The Maasai Mara is one of the best-known reserves in the whole of Africa, and is globally renowned for its exceptional wildlife. Earning it’s name from the Maasai people of Africa who called the land “Mara” which means “spotted” in Maa. Despite comprising only 0.01% of Africa’s total landmass, more than 40% of Africa’s larger mammals can be found here.

“The Big five” is the term to indicate the creatures most associated with Africa: lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, elephant and cape buffalo. Many would assume that the term is attributed to the animals’ large size. However, the name “The Big Five” originated from hunters who claimed these animals were the most difficult and dangerous to hunt and kill. Nowdays, thanks to decades of worthwhile efforts in the conservation and preservation of the wildlife, this term is now also widely used by safari tour operators.

Carnivores have different levels in the pecking order. Lion, hyena and jackal is the common order, with voltures always around too. The cheetah has the speed but often looses kills to lion and hyena due to it’s light frame size. The leopard will take it’s prey up a tree for safety from larger predators.

Lake Nakuru National Park, located in the Southern Rift Valley, is Kenya’s most popular parks.
Nakuru means “Dust or Dusty Place” in the Maasai language. The park supports a wide ecological diversity but the biggest attraction is undoubtedly its huge flamingo population, which can swell to more than 1.5 million at times. The park is also famous for its rhinoceros sanctuary, in which 70 white rhinoceros and 25 critically endangered black rhinoceros can be seen.