The Maasai Mara
About the Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara is in the south-west corner of Kenya, bordering Tanzania. It’s the scene of one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth – the great migration. Every year hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra travel from the neighbouring Serengeti to the Mara to feed on the lush grass that springs up after the region’s seasonal rain.
The Maasai Mara is home to a huge variety of wildlife, including Africa’s ‘big five’ – the leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo – as well as cheetah, crocodile, hippo, hyena and hundreds of species of bird. It has one of the highest densities of lions in the world. It’s a priority landscape for African elephant conservation. And it’s home to the critically endangered black rhino.
The word Mara means ‘spotted’. This refers equally well to the landscape, which is patched with groves of acacia and thorn bushes, and to the markings of various animals found across the Maasai Mara Nature Reserve’s 1,500 sq km of open grasslands. It’s part of a 20,000 sq km ecosystem that includes Tanzania’s Serengeti, protected areas that form ‘buffer zones’ around these parks, and adjacent community lands. The Mara River flows through the region, providing a lifeline in the dry season.
Animals that live in the Mara
Threats to the Maasai Mara
Human expansion
The landscape’s rich natural resources support the livelihoods of more than one million people. Most of whom rely on natural resources for their food security. Small-scale agriculture and grazing livestock are the main livelihoods here, putting pressure on the land as settlements expand.
Forest threats
Forests are under threat, too. Charcoal and fuelwood are the main sources of energy for households. And non-timber forest products – such as medicinal plants, animal fodder, fruits, seeds, essential oils, mushrooms and honey – are important to rural economies.
Poaching
Poaching – particularly of elephants – is also an increasing problem, as it is for much of Africa. As the region crosses national borders it’s harder to manage the protected areas effectively.
Tourism
Tourism is one of the most important sources of income for Kenya, but it’s an added pressure on the region’s natural resources. The millions of visitors need places to stay, good transport links and food and water. And the hotels generate waste water which can pollute the Mara River.
How WWF is helping in the Maasai Mara
We’ve worked in the Mara-Serengeti landscape for many years. We’ve helped set up and pilot schemes that use water more efficiently, improve the management of the region’s forests and reduce deforestation. We’ve also piloted and developed models to reduce human wildlife conflict - which have been rolled out to projects across Africa.We’re also encouraging Tanzania and Kenya to cooperate on patrolling and law enforcement, to help bring poaching and other illegal activities under control.
We’re helping local communities manage their natural resources more sustainably. And to find ways to manage their land so it can support responsible tourism, respect local culture and create a balance between the needs of people and animals, so both can thrive. We’re also helping to strengthen civil society organisations in the region to make sure local people have a voice when regional government are discussing policies that may affect them.
How you can help the Mara
Adopt a lion ›
Adopt the Eneiskiria pride of lions and become a part of the lion-saving work in the Mara.
Make a donation ›
£25 could pay a Rhino Protection Unit ranger's salary for 10 days
Help stop wildlife crime ›
Just £3 a month can help us stop the trade in body parts that are sold for pointless profit.
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