Masai Mara, Kenya
Overview
Safari Inspiration: Masai Mara Magic Safari
Explore the Magic the Masai Mara has to offer
Masai Mara Magic Safari
Thinking about Kenya conjures up scenes of a colonial safari camp. The camps are set in open grassland dotted with massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, and ravenous lions, leopards and cheetahs waiting to pounce. This is the Masai Mara, undoubtedly the ultimate game sanctuary in Africa.
Tonight, in the glow of the bonfire, reflect on the sightings of the day, while enjoying the spirited dance of Masai warriors in their distinctive red shukas (cloaks).
However, one of the most memorable wildlife experiences is witnessing more than a million herbivores crossing the Mara river from the dry planes of the Serengeti, in their ancient search for green pastures. What an experience! See the water churning as thousands of intrepid animals take the plunge, with huge crocodiles attacking from all sides – truly an unfair contest. Keep in mind that timing your trip to coincide with the river crossing is tricky because unpredictable annual rains determine the animals’ itinerary.
The masses of wildlife remain in the Masai Mara from August to November after which the circular trek south into the Serengeti begins. Since thousands upon thousands of wildlife species do not join the journey south, there is still scope for breath-taking wildlife sightings, especially from a hot air balloon, gliding effortlessly over the vast plains.
Masai Mara Magic Itinerary:
7 nights, 8 days
Tour Plan
Arrival of your flight into Nairobi. You will be met at the airport outside customs and immigration offices by our representatives and transferred to your hotel for check in.
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name 'Nairobi" comes from the Masai phrase "Enkare Nyirob", which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is surrounded by several expanding villa suburbs.
The most populous city in Kenya, with a current estimated population of about 3 million, Nairobi started life as a railways depot in 1899. Today, the city skyline is dominated by modern high-rise buildings and is a tourism and trade hub. Nairobi is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially.
Breakfast at the hotel and then depart for Sweetwater's Sanctuary. Arrive for check in and lunch at the lodge. Later in the afternoon depart for game drive in the sanctuary and visit the chimpanzees.
Sweetwater's Sanctuary, located in Ol Pajeta Conservancy, is the closest place from Nairobi to see "The Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo). It is also the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. Its other wildlife includes an exciting catalogue of white rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland, oryx, waterbuck, Grant's gazelle, Thompson's gazelle, cheetah, silver backed jackal, hartebeest and baboon. The conservancy also boasts several hundred bird species.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy has the highest ratio of game to area of any park or reserve in Kenya. It is also home to rescued chimpanzees.
A gentle and charming diversion for children and adults alike, it offers visitors the unique opportunity of taking a boat ride on the Ewaso Nyiro River, which flows through the centre of the sanctuary where orphaned chimps enjoy the peace and harmony of their natural environment.
Have breakfast at the lodge then depart for Lake Nakuru National Park. Arrive for check in and lunch at the lodge. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park.
Lake Nakuru National Park, the world-famous haunt for pink flamingos, is a shallow alkaline lake in Kenya's Rift Valley and some 62 km² in extent. The road from Nairobi to Nakuru passes down the Kikuyu escarpment with fine views of the Kedong Valley and Mounts Suswa and Longonot. The landscape is picturesque, areas of sedge, marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs.
In the late 1980's the park also became Kenya's first rhino sanctuary and is today home to both the white and black rhinos. Lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes and waterbucks are equally at home in this unique park.
Nowhere else will you get a photo of a rhino backed by a mirage of soft pink flamingos sifting food from the shimmering soda lake. It's a spectacle to behold.
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge then depart for Masai Mara National Reserve. Arrive for check in and lunch at the lodge.
Depart on an afternoon game drive in the park followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Masai Mara offers an absolutely unique variety of animals. The reason is that this hilly region is both humid and fertile, and is crossed by the rivers Mara and Talek, full of crocodiles and hippos, which carry water the whole year round. The banks of the rivers are covered in thick forest, which gradually makes way for bush and grassland. The abundance of water and excellent availability of food are the reasons why the Masai Mara, which in fact is a continuance of the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park, has the greatest population of wild animals in the whole of Africa. There is a particularly dramatic "spectacle" from August to November, the annual migration of huge herds of wildebeest and zebras. Predators such as hyenas, jackals, leopards and lions of course, closely follow these herds. Gigantic herds of over 200 buffaloes can also be observed. Plenty of food is available for elephants, giraffes, and the many species of antelopes.
Spend two more nights at the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives in the camp’s 4x4 vehicle on a shared basis. All meals and overnight stay at the lodge is included.
Have breakfast at the lodge then depart for Nairobi. Arrive for lunch at a selected restaurant after which you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Have breakfast at the hotel after which you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight departing back home.
Included/Exclude
- Full board accommodation at Nairobi, Sweetwater's, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara in hotels/wildlife lodges/tented camps
- Arrival and departure transfers in Nairobi
- Government Taxes and Levies
- The use of a 4-wheel drive vehicle and services of a local Kenya tour guide/Game ranger
- All park entrance fees
- All service providers used by Sunset Safaris are hand-picked for their excellent products and customer service
- Visas, inoculations, travel and personal accident insurance and medical insurance (which must include a medical evacuation service)
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, unspecified food and drinks, gifts and laundry
- Excursions not included in the itinerary
- Gratuities to service providers
+27721247879
+27724388181
info@sunsetsafaris.co.za
Other Tours
The Spice Island
$0.00
The Majestic Lion Tour
$0.00
The Bushveld Bliss Tour
$0.00
Spectacular Serengeti
$20.00