Masai Mara
The ultimate safari experience, set in the heart of Africa’s Great Plains, the world-famous Masai Mara boasts some 2,800 sq. kilometers of unspoilt wilderness. The Masai Mara National Reserve, Mara Triangle and various community conservancies bordering the northern and eastern sectors of the ecosystem form the Masai Mara Ecosystem. This is the land of the Big Cat Diary and Disney’s African Cats. Views across the rolling golden grasslands studded with acacia trees, rivers and forests are dazzling. The sense of space is overwhelming with landscapes made famous in the movie Out of Africa.
Throughout the year the Masai Mara is a place of natural drama, a kaleidoscope of color and life. But between July and October, the Mara comes to life, when herds of up to two million wildebeest and zebra migrate northwards from the Serengeti in search of fresh pastures.
The wildebeest attempt to navigate their way across the crocodile-infested Mara River. Once this begins, plumes of dust rise as thousands of wildebeests barrel into the river, creating a feeding frenzy for the massive Nile Crocodiles, not to mention the predators waiting to take their chance.
The many private conservancies surrounding the Masai Mara have proven to be amazing conservation success stories. They have proved to be a model for low density, high value tourism. Tourism that is sustainable and deals with human-wildlife conflict and encroachment. These are Masai Rangelands, belonging to a variety of landowners – private individuals, local communities, and groups of individuals. The models for each conservancy vary. The basic principle is the lands from the Maasai landowners is turned over to wildlife conservation. The tourist revenues are reinvested back into the communities and ecosystems. These are pioneering tourism models that involve and empower the local communities. While ensuring the fauna and flora are protected for the future generations. Acting as a more private Mara safari experience. With similar levels of abundant wildlife, excellent guides and luxury camps, this is definitely something we really support and recommend.
Advantages of the Conservancy
The conservancies surrounding the greater Masai Mara Ecosystem are privately managed pieces of land.
The land is leased from the Masai Communities and have proven to work as a brilliant model for wildlife conservation.
There are less number of camps in the conservancies, allowing for lower tourist density.
The camps all use professional guides and 4×4 safari vehicles.
Camp vehicles are allowed off road, allowing you to get closer to wildlife.
Walking safaris and night game drives are allowed.
You’re not restricted to specific timings while on game drive, allowing you flexibility.
highlights
The Great Wildebeest Migration
One of the planet’s most spectacular natural events and the 8th wonder of the Natural World, over 2 million wildebeest, accompanied by large herds of zebra, and smaller herds of gazelle, impala and eland, attempt to navigate their way across the crocodile-infested Mara River. Plumes of dust rise as thousands of wildebeests barrel into the river, creating a feeding frenzy for the massive Nile Crocodiles, not to mention the predators waiting to take their chance. The precise timing of the migration is unpredictable, and varies from year to year.
In the Masai Mara, the best time to view the migration is from August to October, although in some years, they arrive as early as June and stay through until November.
Amazing Resident Game
In some respects, the Migration is just a sideshow for the Masai Mara. Year-round access to water and fertile soils means large numbers of herbivores remain as residents, whilst other splinter herds do smaller migrations to the nearby Loita Hills. All this adds up to a plentiful food supply for the predators. Large lion prides stake out the best territories, cheetahs have large plains to explore and leopards stake out the riverine forests and dense luggas. Abundant wildlife and birdlife throughout the year delivers an amazing experience for the visitor.
Hot Air Balloon Safari
As the sun begins to rise over the Masai Mara, the fire burners kick in, and a truly unique and memorable experience begins. Floating gently above the Mara plains offers a very different perspective. The views from above are incredible, the silence, deafening, an experience like no other. After an hour’s game-viewing from above, the balloon lands on the plains and a sumptuous cooked breakfast, complete with champagne awaits you.
Bush Meals
How many places in the world offer you the experience to jump out of the car, stretch your legs while your guide sets up a table and chairs for you, strategically placed to offer you a wonderful view. The picnic laid out on the table, enjoying a cup of hot tea or coffee while you indulge in your meal surrounded quietly by the wildlife in the distance or watching hippos and crocodiles in the river.
Bush Dinners are a completely different experience – a meal out in the wild. As you approach a romantic setting of candles and lanterns, chairs laid out with cosy blankets. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink by the bonfire built for you. Enjoying a fully cooked meal prepared especially for you under the romance of a star studded sky with your loved ones will leave you with a memory that will last you a lifetime.
Night Game Drives
An opportunity to witness nocturnal wildlife in its element, the guides will use a spotlight to help find the animals, especially by identifying the animals through the reflections in their eyes. Night game drives may be done as a continuation of your evening game drive after your sundowners returning to the camp before dinner. At some camps, after an earlier dinner, you’ll grab your things and jump back into your car with the guide.
Professionally Guided Walking Safaris
Experience a private walking safari, put on your hiking shoes and grab your camera. You’ll meet your professional guide and armed ranger before heading out on foot to see what the wild has instore for you. An opportunity to awaken your senses to the environment around you, knowing that you are in safe hands is exhilarating. Walking safaris offer you the opportunity to do a safari at a slower pace, allowing you to witness things you may pass by while in a car. The sounds a particular bird, understand more about the trees and shrubs and their uses to the local tribes, or track an animal by identifying their paw prints or spoor.
Fly Camping
For those adventurous souls, a chance to head deeper into the bush for a couple of nights, to explore areas that are even further off the beaten track, Fly camping is a great option. How many places do you know that you can camp with the luxuries of a 5 star lodge, under a star studded sky, in the middle of the wilderness. This is truly a magical experience.
Sundowners
Sundowners are an activity that was practiced by safari go-ers in the 1920s! The romance of watching the sun set in the middle of the wild, listening to the sounds of the environment – perhaps the low roar of a lion or the laugh of a hyena calling for its mates while enjoying a cold G&T and watch as the colors of the sky change dramatically and the sky turns to a beautiful star studded blanket covering you. It’s an experience that leaves tingles in your muscles, memories etched so deep that thinking about the experience years later brings those tingles back to your arms and legs.
Best time to visit
At anytime of the year the Masai Mara is great. Wildlife is always around. However the park does experience different seasons. For guests wanting to see the migration, traveling between July – October is the best time. For guests wanting to have some great sightings during the dry season June – October and December to March are really great. When the rains come from about April – May and mid October – November, the scenery in the sky becomes extremely dramatic, and while the wildlife sightings are not as great, sightings during this time can be extremely rewarding.
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