How many pride of lions are found in the Masai Mara National Reserve? Masai Mara National Reserve is located in southwest Kenya and is the largest wildlife reserve in Kenya. The reserve covers over 1510 square kilometers of land. The reserve borders the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania in the south. Masai Mara Reserve is also covered by a savannah type of vegetation, the easiest animal view. Also within the park, there is the Masai community living within the park who usually hunt the lions in the reserve to prove themselves as warriors. The reserve is home to several wildlife like lions, leopards, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, and many others. Masai National Reserve is home to the large pride of lions and each pride with its several members with their territories. Some of these pride include;
Cheli and peaco*ck pride
This pride separated from the acacia pride and it is their main origin. The pride names originate from the camp where they are usually found in their pride. The pride includes 16 to 19 members in number. In the past, the pride was small consisting of the females Lilly, Nuru, and Siti. The lions in the pride include; Maskio, Samir, Shambe, Kibibi, Amber, Ajani, Ayo, and many others.
Marsh pride
This is the most popular pride in the Masai Mara National Park. The marsh pride is usually filmed on the National Geographical Channel and the BBC. This is one of the oldest prides and largest in the reserve. It consists of 30 members. Some of these members include; kito, Dada, Lola, and Kaleo are the female adults available in the pride. The male adults of the Bila Shaka include; Koskoke, kiokand Chongo. The rest are still sub-adults. The pride covers an area of Musiara Masha area which is about 40 kilometers in total area.
Paradise pride
The paradise pride lives near the Mara River. More so, the pride is known for the hunting of powerless wildlife. This pride is usually attacked by other predators like hyenas and crocodiles. Also, the pride consists of about 20 members.
The sausage pride
This group of lions live in the sausage trees on the banks of the Mara River. The pride consists of 10 members. The pride is led by 3 lions who are brothers. These lions are strong and brave to conquer and hunt for their food. Ol Donyo Paek was a solo male leader and the protector of pride. This lion got into a fight with other lions which outnumbered him and badly injured him near the border of the Serengeti National Park. Ol Donyo Paek was found dead in the park after two days due to severe injuries.
The ridge pride
Ridge pride consists of large males with impressive characters. This pride consists of the 15 members living in the Olare Orok Conservancy. The pride has been monitored by the Mara Predator project with successful females taking care of the young cubs in the pride. The pride members include; Naengop and Olchore as the leaders of the territory.
The River pride
The River Pride used to live at Moses Rock up to maternity and the pride is now smaller residing in the Siria escarpment which has no access to the tourists. The leaders in this pride are believed to have originated from the Cheli and Peaco*ck pride. The major pride members include; Kinoni, Nakato, and Doto.
Enesikiria pride
This is also among the best-known prides in the Masai Mara National Reserve which can be seen in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. The pride was raised by the females and also had impressive and strong males. The pride has been successful for about four generations and the pride also has about 30 members in number.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is famous for being home to large numbers of lions. These prides are controlled by an organization called the Mara Predator Project. The main purpose of the organization is to conserve the lions and other predators in the National reserve. Their activities are monitored by the Kenya Wildlife Authority. Some of the efforts are mainly at increasing the number of lions in the area since the lions have been facing challenges like habitat loss, poaching, human conflicts, and diseases. While in the Masai Mara National Reserve, there is other wildlife that travelers can view during the Kenya safari. This wildlife includes; leopards, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, and many others.
What are the major activities in the Masai Mara National Reserve?
Travelers on the Kenya safari usually have the opportunity to engage in the wildlife and other attractions of the Masai Mara National Reserve through different activities.
Game drives
This is the primary activity that is done in the reserve so the travelers on their Kenya safaris can encounter the wildlife. The travelers do the game drive in a 4×4 safari van with a pop-up for the travelers to engage in the view of the wildlife. This game drive is done in designated tracks by the park to view the wildlife. the wildlife includes lions, leopards, zebras, and many others. The game drive can be done in the morning, full day, evening, and night game time for one to view the wildlife.
Birding safaris
The national reserve is home to several bird species in the park. This activity is majorly done in the morning hours of the day to easily view the birds still in their habitats. The bird species in the reserve include; the African fishing eagle, secretary birds, Bateleur, Usambiro Barbet, and many other species. This makes the reserve a birding haven for travelers on their Kenya safari.
Cultural encounters
While on the Kenya safari to the Masai Mara National Reserve, there are communities that live with the Masai community. The Masai are one of the communities within the park with a true African lifestyle. The community is a nomadic pastoralist community that depends mainly on cattle and little cultivation. Travelers will engage in different activities in the Masai community like cattle rearing, beads making, cultural dance, and many others. The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the destinations that travelers can visit to experience true African wildlife.
In conclusion, a typical safari in the Masai Mara National Park allows travelers to see one or more of the pride of lions. Spending time in the presence of any of these pride of lions in Masai Mara is a rewarding safari experience. Book your safari Now and create a signature of memories.
