How to Plan a Trip to Masai Mara?

The Masai Mara is a significant wildlife sanctuary in Kenya, known for its stunning landscapes and diverse animals. Planning a visit might seem confusing at first, considering various factors like accommodations and wildlife patterns. However, with the right information, you can simplify the process, ensuring you make the most of your time and money. This guide covers everything from the areas in Masai Mara to deciding where to stay, making your journey to Masai Mara enjoyable and well-organized.

Major Regions in Masai Mara

The Masai Mara comprises three major regions, each offering distinct experiences.

Masai Mara Game Reserve

The Masai Mara Game Reserve, the largest section of the Masai Mara, boasts the highest concentration of animals in the park. A visit here is essential for an in-depth exploration of the Masai Mara, promising an engaging safari experience year-round. This expansive reserve offers impressive sightings of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, and lions, ensuring a captivating and diverse wildlife encounter regardless of the season.

The Mara Triangle

The Mara Triangle is a third of the Masai Mara in the southwest, separated by the Mara River. Known for abundant wildlife and a key spot for the Great Migration, it has fewer tourists. You can enter through the Oloololo gate or the New Mara Bridge, offering a peaceful safari experience in the Masai Mara.

Private Conservancies

Private conservancies cover over half of the Masai Mara and are mainly owned by luxury lodges. To visit, you must pre-book or stay at the lodges; day visits aren't allowed. Despite limited accommodations, this exclusivity means fewer crowds and a more luxurious experience. Staying in the conservancies offers unique safari options like bush walks, cultural interactions with the Maasai, and exciting night game drives, which aren't available in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Some conservancy camps also provide day safaris to the national reserve, particularly recommended during the Great Migration (additional fees may apply).

Where to Stay in Masai Mara?

You have four accommodation choices in Masai Mara:

1. Campsites

There are three types of campsites: Public, Private, and Special Private Campsites.

1. For public campsites, no prior booking is required, and the cost is approximately $40 for adults and $20 for children at the three available sites.
2. Mara Triangle offers 5 private campsites—Dirisha, Maji ya Ndege, Ndovu, Olarro, and Kiboko—open to the public. There is a booking fee of around $93 per group for one week.
3. Special private campsites include Kampi ya Mungu, Kishanga, and Kijito, exclusively used by clients staying there. Activities for these clients include guarded walking safaris and game drives until 7:30 pm. Park fees for these three campsites are double the normal rate. There is a booking fee of around $620 per group for maximum two weeks.

Camps are available from June to December and are unfenced. While no advance booking is necessary for public campsites, it is advisable to book private camps in advance through www.marabookings.co.ke/. Not that you'll need to pay extra camping fees each night, along with the daily park fees.

2. Lodges outside the Reserve

Staying outside the Masai Mara is a great choice for budget travelers, as it's about one-third of the cost compared to inside accommodations. Towns like Talek, Keekorok, or Kawai, located near the Masai Mara gates, offer easy access. Guests only pay park fees on the days they decide to enter the Masai Mara or the Mara Triangle.

3. Lodges inside the Reserve

Stay inside the Masai Mara Reserve for an up-close wildlife experience. Many globally acclaimed lodge and luxury companies offer accommodations within the reserve, but they can be quite expensive. Prices for lodges inside the Masai Mara National Reserve typically begin at 150-200 USD per night per person. Expect daily park fees in addition to your accommodation costs, regardless of whether you go on safari that day or not.

4. Private Conservancies

Staying in a private conservancy in the Masai Mara is an amazing experience with top-notch facilities and private airstrips. Companies like Four Seasons, Fairmont, and &Beyond have made safaris feel like adult playgrounds. You might be welcomed with cocktails, smoothies, or a wake-up call with iced coffee. However, be prepared to spend a significant amount, as it can easily reach a couple of thousand dollars for just a few days of this luxurious experience.
Some popular conservancies in Masai Mara include Mara North Conservancy, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, and Olare Motorogi Conservancy.

Modes of Safari

When exploring Masai Mara, you have three options.

• Group tours are budget-friendly but less personal, accommodating around 6-8 people.
• Private tours are more expensive but offer flexibility based on your budget. Also, you get the exclusive wildlife experience.
• Self-driving provides flexibility but can be challenging, with high costs for insurance, rental, and park fees. Without good knowledge of wildlife and Masai Mara, seeing big cats is less likely on a self-drive adventure.

Mode of Transport to Masai Mara

Getting to Masai Mara has two options after entering through Nairobi:

• You can either fly to Masai Mara airstrips, which takes about an hour and costs around $400 for a round trip, or you can travel by road.
• By road, you can choose between a 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser Jeep or a Safari Tour Van that carries up to 7 people. The vans are cheaper, but the Jeeps are more comfortable. The price depends on the number of people in the vehicle. The more people, the lower the cost per person. A Landcruiser safari vehicle costs between US$ 250 to 275 per vehicle/day whereas vans cost around $80 per person, depending on the season. The drive from Nairobi to Mara takes around 5-6 hours.

How Long should I Stay in Masai Mara?

If you're on a budget, it's recommended to spend at least 3 days in Masai Mara. Opting for the low season (April to early June) is more affordable with lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds than the peak season (July to September) when the wildebeest migration happens. If your budget allows, consider staying a minimum of 4 days to fully explore the park. This longer duration allows for leisure time at your camp and relaxed safari game drives for a more enjoyable experience in Masai Mara.

How to Book a Masai Mara Safari?

Booking a Masai Mara safari can be done in a few ways:

• Book Packages: Reach out to tour and safari operators to get quotes for packages. These packages typically include transport, accommodation, safari, and other activities. Tour operators can tailor a package based on your interests and budget.
• Direct Accommodation Booking: Alternatively, you can book accommodation directly and then organize your transport (if needed) and activities through your camp/lodge.
• Join Safari Tours with Groups: Another option is to join safari tours with groups. This allows you to experience Masai Mara at a lower cost compared to staying in a luxury safari lodge for just a few days. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to make new friends during the trip.

Tips for Your Masai Mara Visit

• Entry Fees: A day pass to the Masai Mara National Reserve is $70, with an additional $40 for the Mara Triangle conservation area. Remember, conservancies require an overnight stay.
• Campsites: If camping, ranger fees are 2500 KES per ranger per night. Two rangers are mandatory for nighttime security in private campsites. No prior booking is needed; Mara Conservancy provides transport and food for the rangers.
• Lodge Stays: For mid-range or luxurious lodges, consider using a local tour operator. They often secure better accommodation rates, even though you'll need to book a full package with a driver and game drives. This approach is usually more cost-effective than planning independently.

Planning a visit to Masai Mara involves various choices considering your budget, interests, and the experience you seek. From camping to luxurious lodges, Masai Mara offers diverse options for an unforgettable safari adventure. Choose wisely, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this iconic wildlife destination.