Booking a safari in Masai Mara could be really seamless and hassle free if you take the right steps and in fact, it is something you can do instantly with in 24hours. You might have heard of some visitors that share terrible experiences about booking their safaris to the Maasai Mara which could be a results of dealing with incomplete operators or even fraud. But this should not distress you as taking the rightful steps to your Masai Mara safari booking will only promise a seamless and amazing safari experience.
Contact a Reputable Masai Mara Tour Operator
The easiest way to book Masai Mara safari is by contacting a reputable Safari operator. Taking this step this step at least six months to a year from your dates of travel to ensure that you are booked in one of the top notch camps or lodges in the Park as most easily book up in advance of 6 months expecially for the peak season travel months (July to Sept). Most operators are Kenya based safari companies, lodges or camps in the Masai Mara or even over-seas international travel agents. Of the mentioned safari operators, booking through local Kenya/ East Africa based safari operator is arguably the most affordable way to plan and book a safari to the Masai Mara Kenya. While over-seas travel agents offer the convenience of booking a safari with international flights inclusive which is unlike local safari companies, it is also worth noting that local Kenya/ East Africa based companies offer more competitive pricing for the trips but you will have to handle booking your international flights by yourselves.
Upon contacting a reputable safari operator, you can request for quote based on a trip idea you might have or even consider one of the tailored trips offered by the operator. Make your choice to fly or drive to the reserve, whether to travel as part of a group or in a private party and whether to stay in simple Masa Mara campsites, large mid-range Masai Mara lodges, or smaller and more upmarket Masai Mara bush Luxury camps. These decisions come down to choosing between a fairly priced Kenya safari option and an expensive one – a driving Masai Mara safari with budget tented camps will cost a fraction of a private Masai Masai Mara fly-in safari using exclusive Masai Mara bush camps and lodges. Other than budget, the decision is purely a matter of personal taste. Flying to The Mara reduces transit time and places fewer geographic restrictions on the itinerary. However, flying to the Mara for safari creates a greater distance between travelers and the countryside and people of Kenya.
How do you tell a reputable Masai Mara Safari Operator?
When choosing a Kenya Masai Mara Safari Operator to book your safari, there are a number of issues that you should consider; does the person or company you are reaching out to have extensive personal experience traveling in Masai Mara National Reserve and the areas you intend to visit? Always checkout the past reviews of a company before any immediate step towards getting in touch with the company. A worthy Masai Mara safari operator has good reviews based on most of the Safari tours the company has operated over time. This is also a good place to find out references of clients who have recently traveled with a company. You may also want to find out if your Masai Mara Safari operator offers the type of safari that best fits what you are looking for. Many companies cater to niche markets, even though the company may come highly recommended to you, it may not turn out the best company for the experience for which you are looking for. Generally, your Safari is about experiencing Africa’s best wildlife reserve and it is quality people assisting you by booking the right Kenya Masai Mara Safari for you and people maximizing that experience on the ground that counts. A private Masai Mara Safari (recommended) allows for a greater degree of autonomy, especially for those with special interests and wish for flexibility throughout your trip
Choosing your Masai Mara Safari Itinerary
The most suitable Kenya Safari Masai Mara itinerary depends greatly on how long you want to spend on safari, what you hope to see, your budget, and whether they fly or drive between different reserves. Most of the Masai Mara safari itineraries can be customized to driving or flying safaris. The Masai Mara is the best starting point for first-time safari-goers in search of the Big Five. By road, it is often combined with the Rift Valley lakes and the tree hotels of the Central Highlands, but by air, it could as easily be twinned with Amboseli National Park. Samburu is good for repeat safarigoers, Meru is the best for untrammeled wilderness and Laikipia Plateau is great for exclusivity, walking and night drives. It is advisable to prepare and get the best recommendations for your itinerary with a reputable Masai Mara tour operator.
Kenya and East Africa at large are blessed with some of the world’s most epic adventures, and at Masai Mara Holidays Limited, we always advise our visitors to combine a Kenya Safari Masai Mara safari with a visit to Tanzania’s adjacent Serengeti National park, consider a Mount Kilimanjaro climb, or a relaxing beach holiday in gorgeous Mombasa or Zanzibar. Our carefully crafted Masai Mara safari tour itineraries feature the best of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda‘s major Safari landmarks. One of manys’ favorite Masai Mara Safari additions is a journey to the Uganda or Rwanda highlands to meet rare mountain gorillas. Here you get up close and personal with these animals in a remote, mountainous jungle environment. For those with the time, these nearby adventures can complement your safari fantastically.
Confirming your Masai Mara Safari booking
Upon concluding choosing your perfect safari package from a reputable operator of your choice, it is time to confirm your Masai Mara Safari booking. A complete Kenya Masai Mara Safari package should encompass an agreed price as proposed by your Operator, this price maybe per person or a general total safari price for your group. Furthermore, detailed price inclusions and exclusions should be properly stated in addition to the accommodation options where you will be spending your safari.
Your Masai Mara safari booking is considered a confirmation once pay you a portion of your quote as requested by your tour operator. This portion can range from 30% to 40% of your quote depending on the company’s policy. This also depends on how much a safari operator would need to make all the necessary bookings in advance. Many travelers are scared of how much money tour operators ask for to confirm a booking but it is always advisable to adhere if you are certain the tour operator is worthy as we mentioned earlier. The payment can be made in various ways but most safari operators should at least be able to accept Visa Card Payments and Direct Bank wire. Once you have made this payment, your tour operator should issue you a receipt as proof of payment. Considering the company’s policy, expect to make a second payment as your travel dates get closer. This will be a full amount payment of your quote as stated by your safari operator.
FAQs
Fequently Asked Questions about Masai Mara Safari Booking
Are you looking for discounted prices for a Masai Mara Safari? Take advantage of the low season in the Maasai Mara, this is a time in the Mara where travelers are fewer, it’s rainy and the Great Migration is out of sight. Nevertheless, this is a perfect time to go on game viewing for the big cats, they are plenty in numbers around this season of the year. The low season in Masai Mara National Reserve starts from April to early June, the months come with discounted prices especially on accommodations within the Park unlike the high prices associated with the high peak seasons in the Mara. Nevertheless, at Masai Mara holidays, we often have discounted prices for most of our safari holidays to Masai Mara. Simply contact an expert from our team to get in touch and plan out a perfect safari for you
All lodge or camp-operated Masai Mara safaris are flying safaris in which you are flown from Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve. You are picked up at the airstrip upon arrival to the park and driven to your booked accommodation. Masai Mara National Reserve has a number of airstrips and which one to land all matters with which accommodation you have booked. It is advisable to inquire about the closest airstrip to your preferred accommodation before you book your flight. These safaris are fully operated by the lodge or camp, guides and vehicles are based at the camps and lodges at which you will be staying. It is important to note that game drives and park activities are shared with other guests staying at the lodge or camp. Lodge or camp operated Masai Mara safaris are popular among visitors that want to maximize time in the Park with less drive time between the parks but this is is also the most expensive way to book your Safari Masai Mara.
Having booked your safari in Masai Mara, preparation for the trip is what constitutes your next weeks at home. We have compiled a checklist that will assist you through your preparation process.
- Passport
- Airtickets/vouches
- Money pouch
- Credit cards
- Personal checks
- Cellphone and
- Charger plus a Power bank
- Sunglasses
- Spare prescription
- Copy of prescription(s)
- Small flashlight (torch) and extra batteries
- Sewing kit Small scissors
- Tissues (travel packs)
- Handwipes (individual)
- Anti-bacterial soap
- Pens
- Reading material
- Prescription drugs
- Anti-malaria pills (prescription)
- Anti-Diarrhea Pills
- Vitamins
- Antibiotics
- Medical summary from your doctor (if needed)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen/sun block
- Shampoo(small container)
- Conditioner (small container)
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste (small tube)
- Toothbrush
- Hairbrush
- Nail clipper
- Makeup
- Sandals or
- lightweight shoes
- Water proof hiking shoes (not white for trekking and walking safaris)
- Wide-brimmed hat and a cap
- Windbreaker
- Sweater or fleece
- Rain Jacket
- 1–2 pr. Safari pants
- 1–2 pr. Safari shorts
- 4 pr. safari/sports socks
- 1-2 short-sleeve safari shirts
- 1-2 long-sleeve safari shirts
- Swimsuit/cover-up
- 1 pr. casual slacks or skirt
- 1 or 2 blouses
Belts - 4 pr. underwear
- 2 bras 1 sports bra (for rough roads)
- Pajamas