I finally made a trip to Masai Mara, Kenya.
It was the most beautiful holiday ever. Completely different from anything I had ever done before.
Unlike traveling to developed countries, Masai Mara is a bit different/difficult.
Here is everything you need to know.
It was the most beautiful holiday ever. Completely different from anything I had ever done before.
Unlike traveling to developed countries, Masai Mara is a bit different/difficult.
Here is everything you need to know.
1. Flights:
- Book 3-5 months in advance to get a good deal on direct flights.
- Pick Qatar Airways, Air Arabia or Kenyan Airlines
- We picked Ethiopian Airlines to save a few bucks- multiple cancellation and rescheduling made it very exhausting. Food was decent. Would rate 6/10
- Book 3-5 months in advance to get a good deal on direct flights.
- Pick Qatar Airways, Air Arabia or Kenyan Airlines
- We picked Ethiopian Airlines to save a few bucks- multiple cancellation and rescheduling made it very exhausting. Food was decent. Would rate 6/10
2. Stay:
- In most cases, you need to book the whole package that includes food, stay, drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara & game drives (safari)
- The drive from Nairobi is about 5-7 hours depending on traffic
- You may need to stay in Nairobi for 1 day before you head to Mara
- In most cases, you need to book the whole package that includes food, stay, drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara & game drives (safari)
- The drive from Nairobi is about 5-7 hours depending on traffic
- You may need to stay in Nairobi for 1 day before you head to Mara
2. Stay II:
- You can choose to stay inside the reserve or outside.Prices vary accordingly
- We picked the Olgatuni Camp inside the reserve
- It was right in the middle of Mara and we even had Rhinos visiting us late night
- The food was decent
- It had wifi and basic amenities
- You can choose to stay inside the reserve or outside.Prices vary accordingly
- We picked the Olgatuni Camp inside the reserve
- It was right in the middle of Mara and we even had Rhinos visiting us late night
- The food was decent
- It had wifi and basic amenities
3. The Drive:
- The drive from Nairobi to Mara is beautiful
- Nairobi is much cooler than Mara
- Very few stop for food, carry your snacks
- You will be mobbed by Masai women at the reserve entrance who will force you to buy their goods - they offer better prices than most shops
- The drive from Nairobi to Mara is beautiful
- Nairobi is much cooler than Mara
- Very few stop for food, carry your snacks
- You will be mobbed by Masai women at the reserve entrance who will force you to buy their goods - they offer better prices than most shops
4. Your Guide
- Your guide is the most important element of your trip. Spend alot of time picking someone who is experienced.
- A Silver/Gold star guide is great
- We got lucky with Jamal- he made sure we didn't miss any citing, told us stories, some true some made up 😁
- Your guide is the most important element of your trip. Spend alot of time picking someone who is experienced.
- A Silver/Gold star guide is great
- We got lucky with Jamal- he made sure we didn't miss any citing, told us stories, some true some made up 😁
5. The Safari aka Game Drive:
- The safari can start early morning at 7 am and end at 6 PM
- The best citings happen early morning or late evening
- Mara is huge, you will always have an interesting animal on both sides of the road
- Big cats are rare to spot hence most in demand
- The safari can start early morning at 7 am and end at 6 PM
- The best citings happen early morning or late evening
- Mara is huge, you will always have an interesting animal on both sides of the road
- Big cats are rare to spot hence most in demand
6. Cats
- We were lucky to spot a lion hunting an antelope
- We saw Cheetas & leapords
- They are majestic and so happy in the wild, it's a sin to keep them caged.
- I haven't visited a zoo since 2014 and that is not going to change.
- We were lucky to spot a lion hunting an antelope
- We saw Cheetas & leapords
- They are majestic and so happy in the wild, it's a sin to keep them caged.
- I haven't visited a zoo since 2014 and that is not going to change.
7. The Bonus
- The beautiful skies
- Picnics in the open (super risky)
- Masai Village and the people - they even prayed for me to have atleast 9 children. Lol
- The beautiful skies
- Picnics in the open (super risky)
- Masai Village and the people - they even prayed for me to have atleast 9 children. Lol
8. Tips
- You can't trust every travel agent online, do your research, speak to their team, past customers
- If a deal is particularly cheap,double check- they're probably cutting corners/compromising on accomodation.
- While shopping, bargain as much as you would do in India
- You can't trust every travel agent online, do your research, speak to their team, past customers
- If a deal is particularly cheap,double check- they're probably cutting corners/compromising on accomodation.
- While shopping, bargain as much as you would do in India
A trip to the Mara is 100% recommended. So close to the nature that you feel like an Alien.
That's everything I could think of rn. Happy to share contact details of our Guide.
Feel free to DM if you have questions.
Happy Traveling. 🧳 ✈️
That's everything I could think of rn. Happy to share contact details of our Guide.
Feel free to DM if you have questions.
Happy Traveling. 🧳 ✈️
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