Best things to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve

See herds of zebras, giraffes, gnus, impalas, and elands (accompanied by the usual predators) at Mara Triangle, the northwestern part of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Open plains with tall grass and acacia forests are home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, and jackals, while along the Mara River you might spot crocodiles in action during migration periods. Run by a nonprofit organization, the triangle spans some 510 sq km (197 sq mi). Tour the reserve on a safari ride, and bring camping gear to stay in one of the public or private sites if you wish.

Take a safari ride to see the Big Five game animals at Olare Orok Conservancy, a private, community-based safari tourism project adjacent to Masai Mara Game Reserve. Covering an area of approximately 8,090 hectares (20,000 acres), the conservancy features six safari camps from which you can see all the iconic African animals: lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeests, crocodiles, hippos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, vultures, and rhinos. For an overhead view, try a hot air ballooning trip for panoramic savanna and swamp scenery.

Explore the savannah landscape of Ol Kinyei Conservancy, a vast protected area sheltering varied wildlife that includes lions and leopards. Guided game drives occur daily here, providing visitors with a unique chance to spot large predators rarely spotted so easily in the wild.