Masai Mara Game Reserve Travel Forum

Hi all,

I am visiting both Masai Mara and Serengeti this October. I have been given 2 safari options. One is to start for an early game drive at 6 AM and complete the safari at 10 AM and again do an afternoon game drive. The other option is to start the game drive after breakfast at around 8.30 AM and continue on the safari till 6 PM. That means we are on the safari the whole day without returning to camp till evening. My question is: Which will be the better option? I want to see the Big Five as well as the Wilder Beast Migration. If I start after 8.30 AM, will I still be able to view the big cats or is it better to start early at 6 and return, then start again for a late afternoon game drive.

Thanks to anyone who can clarify.

What is the cheapest Baloon Ride in End September ? USD 450 and all - its very costly for salaried people like us, going with a family of four. Kids has discounts ?

Also please let us know the cheapest ( and proximity wise best ) hotel/lodge/camp in Masai Mara ?

Hi,

What will be the weather in Masai Mara be like this October? We are from India and have been informed of the forecasts, which predict heavy rains starting from October. As we will be doing our safari in the Mara this Oct beginning, we like to know what the chances are of seeing the Big Five & the Migrating animals and whether rains would play spoilsport. We are also travelling to Serengeti, for your information.

Any help?

Thanks.

Hi All-
I'm going on a 3-day safari in Masai Mara in Africa and looking to buy a new camera. Suggestions on which may be the most suitable for this trip? Currently, I am leaning toward the Canon SX1 is which has 20x zoom and can get me to 580mm. I like the idea that is less bulky than bringing multiple lenses with an SLR. I am a photo enthusiast, but not a professional photographer. Thoughts?? Thanks in advance!

Has anyone stayed here? - I would be interested to hear what it's like.

Hello
Planning to go to Governors Camp for my Honeymoon in
September for 4 nights, but not sure what camp to stay in. There is:
Governors Camp
Little Governors Camp
Governors llmoran Camp
Private Camp
As its our honeymoon would like something a bit special. Anyone been and stayed in these camps?

I have been to the Masai several times over the last two years, usually staying at Kicheche camp. We now wish to self drive, can anyone suggest where to camp?... I believe there are public campsites, if so, where? what is the process, where do we book, are they safe etc. We would prefer to stay near to the Marsh area (gov camp) but I am not sure if there are any public campsites there. We are planning to visit Aug, Sept or Oct. We are also going to use Roving rovers (supply old range rover with roof tent) any one used these before?

Thanks for your help and hope someone can shed some light!

Sarah

We are planning a trip to Masai Mara Game Reserve in late May and early June. As we learnt that from April to June are the rainy seasons in Masai Mara, we would like to know if we visit Masai Mara in late May, will our activities in the Game Reserve be greatly affected? Will we still be able to see most of the animals and the "Big Five"? Will there be flooding in the camp? We are greatly concerned with the weather as we are worried that we will not be able to see the wild life if we visit during the rainy season.

Hope to hear your advice, thanks!

looking to go for 3 nights over the easter weekend.

which one is better? mara or serengeti for easter?
if mara, obviously it is not the migration time so which area of the mara would be a good place to see animals.

have heard serena is good cos its near the river too but are there a lot of animals in that area at this time of the year?

which lodges would be the best to stay in during easter?

looking for 5 rooms for 3 nights. travel by road or flight not decided.

I am going to Kenya for 2 weeks in Feb. I have no idea what I am going to be doing other than I would love to visit a game reserve. Can anyone tell me what Masai Mara is like and how much it costs to go for a few days? Also what is the cheapest way to get to the game park from Nairobi? thanks

Has anyone used them for safaris to the Masai Mara or any other destination in Kenya?
Booking with them for August 2007 and would be interested in any comments.

Anyone been to this camp - what was it like, am going in February and would like some idea of what to expect

Our first visit is for 23rd to 28th oct 2006. We are a couple with 14 year son. Amateur wildlife photographers. planning 4nights at Kicheche mara camp and 1 night at Mara porini camp. Has any member stayed there. I need comments regarding wildlife around those areas and whether we should stay some other place to save on cost for similar experience.

I've been trying to book a couple of rooms at the above lodge for April 2007. I've used email to Serena hotels direct, but without any response. I've checked a few other websites, but of the those have an online booking system, they report the Serena Lodge as full for any date you choose to put in - although the same websites only list prices up to Jan 2007.

Has anyone else tried booking with this Lodge recently, and have they had any better results? Is the Lodge going to be open next year?

Thanks

Shim

Hi, leaving for Africa in 5 1/2 weeks and think I have everything answered. but still a question of how does one 'go' while out on a game drive.

Hi, I am planning to go to the Mara Explorer Lodge in January. Seeing that this is a warm time of the year, does anybody know if has a swimming pool? I am getting contradictory statements from the web. Thanx!

Please tell me what the accomodations were like. I understand that it was refurbished after a fire last year. Did they redo all of the rooms? Thanks for any info.
Chris

Hi,

My friend and I are looking at heading to the Mara this summer to see the migration. Does anyone think the end of july or the end of august would be better? Also I heard CC Safari's is a good company... anyone have any advice on them or advice for a different company we should use? We are looking for about a 5-6 day safari in Kenya and I dont mind roughing it if need be.

Thanks so much!

Hi,
My wife and I will be in Kenya this July. We would like to go on a low cost 3 day camping safari in the Masai Mara. In addition to game viewing we would love visit a Masai village. Can anyone recommend a safari company for us?

Thanks,
Rob

Did anyone use Raylenne safaris and stay in either the tents or the Masa Sopa Lodge? We are two teachers, mother and daughter, traveling on a budget and need to maximize our experience in a 4-5 day safari. How rough is the camping?
Are the camps inside or outside the reserve? How likely is it to rain in August and can you be totally rained out? thanks for any help. peace for your journey.

I am planning on visitig Masai Mara in December/January and would like to know whether safaris are arranged through hotels or whether I need to do this myself. How difficult is it to book a safari when I arrive at the hotel - will there be a lot of information available, or should I organise this before arriving. How are safaris organised - if I want to stay for 4 days and go on safaris each day do I book a safari for 4 days or do I just go on 1 day safaris.
Also, what is the best way to get to Victoria Falls from Masai Mara.
Thanks for any information that you can give.

Hi
We're planning to visit amboseli & mara reserves for our honeymoon in September.
Can anyone recommend any lodges to stay in on either reserve & advise what the quality of them is like ?

Thanks

hello travelers, eager to know what are the best lodges in the masai mara for just married, we are planning to stay 4-5 days in safari. No matter the range of price, we will see in order of your suggestions.

Thanks you all, all info is wellcoming.

Also may contact me by email caco_m@hotmail.com

I'm going to Kenya thae last 2 weeks in January. Do I need to book a 5 day safari in advance or can I book when I get there. Any suggestions on moderately priced tours. Where can anyone suggest that we stay, is camping a good option? Is Masai Mara the best place to do a safari? What other areas and activities are highly recommended.
alot of questions
thanks for your help

hi, has anyone stayed at keekorok lately (after the fire)?
how is the condition of rooms and lodge in general?

I am driving through the park independantly from Nairobi in 4X4 with a tent etc and Kenyan girl friend `Gem`. We are planning to camp up beside a river known as the River Sand, The site is hidden but not far from the rangers who have agreed for us to stay there.

This is my first experience of the Mara and I wonder if it will be safe to swim in the river ? Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Phil

the 20th of August, i would like to go to the masai mara with a group of ten. We want to camp budget (so, not in a tented camp). What is the best place to go, we come from Nairobi. Do we have to bring our own equipment, or can we hire tents there (actually, we would like to hire tents, at least for part of the group)
Could anybody help me, thank you very much!!!

Has any one stayed at the Mara Simba Lodge? Will the wildlife be close enough to mid September to see them from this location? We have 2 and a half days there if we go with this package. Also, anyone familiar with "Friendly Planet Travel"??
Thank you
Rachelle

Can anyone tell me what the current conservation fees are for Maasai Mara? My information says $30 per day. Is there anychance that it may go up within the year?

Is there an official Kenyan National Parks website where I can find this info?

Thanks,
John

I couldnt find a nairobi page so I thought this would be the closet one. I am looking for information about currency exchange in Nairobi. I will be there for about 2 weeks and leaving on Friday. If anyone could give me suggestions about hotels or restaurants or anything in general would be helpful. Thanks in advance.