Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara is the northern end of the Serengeti ecosystem, a sweep of golden grassland dotted with acacia trees and cut through by the Mara and Talek rivers. It has one of the highest concentrations of big cats in Africa and is home to all of the Big Five.

From roughly July to October, well over a million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, arrive from Tanzania in search of fresh grass, and their crossings of the crocodile-filled Mara River are one of nature’s great spectacles. Outside the migration months, game viewing is still excellent.

Stay at least two nights to enjoy morning and afternoon game drives at an unhurried pace. Pack neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early starts and binoculars, and consider a visit to a Maasai village to learn about local life.