Masai Mara, known locally as The Mara, is the cherished home of Africa's famous Big Five.

Kenya is the world's best country for a safari holiday. This east African nation is home to the Masai Mara, a sprawling 580 square mile game reserve. It makes up the northernmost part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, featuring rivers including the Talek River, Sand River, and the Mara River.

The Masai Mara is also a treasured biodiversity haven, with a range of wildlife including giraffe, zebra, hippo, lion, and cheetah wandering the varied environment. Visit during the summer months and you might be able to catch an unforgettable glimpse of the annual wildebeest migration when millions of these creatures walk across this scenic expanse of the African savannah — it’s truly one of the world’s most striking natural phenomena.

And then there are the people. During the Kenyan trip, you should definitely visit a Masai village, where you can meet the locals and learn about their daily life as well as their rich cultural heritage through their thrilling traditional dance performances.