Masai Mara National Reserve

🇰🇪 Kenya

🐆 Cheetah Chase During Migration
🌍 #14 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #10 in Africa #10 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Kenya 1402 spp. recorded

Masai Mara National Reserve sits in southwest Kenya as a protected expanse of tropical savanna, defined by wide rolling grasslands and scattered acacia trees. Unlike densely forested parks, this open terrain offers unobstructed views across the plains where golden grasses sway in the wind.

-1.442° S   35.091° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

70–80% · Very likely
Blue Wildebeest ★
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
Cheetah ★
VU

Cheetah

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Acinonyx jubatus

60–70% · Likely
Leopard ★
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

East African Giraffe

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

60–70% · Likely
Topi

Topi

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Damaliscus korrigum

60–70% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

50–60% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
LC

Rüppell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis purpuroptera

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Crowned Lapwing
LC

Crowned Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus coronatus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

70–80% · Very likely
Blue Wildebeest ★
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
Cheetah ★
VU

Cheetah

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Acinonyx jubatus

60–70% · Likely
Leopard ★
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

East African Giraffe

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

60–70% · Likely
Topi

Topi

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Damaliscus korrigum

60–70% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Thomson's Gazelle
LC

Thomson's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eudorcas thomsonii

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

40–50% · Likely
Common Eland

Common Eland

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taurotragus oryx

40–50% · Likely
Banded Mongoose
LC

Banded Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mungos mungo

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

50–60% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

50–60% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
LC

Rüppell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis purpuroptera

50–60% · Likely
Crowned Lapwing
LC

Crowned Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus coronatus

50–60% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

50–60% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

50–60% · Likely
Common Ostrich
LC

Common Ostrich

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Struthio camelus

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-throated Longclaw
LC

Yellow-throated Longclaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Macronyx croceus

40–50% · Likely
White-backed Vulture
CR

White-backed Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gyps africanus

40–50% · Likely
Marabou Stork
LC

Marabou Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Leptoptilos crumenifer

40–50% · Likely
Little Bee-eater
LC

Little Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops pusillus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

50–60% · Likely
Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama
LC

Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama mwanzae

40–50% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

20–30% · Possible
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

10–20% · With luck
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

10–20% · With luck
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

10–20% · With luck
Helmeted Turtle

Helmeted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa subrufa

5–10% · With luck
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

5–10% · With luck
Black-necked Spitting Cobra
LC

Black-necked Spitting Cobra

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Naja nigricollis

5–10% · With luck
Gregory's Blue-headed Agama
LC

Gregory's Blue-headed Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthocercus gregorii

5–10% · With luck
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

5–10% · With luck
Boomslang
LC

Boomslang

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dispholidus typus

5–10% · Rare

📊 Most Spotted

Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

5–10% · With luck
African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

5–10% · With luck
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

5–10% · With luck
Crowned bullfrog
LC

Crowned bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hoplobatrachus occipitalis

5–10% · With luck
Peters' Foam-nest Tree Frog
LC

Peters' Foam-nest Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis petersii

Insufficient data
Nile Ridged Frog
LC

Nile Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena nilotica

Insufficient data
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Marsabit Clawed Frog
LC

Marsabit Clawed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Xenopus borealis

Insufficient data
Shovel-nosed Frog
LC

Shovel-nosed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hemisus marmoratus

Insufficient data
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Mababe puddle frog
LC

Mababe puddle frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus mababiensis

Insufficient data
Sharp-nosed ridged frog
LC

Sharp-nosed ridged frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena oxyrhynchus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

The Great Migration Arrival

JulAugSep

Massive herds of blue wildebeest cross the Mara River, braving strong currents and waiting Nile crocodiles in one of nature's greatest spectacles.

Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Wildebeest Calving Season

Feb

A synchronized birthing period on the short-grass plains that simultaneously triggers intense predation pressure from spotted hyenas and opportunistic plains zebra herds sharing the nursery grounds.

Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

60–70% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Mid-Year Predator Peak and Concentration

Jun

As dry conditions set in, resident herbivores like African buffalo and territorial topi concentrate near permanent water sources, drawing heightened focus from top-tier predators.

African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Topi

Topi

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Damaliscus korrigum

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Lion
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
Blue Wildebeest
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
30–40
Cheetah
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
40–50
Leopard
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
East African Giraffe
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
African Bush Elephant
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
Spotted Hyena
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Topi
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
Common Hippopotamus
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Superb Starling
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
40–50
Plains Zebra
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
Lilac-breasted Roller
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
Cape Turtle Dove
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
African Buffalo
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Crowned Lapwing
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
Animal Events
🦌 The Great Migration Arrival
🦌 Wildebeest Calving Season
🦌 Mid-Year Predator Peak and Concentration

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐆 Cheetah Chase During Migration

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
961
🐒 Mammals
279
🦎 Reptiles
118
🐸 Amphibians
44
1402 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
49 Threatened 8 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
60%
📊
Coverage (250 species at ≥5% of 1402 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
18%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 mammal, 3 bird)
46% Global avg
50%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
193
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
38
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
34

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Masai Mara National Reserve?

The most likely sightings are Lion (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), East African Giraffe (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), African Bush Elephant (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Spotted Hyena (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Topi (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1402 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve for wildlife?

February has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Lion in Masai Mara National Reserve?

Yes — about 70% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 604 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Blue Wildebeest in Masai Mara National Reserve?

Yes — about 55% of wildlife watchers report a Blue Wildebeest sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 335 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Cheetah in Masai Mara National Reserve?

Yes — about 60% of wildlife watchers report a Cheetah sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 409 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Leopard in Masai Mara National Reserve?

Yes — about 48% of wildlife watchers report a Leopard sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 251 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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