest animal in the earth, it’s the simplest but deadly animal. Masai mara national reserve has the highest population of Elephants in Kenya with over 30,000 individual Elephants recorded. The reserve has got that record of the only protected game reserve where Elephants are dramatically increasing.  This great achievement is attributed to the Government of Kenya through Kenya Wildlife services for their efforts to clear poaching at the reserve. During your game drives at the park, some of the most commonly seen animals are the African Elephants. They move in groups headed by the female old Elephants together with their young calves.

Wildebeests

Wildebeests in Masai Mara

When planning for your Kenya safari to Masai mara national reserve many wants to see the wildebeest migration. The park hosts this annual migration when millions of the wildebeests together with zebras and other grazers cross the Mara River from Serengeti national park. The wildebeests migration happens from July to August annually. The wildebeests which are also known as the Gnus are from the family of Antelopes. They move in large numbers called herds with no leader. The unique thing with these animals is that they move in clock wise direction.

Other Masai Mara animals include: Giraffes, Zebras, Hyenas, Warthogs, Dik-dik, Hippos and many more.