Unlike any other vacation, African Safari is truly a magical experience. You get an opportunity to disconnect from the day-to-day chaos of life to enjoy abundant wildlife, good food, and a true connection with nature.     

How to Plan Your Masai Mara Safari?

In most cases, it is easy to book your safari package through a travel agency. You can also directly work with different camps to arrange the safari experience for your trip. This will include your accommodation, food, local transportation, and a safari vehicle with a guide. These packages are offered at various price points, based on the desired experience, convenience, and duration.

Masai Mara is located about 225 kilometers(140 miles) from the capital city of Nairobi. You will have 2 options to reach Masai Mara by road or by air. By road, it will take you approximately 6-7 hours to reach the Masai Mara Game Reserve.  While flying to Masai Mara will take you about an hour. Air transportation is a bit expensive compared to the by-road option. But, it is the most comfortable and convenient option for saving time and energy.

Checking in Your Masai Mara Camp

Depending on when you start from Nairobi and the mode of transportation, you will reach Masai Mara in the afternoon or late evening. Once you are there you will first check into your camp. They will provide you with all the required information about the camp and your stay there.  If you arrive in the afternoon, after lunch and some relaxation you can immediately go on your first evening drive. If you arrive late in the evening, you will have dinner and start your safari early next morning.  

Morning Drive

Depending on the sunrise time, you will need to wake up early in the morning usually 5 or 5.30 am. After a dose of caffeine, you will get ready for your morning game drive and jump onto a safari vehicle.  

Most animals are active during the early hours when it’s still cool. Hence game drives are organized at this early to optimize animal spottings. You will be in an open Safari vehicle for a game drive. It is usually cold in the morning so you will need to dress appropriately. After sunrise, the temperature will start going up so layers are the key for dressing. Your camp will usually provide drinking water bottles for your safari but it’s always nice to bring your bottle and refill it whenever required.

Hot-Air Balloon Safari

You will be going on a game drive for multiple days. On one of the days, you can opt for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a Hot-Air Balloon Safari. You will take off in a hot air balloon to view wildlife from the top. This will be a spectacular scene. After the ride, it’s customary to pop a bottle of champagne.

Animal Spottings in Masai Mara

Remember you are not in a zoo. You are in the wild setting where animals are free and you are in a cage of your vehicle.  Respect the space of these wild animals. Follow the guidelines provided by your guide. Every drive will be different. You don’t know what you will spot on a particular drive. Sometimes you get to see all the big 5s (Lion, Leopard, Rhinos, Elephant, African Buffalo) and many more animals (like giraffes, Zebras, Hippos, etc). Other times you don’t see any big animals. In any case, don’t be disappointed. Remember that uncertainty is the real charm of the safari experience. You will have multiple opportunities to spot different animals.  

Check out this blog to read about our Masai Mara Safari experience.

Back to Camp & Breakfast

After 3 to 4 hours of the morning game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast. Most of the camps provide a fresh buffet breakfast every morning with a multitude of selections. Usually, all your meals will be included in your package. 

Bush Breakfast

You can also opt for a bush breakfast at an additional cost. Your safari guide will carry your breakfast or make breakfast for you outdoors. You can ​​enjoy your delicious breakfast while looking at the beautiful surroundings. 

Relax, Eat Lunch and Nap

After your breakfast, it’s time to relax. You can decide to spend this time at the gym, chill by the pool, go to the spa, spend a few hours reading or napping. In the afternoon you will have your lunch and again relax for some time before your evening game drive. 

Evening Drive & Sundowners

Similar to your morning drive, you will go on your evening drive. Animals become active in the evening once it is cool again. Another thing you can do during your evening game drive is have drinks and snacks during sunset at a scenic spot.  They are called sundowners. Similar to sunrise, sunsets are also beautiful on the savannas so keep your camera ready to capture some breathtaking pictures. 

After sunset, you will return to your lodge. Some lodges also offer safari in the dark. Check with your lodge and agent if you are interested in this night-time safari. 

Back to Camp & Dinner

Once you are back, you can chill at your lodge, have dinner, and enjoy the bonfire. Usually, during dinner time, local Masai people will come and greet you at your lodge. They will sing and dance to their local songs giving you a peek into their culture.  

If you are more interested in learning more about Masai culture you can ask your lodge to arrange a visit to the nearby Masai community. During one of the drives, your guide will take you to these communities where you will get a chance to spend some time with them. 

Relax and Bedtime

Here your typical safari day ends and you have to sleep early because you want to wake up early the next morning. 

What to pack for your safari?

• Comfortable Clothes  -preferably light fabrics and loose-fitting clothes in natural colors that blend in with safari surroundings. Pack cloths in layers to add and remove throughout the day as per temperature. 
• Jacket/sweater for chilly mornings and evenings
• Rain jacket or Pancho during the rainy season. 
• Hat 
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hair bandana/scarf to keep your hair in place
• Phone/Camera to click pictures
• Binoculars 
• Some cash (Local currency or USD) to tip your guide