Masai Mara is part of the greater Mara region encompassing a public reserve and a host of privately owned wildernesses. The region arguably offers the best game viewing due to its high wildlife density. The park is the best for sighting predation scenes having large numbers of most of the big cats except leopards.
There are about 900 lions in Masai Mara which means there are possibility of sighting a pride of 10 individuals in every 20 square kilometres drive within the park. The worlds most famous lions pride is the Musiara pride is situated in the park.
In these floodplains you are almost guaranteed of sighting some predation actions especially when you are travelling in the dry or migration season. The masai Mara safari will also be a big boost to your big five view owing to the fact the park is a stronghold for all the big 5s except the Rhinos(black) which are occasional.
Lake Nakuru
The lake is one of the many soda lakes in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia that is frequented by flamingos. Two of the world’s six Flamingo species are endemic to the region. lesser flamingos are the most common in Nakuru with their characteristic pinkish plumage making some of the most stunning views on earth. Although continued precipitation in the lake has lead to drop in flamingo numbers in the park in recent years, the park still boost an impressive flamingo in July, August and September.
Besides watching flamingo the adjacent park is one of the most impressive wilderness boosting beautiful yellow backed fever woodlands and great sights of wildlife. The lake Nakuru tour will complete your foray for the big five since the park host one of the highest white rhino population in Africa. The park is also a stronghold for the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Though not a very fanciful big cats destination when compared to Masai Mara the park boost a notable good lions and leopard population.
When is the best time for Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari
With Masai Mara maintaining a good game view all round the year and Nakuru being a good sight for birding and watching rhinos most part of the year you can choose to visit the park any time. However the months of July and August are the magical period with the mara migration peaking and flamingos being common ocxcurences in Nakuru
Program
Day 1: Nairobi- Masai Mara
Our driver arrives at the airport/ your hotel at 0700hrs. you depart for masai mara at 0730 hrs taking you through the view of native Masai grazing in the field and a quick view of the scenic landscape at the great rift valley viewpoint. You will arrive at Masai Mara at around 1300 hrs. you will drive to Rhino tourist camp a budget facility set on the dramatic oloolaimutia escarpments on the eastern border of Masai Mara reserve. Lunch will be served in the camp.
After lunch you will depart for the afternoon game drives checking in at oloolaimutia gate situated 10 minutes drive from the camp. The game drive will take you through different sections of the mara plain guaranteeing a first round view of all the big five except Rhinos. Our driver will be keen to take you to Musiara major game view hotspots. Game drives continues till close hours when you return to your camp.
Day 2: Masai Mara game drives/ balloon safari/ village tour
Immediately after breakfast you check into the park heading to a hot air balloon launch station near governor’s camp. Balloon rides are Mara’s most rewarding bush experience giving you an opportunity to drift above the rolling plains enjoying vintage view of wildebeest, zebras and cape buffalo in the field as well as the riverine forest lining the meandering Mara river. The ride will continue for about 1 hrs after which you will go for a mid-morning to lunch hour game drives this time seeking a more detailed check into more game hotspots especially along mara river including the oxbow floodplains of Olpunyata.
If you are travelling over the migration season, our driver will be on high alert to keep you close to the next wildebeest herd crossing epic an event that creates optimal predation experience for travelers.
In the afternoon you will visit one of the nearby Masai bomas or continue carrying out game drives.
Day 3: Masai Mara- Nakuru
After breakfast you take an early morning game drive in Masai Mara. Morning hours are the optimal period for game viewing as most of the wildlife are out in the open foraying for the day food. At 1000 hrs you will return to the camp for check out and afterward transfer to Nakuru. You will remain glued to the window screen watching scenes of tropical flora, escarpments, lakes and mountain formations throughout the driver to Nakuru. Lunch will be served en route at George resort. You arrive at a Nakuru in the evening when you check in golden palace hotel and spend the night.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru
After breakfast we drive to the park with packed picnic lunch. It takes about 30 minutes drive to the park’s gate from the hotel. After checking in you drive to the lake to look for flamingos. Marked by evergreen riparian beds, the lake shorelines are popular grazing spots for black rhinos and other wildlife. After taking photos, you proceed for the game drives through the park continuing for the entire day. You will have an opportunity to check into various sights in the park including out of Africa lookout viewpoint which offer the best view of waterbirds in the lake. lunch will be served at Makalia waterfalls.
Day 5: Depart for Nairobi
After breakfast you checkout from the hotel followed by dep;arture from Nairobi. You are dropped off in a Nairobi hotel/ Airport before 1000hrs .
Includes
- Quality safari
- The services of our knowledgeable English-speaking driver/guide
- Full board accommodation
- All the Park entrance/ conservation fees
- Transport in a customized safari Landcruiser
- guaranteed window seats
- bottled mineral water throughout your safari
- dropping off at the Airport/ Hotel/ point of pick up
- Emergency flying doctor’s evacuation covers up to a radius of 1000 km ex-Nairobi
- All applicable taxes & government tolls
Cost excludes:
- Soft drinks, juices, alcoholic and other beverages taken with lunch/dinner
- The optional activities e.g., visit Masai Village, going for 20 USD/ person, Balloon ride 450pp-bookable before departure.
Tip to driver/guide
