“What a fantastic trip. This really is an excellent way to see wildlife very close to you. From the first time you put your canoe in the water you start seeing all the African wildlife you’ve dreamt of…”
GALLERY
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE.
Masai Mara National Reserve, covering an area of 1,510km2, is the northern extension of the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania, and lies in the south west of Kenya in the Mara region. It is probably Kenya’s most famous, well known and most popular wildlife destination. Forming part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara, as it is affectionately called by the locals, only forms a tiny part of the whole ecosystem, yet it probably has the highest concentrations of wildlife at certain times during the year.
Although dominated by open savannah grasslands there are also patches of acacia woodland, swamps, riparian forest and scrubland interjected with koppies and rocky outcrops dotting the landscape. The western boundary of the Reserve is dominated by the Olloololo Escarpment and at the centre of the park lies the Mara River famed for the “Mara River Crossing” by the enormous herds of herbivores. The Talek River joins the Mara River at the centre of the Reserve thus dividing the Reserve into three distinct sectors. The Mara eventually snakes into Tanzania before draining into Lake Victoria.
Mara is almost certainly the best place to see the Big Five. The millions of migratory herbivores are dominated by wildebeest, zebra, impala and gazelles. Elephant and buffalo are very common, in addition to eland, waterbuck, reed buck, several species of gazelle, Masai Giraffe, Topi, hartebeest, and some black rhino. The predators are dominated by lions with some exceptionally large prides and some of the highest densities in the world. Also present are leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, wild dog, jackal, serval, caracal, bat eared fox and hyrax. The Mara River is home to large populations of hippo and crocodiles.
Birdlife is also abundant with nearly 500 species recorded. Commonly seen birds include ostrich, secretary bird, various bustards, bee-eaters, ground hornbill, kestrel, eagles and vultures. The Reserve is home to numerous water based birds including storks, pelicans, wading birds, plovers and fish eagles. There is an enormous variety of birds for the birding enthusiast.
Getting there:
By air Charter from Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
By Road from Nairobi via Narok and into the Reserve. Approximately 5-hour drive. Good Tarmac road up to Narok and then marram road till you enter the Reserve.
What to do:
- Game Drives
- Nature Walks
- Ballooning Safari
- Visit Mara River and see the Migratory crossing points
- See the Migration – July to end of August /early September
- Birding
- Masai Manyatta Visit
Best Time:
All year round but best to see the annual migration in July to August.
Accommodation:
Numerous options from super Luxury to basic campsites.
Exclusive-
- Elephant Pepper Camp
- Il Moran
- Mara Simba Lodge
Upmarket-
- Fig Tree Camp
- Governor’s Camp
- Keekerok Lodge
- Mara Serena Lodge
- Mara Sopa Lodge
- Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
- Sarova Mara Game Camp
- Siana Springs
- Ashnil Mara Camp
Budget-
- Mara Springs Safari Camp
- Aruba Mara Camp
- Acacia Camp
- Impala Wildlife Lodge
- Several KWS campsites as well as private campsites
Accomodation.
Naibor Camp is a luxury tented camp, a striking combination of contemporary style and comfort, in the heart of Kenya’s world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Enjoy total privacy in your own little corner of the camp, complete with verandah and river overlook. Each tent includes a fully-equipped en suite bathroom with safari shower.
The secluded luxury Eco-camp is set up in an exceptional location in a forest on the banks of Maara River.This ensures that guests derive maximum pleasure from their natural surroundings and the abundance of wildlife.
Spacious tents with en suite porcelain toilets and hot showers are tucked away in the forest.Each tent along the river is tastefully furnished with campaign furniture to capture the romance and adventure of the bygone era.
WiFi as well as charging Facilities are available in the lounge tents.
Contact KOMPASS SAFARIS for more information.
Located on the banks of a river from which it has taken its name, Sand River Masai Mara is located within the Masai Mara National Reserve, close to the Tanzanian border.
Sand River Masai Mara comprises of 16-tented accommodations – including 1 family tent – each divided into two separate but adjoining campsites, with each area possessing its own designated dining and public areas, thereby creating an increased sense of exclusivity and privacy.
Under shady trees located by a small river, away from mass tourism, you will enjoy the peace and impressions of nature. Ten large comfort-tents can stop in and relax at nothing to be desired. The tents are equipped as double- or twin-size with en-suite bathroom and are ideally suited for families.
The 8(4 double and 4 twin) brand new luxury safari tents are larger, brighter and offer more spacious bathroom areas .combined with Indian Raj Campaign furniture, mixing dark wood with intricate brass fittings, the tents have a very classy and elegant feel.
The tents are set underneath a grove of fig and elephant pepper trees and are spaced out to ensure privacy .From your private verandah or hammock you can watch wildlife roam on the savannah plains.