Masai Mara
Last edited on May 5, 2024
Last edited on May 5, 2024
For so many years, going on a safari, especially to Masai Mara has felt like a far-fetched experience. Seeing it on television is one thing, but being in the middle of raw nature is a totally different thing! I would not deny that I was anxious about my first trip to Kenya, especially since I was alone on that trip. However, it turned out to be completely safe, especially since I was lucky to be with a trusted trip organizer. You just need to keep an open mind about it, as there is nothing to be afraid of as long as you are inside the safari vehicle and following the instructions given by the guide.
But what makes Masai Mara different and more popular?
Located on the southern borders of Kenya with Tanzania, this national reserve has a diversity of wild animals from lions and cheetahs, to giraffes, African buffalos, elephants, and much more, not to mention the great migration that takes place every year and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Everyone will tell you that the best time to visit is during the great migration season, which extends from July to early October. The course of nature never changes time, and the biggest event to witness there, as the wild beasts travel across Rive Mara from the Serengeti on the Tanzanian side. During that wild migration, many predators would seize the opportunity to hunt for food, which is a grand scene to behold.
But these are not the only times you can visit Masai Mara. Dry seasons, in general, are considered a great time to visit, such as January and February, and June through October. It is advisable to avoid the rainy seasons (November & December, and March through May) in order to enjoy the safari.
The safari will take most of your time. Being able to see different kinds of animals, especially wild cats in their natural habitat is challenging, and it would take a lot of time driving to find them. However, you can still find time to do other activities, such as taking a hot air balloon in the early morning to see the place from a totally different perspective.
Beyond the dark skin glowing under the equator sun, the colorful outfit, and the big smiles that meet you when you reach the tribal village, there is a lot of warmth and happiness in the simple way of life you will witness.
After greeting you, the first thing they would do is perform a beautiful dance where the Masai men start jumping as high as possible, while the women perform a more decent cryptographic dance. After that, they will take you on a tour to show you how they live inside their mud houses. And as if all that wasn’t hospitable enough, they also leave the best and most equipped room in the house for their guests! They actually invited me to stay, which I found to be a very nice gesture!
The Masai speak their own language in addition to Swahili. They may not know English, but they will be kind enough to keep reminding you of how to say a few words! I hardly managed to learn some in Swahili:
‘Karibu’ means Welcome,
‘Asante’ means Thank you,
‘Asante sana’ means Thanks a lot, and
‘Jumbo’ means Hello
I remember the hotel manager taking a very personal interest in greeting me upon arrival, making sure I felt comfortable, and asking me what type of food I preferred to arrange. The staff was also very kind and I enjoyed friendly conversations with them. Also, it seems to be part of their culture to expect tips in Kenya. You can pay that in US dollars or Kenyan Shillings. (You would expect to pay $8 – $15 per person per day)
However, despite the massive tourist attraction near them, the towns and community facilities are very modest and lack care and services. I remember we had to stop on our way to ask one of the local schools to use their restroom. The schoolteacher was nice enough to let me in, and she was so patient to step out of the class full of children, who were staring at this stranger visiting their school uninvited in the middle of the day, to escort me. I could not help but notice the poorly maintained building, except for one big water tank which looked like it had been donated.
Naturally, the effects of that poor situation on the people of the area are readily visible. For example, any Masai Mara visitor would notice Masai mamas waiting at the Masai Mara gates to sell their goods. They are so determined to sell you what they have from souvenirs and accessories, and they would not stop pushing for that from behind the vehicle glass till the car moves away.
It is sad to see all of that, but make sure not to publicly give money or food. You will definitely not have enough to give everybody and that could cause long-term issues.
The stay in Masai Mara is more like a luxurious camping experience. Setting up in the middle of the wilderness, the camp usually consists of several tents equipped with the basic necessities, but it can also be fancy depending on the level of luxury you’d like to book. Since the camp is in the wilderness, each tent will have its own security guard to protect you from any issues, God forbid. If you need to leave the tent, all you have to do is to call out or say ‘Hello’ and the security man (who will be a Masai man) will escort you to where you want to go.
It is very normal to hear the sound of wild beasts moving near the camp, but there is no need to be afraid. This is pretty normal, and you can be sure that no animal will get inside the tent. You can see more about the experience in this video.
Also, the safari accommodations are usually offered with full board meals, so you do not have to worry about buying food. However, any kinds of drinks, except what comes with the meal, would be chargeable unless it is mentioned to be included in your booking.
It would take about 4 hours to reach Masai Mara from Nairobi. Yes, it is a long journey, and you can simply take one of the domestic flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport which should get you there in less than an hour. However, I would prefer to take the road trip to enjoy the scenery and meet the locals as much as possible. I personally enjoyed every moment with the Kenyan kids when we had a quick stop on the road between Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru. The interaction gave me an amazing positive energy.
There are different Safari vehicles, and the most common ones are the safari vans and land cruisers which are modified to be able to drive on the terrain as well as enjoy the safari game drive. The land cruiser costs more than the safari van.
Try to carry as little as possible and avoid traveling with heavy or rigid suitcases as much as you can. It is advisable to carry soft travel bags that have no frame, as they are easier to store during the trip and won’t be easily broken.
The mornings and late nights are mostly cold in Masai Mara, so make sure to take a jacket to wear over your clothes as it will make it easier to take it off later during the day when the temperature rises. Of course, do not forget to put on some comfortable shoes!
Also, it is good to buy an anti-mosquito wristband. It defuses a blend of natural oils that prevent mosquito bites. One wristband is enough for 14 days. You can find it in adventure-related stores.
One of the most important things for any photographer is to have the best lens on hand. If you can’t afford it, you can simply rent it. There are few good options like Gearbox.
This is surely an experience worth having, even if for once in your lifetime. So, if you have the chance to go on it, my advice is not to hesitate for a second!
I am Iman. A travel lover and a photographer with so much passion to learn new things and meet people! On this website, I will be writing about my travel and photography experience, and add what I learn here to be a useful guide to whoever needs it!
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