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Wildebeest Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara, Kenya

Wildlife at Maasai Mara Nature Reserve and Lake Navaisha, Kenya

POMUSA Travel Blog > Travel Destinations > Wildlife at Maasai Mara Nature Reserve and Lake Navaisha, Kenya

Wildlife at Maasai Mara Nature Reserve and Lake Navaisha, Kenya. All the photographs are captured with my Canon 6D and Tamron 200-600mm lens. I hope that you like this format and help you use it as a checklist to identify the wildlife much more easily

Note that The descriptions of the wildlife below are referenced from Wikipedia. Please be advised this might not be the full list of wildlife at the nature reserve. For a full list, please visit the Mara Conversancy

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Maasai Mara Nature Reserve
    • The Big 5 Game of Africa
      • Lion
      • Leopard
      • Rhinoceros
      • Elephant
      • Buffalo
    • THE GREAT MIGRATION
    • THE MAMMAL LIST
      • Warthog
      • Giraffe
      • Hippopotamus
      • Antelope
      • Gazelle
      • Wildebeest
      • Zebra
      • Hyena
      • Cats
      • Canine
      • Baboon
    • THE BIRD LIST
      • Ostrich
      • Stork
      • Eagle and Hawk
      • Vulture
      • Goose
      • Duck
      • Hornbill
  • Lake Navaisha
  • Related Resources

Maasai Mara Nature Reserve

The Big 5 Game of Africa

The Big Five game animals of Africa are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros (both south-central black and southern white species), elephant, and Cape buffalo. The term was coined by big-game hunters and referred to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot.

Lion

Male Lion, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Male Lion, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The lion (Panthera leo) is a species in the family Felidae and a member of the genus Panthera. 

Leopard

Leopard taking a break from moving prey, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Leopard taking a break from moving prey, Maasai Mara, Kenya

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae.

Rhinoceros

Rare sighting of three Rhinoceros together, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Rare sighting of three Rhinoceros together, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The black rhinoceros or hook-lipped rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is a species of rhinoceros, native to eastern and southern Africa including Angola,  Botswana,  Kenya,  Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa,  Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Elephant

African Elephant, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
African Elephant, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The African elephant (Loxodonta) is a genus comprising two living elephant species, the African bush elephant (L. africana) and the smaller African forest elephant (L. cyclotis).

Buffalo

Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The African buffalo or Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large sub-Saharan African bovine.

THE GREAT MIGRATION

Great Migration of Wildebeest near Mara River
Great Migration of Wildebeest near Mara River
Great Migration of Wildebeest near Mara River
Great Migration of Wildebeest near Mara River
Wildebeest Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Wildebeest Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Wildebeest Migration crossing Mara River in Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Wildebeest Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Crocodile eating Wildebeest while Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara, Kenya
Crocodile eating Wildebeest while Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara, Kenya
Wildebeest Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara, Kenya
Wildebeest Migration crossing Mara River in Maasai Mara, Kenya

THE MAMMAL LIST

Warthog

Pumbaa aka Warthog (African Wild Pig) in Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Pumbaa aka Warthog (African Wild Pig) in Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The Warthog, Phacochoerus is a genus in the family Suidae, commonly known as warthogs (pronounced wart-hog). It is the sole genus of subfamily Phacochoerinae. These pigs live in open and semiopen habitats, even in quite arid regions, in sub-Saharan Africa.

Giraffe

The Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelskirchi), Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
The Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelskirchi), Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The giraffe (Giraffa) is an African artiodactyl mammal, the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant. It is traditionally considered to be one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies. 

Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus (/ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/ HIP-ə-POT-ə-məs;[3] Hippopotamus amphibius), also called the hippo, common hippopotamus or river hippopotamus.
The hippopotamus (/ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/ HIP-ə-POT-ə-məs;[3] Hippopotamus amphibius), also called the hippo, common hippopotamus or river hippopotamus.

The hippopotamus (/ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/ HIP-ə-POT-ə-məs; Hippopotamus amphibius), also called the hippo, common hippopotamus or river hippopotamus, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to sub-Saharan Africa.

Antelope

Kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a small antelope native to Eastern Africa and one of four species of dik-dik antelope.
Kirk’s dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a small antelope native to Eastern Africa and one of four species of dik-dik antelope.

Kirk’s dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a small antelope native to Eastern Africa and one of four species of dik-dik antelope.[2] It is believed to have six subspecies and possibly a seventh existing in southwest Africa.[3] Dik-diks are herbivores, typically of a fawn color that aids in camouflaging themselves in savannah habitats

Topi (Damaliscus lunatus), Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya
Topi (Damaliscus lunatus), Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya

The topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela)[1] is a subspecies of the common tsessebe.[2] It is a highly social and fast type of antelope found in the savannas, semi-deserts, and floodplains of sub-Saharan Africa.

Gazelle

Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is one of the best-known gazelles
Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is one of the best-known gazelles

Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is one of the best-known gazelles. It is named after explorer Joseph Thomson and is sometimes referred to as a “tommie“.

Wildebeest

The wildebeest (/ˈwɪldɪbiːst/ WIL-dih-beest,[1][2][3] /ˈvɪl-/ VIL-,[3] plural wildebeest or wildebeests), also called the gnu (/njuː/ NEW or /nuː/ NOO),[4][5][6][4][6] is an antelope in the genus Connochaetes.
The wildebeest (/ˈwɪldɪbiːst/ WIL-dih-beest.

The wildebeest (/ˈwɪldɪbiːst/ WIL-dih-beest,[1][2][3] /ˈvɪl-/ VIL-,[3] plural wildebeest or wildebeests), also called the gnu (/njuː/ NEW or /nuː/ NOO),[4][5][6][4][6] is an antelope in the genus Connochaetes. It belongs to the family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, sheep, and other even-toed horned ungulates. 

Zebra

Brown Baby and Mama Zebra, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Brown Baby and Mama Zebra, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The plains zebra (Equus quagga, formerly Equus burchellii), also known as the common zebra, is the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra. Its range is fragmented, but spans much of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara. 

Hyena

Spotted Hyena Happy After Mating, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Spotted Hyena Happy After Mating, Maasai Mara, Kenya

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena,[3] is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus Crocuta, native to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Cats

The Serval (Leptailurus serval), Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
The Serval (Leptailurus serval), Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The serval (Leptailurus serval) /ˈsɜːrvəl/ is a wild cat native to Africa. It is rare in North Africa and the Sahel, but widespread in sub-Saharan countries except rainforest regions. On the IUCN Red List it is listed as Least Concern.[1]

Cheetah on the prowl, Maasai Mara
Cheetah on the prowl, Maasai Mara

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph), and as such has several adaptations for speed, including a light build, long thin legs and a long tail.

Canine

The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas[2] or Lupulella mesomelas[3][4]) is a canine native to eastern and southern Africa.
The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas[2] or Lupulella mesomelas[3][4]) is a canine native to eastern and southern Africa.

The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas[2] or Lupulella mesomelas[3][4]) is a canine native to eastern and southern Africa. These regions are separated by roughly 900 kilometers.

Baboon

The olive baboon (Papio anubis), also called the Anubis baboon, is a member of the family Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
The olive baboon (Papio anubis), also called the Anubis baboon, is a member of the family Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)

The olive baboon (Papio anubis), also called the Anubis baboon, is a member of the family Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys). 

THE BIRD LIST

Ostrich

Ostrich, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Ostrich, Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

The common ostrich (Struthio camelus) or simply ostrich, is a species of large flightless bird native to certain large areas of Africa.

Stork

The yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis), Maasai Mara Natural Reserve, Kenya
The yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis), Maasai Mara Natural Reserve, Kenya

The yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis), sometimes also called the wood stork or wood ibis, is a large African wading stork species in the family Ciconiidae

Eagle and Hawk

Eagle hovering the sky, Maasai Mara Nature Reservee, Kenya
Eagle hovering the sky, Maasai Mara Nature Reservee, Kenya

The African hawk-eagle (Aquila spilogaster) is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. The African hawk-eagle breeds in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hawk, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Western banded snake eagle, Maasai Mara, Kenya

The western banded snake eagle (Circaetus cinerascens) is a grey-brown African raptor with a short tail and a large head. 

Vulture

A Vulture , Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
A Vulture , Maasai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya

Rüppell’s vulture (Gyps rueppelli), also called Rüppell’s griffon vulture, named after Eduard Rüppell, is a large vulture that can be found throughout the Sahel region of central Africa.

Goose

The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca), Maasai Mara, Kenya
The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca), Maasai Mara, Kenya

The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a member of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae. It is native to Africa south of the Sahara and the Nile Valley.

Duck

Whistling Duck flying over Mara River, Masaai Mara, Kenya
Whistling Duck flying over Mara River, Masaai Mara, Kenya

Whistling Duck flying over Mara River, Masaai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya. The whistling ducks or tree ducks are a subfamily,  Dendrocygninae, of the  duck,  goose and  swan family of birds, Anatidae. They are not true ducks. 

Hornbill

The southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri; formerly known as Bucorvus cafer), Maasai Mara, Kenya
The southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri; formerly known as Bucorvus cafer), Maasai Mara, Kenya

The southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri; formerly known as Bucorvus cafer), Maasai Mara, Kenya

Unknown
Unknown Bird, Maasai Mara

Unknown Species, Maasai Mara, Kenya

Lake Navaisha

The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.
The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.

The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) is a large wading bird in the stork  family  Ciconiidae. 

African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)
African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

The African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), or the African sea eagle, is a large species of eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply occur.

Pied Kingfisher At brine Naivasha, Kenya., Pied Kingfisher at Lake Naivasha
Pied Kingfisher At brine Naivasha, Kenya., Pied Kingfisher at Lake Naivasha

The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a species of water kingfisher widely distributed across Africa and Asia. 

Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis), Lake Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya
Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis), Lake Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya

Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis), Lake Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya

Great White Pelicans on the shore of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, Africa
Great White Pelicans on the shore of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, Africa

Great White Pelicans on the shore of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, Africa

African Reed Cormorant and White breasted CormorantFrom Lake Naivasha
African Reed Cormorant and White breasted CormorantFrom Lake Naivasha

The reed cormorant (Microcarbo africanus), also known as the long-tailed cormorant, is a bird in the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. 

Related Resources

https://www.pomusa.com/blog/2019/08/14/maasai-mara-nature-reserve/
https://www.pomusa.com/blog/2020/08/03/what-to-wear-on-safari-in-kenya-africa/
https://www.pomusa.com/blog/2019/07/28/safari-gear-checklist/

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