Game lodges also
called safari lodges, tented camps, private houses and campsites
are all found in Mara Game Reserve.
The tented
camps and safari lodges in Masai
Mara fall under three categories- luxury, mid range and
budget. While only 12 properties are inside the
Mara reserve others are in the
neighboring group ranches. Does it matter where you
spend the night while in Mara? Yes. If you are interested
night game drives and lots of local culture then you can stay in
the group ranches. Group ranches are privately run by the
local people. However unplanned development coupled with large
number of visitors threatens the very survival of the reserve.
Large numbers of visitors are associated with high degree of
pollution in terms of noise, dust and changed animal behavior
which can lead to extinction of venerable species like the
cheetah which hunts only during the day.
AS of now Masai Mara has 108
properties with a abed capacity of 4000.
Our aim is to feature as many properties as we can focusing on
their location (Inside or outside the reserve), prices and
facilities. Masai Mara National Reserve( National Park) is
divided into three sectors- Mara Triangle, Musiara and Sekanani.
The fourth and unofficial sector comprises of the community,
group and private ranches surrounding the park- Koyaki Group
Ranch, Lemek Group Ranch, Siana Group Ranch, Olderikesi
Conservancy and many more are coming up. Accommodation
properties-lodges, tented camps, hotels or mobile campsites are
mushrooming in these conservancies at an alarming rate,
endangering the very existence of the ecosystem.
Lodges/ Tented in Maasai (Masai) Mara
Only Twelve(12) properties are inside the park. That means all
the rest are either in private ranches or local Maasai Ranches.
Those found inside are distributed as follows.
In the Mara
triangle are Governors camps- Little Governors, Mara Ol
Kuruk and Mara Serena Lodge. Governors camps are some of the most
exclusive properties in Masai Mara. Comprising of 17 luxury
en-suite tents with wooden deck verandahs the Governors camp is reached by
a boat ride across the Mara River, then an escorted walk through
the forest to the camp grounds. With vehicles parking away
the campsite is quite. Mara Serena Lodge
comprise of 74 rooms styled in traditional Maasai “Manyatta. Has
swimming pool, gift shop, forex facility. Offer laundry, baby
sitting, beauty therapy and massage service. Rooms designed to
blend seamlessly into the landscape with magnificent vistas from
their private verandas. Rooms feature spacious bathrooms.
In Musiara sector are
Governors Private, Governors Camp and Governors Il Mora. Other
tented camps include Rekero, Kichwa Tembo and Mara Explorer and
Mara Intrepid. The only lodges in this section are Ol Kuruk and
Serena.
In the Sekanani sector are Keekorok Lodge, Nairob
Camp, Entim Camp, Sala’s Camp and Sarova Mara Game Camp.
Rates
of the lodges and camps inside Mara National Reserve Mara
Triangle/ Musiara/ Sekenani Sectors:
NB:
Discounted rates
available include corporate, Religious, incentive, tour
operator, travel agencies
Rates are subject to
change.
Full Board Rates Governors' Camps
-
Governors' Camp
(low Season USD 277 PP sharing; High
USD 481pp sharing; Mid USD 395 pp sharing)
-
Little Governors Camp/ Lodge (low
season USD 321 PP ; high USD 559 pp sharing; Mid USD 459 pp
sharing ).
-
Governors Il Moran
Camp (Low USD 355 PP sharing ; High USD 622 PP sharing;
Mid USD 508 pp sharing).
-
Governors Private
Camp (Low USD 355 PP sharing; High USD 622 PP sharing;
Mid 363 pp sharing).
Seasons for governors' Camps
High 01Jul-31 Oct; 16Dec-31Dec ; Mid 01Jan-31 Mar;
01Nov-30Jun; Low 01Apr-30Jun
Full Board rates
Mara Serena Safari Lodge ( low
1USD 95 pp sharing; Low2 USD 112 pp ; High USD 222 pp
sharing; USD 132 pp Mid)
Seasons for Mara Serena Lodge
High 01 Feb-28 Feb; 01Jul-31 Oct; 23Dec-02 Jan ; Mid
03Jan-31 Jan; 01 Mar-31 Mar; 01Jun-30 Jun; Low1 01Nov-23
Dec; Low2 01Apr-31 May
Full Board Rates Mara Keekorok
Lodge ( Low USD 85; High USD
170 PP sharing; Mid USD 150 pp sharing ) depending on season of travel.
Seasons for Keekorok Lodge:
High
-01Jul-30Sep; 23 Dec-31DEc; Mid 01Jan-15Mar, 01Nov-22DEc;
Low 16Mar-30Jun
Governors are strategically sited for watching
wildebeest migration as they cross and re-cross the Mara
river. The following safaris can be tailor made for those
wishing to stay in Governors and other lodges in Mara Triangle-
8 days Mara Explorer,
4
days Lake Nakuru Masai Mara Naivasha Safari,
9 days Kenya Highlight, and the
11 days Mara Serengeti Migration Safari.
All other accommodation facilities are to be found in group,
community and private ranches. Below is the distribution,
Koiyaki Group Ranch has 20 properties. These are
Aruba Camp, Base Camp Maasai Mara, Dorobo Bush Camp, Elephant
Pepper Camp, Fig Tree Camp, Governors Bush Camp, Grant and
Cameron Private Mara Camp, Ilkeliani Camp, Karen Blixen Camp,
Koiyaki Wilderness Camp, Mara Leisure Camp, Mara River Camp,
Mara Simba Lodge, Offbeat Mara Camp, Ol Seki Mara Camp,
Riverside Camp, Riverside Camp Site, Royal Mara Safari Lodge,
Serian Camp, Tipilikwani Camp
Lemek Group Ranch accounts for 8 properties- These
are Kicheche Camp,Saruni Safari Lodge & Camp, Bush Buck Mara
Camp, David Livingstone Safari Lodge, Duma Camp, Kicheche Fly
Camp, Mara Buffalo Camp, Westminster Safari Lodge
Saruni Safari Camp
Rates
Siana Group Ranch accounts for 15 properties
including, Leleshwa Camp, Sekenani Camp, Siana Springs, Intrepids,
Amicabre Camp Site, Gypsy Mara Safari Camp, Flamingo Camp,
Impiripiri Camp, Mara Bush Tops Camp, Hippo Mara Safari Lodge,
Mara Safari Camp Springs, Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge, Olperr Elongo
Camp, Oropile Camp, Line Africa Safari Camp Site, Spur Wing Camp
Site. Rates for hotels in Siana Ranch
The Masai Mara Sopa
Lodge (Low USD 108 pp
sharing; High USD 157 PP pp sharing; Mid USD 135 pp sharing)
Seasons Mara Sopa Lodge
High 01 Feb-29Feb; 01
Jul-310ct; 22Dec- 15 Jan ; Mid 02 Jan-31 Jan; 01 Mar-31 Mar ;
16Jun-30 Jun; 01Nov-21Dec ; Low 01 Apr- 15 Jun
Siana Springs Tented Camp: Siana means
“plentiful” in local maa language. Siana accounts for a large
number of springs and hence the name. The permanent tented camp
is located on the edge of Mara Reserve inside Siana group ranch.
Has 38 tents with a swimming pool. Tents are en-suite with
showers and flush toilet. They offer day and night game drives,
bush walks, balloon safaris, and aromatherapy. Has a private
airstrip.
Olderikesi Conservancy is for exclusive use of
Cottars with two properties- Cottars 1920 Safari Camp and Little
Cottars Camp. Ol Kinyei Conservancy has Mara Porini Camp. Porini
Lion Camp is located inside the Olare Orok Conservancy.
Lodges and Campsites Rates
Cottars Safari Camp
1920 Rates (USD 860 PP sharing USD 700pp sharing Mid
season; USD 490 PP sharing low season)
High
season-01Jul-30Sep; 21Dec-02 Jan
Mid season
03Jan-15Mar, 01Jun-30Jun, 01Oct-20DEc)
Low Season 16Mar-31
May
The continued existence of Maasai
Mara lies in balance. Unless urgent action is taken, the
unchecked human development inside and outside the park is
likely to suffocate the reserve. The large crowds witnessed
during the annual migration, the dust and continued noise from
lodges, vehicles and balloons will lead to changed behaviour of
animals, environmental degradation and eventual death of Mara as
a valued tourist destination.
Budget Camping and Camp sites
Maasai
Mara offers good opportunities for camping.
Acacia Camp, Simba Camp,
Aruba Camp & Safaris, Riverside Camp
have permanent tents offering basic accommodation with hot showers
and meals at affordable prices.
Every year, in the
months of July August and September, over 1.7 million wildebeests
accompanied by about 800,000 gazelles and Zebras migrate from
Serengeti into Maasai (Masai) Mara and back. The river
crossings are particularly dangerous as large crocodile lie in wait
of unsuspecting animals, killing and maiming thousands of them.
Besides predation, migrating herds have to contend with flooded
rivers and disease outbreaks. The wildebeest mate in Maasai Mara and
Calve in Serengeti.
The annual
Maasai (Masai) Mara /Serengeti
wildebeest migration is not about wildebeests migrating per se but
rather its influence on the movement patterns of the other animals
including human beings. Picture a never ending milling of over
2.5 million wild animals composed of a about 1.7 million
wildebeests, and 800,000 common gazelles and zebras with
predators-lions, hyenas, leopards, jackals etc following closely.
In this picture add thousands of vultures providing air cover the to
migrating animals, the goggling human traffic; the hazardous
crossing of crocodile invested Mara and Grumeti rivers and
behold your magical wonder of nature.
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| A Safari Landcruiser with certified guide |
Masai Mara Self
Drive: Self drive safaris are available to
Masai Mara National Park.
Rent a 4x4 Car from Nairobi,
Nairobi Airport,
Mombasa and
dive solo to Masai Mara. But always bear in mind that if you
want to sit back and enjoy the best wildlife experience, a certified
driver guide is a must. Driver guides are knowledgeable and will
take care in the even of breakdowns.
Our all inclusive
11 Days seventh wonder of the world Maasai Mara Serengeti Migration
safari give you the best opportunity to follow the
migrating herds from Masai Mara into Serengeti and witness this
great spectacle. Book this safari between now and Aug 2012 at
only
USD 4050 PP Sharing for two. This is an all inclusive
private safari. See
Nairobi
Masai Mara Lake Nakuru Lake Naivasha 4 Days Safari
Where are the
Wildebeest? Maasai (Masai) Mara or Serengeti? The Migration Cycle:-
The migration follows a
clockwise direction dictated by the rain patterns in the
Mara/Serengeti ecosystem. The Migration has been going on for
as long as our ancestors can remember and where it started is
debatable. The best times to view migration in Serengeti is
December to Jul. While in Maasai Mara, the best time is August
to November. Between
December and March, the herds congregate in Eastern Serengeti
Plains where carving takes place. Births accounts for over
half a million calves annually. April
and May still in Serengeti the calves matures and gets ready
for migration. June is the month of crossing Grumeti River
along the Northern Corridor towards Maasai Mara. In
July/August, the herds cross the Mara River into Maasai (Masai)
Mara, where mating takes place. By November the succulent
grass in Mara is finished and the migrating herds heads for
Serengeti where curving will take place and the entire cycle starts
all over again.
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Maasai Bride |
The Richness Of
Maasai ( Masai) Mara National Park
"With an area of 1500 Km2, the Masai (Maasai) Mara reserve is an
extension of Serengeti National Park of Northern Tanzania.
The Masai (Maasai) Mara ecosystem has one of the richest assemblages
of wildlife in the world and supports about 237 herbivores per km2
, making it one of the most productive natural terrestrial
ecosystems. It maintains the greatest and most spectacular large
mammal migration on earth and is the most highly visited tourist
area in the East African region.
The Masai
Mara National Reserve came into being in 1961"
The Masai (Maasai) Mara
magic is attributed to its panorama.
From the vantage of rounded hills, the large expanses grassy
plains teaming with herds of animals resemble a canvas painting. The
overwhelming population and the rich species presentation makes Mara
the best destination for any serious wildlife observer.
All the 'Big Five' of
Africa: Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, and Leopard are represented
in Maasai (Masai) Mara.
Bird life is exceptional in Masai (Maasai) Mara with large number of
raptors and scavengers.
The permanent Mara River with its tributaries, the Sand and
Talek Rivers, ensures a continuous supply of water making Masai
(Maasai) Mara a permanent sanctuary of many animals throughout the
year.
Physical Features of
Masai (Maasai) Mara National Reserve:
The Wetern boundary of
Maasai (Masai) Mara is marked by the Olololo/Sirisia Escarpment.
The park is watered by Mara Riv er and its tributaries Taleki and
Sand. Other elevations include the Loita hills
Maasai (Masai)
Mara National Reserve Gates
Remember you must enter
the reserve through the official gates: These are
Olololo Gate , Sand River
Gate (closed), Sekanani Gate, Taleki Gate, Musiara Gate and
Ololaimutieki Gate
Activities in Maasai (Masai) Mara National Reserve
Game drives , Bird/nature walks with Maasai Morans.
Camping, Visiting Maasai villages, Balloon
Safaris,
Cultural dances,
January, February- it is
usually dry with the grass cropped short.
April-July
long rains.
Mid-July- September migration
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