Masai Mara Holidays

Kenya safari Masai Mara takes you to a land of wilderness backed by the Oloololo escarpment, watered by the Mara River and astonished with huge amounts of wildlife.  Masai Mara National Reserve is located in Narok County, Southern park part of Kenya. This Africa's greatest wildlife reserve consists 1510 sq. Km open rolling grasslands and is the northern extension of the equally famous Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. A typical Masai Mara Safari encompasses the big cats, sandy-eyed Lions are found in large pride everywhere, and it is uncommon to see them hunting. Cheetahs and leopards are less visible but fairly still common and elephants, Buffaloes, zebras, and giraffes occur in huge numbers. Breathtaking at any time of the year, an African safari Kenya Masai Mara reaches its pinnacle during the annual wildebeest migration in July and August. 

This is what is referred to as the Great Migration in Africa where literally millions of these ungainly beasts move move north from Serengeti to Masai Mara Kenya seeking lusher grass before returning back in October. These wildebeests whose population is estimated in millions are the sole occupants of the Masai Mara and highlight the annual Great Migration which is also known as the wildebeest Migration. Many travelers from different corners of the world seek Masai Mara holiday packages during this time of the year to witness the greatest and most impressive natural migration in the whole world, there is no such an experience anywhere else on the globe. This Migration is estimated to have over 1,300,000 wildebeest 97,000 Topi 500,000Thompson’s Gazelle, 200,000 zebras and 18,000 Elands.

At Masai Mara Holidays, Our unique tailored Kenya Masai Mara safari packages bring you to a close encounter with the incomparable population of lions, cheetahs, leopards, and the big five within the Reserve Masai Mara offers. Should your travel dates be in the months July to September; The African Safari Kenya Masai Mara will offer you a chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in Africa, come well braced to witness a movement of over 1.4 million grazer herds of wildebeests accompanied by zebras and antelopes as they cross Masai Mara from Serengeti.

Masai Mara National Reserve gets its name from the local Kiswahili word, “Mara” which means “spotted”.  The Wildlife Reserve was named in honor of the local tribe who occupy the plains of the region known as the Maasai people. Kenya Masai Mara Safari packages offer you a cultural Masai tour encounter with the tribe, they are one of the famous African tribes well known for their residence near many Parks across Kenya and the African Great lakes in general. The Maasai tribe has preserved their African culture up to the present day which is clearly reflected by their dress code, ways of living, and their resilience to herbal African medicine up to today.
 
The Great Mara comprises two major sectors; Masai mara National Reserve and The Mara Triangle, Most of our operated Masai Mara holiday packages explore the Mara Triangle as it is an excellent section for game drives known to have the highest concentration of big cats and the big five. However, wildlife reserve also encompasses equally blessed conservancies to include: Olkinyei, Siana, Maji Moto, Koiyaki, Naikara, Lemek, Ol Derkesi, and Oloirien. 

Wildlife in Masai Mara National Reserve:
At Masai Masai Holidays, Our African safari Kenya Masai Mara takes you for a private game viewing experience in a 4x4 vehicle with 360 degree views in the Mara. It is a positive statement to say there is nothing lacking In Masai Mara National Reserve. Enjoy a wide range of wildlife species to include the Big five: lions, leopards, Rhinoceros, Cape buffalos, and Elephants while on a Masai Mara Safari. The number of Rhinoceros/ black rhinos is known to have reduced due to the poaching acts in early 1970. The ivory extracted out of the black Rhino had a good market which accounts for the low current population of Black rhinos in that Great mara. Antelope species are in huge numbers which include the coke’s hartebeests, duikers, impalas, and Grants Gazelle.  Masai Mara is also known for the distinctive Masai Giraffe and the rare existence of the white giraffes. Aquatic Wildlife Species in the Mara include crocodiles and hippopotamus that are in large numbers mostly situated along the rivers, Mara and Talek. Foxes, Jackson hartebeest, jackals, cheetahs, and hyenas can also be seen. Wildebeest, Thompson’s Gazelle, topi, and zebras herds total population is in millions in number as witnessed seasonally on as they migrate into the Masai Mara Reserve from Serengeti National Reserve in Tanzania.   

Birding in Masai Mara National Reserve:
Kenya Safari Masai Mara also offers world-class birding experiences as the Park is gifted with more than 470 bird species with both raptors and Migrant species. Of these, the highest percentage are migrants with leaves to about 60 species known to call Masai Mara home to at least half the year. Birders across the world seek Kenya Masai Mara Safari Packages in huge numbers annually, a typical birding Masai Mara Safari is highlighted with an additional visit to Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha known for having one of the world’s most concentration of flamingoes.Bird species that can be found in Masai Mara a National Reserve include: The African Pygmy falcons, Long Crested Eagles, Ostriches, Crown Cranes, Secretary Birds, Marabou stocks, vultures, hornbills, and lilac-breasted Roller (Kenya’s National bird) 

How to get to Masai Mara National Reserve
After seeking your preferred Masai Mara holiday Package, accessing the Park should be easy, Masai Mara National Reserve is about 280km from Nairobi, This journey to the park can be accessed by both air and by road. There are several airfields that were established in the Park to Accommodate travelers who prefer taking flights to the Park. Airfields include Mara Serena Airport, Ngerende Airport, Tembo, Ngerende, Kichwa, Keekorok, Angama Mara, and Musiara Airport. Which airport is preferable? It all depends on your Kenya safari Masai Mara Plans; which accommodation did you book for your stay in the Park? Most of the Airports are close to different lodges which it is in your best interest to book a flight to Masai Mara Kenya landing at an airport closest to your booked accommodation. A flight to Masai Mara from Nairobi via domestic Wilson Airport is only 1 hour which saves you the 4 to 5 hours you would have endured on the road. 

Which is the best choice to access Masai Mara?
The journey to Masai Mara National Park both by air and road has disadvantages and advantages. Before booking your Masai Mara Safari or running to a conclusion about which travel means you will take while on your Kenya Masai Mara Safari holiday, kindly look through these factors that will help you to have a better choice. If you have a lot of time planned for your African Safari Kenya Masai Mara, road access would do you no harm, a matter of fact it is the best option you can have, the option gives you an opportunity to enjoy the country scenic views along the drive to include suburbs of Nairobi, the great rift valley escarpments which is a major en route stopover. You should also note that when planning your Kenya safari Masai Mara, the drive is a cheaper option compared to booking a flight to the Park.  

Flying to Masai mara National Reserve
This is ideally the best option for travelers having a short time to spend on a Masai Tour. (Less than 3 nights). Flights to the Masai Mara Depart from domestic Wilson airport which is about 1 hour from Nairobi with consideration of Traffic jam. The 3 companies licensed to operate flights to the Masai Mara include Air Kenya, Safari Link, and Fly Safari. Flying to the Great Mara offers you an amazing opportunity to view beautiful aerial views of the Park. The aircraft really fly low which offers you a chance to Enjoy aerial scenic views of the Savannah grasslands while on your Masai Mara Safari package or your choice, The views are blended with spotted shrubs and the major highlights, the Mara river as it makes its way through the Park. There are also arranged flights from Tanzania, Mombasa, and Malindi together with Zanzibar all going to Masai Mara.

Best time to go on a Kenya Safari Masai Mara
Having to Choose a Masai Mara Holiday Package, the dry season from June to October is the best time to go on a Safari to Masai, but the peak season being July to September. The beginning of January through the end of February signals the warmest and wettest period in the region. This means the wildlife will be in shorter supply due to the start of the rainy season, flooded roads, and generally wet weather. This time makes it poor for Masai Mara Safari game viewing. Also the slippery roads, mosquitoes make it more prevalent during this period. July sees the start of the dry season with water levels and riverbanks teeming with wildlife, you will be able to observe the wildebeest migration crossing to Maasai Mara and Serengeti, one of the most exciting Kenya safari Masai Mara experiences. December can also be an excellent time to visit African safari Kenya Masai Masai Mara as the wildlife reserve is filled with lush green scenery making an ideal habitat for migratory birds and newborn animals.

  Kenya Safari Masai Mara Cost:
The cost of a Masai Mara safari varies with; the number of people traveling, the time of travel (season), the type of package desired and the number of days to be spent on a Safari to Masai Mara

 1. The Number of People
The number of people in a group for an African Safari Kenya Masai Mara determines the cost of the package in a way that the more the people in a group the lesser the cost per person likewise the smaller the group the more the cost per person charged. This theory of pricing is based on costs shared per person such as transport, room sharing, and so on, with many people having to share a given cost, this lowers the price for a big group. 

2. Type of Masai Mara Safari Package
There are three types of Masai Mara Packages you can opt for while planning a Safari tour to Masai Mara, these are broken down into; luxury, mid-range, and budget types of packages. 

Luxury Masai Mara Safari Package
With a luxury type of package, you enjoy a Kenya Safari Masai Mara with accommodation in top luxury Safari lodges and camps within the Park ranging from $250-$500 per person for a night on full board. The luxury package also comes with guaranteed full-time transportation in a 4x4 Safari Jeep/ land Cruiser throughout your Safari 

Midrange Masai Mara Safari Package:
A Midrange Safari package to Masai Mara offers you an experience to the wilderness of Masai Mara National reserve with accommodation in moderate lodges within the Park Ranging from $180-$210 per person for a night on full board. With the midrange package, you also get transportation throughout the Safari in a 4x4 Safari Jeep/ land Cruiser or a 4x4 Safari Van. 

Budget Masai Mara Safari Package
A budget safari package to Masai Mara comes with night accommodation on a Safari in budget accommodations lodges within the Masai Mara ranging from $150 or less on full board person for a night. This package also comes with full-time transportation throughout the Safari in a 4x4 Safari van. 

3. Number of days Spent on a Masai Mara Safari
This is quite evident the number of days you choose to spend on your Safari to Masai Mara will affect the cost of your Masai Mara holiday.  

4. Time of Travel
There are two seasons to travel for an African safari Kenya Masai Mara. The high season in Masai Mara Kenya is also known as the peak season which is characterized by many visitors, dry months with scattered or no rainfall at all. The high season starts in July up to September and December to February. During the high season, booking prices are high due to high since many visitors plan their travel in this exact time. On the other hand, the low season on a Masai Mara Safari is characterized by poor months with rainfall and few visitors. During these months booking prices are low and is a good time to get yourself a good deal for a holiday to Masai Mara. 

Where to stay for your Masai Mara Safari
 There are two accommodation options where you can stay in Masai Mara Kenya; at a lodge or at a tented camps. If you are a photography enthusiast You may want to stay somewhere near the river inside the park. There are a lot of tented camps and lodges on the riverside they are slightly at a higher price. The advantage is early morning as soon as you are up, immediately you head out of the camp, you are already on safari, there's no need to enter so catching the early morning light and evening light falls into place if you're staying somewhere inside the park unlike staying outside the park where you have to travel first to get to the entry point and main photography areas yet morning and evening are crucial times for wildlife action.If you are looking for comfort, a lodge should be your best but that's not to mean tented camps are not comfortable, with a tent you may not have the luxury of a swimming pool like in a Safari lodge where you get some basic comfort and niceair-conditioned room.  

What kind of vehicle should you opt for a Masai Mara Safari?
Essentially there are two types of vehicles that apply in a lot of places in Kenya; one is the Land Cruiser and the other is the Safari Van. The key point to note here Is that there is a difference in pricing as far as the Land Cruiser, it is a bit more expensive majorly because it's a 4x4 all-terrain and at times in a place like Masai Mara when it rains, the tracks become so muddy and you may have to cross some overflowing rivers so a 4x4 is highly recommended. On the other hand, a Safari van is a cheaper way to do but at Masai Mara Holidays we highly emphasize that travelers should stick to a land cruiser for a guaranteed smooth Safari. 

Getting a good Safari guide
At Masai Mara Holidays we do believe there are different ratings of guides. Unlike other destinations you may have visited, in Africa there is a high chance that your guide will be your driver as well and this is the person you will spend 90% of your time on a Safari with. Having worked with among the best international filming crews andphotographers, at Masai Mara Holidays we do understand and coordinate the requirements of all our travelers as we offer the best of quality skilled and professional guides that are highly knowledgeable about safari conduct and wildlife.

At Masai Mara Holiday, Our popular Kenya Masai Mara Safari Packages include Masai Mara and gorillas trekking, Masai Mara Kenya safaris, Masai mara family holidays, Masai Mara and Zanzibar Holidays, Masai Mara and beach holidays, Masai Mara and Tanzania Safari holiday, Masai Mara and Uganda Safari Holiday and Masai Mara, Uganda and Tanzania Holidays.