Car Rental in Masai Mara National Reserve
Car Rental in Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara National Reserve is a gem for all travelers on Wildlife Tour in Kenya as you watch the BIG FIVE wildlife animal species like the Buffalo, Lions, Leopards, Elelphants, Rhinos etc.
Masai Mara is located in the south west of Kenya, with gently rolling African savannah plains, measuring 1510km2 bordering Serengeti national park in Tanzania to the south. The reserve is a unique haven for wildlife conservation with a famous spectacular natural diversity for wildlife making it a premier Kenya safari located in east Africa with numerous reasons to visit the animal paradise.
Masai Mara is located along the great rift valley area on the southern part of Kenya. It is found on a Narok county few kilometers away from the large Masai town Narok. It is located 224 kilometers away from the capital Nairobi. The reserve borders the famous Serengeti national park in Tanzania, and these two parks are the world’s oldest ecosystem. The Mara Serengeti is one of the largest ecosystems in Africa, covering an area of 25,000km2. It is covered by three rivers namely; Mara river, sand river and Talek river.
Masai Mara reserve is located in the semi-arid area which is primarily covered by the savannah grassland dotted with circles of the acacia trees, and it borders the great rift valley escarpments of the east namely; siria on the west, Masai ranches on the north and Serengeti national park on the south.
Masai Mara is famous for the wildebeest migration, which is the largest unique animal behavior on this planet earth and it happens annually. The migration begins in July when millions of wildebeests and other animals cross the mighty river Mara from to Masai Mara which attracts a thousand of tourists to Masai Mara reserve during these months.
The park is also the most populated park with predators ranging from big cats to other predators namely; hyenas, jackals and more. The ratio of predators is too high that even rare shy leopards can be viewed easily during a game drive.
Why would you visit Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara offers the best and authentic African holiday experience to travelers making it a must add to your travel Wishlist. The reserve is covered with abundance of wildlife with Africa’s famous big five species including wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, cheetahs and more.
Car Rental in Masai Mara National Reserve, the reserve hosts the great migration of wildebeest between July and October, making their way to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, crossing the Nile crocodile in Masai Mara making an international border between Kenya and Tanzania.
Masai Mara is covered with excellent birding opportunities with birds over 570 recorded species in the reserve. Some of the species include; red winged Schawlow’s turaco, white tipped crest, orange buff Pel’s fishing owl among others.
The Masai Mara reserve is the most well-maintained Kenyan reserve accommodating travelers with well moderate high and budgets making it the best choice for destination. It is covered with a variety of accommodation ranging from luxury to budget, with mobile comping in Masai Mara reserve.
When to visit Masai Mara reserve.
When you plan to have a special lifetime trip, august is the best month to visit Masai Mara for the annual wildebeest migration. This reserve is the best year-round safari destinations, offering an ideal climate with abundance of wildlife for excellent game viewing throughout the calendar, with daytime temperatures remaining comfortable and the nights marginally cooler, calling for a cardigan and light jackets for a tourist.
Conditions are excellent for game viewing anytime of the year in Kenya. However, many tourists come for wildebeest migration which starts in July and peaks in August, lasting through early September, making it the best time to visit Masai Mara.
How to get to Masai Mara Reserve
Masai mara is located in the southwest of Kenya, bordering Tanzania and it is approximately 270 kilometers from Nairobi with a 5-hour drive by road. It covers an area of 1,500km2 with a variety of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras among others.
BY ROAD.
Masai mara national park consists of entry gates that tourists can use to access the park depending from where they are coming from since it is a large area with several gates. These gates include; Talek gate, Sekanani gate, Olololo gate, Sunriver gate and Musiara gate.
The Talek gate
The gate is located in the north western side of Masai mara and it is one of the well-developed gates, and amidst the large open savannah grassland next to the famous
Talek river acts as a natural border between the western and eastern part of Masai mara and it can be accessed through Aitong road and Kaboson road. This gate can be used to drive to the west of mara river, and the north of the walls of the rift valley called Oloololo escarpment. The best lodging options near Talek gate include; Aruba mara camp, Mara leisure lodge, Mara napa camp, Zebra plains camp, Talek bush camp, Rover camp, Mara Simba lodge and more.
Sekanani gate.
The gate is located on the eastern side of the reserve on the Kenya Tanzania border and on the outskirts of Sekenani town., and is the main entrance to the mara and gateway to exploration. This gate is a common starting point for safaris, which offer access to both sides of mara river and the vast savannahs. This is the most preferred gate since it is located on the main road from Narok town, with best lodging options which include; Mara Simba lodge, AA lodge, Serova game camp, Keekorok lodge among others.
Olololo gate
The gate is located in the mara west part from the reserve to Serani and it is a 4-hour drive to west gate of Ndebaka gate, with a close public campsite providing camping facilities for tourists. This gate displays rules and regulations that tourists must follow during the safari in the reserve. Some of the rules include; leaving a tourist vehicle at designated points. This gate also has close accommodation facilities which include Kilima camps.
Sandriver gate
This gate is a point in the southern end of Masai Mara reserve near the border adjoining it and Tanzania’s Serengeti national park and it is the least used gate in the reserve given the nearness of it to the border of Kenya and Tanzania but closed to tourists.
Musiara gate
The Musiara gate is located on the north eastern end of the reserve which is a short distance of Oloololo gate on the opposite side of the mara river. It also has best lodging options which include; little governors camp, governors camp, Kandili camps, Angama mara and Nyota mara.
Oloolaimutia gate.
The gate is located on the outskirts of Oloolaimutia town, in the hilly eastern end of the national reserve, with fully furnished facilities that travelers can use, including offices with the conservancy, and accommodation within Masai Mara is close to the gate. Some of them include; acacia camp mara, masa Sidai camp and more.
TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN MASAI MARA.
Witness the wildebeest migration
The wildebeest migration is an annual event that takes place between Serengeti park in Tanzania and Masai mara reserve in Kenya from July to October where millions of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and other animals cross Mara river in search for food and water. This is celebrated as the largest migration on earth and has been listed as one of the 8 wonders of the world from mid-July to mid-December. Tourists who book their safari during this period will experience the wonders in Kenya which is the best season.
Game drive This is the most popular and common activity done in most African national parks and reserves, an adventure done through a 4×4 open roof safari van or land cruiser to enjoy the close view of the animals in the park under the park regulations and these game drives are usually done at different schedules.
Morning game drive: This is the time where animals are most active and it is usually done in the early morning and lasts for 2 to 3 hours. This is a magical time in the reserve where the sun rises and animals start their day. There tourists get opportunity to witness africa’s iconic animals in the wilderness and some of the animals include; lions, leopards, zebras, gazelle and a lot more.
Evening game drive, which starts from 4pm till 6:30pm which gives you the final catch of the day when they are out of their hides to get their dinner and sun bathing for example reptiles, with other animals assembling for their rest.
Night game drives are strictly done under the guide and ranger who is well trained, however with an extra fee on it. Film makers enjoy this schedule in order to see more nocturnal animals in the park, with cats hunting at night. Tourists move with touches in order to spot their way in the reserve.
Hot air balloon experience.
This is a truly once in a lifetime experience over the Masai Mara plains which is an evocative experience that you have to enjoy during any safari you take to Maasai Mara. The balloon take offs start at the break of dawn around 6am, moving silently during the ride above the savannah grasslands, where you may spot a variety of wildlife. The flight concludes with a ”Champagne Bush Breakfast” at the balloon landing site in the wilderness and it is flown by a fully qualified and experienced Pilots, and the balloons themselves are often made by Cameron the specialist hot air balloon manufacturer in Great Britain. It is best to book your ride in advance due to limited space of 16 passengers per balloon. This activity is enjoyed by tourists since it gives an aerial view and it supplements the game drives which are time limited.
Tourists are expected to be ready by 5 to 5:30am at their lodges or camp reception desk depending on how far you are from the site, and you are picked and transferred by road. During this activity, you will fly to various parts of the reserve.
Nature walk
There are two types of nature walks offered at Masai Mara and one is done within the camp and one outside the main reserve and the duration for the walks in the camp is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, and the duration for walks outside the main reserve is approximately 3 hours covering a distance of 9 – 15 km including a packed breakfast or lunch depending on the time. These nature walks are preferably done early mornings or late in the afternoon when the sun is not too hot. During the nature walks, tourists will experience the closure of the wildlife, a rich diversity of birds, fauna and flora and they are done with experienced guides who often happen to be local Maasai people born and bred in the region.
Cultural walks
This is the most unique safari in Masai mara national park and it is managed by the local community. The Maasai people tribe dominate the reserve and live in harmony with wildlife while practicing their traditional way of tradition. The people living with wildlife has benefited the tourists and the local people who have a wide range of activities especially learning about new people and their culture and this is the most active and lively activity tourists must not miss in Masai Mara where they enjoy dancing stanzas of jumping up and down, learning how to get fresh blood from animals, making local houses with mud, cooking and more activities.
ACCOMMODATION IN MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Masai Mara is surrounded by a variety of accommodation ranging from luxury to budget, with a variety of mobile camping sites, giving tourists a wildlife experience in Masai Mara national reserve.
When choosing accommodation, a tourist may consider a place with better reserve experience for example Masai Mara national reserve’s central region which is busy during the migration season and its lodges and safari hotels cater for large numbers of people.
Below are some of the accommodation facilities in their range name.
Sala’s camp
This camp is seated near the two convergence rivers in the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve, providing the perfect balance between privacy and proximity of wildlife. This beautiful place is a short drive from the iconic river crossings, offering views and luxurious tents designed for both couples and families plus many kids’ activities.
The camp provides guests with unforgettable game viewing experience, dramatic river crossings and exciting predator action.
This camp gives you a chance to listen to the sounds of the African night, a chance to choose to have breakfast n the amidst of the endless plains, with the big five, little five and the ugly five (wildlife).
LUXURY ACCOMMODATON
Angama Safari Camp
The camp is located in the heart of Masai Mara with canvas walls separating tourists from the wilderness, accommodating up to 8 guests in four ensuite tents in Masai Mara, operating seasonally from July t late September.
This location helps you enjoy the comforts back in 21st century camping, having the Mara and year-round abundant wildlife right on your door step.
It consists of two separate and intimate camps, each with its own guest area, inspired by the old-world atmosphere of Nairobi’s famous Muthaiga Club, guests dine, read, relax, and enjoy a drink in a place where indoors and outdoors merge into one. The architecture is filled with drama, with red brickwork inspired by local Maasai dwelling finishes.
Mara plains camp
The Mara Plains camp is located in the private Olare motorogi conservancy with elevated suites offering breathtaking views of the surroundings with notched food and services.
The camp is recommended for couples and photographers however also has wonderful suites for family, offering the extensive traversing area with an access to 4,000 hectares of private conservancy land with a world renowned Masai Mara, the home to the great migration.
Naboisho camp
This is a classic tented camp off the beaten track in Mara, offering activities like; off road driving and fly camping. It is a relax in a sumptuous suite with an outstanding service.
The camp offers 9 beautifully furnished tents based in a private conservancy adjacent to the Masai Mara national reserve, making it one of the best camps for safari in Mara.
MID RANGE ACCOMMODATION.
Mara Nganche camp
The camp is a simple mid-range, comfortably tented and located at the meeting point of Mara and Talek rivers in Masai Mara. It is the best place based for a couple of days if the famous river crossing is on the bucket list. The camp offers the perfect views over the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers overlooking hippo pool with beautiful large animals, and bringing crocodiles close.
Richard’s forest camp
This is a mid-range accommodation located in Ol Choro conservancy in Masai Mara offering an intimate safari experience off the beaten track, with game and resident big cats lurking close by.
The camp consists of some history behind it with Richard and his family brought it up in masa Mara, with an integral part of conservation projects in Kenya today.
Enkorok Mara camp
The camp consists of well-furnished tents providing a cozy escape and the campfire lit evenings creating an enchanting atmosphere. The camp makes sure that your stay is not only memorable but also eco-friendly.
Oloshaiki camp
The lodge is an architectural gen set with in the Masai Mara landscapes. The lodge’s rooms and cottages offer a blend elegancy and comfort. The camp offers easy access to the park’s diverse habitats due to its proximity to the Oloolaimutia gate, ensuring an enriching safari experience.
Mara Leisure Camp
The camp has well appointed tents and cottages that provide a relaxing environment and its located along the Talek river with exceptional wildlife encounters. Explore the wonders of Masai Mara from Mara leisure camp where comfort and adventure converge.
BUDGET ACCOMMODATION
Talek Bush Camp
This is a budget facility offering accommodation to travelers of masa Mara national reserve. It is located 500 meters from hippos just outside the park, making it a fantastic location with an amazing experience offering accommodation through tents and camping sites.
Accommodation is offered in both single, double and tented cottages with a camping site with camping facilities. It offers services like; swimming pool, WIFI free, wheelchair friendly, campfire, camera equipment rental among others.
Oseki Masai Mara camp
It is an excellent facility located about 2.5km from Masai Mara National Reserve. Its name was derived from a sacred Masai tree the Oseki meaning Peace.
The camp offers accommodation through its comfortable rooms namely;
Impala, which has 24 square feet with 2 twin beds and a room for a couple with a child or 3 friends.
Rhino, this is a traditional bush tent with 24 tents containing 1 single and 2 twin beds.
Topee, a traditional and simple bush way consisting of 2 twins thus making it perfect for couples and single tourists.
Zebra, a perfect family room with 1 single, 2 twin beds and 1 extra bed can be arranged.
Mara Chui resort
This is a calm accommodation located in Oloolainatia near Ololaimuteik gate in a 4minute drive and Sekerani reserve headquarters. It is placed in a walkable distance from Masai Mara.
The resort offers accommodation like twin rooms, triple and standard single rooms also having a restaurant with free buffet breakfast, daily housekeeping, WIFI free, gift shop and many more.
RULES IN MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE.
- When to see animals behaving naturally, you should keep a good distance away because any closure than 25 meters constitutes harassment of the animal and of park rules.
- Switch off the radio and explore the park to avoid scaring away the wildlife, and to protect the animals and the eco system, do not exceed the park speed limit of 50kph.
- To watch animals continuing with their normal hunting, feeding and nursing activities, you must lower your voices in order to avoid scaring them and making them move away.
- To get better views, you must use your binoculars rather than risking your guide to drive close to the park which may lead him to being fined or even banned from the park.
- You must not take specimens with you for example; bones, feathers, stones, plants and flowers. They should stay where they are.
- Ensure to allow plenty of time to exit the park and do not drive before 0600hrs or after 1900hrs if you are staying at a lodge or camp inside the park.