Driving is much more preferred if you have a lot of time to spare for your trip and if you are curious to see Kenya’s countryside and especially if it’s your very first visit to Kenya. The drive from Nairobi to Narok will take you about 2-2.5 hours, the road is and offers a breathtaking scenery. As you drive to Maasai Mara you will you will see the suburbs of Nairobi, the Great Rift Valleyescarpment and the escarpment’s view point at Mai Mahiu where you will be able to look down the escarpment. You can also get to buy Kenyan souvenirs at this area.

In Narok there are hotels for food, toilets and you can grab some snacks as you stretch your legs. The road from Narok to Ololoolo Gate is quite rough and the drive will take you about 2-3.5 hours depending on the vehicle you are travelling in. It is however advisable to use a 4×4 vehicle, this will make your ride smoother. A drive through this road allows you to see the Maasai manyattas (traditional huts), their farms and sometime you will even see the wild animals grazing.

On the other hand if you are short of time, want a comfortable ride and your main interest is to see the wild animals only then a flight will be a good choice. There are a few companies that fly to the Maasai Mara such as SafariLink and Air Kenya. Flights take off from Wilson airport to an airstrip nearest your camp in the Mara. Flying in a light aircraft is an experience in itself. You will have an awesome time seeing an aerial view of the country. The aircrafts fly fairly low and you will be able to see several remote villages.

Sometimes the flight may have to stop a few times on the way due to other passengers landing at one of the 6 airstrips in the Mara. Not so bad since you get to have a free trip to different parts of the Maasai Mara. For those who fly into the airstrips inside the Maasai Mara Park and Conservancy such as Serena or Kichwa Tembo airstrips, they get to have a free game drive on their way to where they will be staying.

Game drives in the Maasai Mara and its private conservancies however are conducted in open-sided 4x4s or mini-buses/vans with pop-up roofs regardless of the mode of transport used to get to the Mara.

For starters, Masai Mara is widely known to have one of the highest lion densities in the world. The large landmasses of some of the other well-known wildlife reserves in Africa can make it difficult to spot game, as the animals tend to spread out over vast areas. Safari vehicles may track lions for days without any success. However, if you’re one who is seeking a close encounter with one of these magnificent beasts then you will not be disappointed at Masai Mara!

The thriving population of African elephants is another appeal of Masai Mara. Unfortunately, this species has suffered at the hands of poachers and the numbers are rapidly declining across Africa. The Masai Mara National Reserve has made significant efforts to protect its elephants through its anti-poaching campaign. In fact, because the park has done such a good job of protecting them the elephants are known for being exceptionally comfortable with safari vehicles hanging around in close proximity. The Masai Mara elephants are considerably more relaxed then those in other wildlife reserves, allowing visitors to get a more up-close and personal encounter with them.

For those of you who are big cheetah fans you can have some truly exceptional experiences on your Masai Mara safari with these animals. They have been known to lounge leisurely in the shade of safari vehicles, and even hop on top of the hood to get a better view of their prey in the distance. It really doesn’t get much better than that!

In addition to the above mentioned, Masai Mara is home to many more wildlife species including all of Africa’s Big Five. Masai Mara is a terrific choice for visitors looking to get a well-rounded wildlife viewing experience.

Big cat predators, like the lioness, are preparing themselves for their nightly hunts, the dangers of the night coming to life by the time the sun sets. Guests can hear the vibrating roars of the male lion, warning other males to stay out of their territory. The adult male roar can be heard for a distance of about eight kilometres.

Rarely does a night pass at Mara West without the resounding laughter of the spotted hyenas. From a distance guests can hear them more frequently than any another wild animal. Their clan numbers go up to over twenty members who congregate together to hunt and feed. While spotted hyenas are known to stay in the vicinity of human settlements, they usually run from humans, therefore guests have nothing to fear.

While guests are winding up for the night, herds of zebras graze around their chalets. Any sudden, loud movements cause them to stampede across the camp, making the night even more dramatic. A good number of Eland, Thompson Gazelle and Impala join the zebras in grazing during the course of the night. On one of the nights, while guests are done with their dinner, a Mara West resident hare hops across the camp leaving its strong and pungent scent along its path. Usually tourists at the camp cannot spot the hare, however its scent is undoubted.

By the time the sun sets, on occasion, herds of elephants are making their way from the Masai Mara Reserve, heading up towards camp. When it’s the darkest time of the night, one finally hears the elephant tramp across camp, as they move along to their destination. By that time the birds have started chirping, signalling the dawn of a new day.

#4 The Bugs

Lets start by putting a spotlight on one that many people are especially grateful for…the lack of bugs. Due to the high elevation of Masai Mara (1,500 – 2,170 meters) the bug population in this region is minimal. While other regions of Africa are plagued by mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and a variation of other pesky insects, visitors coming to the Mara need not exert a lot of energy fretting over these critters. This also means that Masai Mara is one of the few regions in Kenya where malaria is not a pressing concern. While I’m not saying that mosquitoes don’t exist in Masai Mara, cases of malaria are very rare. This being the case, visitors can rest at ease. Go ahead and let out that sigh of relief!

PLEASE NOTE that if you are planning to visit other regions of Kenya it is highly recommended that you consult your physician about malaria prophylactics, as malaria is a concern in other areas of the country.

#5 The Weather

Getting a better grip on the weather in Masai Mara will help you plan for packing, as well as choose what time of year you would like to visit. While weather patterns are not always reliable, here is some general information to keep in mind.

The climate of Masai Mara remains temperate throughout the year compared to other regions of Kenya. Temperatures are hottest during the months of December through February, and cool down during the months of June through August. (Remember, Kenya is south of the equator….if you’re visiting from North America or Europe, then your summer and winter seasons are reversed.) Maximum temperatures in Masai Mara average 30C/85F, and temperatures may reach as low as 13C/55F during the cooler months. If you plan your trip during the cooler months you will want to bring layers so that you can comfortably enjoy the cool evening air. If you relish relaxing around a bonfire in the evening than this may be the perfect time of year for you to visit. Daytime temperatures tend to stay warm in the Masai Mara plains, even during the cool season. So, no matter when you choose to visit, you should plan to pack warm weather clothes for your daytime safari drives.

It is also important to note that Masai Mara has two rainy seasons. The two wettest times of the year generally are mid-October into November and April through early June. If you visit during these months make sure to pack your rain boots because it can get very muddy. You can also anticipate slick, muddy roads during the rainy seasons. DON’T compromise on your safari vehicle of choice during the wet months – in other words, stay away from safari vans. A four-wheel drive vehicle is a must for navigating these road conditions.

Additionally, the seasonal variation in climate will influence your game viewing experience. In terms of wildlife viewing, there is not an ideal time to visit Masai Mara. However, each season has its perks that are worth considering when planning your trip. The wet months are the greenest and teeming with grazing animals. The color and life of Masai Mara is invigorating after the rains. Because the grass grows so long it can be difficult to spot some of the animals, so you’ll have to keep an extra keen eye out for the elusive leopard and flawlessly camouflaged lion. If you choose to go during the dryer seasons the short grass will make it much easier to spot game. You will also not have to fight the muddy roads or endure the frequent afternoon and evening showers that are the hallmark of the rainy seasons.

If you haven’t read the last two posts in this series please do so here and here.

#3 Activities

Of course game drives are the main attraction in Masai Mara. But let’s talk about some of the other activities one can do when visiting Masai Mara. Depending on where you will be staying during your visit, some lodges such as Mara West offer walking safaris to their guests during the day (make sure to check about this when you book your accommodation). This is an opportunity for you to experience the beauty of Masaai Mara’s flora and fauna by foot. You can expect to see grazing animals (such as zebra, giraffe, gazelle, etc.) on your tour, in addition to the native plant species. A wildlife guide will accompany you to provide information about the species you encounter and guide you in a safe manner. This is a wonderful way to connect with the nature around you and have a more intimate experience with the Masai Mara wildlife. Plus, it also allows you to get out of the safari vehicle and stretch your legs while still enjoying the magnificence of Masai Mara.

If you are not averse to heights, you may consider doing a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara Game Reserve. While this is not a cheap option (costing around $465 per adult), it is a chance to take in the beauty of the Mara from a different vantage point. Be prepared for an early morning though, as the balloons are launched around 6am. Depending on the wind conditions, your balloon will sour over the Mara for a distance of about 15 to 25 kilometers. Included in the price of this excursion is a champagne breakfast that is served in the open plains after you have landed. Be mindful that a balloon safari will provide you with breathtaking views of Masai Mara in exchange for a more intimate view of the animals.

Some camps offer the option of night game drives to their guests (another thing you should check about before you book your accommodation). While this can be a unique and memorable opportunity to witness the nightlife of Masa Mara, it is important for you to be aware that night drives are only offered in the conservancies that lie on the outskirts of Masai Mara National Reserve and not in the park itself (park hours are from sun up to sun down, and no one is allowed admittance into the park after these hours). Wildlife does roam beyond the boundaries of the park. However, guests are more likely to see the grazing animals or small tree critters in these areas and not very likely to see any of the big predators. So, if you’re one of the many folks out there who are keen to see a lion kill and think that a night game drive may be just such an opportunity, I would advise you not to hold your breath. The chances are slim. However, if your expectations aren’t quite so high, then a night drive can be a neat opportunity to experience another facet of life in Masai Mara.

In the midst of soaking up the spectacular views and witnessing the Masai Mara wildlife interacting in their natural habitat, don’t forget to connect with the Maasai community and experience their ancient indigenous culture firsthand. The Maasai people are a critical thread to the tapestry of Masai Mara. Their cultural beliefs and practices have played an important role in preserving this wildlife sanctuary. The Maasai are generally quite friendly and willing to share about their culture and customs. Make sure you carve out some time during your stay at Masai Mara to visit a traditional Maasai boma (homestead) and mingle with the local people. Known for their elaborate and colorful garb and their incredible jumping abilities, you won’t want to miss them perform their traditional songs and dances. You’ll feel as though you have stepped into a National Geographic photograph.

You’ve seen the photos of the great wildebeest migration through Masai Mara, and now you’ve decided that you want to see this incredible sight for yourself. Or maybe you are a wildlife enthusiast who is eager to snap your own photos of Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo) that call Masai Mara home. No matter what the draw, Masai Mara has much to offer! You’ve made the decision take a Masai Mara safari to witness in person Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves, but where do you go from here? You’ve landed in the right place if you are reading this blog series, so you’re off to a good start.

The purpose of this series is to provide information that will better equip you to plan your visit and minimize unwelcome surprises so that you can get the most from your safari to Masai Mara. It’s easy to overlook some essential details when you’ve been bitten by the travel bug and are daydreaming about the thrills of your forthcoming African adventure. So, let’s get practical and cover some of the basic need-to-knows.

Whether you choose to rent a private four wheel drive vehicle, brave the Kenyan public transport, or take a local flight to the Masai Mara, there is one inevitable fact – you will encounter rough roads at some point during your stay (and I’m not just speaking figuratively). While Kenya’s infrastructure continues to improve all of the time, there are still extensive stretches of road that are undeveloped. This is particularly true as you venture outside of the main cities into more remote locations. While many choose to view this is as negative, there is actually a silver lining to this reality.

The undeveloped road systems in places like Masai Mara deter heavy traffic and help to preserve the exclusivity of the experience for those who visit. Or, another way to look at it, only the adventurous spirit dares to brave the bumpy roads – so you can count yourself as one of them! Bottom line, there are bound to be some bumps along the way. Embrace them…and just think about the bragging rights you’ll have when you go back home and tell your stories.

#2 The Migration

If your primary reason for visiting Masai Mara is to witness the wildebeest migration then you are wise indeed. This is a truly amazing phenomenon of nature to witness and worth every bit of effort to see. However, there are a few realities that you should be aware of so that you can approach your safari experience with realistic expectations.

First off, the migration (which happens every year from around the months of July through October) is the peak season for tourists in Masai Mara. That means that there are a lot of folks just like you who are there to witness this event. This being the case, you can expect there to be considerably more tourist congestion in the park then during the off-season. You will likely be competing for the best views of the river crossings. This may mean sitting for long periods of time (possibly hours) in your safari vehicle as you wait by the river for the indecisive wildebeest herds to take the plunge and cross.

You should also realize that the massive number of wildebeest that migrate to Masai Mara (around 1.5 million) results in many of the other species in the park being crowded out. In other words, be prepared to see A LOT of wildebeest. You likely will not see the same variety of wildlife species at this time of year that you would at other times. For this reason, it is advisable that you plan for a safari circuit during your stay in Kenya, allowing you to visit other wildlife reserves in addition to Masai Mara. This will provide you with more opportunity to see a variety of wildlife on other reserves that you may miss in Masai Mara during the migration.

In addition to witnessing one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, a major advantage of visiting Masai Mara during the great migration is the higher probability of seeing a big cat kill. The abundance of food that is available to predators at this time increases your chances of witnessing one of these hunters (lion, leopard, and cheetah) in action! Check out for Part Two of this blog series here.

Tourists are not as many around this time, thus the Mara is less busy and crowded. Many people seeking to travel to Kenya, particularly to the Masai Mara, assume that June is a dead month to watch game. However, this is one of the most dramatic time to visit the Game Reserve. Young ones born between December and February are quickly learning to stray away from their maternal confines, making easy prey. Watching a predator go after its meal for the day, is an epic experience, nature doing what it does best – survival for the fittest. Tourists in this month get to see the sighting of prey, the hunt and the feast.

The elephants, giraffe, zebra and the Cape buffalo are also one of the easy game to spot, due to the length of the grass. They are usually spread out across the reserve. It is a normal occurrence to see zebras and giraffe grazing outside our chalets at Mara West Camp. On occasional evenings, you can see the elephants start to move up from the Masai Mara Game Reserve to camp and in the middle of the night, you can hear them tramp across camp!

By the end of June, the Masai Mara has just begun drying up. The wildebeest migration is on its initial stages, and once in a while, although rare, tourists can spot a crossover of the first herds of the wildebeest.

While staying at Mara West Camp you will access the Masai Mara Game Reserve through the Oloololo Gate which is only 3 km from the camp. Kindly note that you will be required to pay a park fee of $80 per person.

We offer game drives in our 4×4 vehicles with specially outfitted open hatches for prime game viewing and photography. This is the best way to explore the wilderness of the Mara and its wildlife. We also have highly skilled and knowledgeable drivers and guides who will help you understand the flora and fauna.

Brace yourself to be wowed by the wild animals. Nothing really prepares you for the first time you meet the African wildlife. You are almost guaranteed to see lions, leopards, cheetah, hyenas, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, baboons, warthogs, buffalo, zebra, elephants, and of course hippos and crocodiles in the Mara River. If you visit Maasai Mara between July and October the wildebeests and zebras will be at their highest numbers and you will more likely see the lions, cheetahs and leopards hunting.

Most animals have their hiding places and most camouflage with their surrounding so know where to look to avoid missing the animals. A leopard for instance will be up a tree while crocodiles will be hiding under water in the Mara River. To know exactly where different animals are to be found you can carry a wildlife distribution map.

Most of the animals are dangerous so look out for signs to know if you are getting too close to the animals. For example watch out for steaming dung heaps to give you a good indication how close you might be to an elephant. Finally remember to follow all the park rules as listed here  for your own safety and for the protection of the animals and the habitat.

As dawn gradually breaks, so does the balloon rise, allowing the first breath-taking glimpse of its wild, stretching expanse below. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow coloured canopy, you’re off for an adventure of a lifetime. Zebra families graze below, and with the sound of the hot air burner, they stampede across the plain. The matriarchal elephant groups meander towards their favourite drinking spots, herds of the Thompson’s gazelle run wild while a lone lion surveys its territory with pride.

After an hour or so, the balloon flight comes to an end with an exhilarating touchdown. In the honored tradition of balloon flights, you get to toast your return to the ground with champagne and a delightful breakfast. The difference is that the breakfast happens in the bush, wherever you land, and it’s cooked as you wait and interact with the pilots.

When breakfast is over and done with, and the adrenaline rush has just about died down, a game drive awaits while heading back to Mara West reliving the memories of the morning adventure.

The epic balloon safari can be reserved in advance at Mara West especially for high season, and it is an experience you do not want to miss out on.

The Maasai are great herders of cattle and live in the open wild, sharing their habitat with wildlife. Cattle have always been central to their lives. A man’s wealth is measured in terms of how many cattle and children they have.

Their way of life has made the Maasai an outstanding tribe with a unique culture. The men are born and raised to be warriors, while the girls stay close to their mothers and are nurtured to take care of the home.

Body modification is part and parcel of their custom. The Maasai pierce and stretch their earlobes as a form of beautification. Beadwork is done by women, with the main colors being red, yellow, green, white and blue.

A trip to Kenya, and especially to the Maasai Mara is never complete without experiencing song and dance from the Maasai. Sometimes referred to as ‘the jumping dance’, the Maasai jump and down in rhythm to their chants, accompanied with graceful neck movements.

Maintaining a traditional pastoral lifestyle has become increasingly difficult due to outside influences, but they kept their culture intact despite modernization. That is why the Maasai are arguably the most interesting and fascinating people of our time.