The Masai Mara Nature Reserve is home to a vast number of resident wildlife, as well as home to the annual Great Migration. The migratory wildebeest, zebra, kongoni and topi join abundant elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah. Leopard and serval are frequently encountered, while endangered black rhino can be found in the dense bush thickets. The Mara River is also famed for its enormous crocodiles, which lay in wait for the wildebeest and zebra during the migration, when more than two million wildebeest and zebra move in search of prime grazing land.    

The small and compact Thomson’s gazelle follow the herds in their quest for life-giving water and grazing. Lion, and hyena, as well as the more elusive cheetah and leopard, mingle with the migrating masses, while vulture and jackal await the scraps of the more powerful predators. The Mara is famous for its magnificent, black-maned lion and guests stand a good chance of viewing these powerful animals. Up to six species of vulture are found in the Mara and one or more of them may often be seen on the sidelines of a lion kill.  

The rare black rhino are most frequently encountered in the Ngama Hills in the eastern Mara. The Mara hosts a large elephant population, which has had a significant impact on the reserve. The Mara River is famous for its enormous crocodiles, with massive hippo frequently spotted in the water during the day or feeding out on the plains at night. The dense riverine forest around the Kichwa Tembo camps is home to two unusual monkey species - the blue monkey and the redtail monkey, with their striking facial patterns.  

Recent Sightings from Wildwatch.com

Queen of the castle - 21 May 2013
At the 'Out of Africa' hill, this morning one lioness opted to go up a 'boscia' tree for a better view as the others rested under.
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Following into the footsteps - 21 May 2013
my first drive after seven months saw me being rewarded with this sight of our youngest member into the black rhino list, awesome!!
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KICHWA PRIDE - 26 April 2013
We saw a pride of lions in the late morning moving towards the Olololo gate! They were 15 in total and it seemed like they were hunting - although we left before they did.
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