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The Masai
Mara National Reserve is located 275 Kms from Nairobi and is
probably the most famous and most visited Reserve in Kenya. It covers
an area of 1,510 Sq. Kms that offers breathtaking views (as seen in
the film "Out of Africa", much of which was filmed here), an
extraordinary density of animals including "the Big Five" (lions,
leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros) and may varieties of plains
game.
An
impressive feature is the annual migration of wildebeests, zebras and
gazelles from the plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian
border and rivers to reach the Mara's grasslands from late June,
tracked by predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena, and circled
by vultures as their journey unfolds. Their dramatic river crossings
are a reality for tourists visiting in early July-August.
Apart from
the seasonal migration, game viewing is excellent year round. Game
includes elephant, black rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, hartebeest and
big cats. The rivers are home to hippo and crocodiles. 452 species, 53
of which are raptors.
Accommodation ranges from stone built lodges to luxury tented camps.
The area to the North owned by the Maasai offers great game-viewing,
game walks and night games. Safari operators set up private camps for
small groups seeking exclusive and traditional safaris out of the
Reserve. In the Reserve are four tented camps and two lodges.
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TANZANIA