Day 1. Nairobi – Masai Mara.

After breakfast, leave Nairobi and drive south to reach game abundant Masai Mara in time for lunch. An afternoon game drive introduces you to the giant herds of plains game and the numerous predators that have made the reserve so famous. Transfer back to your campsite / lodge for dinner. Overnight at Campsite / Lodge.

The World Re Known Maasai Mara Game Reserve is a northern extension of the Serengeti National Park which is located in Tanzania. Maasai Mara cover an area of 1510km². The Maasai Mara ecosystem is composed of rivers i.e Talek river and Mara river which are the main water supply for the ecosystem. The Mara river is a huddle to the wildebeest migration as the wildebeests have to cross the river from Serengeti most of them perishing in the jaws of crocodiles and big cats. The Western part of Maasai Mara lies the Siria escarpment, loita plains and the rest is the Masai pastoral land.

The Maasai Mara game reserve is owned and run by the county council of Narok which is the richest county council in Kenya due to the revenue collected as park entrance fee. Part of the Maasai Mara which is called the Mara triangle is contracted out and privately run. Park fees are paid by the number of nights one spends in the Mara conservancy.

The Maasai Mara lies at an altitude of 1500 meters to 2100 meters. It rains twice a year in the game reserve that is during the long rains that fall between the month of March and May and during the short rains that fall on the month of October, November and part of December. June and July are the coldest months and January and February the hottest months. Temperatures during the day rarely exceed 85°F (30°C) and during the night it hardly drops below 60°F (15°C). Maasai Mara is a mosquito prone area but camp site are sprayed with mosquito repellants and the tents have treated mosquito nets.

Maasai Mara has a big population of wildlife. All big five can be seen in this reserve, a large number of ungulates are also easily visible they include the wilderbeeast , Thomson gazelles, grant gazelles, buffalos, rhinos, impalas, topis, elands, zebras, giraffes and duikers. The common predators include the lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals and foxes. Maasai Mara has over 450 identified species. Some common birds include the common ostrich, secretary bird, Kori bustard, hornbills, storks, eagles and vultures.

The wildebeest migration happens annually, this spectacle is considered as one of the 7th wonder of the world. More than a million wildebeest, accompanied by topis, zebras, gazelles and elands make their journey from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara Game reserve. Many of them perish while crossing the Mara river where crocodiles and big cats make a kill on the vulnerable ungulates. The migration happens every year during the month of July after the long rains. The grass is big and plenty and for the next three months the wildebeests clear the lush grass of the Maasai Mara. The migration varies annually due to the climate change. If the climate changes and it doesn’t rain as usual the wildebeest may delay to cross over or cross over and go back since there isn’t grass to feed on.

The Maasai people whom by definition speak the Maa language hence the name Maasai have held on to their culture even in these times of modernization. A maasai’s home is called a manyatta where he lives with his wives and children. From childhood boys are obligated to look after their fathers cows while girls are obligated to doing house chores, fetching water and milking the cows. After every fifteen years there is an initiation where boys are circumcised and they become young morans and the existing morans graduate to junior elders. The Maasai enjoy eating meat, milk mixed with blood during rituals such initiation and marriage. The use of herbs as medicine is still embedded in their day to day life. The Maasai are an attraction in Kenya since they managed to stick to their culture.

Day 2. Masai Mara.

Spend the day game viewing in the Mara where all the Big Five as well as a variety of antelopes and lesser kudu may be observed. Overnight at Campsite / Lodge

Day 3. Masai Mara – Nairobi. 

Pre-breakfast  game drive. After breakfast game drive enroute back to Nairobi. Lunch enroute. Arrive in late afternoon at around 1600hrs. Drop at a place of your choice.