Mara River
The Mara River basin covers a surface of 13,504 km2, of which approximately 65% is located in Kenya and 35% in Tanzania. From its sources in the Kenyan highlands, the river flows for about 395 km and originates from the Mau Escarpment and drains into Lake Victoria. The basin can be roughly divided into four land use and/or administrative units. The river is a vital source of grazing animals within the reserve. Although during the dry season it may often appear shallow, it may swell to up to twice its normal size after heavy rainfall. This can create rapids in the river, which may lead to a shortage of food for predators that cannot cross the river to hunt.
The Mara River is particularly known for The Migration and its spectacular and sometimes dramatic scenes that take place between June and October when millions of wildebeests go across the river trying to survive the river stream and the attacks of crocodiles. The river has appeared in many wildlife documentary and photography because of its iconic natural wonder of the Migration. It has also appeared in many movies about wildlife. The river is a great touristic attraction to both government of Kenya and Tanzania as they both share the river.
The River carries water all year round and is also frequented by elephants and a lot of hippos. The Great Plains give an excellent chance of close encounters with rhinoceros and cheetah hunt gazelles.
Highlights
Mara River is Best Known For
- Great Migration crossing the Mara River
- Nile crocodiles (the largest in the world)
- Elands, elephants & the rare black rhino
- Hippo viewpoint at the river oxbow
- Photography
Main Species
Crocodile, Wildebeest, Zebra, Hippo, Elephant, Eland, Vulture, Rhino, Lion, Leopard
Mara River and The Migration
Witness the most amazing wildlife spectacle in Africa at the Mara River. The Mara River is most famous for the legendary wildebeest crossing, a dramatic event, which is featured in countless wildlife documentaries. One of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets are the fact that nearly half of the river is situated in the North Serengeti versus the Masai Mara’s segment in Kenya. While there are hordes of vehicles just a few miles upriver in the Masai Mara, the Serengeti side is virtually devoid of tourists.