What to See and Do on Masai Mara and Kidepo Safari?
Do you plan to visit Masai Mara Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park on a single trip? These parks are amazing and are worth visiting for the best East African safari. Kidepo Valley is located in northeastern Uganda within the Karamoja region at the border of Uganda and Kenya and also in Uganda and South Sudan. The park experiences a semi-arid type of climate. The park is generally covered by savannah grassland with a variety of open plains. While in this park, there are two valleys that travelers engage in for the safari which include the Narus Valley and the Kidepo Valley. It was established in 1962 after Uganda had gained its independence. Currently, it is the least visited park in Uganda since it’s far in northern Uganda.
On the other hand, Masai Mara National Reserve is located in southwestern Kenya at the border of Kenya and Tanzania. The reserve is also within the Great Rift Valley region covered by the savannah type of vegetation. The name of this reserve originates from the Masai who live in the park initially it was known as Mara and then it became the Masai Mara National Reserve. It was gazette in 1961 and is also found in the semi-arid area of Kenya. Masai Mara Reserve is also known as the eighth wonder of the world. This reserve is also known for the great migration of wildlife within the reserve in search of new pastures.
What to do in Masai Mara national reserve and the Kidepo valley national park?
There are several activities that travelers on their safaris can engage in and these include;
Game drive or game viewing
While on a safari to the Masai Mara and the Kidepo Valley National Park, game driving or game viewing is one the key activities that travelers engage in to view the wildlife. Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park are carried within the Narus Valley and the Kidepo Valley where most wildlife gathers. These game drives in this park are done in the morning, afternoon, full-day game, and night game drive. Some of the wildlife that is usually seen includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, and many others. On the other hand, game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve are done around the shores of the Mara River and other areas of the park. Like Kidepo, Masai Mara Reserve offers morning and afternoon game drives.
Birding tours in Kidepo Valley and Masai Mara
Both parks are birding destinations that travelers on their safaris can see and this makes the destinations birding havens for travelers. In Masai Mara, there are 500 bird species that travelers can encounter. Bird species include the resident species and migratory species. The migratory species usually come for a short purposely for breeding. These bird species in the Kidepo Valley National Park are about 400 species and over 50 of them are only in the Karamoja region. Both Masai Mara and Kidepo Valley Park are amazing destinations for bird lovers.
Hiking of mountain Morungole
This is another great destination to hike in the Kidepo Valley National Park. During the hiking of this mountain, you get clear views of the park and its surrounding areas. The best time to do the hiking of this mountain is usually very early in the morning before the sun rises so that travelers can have the best views of the park.
Cultural visits
While in both destinations, travelers immerse themselves in the IK, Karimajong, and Masai cultures with similar characteristics. Karimajong are one of the dominant communities in communities in Kidepo Valley National Park that are originally cattle keepers and depend less on cultivation. IK is one of the minority groups in the Kidepo Valley National Park. This community takes pride in childbearing which they see as a blessing from their gods. Masai is the dominant community in the Masai Mara National Reserve. They are known for their jump-dancing style, colorful clothing, and many others.
Hot air balloon
The activity is kinder similar to the game drive since it also involves the viewing of the wildlife. This activity is usually done in a hot air balloon where the wildlife is viewing while in the air. This activity is done in the Masai Mara National Reserve where the wildlife is seen while in the air. Also while in this activity, travelers will have the best views of the reserve.
Wildebeests migration experience
This is an annual migration of wildlife where thousands of wildlife are seen migrating from one side of the park to the other. This activity occurs in the Masai Mara National Reserve and takes place in the dry seasons of the year.
What to see in the Masai Mara and Kidepo Valley National Park
There are several attractions that travelers see during a safari and some of these activities include;
Wildlife
There is a lot of wildlife in the areas which travelers can see during the several activities in this park. The wildlife in the Masai Mara includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, elephants, zebras, and many others. While in the Kidepo Valley National Park, the wildlife which is usually seen includes lions, cheetahs, zebras, buffaloes, leopards, and many others.
Cultural communities
While in both destinations travelers see different cultural communities which travelers can see during the safari. Travelers can encounter different ways of life. These communities include the Karimajong, IK, and the Masai.
What is the best time to visit the Kidepo Valley National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve?
Both Masai Mara and Kidepo Valley are open for travelers throughout the year. The best time is during the dry season June to September and December to February. This is the best time for travelers since the parks are dry and clear for animal viewing.
In conclusion, it is possible to combine Kidepo Valley National Park and Masai Mara Reserve in one trip. All you need is to book your trip in advance. We are more than ready to help you create everlasting memories.
