Masai Mara

What’s so special about the Mara?

Endless rolling plains, dotted with game
The excitement of a dawn hot-air balloon safari, followed by a bush champagne breakfast
Game viewing in the golden early morning light of the Mara
The variety and abundance of game and birdlife, including the ‘Big Five’
Location of the BBC’s series – ‘Big Cat Diary’ which follows these beautiful predators
The epic spectacle of the annual migration of wildebeest, triumphing against all odds in their trek from the Serengeti to the Mara, in search of food and water.
Interacting with the natives of this land, the Maasai, the proud shuka-clad, warrior-like people – dancing with them and visiting their homes.
Spectacular sundowners overlooking the Mara plains, often punctuated by blood curling yells of a ‘Maasai mock attack’.
Walking with a Maasai guide and learning fascinating facts about trees, plants and tribal life.
Bird watching for ‘twitters”
The unexpected thrill of cheetah lazing on the bonnet/hood of your safari vehicle on an early morning game drive.

Altitude: 1500 – 2170 m above sea level

Area: 1672 sq km

Location: Rift Valley Province, Narok

Distance from Nairobi: 270 kms

Climate: Warm, sunny days with chilly nights and early mornings, the highest rainfall recorded in the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem peaking in December, January and April.

Vegetation: Open rolling grasslands, riverine forests, acacia woodland, swamps, non–decidous thickets, acacia, croton and tarchonanthus scrub.

Wildlife: Over 95 species of mammal, including lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, hippo, cheetah, gazelles and zebras.

Birdlife: More than 550 recorded species including the rare Schalow’s Turaco

Roads: Roads and tracks are usually navigable by 2WD vehicles during the dry season, but 4WD is recommended during the rainy season.

Accessibility: Accessible by road from Nairobi (5 hours drive) and most game parks & reserves. Accessible by air from Nairobi (1 hour flight) on schedule flights operated by three airlines, twice daily from Samburu (1 ½ hour flight) on schedule flights operated by two airlines, once daily from Mombasa by daily schedule flights as well as charter flights, and from Loisaba/Lewa (1 hour 15-mins) operated by one airline once daily.

Game drives
Game and bird walks
Balloon safaris with champagne breakfasts
Sundowners
Bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners
Hippo pool breakfast
Night game drives
View the migration of wildebeest (gnus) from the Serengeti to the Mara
Visit a Maasai Manyatta (house)
Massage treatments
Swimming in some lodge/camp pools

Luxury and/or eco friendly tented camps and lodgest

Best time to visit

To view the migration, between June – September for animals coming in and between October – November for game returning to the Serengeti.

Altitude:	1500 – 2170 m above sea level
Area:	1672 sq km
Location:	Rift Valley Province, Narok
Distance from Nairobi:	270 kms
Climate:	Warm, sunny days with chilly nights and early mornings, the highest rainfall recorded in the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem peaking in December, January and April.
Vegetation:	Open rolling grasslands, riverine forests, acacia woodland, swamps, non–decidous thickets, acacia, croton and tarchonanthus scrub.
Wildlife:	Over 95 species of mammal, including lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, hippo, cheetah, gazelles and zebras.
Birdlife:	More than 550 recorded species including the rare Schalow’s Turaco
Roads:	Roads and tracks are usually navigable by 2WD vehicles during the dry season, but 4WD is recommended during the rainy season.
Accessibility:	Accessible by road from Nairobi (5 hours drive) and most game parks & reserves. Accessible by air from Nairobi (1 hour flight) on schedule flights operated by three airlines, twice daily from Samburu (1 ½ hour flight) on schedule flights operated by two airlines, once daily from Mombasa by daily schedule flights as well as charter flights, and from Loisaba/Lewa (1 hour 15-mins) operated by one airline once daily.