Maasai Mara Game Reserve

Wildebeest crossing the Mara River...... Undoubtedly one of the great “mass gathering” wild-life “experiences” of the World, up there with e.g the butterflies of Mexico and the penguins of S Georgia. I use the word “experiences” because it is so much more than a mere “sight” - I particularly remember the chaos and noise! The Maasai Mara Game Reserve (MMGR) offers fine wildlife viewing in other ways too with all those animals out on the plains and the resulting very visible carnivore population. But the “star” turn which really differentiates it from other African "plains" parks is undoubtedly the action packed “river crossing” (There are “crossings” too in Tanzania/Serengeti at Grumeti River but, apparently, less “dramatic”). Anyone visiting should surely at least plan to try to experience it? We were lucky enough to do so way back in August 1991 (photos). But much has changed across those years and the logistics and costs of a visit are now very different. It still seems worth describing them as they then were to highlight the changes and to provide an indication of the things to consider when deciding how to visit today. Also to examine why this, undoubtedly "World Class", site is not yet a WHS.

Then 

We visited across 3.5 days in a self drive 4x4 without a guide and with our own 2 man tent (plus a little petrol Primus for cooking!) during a 19 day, 2300 mile tour of Kenya, going as far north as Samburu NP …