The Masai Mara National Park is located in south western Kenya and is just over 200 km from Nairobi. It is the northern section of the Serengeti Ecosystem with the other 80% of the ecosystem being made up of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Since it is located close to a major city, this section of the ecosystem is more accessible and lower in price then the Serengeti NP.
Why Travel to the Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is the beautiful picture book Africa you see in your head. With rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Zebras, antelopes and wildebeests grazing in the open plains while a pride of lions stealthily watching there every move. Sometimes the number of herbivores can almost be intimidating. For a few months a year the annual Great Migration enters the Masai Mara. During this time the animals number in the millions. Lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and water buffalo make up the “Big Five” and are all represented in the park. Cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, jackals, wildebeests, gazelles, impalas, topis, hartebeests, vultures, eagles, falcons, ostriches and zebras are among the other animals you can see in the Masai Mara.
How to Travel to the Masai Mara
Nairobi is the gateway city to East Africa so it shouldn’t be hard to find a flight getting there and away. Take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. Make sure that the taxi driver is a licensed driver; he knows where your hotel is and if he doesn’t have a meter, agree on a price before getting in the vehicle. Most tours will arrange your stay in Nairobi and pick you up from your hotel to start the safari. One of the great advantages of the Masai Mara is it’s proximity to Nairobi because it’s so easy to visit.
What's Offered at the Masai Mara
To enter the Masai Mara national park you need to be accompanied by a licensed guide so driving through the park yourself is impossible. Joining a driving safari is the best way to see the animals up close since you’re on the ground and can move about the park at a good speed. Flights, hot air balloons, walking and horseback safaris are also available and have there advantages and disadvantages. Doing multiple types of safaris can be tricky to arrange since most safari companies have set itineraries and won’t accommodate to the personal schedule of every individual in the group. On the alternative you can charter your own safari and then your driver will be happy to work with your schedule or find a safari that includes one of the alternative safaris.
A typical safari will pick you up from your hotel in Nairobi first thing in the morning and drive you to the Masai Mara. You will check into your lodging before going on a late afternoon drive through the park and return to your lodging before dark (all visitors have to be out of the park before closing time [dark] or else the company will be heavily fined). Every full day, excluding the last day, you should get a full day of driving; only stopping for lunch or by the request of the group. On your last day you will get a morning game drive then drive back to Nairobi.
Who Should Travel to the Masai Mara
This is a trip that can truly be for everyone. Your only concern would be for young children being in a vehicle for so long but with the abundance of wildlife to keep them busy they should be fine. There is hardly any physical activity and a great safari can be experienced at any age.
When You Should Travel to the Masai Mara
To get the true experience of the Masai Mara you need to visit the park when the Great Migration is there. If you aim between July and October you should be okay as the migration changes slightly year to year so make sure you check with your travel agent or better yet, research it yourself. If you are unable to travel during that time, the Great Migration heads south to the Serengeti in Tanzania for the rest of the year. This park is almost identical and is definitely worth a visit. To travel to the Serengeti you will still fly into Nairobi, then bus or fly to the Tanzanian city of Arusha. Arusha is the gateway city for all the northern wildlife preserves in Tanzania including the Serengeti. You can easily join a safari from there.
 |
 |
 |
