Big five in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Big five in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Maasai Mara National Reserve is arguably the most well-known Kenya safari destination in the world, and it is here that the hunt for the Big Five—the Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Elephant, and African buffalo—is paramount. The “Big Five” phrase originates from old hunting vernacular, which listed the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Today, it represents the absolute wildlife viewing item in the checklist of any traveler to Africa.
The Mara offers one of the best and most reliable locations on the continent for completing these iconic Kenya safari objectives because of its expansive open savannahs, ample water supply year-round, and high density of predators. Spotting all the Big 5, however, does require a little patience and the assistance of a local guide and the understanding of the individual habitats in the reserve where each one of these wonderful beasts resides with Focus East Africa Tours.
The Kings of the Plains: Lion and Leopard.
The Maasai Mara is rightly, and rightly at that, known as a Lion stronghold place to see the “King of Beasts.” Lions are numerous throughout the reserve and often in quite large, active prides that are habituated to safari vehicles.
Frequently, these large cats can be observed lounging on the vast open seas, or searching for shade under the acacia trees, or sitting on rocky outcrops known as kopjes (also in the Mara Triangle) for elevated views. Early morning and late afternoon game drives are the best times to catch lions either hunting or active before the heat of the day pushes them towards resting. Many travelers find it emotionally stirring to observe a lion pride interact—kittens playing, male lions patrolling their territory, and lionesses working together to hunt.
The second, and arguably the most elusive of the Big 5, is the Leopard. The shy, solitary, nocturnal carnivores are in fact harder to tick off the list, as they do elude many people. In the Mara you will stand the best chance of seeing a leopard close to the riverine forest along the banks of the Talek and Mara Rivers. Leopards will drag their kill to the safety of large sausage trees and fig trees to protect them from scavengers. Guides are very good at spotting a tell-tale tail hanging from a branch or unique track prints left in the sand.
Elephants and African Buffalo are two of the Big Five found in great numbers between both species in the Mara’s varied landscape.
Elephants are abundant in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, mainly along the river systems and in denser bush areas where they graze. It is a wondrous sight to watch elephants in cohesive family units, the big matriarchs leading, all communicating with low rumbles and dust-bathing playfully. The sheer size and presence of an elephant herd crossing the plain humbles and forever astounds one.
African Buffalo are similarly abundant. These imposing animals are typically seen in large herds, occasionally in the thousands, especially near watering holes or wallowing in mud. Buffalo are notable for their “boss” of horns, which has a helmet-like appearance and for being calmly grazing animals while in herd formation.
The buffalo is seen as quite dangerous in a single-animal condition, even though they are placed in a placid exterior, thus earning them a position on the original hunting list. The wealth of grassland in the Mara allows huge herds of buffalo to be a sighting without fail; one of the most on-display components of the Big Five list is checked off.
The Critically Endangered: Rhinoceros
The most important and the most challenging sighting on the list is the Rhinoceros. The Black Rhino and White Rhino are both endangered in the world due to poaching. The Black Rhino in the Maasai Mara is slowly recovering, but their numbers are very limited, and they prefer the dense bush and distant areas of the reserve, making them more challenging to locate.
To maximize the opportunity for a rhino sighting, guides will often target specific areas they know as heavily monitored or around the Mara Triangle, known for family groups. Sightings of rhinos cannot be guaranteed given their rarity, but again, it only means congrats to local/national conservation efforts.
For those that need to ensure a rhino sighting, it’s generally advised to mix the Kenya Wildlife safari with another dedicated rhino sanctuary in Kenya, like the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, but the sighting in the Mara is a highly rewarding experience that still ticks all the boxes of the Big Five in this famous reserve with Focus East Africa Tours.
