The Masai Mara National Reserve is a national reserve in south-west Kenya.
The word 'Masai' comes from the Maasai tribe, nomadic inhabitants of the area and the word 'Mara' is their word for 'spotted', referring to the ubiquitous flat topped acacia trees, shrubs and bushes that dot the landscape across most of the reserve.
It is Kenya's best-known and most visited park. It is a reserve, not a park, because the land is still inhabited by the Masai, who graze their herds there.
The concentration of animals, the intense activity of the predators (mainly lions, crocodiles, leopards and hyenas) and the spectacular nature of some of the crossings (called crossings) create a breathtaking spectacle, even if the violence of the struggle for life is very much present.
Very few places on earth are as unspoilt, adventurous and authentic as the Mara eco-system.