The Oloololo Escarpment forms the dramatic western wall of the Masai Mara — a series of forested ridges rising 300 metres above the reserve, visible from almost anywhere on the plains on a clear day. The escarpment marks the boundary between the open grassland ecosystem of the Mara and the highland forests of the Loita Hills, and the contrast in habitat creates excellent edge conditions for wildlife.
The area below the escarpment, in the Mara Triangle (managed by the Mara Conservancy), tends to have less vehicle traffic than the central and eastern sections of the reserve. The views from the escarpment rim, accessible with a guide, look east across the full sweep of the Mara ecosystem toward the Serengeti horizon. Early morning light from the escarpment side is exceptional for photography.