The spectacular beauty of the Masai Mara comes from hundreds of places of interest; the graceful walk of a giraffe, the graceful dash of a leopard, and the handsome arrogance of the lion.
It’s a nice idea to get away from boring meetings, demanding bosses, and the tedium of everyday life. Africa is the continent where the first human remains were found and the land certainly retains the charm and mystery that drew hundreds of explorers from the west.
One of the best-known wildlife sanctuaries in the world, the Masai Mara covers an area of almost 1,500 square kilometers and stretches over the western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. The vast, silent grasslands are teeming with wildlife. Almost 1.5 million animals move through the Masai Mara, including the so-called big five, namely the lion, the buffalo, the rhino, the elephant, and the leopard.
There are beautiful resorts in Masai Mara ranging from mid-budget ones to luxurious tourist lodges. Most resorts offer you a full board meal system (which is as good as there would be nowhere to go in the jungle!) And they offer tastefully decorated rooms with hot showers and comfortable beds.
Trip from Nairobi to the Masai Mara
The trip from Nairobi to Masai Mara takes approximately 5-6 hours, depending on where your resort is located. Most ‘Kombi’ drivers prefer to leave between 7am and 8am to arrive in Mara at lunchtime.
A ‘Kombi’ is a Nissan pickup truck designed to accommodate 9 to 15 passengers. These vehicles are authorized to enter the Masai Mara and open at the top for easy viewing.
Most Kombis are equipped with walkie-talkie systems and the driver will often use his radio to communicate with other drivers in the sanctuary. the journey from Nairobi meanders through the ‘Rift Valley’; the second longest fault in the world.
You can enjoy the panoramic views as the mountains come down. It is a good idea to take along drinking water (most of the tour companies in existence being the van with a lot of bottles of drinking water), in addition to a light jacket. Early morning and evening tends to have mild weather temperatures but nippy days are very warm.
Masai Mara Resorts
There are many really good places to stay in Masai Mara. Here’s a look at the best lodges:
The Sarova Mara
These are tent accommodations located near the gate. The tents are luxurious and have twin or twin beds plus a bath / shower. Meals are served in the restaurant and dining room, which is aesthetically designed to blend into the wooded surroundings.
Hot tea and coffee are served with biscuits or biscuits throughout the day.
The Mara Simba
‘Simba’ in Swahili means lion. The Mara Simba is located towards the middle of the Masai Mara; not too deep inside, not too deep outside. Accommodation is in the form of one story cabins with one level from the ground plus one level up.
The rooms are an absolute pleasure to relax in and the baths / showers are hot and luxurious. The rooms are equipped with a balcony where you can relax after your safaris and enjoy the peaceful song of the birds or, if you are lucky, the occasional sighting of a hippo in the waters behind the complex.
The food is a delight with an exotic mix of Western, African and Indian cuisine. The dessert table is well-stocked with fruit tarts, pastries, and custard, and you often enjoy an impromptu Masai dance performed by the locals.
The Mara Serena
This is a favorite among Masai Mara tourists. Located 50 km deep in the jungle, you have to cross the Mara River to reach the Mara Serena Lodge. Very often, visitors see a lot of wildlife even on their way to Mara Serena.
Mara Serena is one of the most picturesque resorts in the Masai Mara and is built on a slight incline. Due to its elevation, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of a large part of the playground.
On a side note, the Mara Serena is home to ‘Hyrax’; a small rodent-like animal that is somewhat similar to a mole.
Tips for traveling from Kenya to Masai Mara
Here are some tips if you are planning a trip to Africa’s most beloved tourist spot:
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The current exchange rate between the Kenyan shilling and the US dollar is roughly calculated as follows: 1 USD = 86 Kenyan shillings
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The best time to visit Masai Mara is from mid-June to mid-August because that is when the migration takes place; thousands of herbivores cross between Kenya and Tanzania. Carnivores naturally follow
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Make sure your tour operator provides you with a friendly and enthusiastic driver. Masai Mara trips depend on how good your driver is and a friendly driver can make a difference. He will take the initiative to take you to remote corners to see different animals.
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All the locals speak and understand English (Swahili is the official language of Kenya)
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You can buy souvenirs and curios at the Nairobi Curio Markets; resorts have shops, but they tend to be expensive. If you are looking for only one or two pieces, you are good enough
A trip to the Masai Mara is a memory for a lifetime. Exotic wildlife, friendly people, and luxurious resorts contribute to what can only be described as a unique experience. The dark and towering beauty of the jungle, along with delicious food and well-appointed rooms, combine to make your Kenya vacation an experience to savor, remember, and share with all your family, friends and colleagues.