Top 13 Travel Tips for a Masai Mara

Top 13 Travel Tips for a Masai Mara Budget Safari in Kenya | Blog | Sojourn Safaris Ltd| Travel Tips

Get Best Masai Mara travel tips before your go. The Masai Mara budget lodge safari packages are offered in the vast Maasai mara game reserve located some 240km southwest of Nairobi in Kenya. Immerse yourself in an intriguing adventure through the most densely populated masai mara game reserve with all sorts of wildlife. The mara is famous for the large numbers of the big five, the ugly five animals and the millions of grazers and apex predators. Nothing prepares you for the thrill of the few days you will have in the mara in terms of viewing animals and seeing the local cultures and friendly guides. The drive to Masai mara by road from Nairobi takes anywhere between 5 to 6 hours but the roads are all tarmacked. Here are 13 things to know before going on a Masai mara budget safari.

Masai Mara, the Top Wildlife Cauldron of the World- Your Budget Safari Climax
Masai Mara the Most Popular Natural Game Viewing Amphitheatre of the World on a Budget
Places to Stay in Masai Mara on budget Shared Package
The Masai People of the Mara – Make a Budget tour to a Masai Village in the Mara
Bird Watching in Masai Mara on Budget or Lodge Safari
What to Wear for Masai Mara
Bugs and Insects in Masai Mara
How Much Is The Tip To Give to Driver Guides in Masai Mara Safari
Where To Change Money To Local Currency
Local Currency To Carry Around For Expenses On Mara Safari
Yellow Fever, Covid 19 and Malaria Prevention on Safari
Visa Application for a Safari to Masai Mara Kenya
Transport

1. Masai Mara, the Top Wildlife Cauldron of the World- Your Budget Safari Climax

The mara is known for its great abundance in wildlife. It is estimated that there are more than 5 million animals in this 1510sqkm area of land. In comparison to the Serengeti, which is 13 times bigger, the Masai mara has way higher density of wildlife per square mile. This means that you are surrounded by wildlife in every direction you look, literary. Staying in a budget tented safari camp in mara means, that wildlife get to roam freely in your camp and you sometime may see a rhino right outside your tent.

The grazers including the elephants, zebras, antelopes, gazelles and buffalos form the vast majority of wildlife in the mara. Their vast numbers ensure that they can support a larger population of big cat predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and jackals. Nowhere in Africa will you see more than 4 prides of lions in a single day other than the mara. The prides are sometimes so large that they have over 20 individuals. The leopards are easier to see and the rhinos though rare are relatively easier to spot with some little effort. An affordable budget safari in Masai mara might present to you over 25 lions and a couple of leopards.

You are more likely to see a lion chase or a cheetah run in Masai mara than you are in the Serengeti, its next-door neighbor in Tanzania. The fact that so many animals are located in a smaller area earns that your game drives are rich in wildlife. In the mara, you will see the big five animals (lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant, rhino) in a single day, guaranteed. The ugly five are also common including the wildebeest, common warthog, spotted hyena, marabou stork and the vulture. You would be so unlucky to end a 3 day Masai mara budget safari without see in the big five animals and others like giraffes, zebras, Thompson gazelles, hippos, hyenas, jackals, topis, waterbucks, grants gazelles, elands, crocodiles, aardvark and many more.

As if that was not enough, add into that mix, the great wildebeest migration where more than 1.5 Million animals move in and out of Tanzania and Kenya in a circular exodus 300 mile loop. This event happens between July and October in Kenya. The migration consists of 1.1million wildebeests forming the majority in the group. They are followed closely by the zebras which number around 250,000 and the rest are gazelles. The great wildebeest migration route is cyclic in a clockwise direction. The wildebeests start the migration starts from Ngorongoro plains shortly after the February breeding season. During the 1-month breeding season, over 250,000 calves are born. These calves are born to run and within an hour can outrun a leopard. The calves have a brown coat as compared to the mother’s grey and black coat. This makes them distinct and very colourful among the green plains of Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Unfortunately, it also attracts the largest party of predators from lions, cheetahs, leopards to hyenas. It is a feeding frenzy before the animals can out run them and head north for the migration. Such wanton killing of young ones might look calamitous, but it is also natures way to keep a balance on the populations of these nature’s lawn mowers of the plains.

The herds move into the Seronera area of Serengeti as they move northeastwards towards Masai mara. By July, they are entering the mara where they will feed and move around for 3-4 months before the large herds return back home to Serengeti.

Any river they cross presents an opportunity to the big cats on the opposite riverbank. They, the predators will sit for days in a welcoming committee waiting for the beasts to cross. The Mara river crossing is your ultimate safari experience when thousands of the wary wildebeests literally pour into the overflowing river with a lot of drama.

On your second day of a 3-day Masai mara budget migration safari, the driver will take you to the mara river crossing to join part of the predators welcoming committee. Here, drama at high noon unfolds right in front of your eyes as thousands of wildebeests push and jostle for the river frontage. For hours, they will bleat neee neee neeh neeh but none will want to take the first jump. Down, below the sharp embankment is a raging flooded Mara river, in the water several small rock islands seem to float in the raging river. But Alas! These are no islands but 18feet long Nile crocodiles ready to snap their jaws on any unlucky soul. Such are the stakes of crossing the mara river that the wildebeests will stand their ground for hours before unwillingly making the jump.

New arrivals at the rear of the herd keep building the pressure on the now almost solid block of grey wildebeest and zebra brawn. They jostle and wriggle at the riverbank until the pressure on the front-runners is too much to bear. It only takes one mad individual to make the leap of faith into the water and the wall of wildebeest bodies is jumping, falling and tripping into the water like a breached dam wall. In their attempt to distract the crocodiles, they will jump 10 feet high into the air to land into the water with a great splash, sometimes on the backs of their friends who then suffer broken limbs and spines….it’s a carnage.

The mara river wildebeest-crossing stampede causes such a melee that the splash on the water is heard from the opposite bank. Thousands and thousands pour into the water and swim as fast as possible to the opposite bank. Crocodiles start to drift along the edges of the swimming wildebeest and zebra’s profile. Some are grabbed and drowned but most make their way across only to be met by the welcoming committee of lions and leopards on the opposite bank. It sure does not pay to be the first arrivals in a wildebeest migration. Many die here but even more survive to come back a year later, sure that their survival on the next exodus will be guaranteed by their sheer numbers…..until it’s your turn to take one for the team…and its curtains! Do not miss the mara river crossing when you go for a 3 days Masai mara shared budget safari whether in a group or solo.

2. Masai Mara the Most Popular Natural Game Viewing Amphitheatre of the World on a Budget

Your Masai mara private or shared budget safari package will take you to the most scenic and even plains ideal for game viewing. The mara is blessed with thousands of kilometers of undulating and unending plains fraught with millions of all types of wildlife. In what resembles the wheat fields of Ukraine, the Masai mara plains extend to the horizon in some light yellow and brown hues. There is little tree cover in most areas of the Masai mara game drive plains which means your game viewing drives are not interrupted by forests.

The gentle and expansive plains of Masai mara are at midday interspersed with the dark shadows of the small clouds. The shadows cast on these yellow plains resemble a leopard’s rosette coat and creates one of the most symbolic artistry of nature. It’s like the plains are declaring to the world what they are known for- wildlife viewing. Absolutely amazing.

From the early azure of the morning sunrise to the midday shadows on the plains and finally the sinking golden sunrays over the horizon at sunset; the Mara’s drama unfolds like a Chinese face fan. The Masai mara plains, wildlife, the sun and clouds act like a punctual cast in a natural theatric performance that unfolds right in front of your eyes daily. The lumbering dark silhouettes of wildebeests, giraffes and elephants against the downing sun at sunset presents you with the final act of this Masai mara daily theatre concert.

But you have to know how to appreciate the big and little things and happenings in the mara to enjoy a wholesome experience. Let your guide while on an affordable Masai mara private lodge safari package; show you the little insects, the fauna, let him explain the inter-play between the weather, the animals and the Masai people that make the mara ecosystem.

Your best bet to experience the best of the Masai mara plains is to do it in the air, and not in a noisy enclosed aircraft. You need to take a hot air balloon flight at dawn to really enjoy the silence, beauty and expanse of the mara plains. Masai mara group balloon safari rides start at 5.00am with a pick up from your lodge to the airstrip. The basket takes 12 pax and you are in the air just before sunrise. Feel the fresh, cool and crispy early morning air in the open hot air balloon. The only noise is the occasional blast of hot gasses and flame into the colourful balloon over your heads.

Every day, the sun reveals some stunning scenic and golden hue raising the curtain to the daily Masai mara concert. One by one you start to see the wildlife below including the majestic giraffes, the multitudes of wildebeests and the cacophony of gazelles. Startled by the silently moving shadow of your balloon, the animals break into a short run and stop to gaze up nonchalantly. Soon you see the whole expanse of the ground below, the millions of animals are now clearly visible as they lazily wake up to their daily routines.

This 1-hour balloon ride is your climax for a Masai mara game viewing experience. On descent, the team has a bush champagne breakfast to warm your insides. The breakfast leaves nothing to your imagination as you get to experience a 3-course meal in the bush. A glass of champagne to celebrate your experience is offered on landing. Later the team takes to an hour of game drive enroute back to your lodge for the rest of the day’s game viewing activities. A hot air balloon ride allows you to see the full expanse of the wildebeest migration herds and the lion prides. You also get a certificate of participation upon landing. It is highly recommended in your Masai mara affordable family lodge safari package or a senior citizen hot air balloon safari. A lot of American family safaris prefer to take the hot air balloon ride safari at the end of their stay in mara.

3. Places to Stay in Masai Mara on budget Shared Package

The mara has many accommodation options that you can choose from depending on your budget. One thing we agree on is that there is no need to break your bank trying to watch the big five animals. Moreover, the Masai mara safari planner has an option for all kinds of budgets from the high end $1,500 a night luxury camps to the budget tented camps for $40 a night and the basic ground camping options. In between these are hundreds of comfortable lodges.

You can contact a Kenyan Masai mara family safari planner in Nairobi directly and they will advice you on which accommodation options are suitable for you. The vast majority of people visiting the Masai mara usually stay in the budget tented camps, which are comfortable but utilitarian. All of these budget tented camps and camping grounds in Masai mara are located right outside the park boundary. There is no fence however and wildlife are free to move in and out of the reserve. Moreover, all game drives are done inside the Masai mara game reserve even for camp guests located outside the park.

The greatest advantage of using a Masai mara budget shared camp is that you get to share the vehicle and tents with total strangers. Meeting new people and making friends is part of these packages and the only sacrifice you make to enjoy a mara safari on a shoestring budget. The tented camps include a general tent equipped with a comfortable bed and clean beddings, you have a hot water shower area and a private WC toilet at the back of the tent. The furniture is basic safari seats and table and you have a balcony to yourself. All of these camps offer simple but fresh buffet meals at their common restaurant and have a bar that stocks the common spirits and beers in Kenya. An example of popular budget tented camps include Mara Sidai budget camp, Mara Manyatta camp, Enkorok Mara camp, Miti Mingi tourist camp, Mara Hippo camp, Rhino Camp, Talek river camp, Lenchada tourist camp, Wajee camp, Acacia camp, Flamingo camp, Simba and Oryx camp, Jambo safari camp among others.

Following the budget tented camps are the safari lodges in Masai mara. Most of the luxury family safari lodges in the park are located right inside the Masai mara game reserve. These lodges tend to be sighted in very scenic areas of either deep acacia forest, high on a cliff with a view or around the mara river bends and curves. These Masai mara safari lodges offer the most comfortable and homely stay for an affordable Masai mara family vacation with young children as they have large grounds. These family friendly mara lodges also feature family rooms with interconnecting doors and dinning and seating rooms. They also offer the most secure family safari lodge environment in Kenyan parks. The children friendly Masai mara family lodges also offer nanny services and animators that will keep your kids occupied at the lodge.

Masai mara family lodges also come with business centers, a health spa and sports bars to cater for Dads and Moms that want to be pampered while on an African safari in Kenya. For the senior citizens, a lot of these lodges have provided for ramps in place of stairs in all common areas as well as support bars in washrooms and wet areas. Most of these lodges also provide free Wi-Fi for you to be able to upload your safari pictures in the evenings. You also get camera and phone charging power sockets on the walls in your room to make sure you never run out of power while on a game drive. The food in these mara safari lodges is A+ with most meals being a buffet catering for all dietary regimens including Vegetarians.

These Masai mara wildlife lodges have an average of between 50 to 100 rooms and this means they are very large and can be crowded at peak seasons. The cost of staying in these lodges ranges from $170 a night to $ 350 per night per person. An example of some of the best family and children friendly lodges in Masai Mara include Mara Serena game lodge, Sarova Mara Game camp, Mara Sopa Lodge, Mara Simba Lodge, Keekorok Mara lodge, Ashnil Mara Camp among others.

The most expensive and luxurious accommodation in Masai mara are the high-end exclusive camps. These are few and located in remote areas within the Masai mara game reserve. These are small camps that offer exclusivity and luxury with the largest of them having only 10-12 units. The idea here is to offer the best luxury to a very few couples or individuals who can dine and wine on a single dining table hosted by the resident managing couple. The tents are located great distances from each other to offer privacy.

The furnishing f these tents is high end with rustic beds and architecture reminiscent of the colonial hunting expedition’s luxuries of the early 20^th century. You will have open showers or open-air bath tubs with a view to a river and the tents are mostly completely open on the front end. When resting in your tent, you feel like you are in the Masai mara entirely alone. They want you to feel like you are all alone, left to enjoy the Masai mara wildlife, nature and views all by yourself but pampered with extreme luxurious furniture, linen, furnishing and ambience. Some even offer you a personal plunge pool or a Jacuzzi right outside your tent frontage. The price you pay for a night in these high-end luxury camps starts from $700 to over $1800 a night. Most of the safaris organized to these high –end luxury camps in Masai mara are mostly 3, 4,5,6,7 day air safaris by scheduled flights or charter.

An example of top end luxury tented camps in Masai mara Kenya include Governors camp, Mahari pazuri, Ollare Kempinski camp, Batelluer camp, Cottars camp 1920 among others.

4. The Masai People of the Mara – Make a Budget Tour to a Masai Village in the Mara

You cannot mention Masai mara safari without mentioning the people that have safe guarded this ecosystem for ages. These are the people that have lived side by side with this wildlife and conserved them for us to enjoy. The Masai people are nomadic pastoralists that depend on cattle for their livelihood. It is the predominant community that surrounds the Masai mara game reserve as well as the Serengeti national park in Tanzania.

Masai people have retained their traditions for ages and they still wear the red colored shawls around their body. They have mastered the art of living in the wilderness and among the most dangerous wildlife peacefully. Traditionally, a Masai warrior was inducted to the adulthood through an initiation ceremony that involved killing of a male lion. Although such practices no longer exist, it does show how brave and War some these community has been over the years. The Masai warriors were among the most feared among old Africa communities. They have retained most of the less injurious traditions, which they still practice to date and are more than happy to share with you in your next visit.

Masai community own and occupy the vast lands that surround Masai mara game reserve. Infact, the land owned by the Masai is many times larger than the actual area of the Mara reserve. Since there are no fences separating the mara and the community lands, the wildlife are free to roam in and out of the park. The Masai lands therefore become dispersal areas for the animals especially in drought seasons. This means that the Masai literally live inside a wildlife area; and that calls for grit.

The community has built settlements called Manyattas and that dot the landscape in their characteristic rounded shapes. The village will usually be fenced with thorny branches of the acacia trees to keep away the lions and other animals at night. Their houses form a circle within the thorny fence and in the middle of the houses is the livestock kraal, which is also surrounded by a thorny fence.

These Masai villages in the mara are open to visitation by tourists that come for game viewing in the park. For a small fee, visitors can come to the villages and learn the traditional Masai culture and traditions. First, to welcome you are Women with their dances and white smiles. The men will show you to do the Ajuma dance, which is some kind of levitational hops, which seem to defy gravity. This jump dance of the Masai and their heavy bass singing is the hallmark of all activities in the village.

They will also teach you how to throw a traditional spear at a target and make fire using just two stick and some dry elephant dung. In some villages, you can even go for a walking safari among the wildlife, although this is offered strictly outside of the park boundaries. Later, you may buy some souvenirs from their village Masai market for some African jewelry, beadwork, carvings and footwear. The mood is merry and fun as you dance and get to learn how they all live among the game with a big smile and warm hearts.

5. Bird Watching in Masai Mara on Budget or Lodge Safari

The mara is home to more than 400 species of birds and has some wetlands, which form Important Bird Areas. Many birders also visit the park for bird watching as opposed to game viewing. The Masai mara game reserve has 3 main habitats that support different types of birds namely the savannah grasslands, the forest areas and the wetland swamps. Each of these areas supports different types of birds with the bigger birds of prey occupying the savannah grasslands.

The fish, frogs and water organisms eating birds are mostly found wading in the swamps or resting up on trees near the wetlands. The African fish eagle is one such bird that waits patiently with its acute vision trained on the water below. On seeing a fish or snake in the water, it will swoop down at tremendous speed and wing control to grab the it off the water and perch on a tree branch for its meal. The herons and hadada and sacred ibises florick the edges of the swamps looking for the frogs and other water insects.

The tawny eagles are large and scout he savannah in search of antelope fawn, hares, snakes and rats to grab. The secretary bird and kori bustards simply walk the plains in their majestic gait looking for snakes to kill and eat…what a diet.

The-bustard-of-mara

In the air making circular motions are the vultures that will circle a carcass and drop to the ground to wait their turn to finish off the remains. The vultures are very patient and will wait on the bit cats and hyenas to finish the meat on bone and they come in in their hundreds to clean off the scene with their sharp curved beaks.

The large ostriches can be seen walking the plains and some with their chicks in tow. They are wonderful to watch and are in plenty throughout the grasslands. The African crested cranes are always in pairs near wetlands as they florick with the bright colors. If you are luck you may form, the audience of a male crested crane doing the dance of his lifetime to woo a female…it doesn’t always end well for the dancer.

Sometimes you will get a blacksmith plover having nested in the middle of the road near a swamp. He makes a lot of noise as you approach as if to alert you that she has her nest right on the road. It will be up to you to respect her right of way and veer off the road to avoid damaging her next.

A small kingfisher is perched on a thorn tree near the swamp with a fish twice its length inside its mouth. You are sure that if it swallows the fish head first, the head is going to come out its rear end before the fish’s tail gets into its mouth…but nature is magical and now you see the fish and next minute you don’t!!!

If you take your time and spend a full day watching birds in Masai mara, you will be amazed at how much you can learn in these plains. You will be astounded at how much you have missed by not giving time to watch the birds and their concert.

As if you haven’t seen enough of birds, you round a corner and you meet this old buffalo male. Nothing is unusual with him as he trots lazily across the plains. All but the fact that there is an ox-pecker bird that is busy building its nest using wet mud, right in the middle of his horns. The buffalo has finally given her the consent to become a tenant on his horns, if that will allow him report to tick picking duty on time. Sort of like taking residency on the company grounds sort of thing. Rent free.

Such is the fun in watching birds in Masai mara in a 3 or 4-day bird watching budget safari itinerary. You will definitely get help from our resident bird guides to identify and tick off over 250 species of birds in the 2 nights birding tour in Mara.

6. What to Wear for Masai Mara Safari

Masai mara game reserve has a large di-annual temperature range. This means that the nights can be extremely cold and the day can be brutally hot. You will therefore need to be prepared either way for the cold and the heat of the day. You can pack some light t-shirts and shorts for the daytime. A straw hat or cap is advisable for the sun when you have to step out of the vehicle. East African sun has high dose of ultra violet rays, which are harmful. Long sleeves and khaki trousers might actually be advisable if you will going for a walking safari to avoid the sun and cuts from grass and sticks.

For the morning game drives carry a shawl or buy one of the Masai shukas/kikoi, they are great for covering yourself by creating a layer of warm air around your body in the dawn game drives. It can be extremely chilly. At night, the lodges provide enough warm beddings but tents can become very cold especially in the July winter in Kenya. Carry some warm fleece jacket that you can wear in the evenings and even sleep in at night. If you wish, you can carry an extra blanket just to be sure especially in the months of June-august.

Your footwear need to be flat soled with good grip for walking. Open shoes are discouraged due to injuries and snakes when you have to walk in the tall grass.

7. Bugs and Insects in Masai Mara

Masai mara is a malaria area and especially during the wet season when mosquitoes are at their breeding time. Yes…it’s the wilderness and bugs and insects are part of the package you will buy into. Most lodges and camps provide you with a mosquito net for your bed but you still need to take care to avoid bites when you are around the camp.

Nairobi supermarkets sell very good pyrethrum based insect repellant in the form of a lotion or spray. So you are able to choose between both. Wearing a short has one advantage in the mara walking safaris in that you can feel as the ticks crawl up your legs. However, at the same time, your legs are exposed to cuts from grass and sticks. A trouser on the other hand protects your legs from cuts but provide the ticks a highway to your upper body.

Let me explain, ticks when fully-grown climb to the tips of grass strands waiting for the next animal to hitch a ride and feed on. If that happens to be you with your trousers, you will be removing ticks from your balls a week after the African safari. Therefore, it’s also advisable to check your Netherlands areas every evening during your shower. Ticks love it there as its warm with lots of blood flow which is their food….suckers!! I once went for a similar walking safari and I removed ticks off my Cajones 2 weeks after the walk…and the only reason you notice they are there is when you start to feel the itch….hahahaha!!

8. How Much Is The Tip To Give to Driver Guides in Masai Mara Safari

Tips are optional and dependent on the service delivered. Having said that, the salaries that these drivers are paid are hardly enough to make ends meet. Moreover, these guys guy over and beyond their call of duty to make sure that you have the greatest time in Masai mara. So it’s only fair to say thanks in the way of a good tip.

The recommended but by no way the maximum tip is $10 – $20 per day per person. So if you are 4 in a car, you can tip anywhere from $40 -$80 every day of the safari for the entire group. However, as I mentioned, tips are discretionary but recommended.

Tips in restaurants are usually standard as anywhere else around the world where its 10% of the value of the food or drinks consumed. Unless of course one is, a celebrity or a ball player and they can try to knock the waiter/waitress unconscious with a shock of a tip….

Having said that, not all standards of service deserve a tip and the decision is entirely yours to make based on the circumstances. You can decide to carry some local cash for the tips to make your work easier.

9. Where To Change Money To Local Currency

There are foreign exchange bureaus right at the airport where you can change dollars to Kshs but the rate is afew shillings less than the ones in the CBD. Therefore, you can ask your driver to take you to a forex exchange bureau for some change before the safari. This will give you some local currency to spend for your local expenses.

The exchange rate changes frequently and sometimes drastically, you can check the current Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) exchange Rates on google. The CBK rates are however estimates of the market rates and may vary by a shilling or 2. It is also fare to mention that rates at hotels are very low and you should avoid changed large amounts of money at your hotel. Your best bet are the foreign exchange bureaus which are everywhere on the streets of Nairobi.

Alternatively, you can get to an ATM and withdrawal money in local currency to spend. This is convenient but again the exchange rates you get are bank rates and they are not known to be very friendly. Your last point where you can access an ATM before going to the Masai mara is the last major town known as Narok Town. Narok is located about 100km from Masai Mara.

10. Local Currency To Carry Around For Expenses On Mara Safari

A safari package mostly includes the major elements like park fees, accommodation, meals and transport to and flo. The meals included are the buffets and rarely are drinks covered in the cost of the tour. This means that you will need extra cash to buy drinks as well as any other souvenirs that might interest you along the way. Please note that the local traders are unable to process card payments, buy can accept both Kenya shillings and us dollars. You are at an advantage if you are buying in Kenya shillings nonetheless.

On average, you can spend anywhere between Kshs 1,000 – Kshs 3,000 if you are entertaining friends. That is about $20 a day. Of course you can use much less than this if you wish. For buying souvenirs, the amount you will need will depend on what type and quantity of items you want to buy. You could budget anywhere between usd 30 – usd 100 per day if you want to do piecemeal purchases. You could opt to buy at the end of your safari on a single location but you would lose the choice of buying cheaply from vendors in rural areas like the local Masai markets in Masai mara area.

11. Yellow Fever, Covid and Malaria Prevention on Safari

Entry to Kenya requires you to have a yellow fever injection at least 2 weeks before date of travel. Kenya is classified as a yellow fever area and you are advised to check with your doctor about vaccination jab. You will be issued with a yellow fever vaccination card, which you will present on entry.

Recommended immunizations before coming to Kenya include the below. By no means do you need all of them:

Malaria
Tetanus
Typhoid
Diptheria
Yellow fever
Cholera

Covid 19 travel restrictions have since been lifted for visitors to Kenya. You therefore do not need Covid vaccine certification prior to travel to Kenya. Precautions on safari like wearing of masks and use of hand sanitizer have also been relaxed since. However, it is best to practice hand hygiene while on safari like frequent watching of hands to avoid other surface borne ailments.

In the case of malaria, you are advised to make sure you start prophylactic or preventive treatment at least 1 week before travel. You should continue with the dosage during travel and a few days after return home. There is a dose given for preventive malaria treatment and your doctor is best suited to give you that advice. In the event that you arrive in Kenya and have not started the treatment, some pharmacists in Nairobi will help you start the right dose.

12. Visa Application for a Safari to Masai Mara Kenya

You will need a tourist visa if you are coming from a country that has not waivered visas with Kenya for their citizens. You can access the full list of which countries that do not need a visa to Kenya from the Kenya immigration website here: https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke/index.php?id=6

Luckily, visa application can now be done online using the government’s portal at https://evisa.go.ke You will need to submit copies of your passport for the application and pay the requisite fee for a tourist visa at $51. (see: https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke/index.php?id=7 )

Make sure to apply at least a week or more before departure to help you with your planning. Visas are processed depending on its urgency. This means that visas whose arrival dates are close will get priority. This means, that if you apply late for your visa, it will also be approved late and close to your travel date, which can cause uncertainty to your travel plans.

13. Transport

There are several airports and airstrips in the major cities and towns in Kenya including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Isiolo. There are also tens of bush airstrips in the national parks, which serve the tourists visiting parks and staying in lodges in Masai mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Tsavo etc. Local or civil air services are extensive with scheduled and chattered services offered from major towns.

There is now a very reliable train service between Nairobi and Mombasa with the Standard Gauge Railway or SGR. The SGR Mombasa train takes 4 hours from Nairobi to Mombasa and is quite prompt. The western end of the railway line to Kisumu and Kampala in Uganda is still work in progress and is frequently ceased until an SGR line is built. Train travel to Mombasa through the SGR is however a lot of fun. Most of the locals use the cheaper economy class for $8 while tourists usually use the first class for $26 a ticket.

The public road transport is by means of privately owned taxis, minibuses and buses that ply the city routes as well as upcountry areas of Kenya. All routes of Kenya are well covered and these taxis can take you to any end of the country. However, make sure to negotiate the prices before boarding the vehicle as prices can be jerked at any time the conductor feels like it.

Get more details on how to book a 3 days Masai mara safari package on whatsapp +254 722 661 827 or email us on info@sojournsafaris.co.ke

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3 Days Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Tsavo & Mt Kenya Joining Budget Safari | Camping Package

Fun-filled 3 days budget camping safari to Kenya’s Mara, amboseli, Samburu, tsavo and mt kenya parks. This 3-days safari includes hiking, game viewing, birdwatching, sightseeing, nature walks, camping and walking safaris…

Explore 3-Day Safari in Kenyan Parks. Kenya offers you exciting 3-day safaris in big five wildlife national parks and game reserves around the country. Some three-day joining safari in Kenya packages that you can including Masai Mara 3 day group joining safari, 3 days Amboseli lodge and camping safari, Samburu 3 days camping safari, Tsavo national park 3 day tour and Aberdare and Mt Kenya three day hiking safaris.

Going for a 3-day safari in Kenya, you need to consider these budget safari options:

3 Day Masai mara game reserve safari
3-Days Amboseli national park safari
3 Days Samburu Game reserve safari
3 Days Tsavo East and west national park safari
3 Days Mt Kenya hiking safari

Here are the most popular 3-day joining budget safaris you can take in Kenya at a budget or in luxury game lodges in some of the most visited national parks for big five wildlife viewing.

1. Visit 3 Days Masai Mara Safari for the Big Five and Migration

If you are looking for the most popular wildlife park in Kenya, then Masai mara is at the very top of game areas. The best time or duration to go to Masai mara is 3 days, you will have at least 1 full day game drive on the second day there. The Masai Mara is the top 3 day safari in Kenya. A short 3-day Masai mara itinerary for you to consider is as below:

Day 1: Nairobi – Masai Mara

Your driver will pick you up from your Nairobi hotel for the 3-day safari to mara. We will drive north westwards through kikuyu highlands, drop into the great rift valley with a 30 minute stop over for the views into the valley.

We arrive in Masai mara in time for check in at our lodge or camp and lunch. After some relaxation in the lodge, we will go on a 2hr game drive in the park at 1600hrs until dusk. This is the best time to see the big five as they step out in the cooler evening weather.

Your driver will drive you back to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Masai Mara Full Day

This is our day to explore all of Masai mara game reserve to see all the animals here. Your second day is a full day game drive with packed lunch. We will drive around the park after a buffet breakfast. We have a target of tracking the great wildebeest migration across the plains and at least see a mara river crossing stampede.

After that we will cross the plains looking for the big five animals including lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos. After a picnic lunch, we have an option of going to visit a Masai village outside the park or to continue with our game drive inside Masai mara game reserve.

In the evening, our game drive driver will driver us back to our lodge or camp for dinner and overnight. You can always spend some time at the campfire sharing stories with new friends.

Day 3: Masai Mara – Nairobi

This is our last day in the Masai mara and we will start early with some bitings and a hot cup of coffee at 0600hrs. We will drive out into the park for a last minute game drive in this morning. We will be looking out for the rare animals we may not have seen earlier. Look out for the leopards, rhinos and wild dogs.

We will drive back to lodge at 0800hrs for a full breakfast and later check out of the lodge or camp by 1000hrs. Our driver will drive us back to Nairobi with an en route lunch at Mai Mahiu or Narok town.

Our 3-day Masai mara safari ends with a drop off in Nairobi at 1600hrs or earlier if you have early flights out of Nairobi.

End of 3 Day Masai mara game reserve safari. You can combine this 3 day camping safari in Kenya with other destinations if you have more days in the country.

2. Explore Amboseli National Park 3 Days Safari in Kenya South

2. 3- Days Amboseli National Park Safari

Your second most popular national park for a 3- day safari in Kenya is the Amboseli 2 – night safari. Amboseli is the 3^rd most popular national park in Kenya in terms of visitation numbers per year. The biggest attractions that will see you going to Amboseli include the Mt Kilimanjaro and the over 1500 wild African elephants found here. 3 Days amboseli national park safari is a great way to also see the masai tribe.

Day 1: Nairobi – Amboseli

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Nairobi at 0800hrs for the drive south westwards to Amboseli national park. We will drive along the Mombasa highway A109 up to Emali with some nice views of wildlife along the way. We turn right at Emali town into oloitoktok road and drive to Erimito gate arriving at your Amboseli lodge by 1200hrs.

After some buffet lunch in our lodge or camp, we will have a siesta until 1600hrs. This is when we will go for our first game drive to see the Mt Kilimanjaro and the hundreds of elephants. There are hundreds of other animals that we will see in our game drive including buffalos, lions, hippos, giraffes, hyenas, baboons, zebras, cheetahs, leopards, gazelles, wildebeests, impalas among others.

We will drive back to our Amboseli lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Amboseli

This is our full day game drive in Amboseli national park. We will start at 0800hrs after a full buffet breakfast at our lodge. Drive into the park for your full day game drive seeing the elephants, lions, and buffalos in the park. Make sure to take a lot of pictures of animals with the Mt Kilimanjaro as your background.

We will go for a picnic lunch at the observation hill and have an elevated view of the whole park from this small hill. You still have an option of going back to your lodge for a buffet lunch which splits your game drive into two instead of the full day option.

You will drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight with some of the best vies of the Kilimanjaro right in the evening from 5.00pm to dusk.

Day 3: Amboseli – Nairobi

The third day is our last day in Amboseli national park safari. We will go for an early game drive in the park on this day before breakfast to try and see the rare animals including leopards and wild dogs. You will be sure to take some of the best pictures this morning.

After the morning game drive, we will drive back to the Amboseli lodge for full breakfast and depart at 1000hrs for Nairobi.

Exit the park with an en route game drive and drive to Nairobi arriving at 1330hrs.

Go for a lunch at the carnivore restaurant before you are dropped off at your Nairobi hotel.

The Amboseli three day tour is probably the second most popular 3 day safari in kenya.

End of 3-day Amboseli national park safari.

3. Discover 3 Days Samburu National Reserve Safari in Northern Kenya

3. 3-Day Samburu National Reserve Safari

Discover the drier wilderness of the Samburu in this 3-day Samburu national reserve safari in some of the most picturesque rangelands in Kenya. Samburu is known as the land of contrasts from the blue mountain ranges to the semiarid grassland and from the yellow dry grass to the ever green riverine forest along river Ewaso Ngiro.

See the wildlife in Samburu which is different from their cousins in the south of the equator. Watch the elephants come to drink water besides your vehicle as you park along the beaches of river Ewaso Ngiro. Don’t forget to take in the picture perfect natural rock sculpturing on the banks of this river as you sip in some wine on one of the river beach sundowner dinners.

Day 1: Nairobi – Samburu

Our drive starts from Nairobi at 0800hrs driving northwards through central Kenya highlands and past Karatina town. You will see Mt Kenya on the right side as you drive towards to Nanyuki. We will have a short stop over at the equator to experience the collioris force demonstration on either side of the northern and southern hemisphere.

We will drop down into the semi-arid northern Kenya arriving at Samburu, Ashnil, Sopa or Serena lodge. Check into your lodge, shower and enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch with majestic views from the restaurant. The sun is hot but an afternoon breeze sooths your senses as you watch the vast landscape from your restaurant wide open windows.

A 1600hrs game drive around the now cooler park will reveal hundreds of animals including lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, gerenuks, Oryx, gravy zebra and the blue necked Somali ostrich. Most of the animals here will amaze you with their different morphologies to their cousins in the south of the equator.

Our driver will drive us back to our lodge for a hot dinner and overnight accommodation at any of the Samburu lodges.

Day 2: Samburu

We will spend the whole day exploring the Samburu game reserve and have some interesting game viewing at the Ewaso Ngiro River. There are hundreds of interesting places and animals to see in Samburu and the river is one of the greatest attractions here. Buffalo springs game reserve next door is full of natural springs that emanate from the white limestone ground.

You can have the option for a picnic lunch or return to the lodge for lunch and siesta depending on how zealous you are to watch the game. We return back to the lodge for our dinner and overnight accommodation after a rewarding game drive in Samburu game reserve.

Day 3: Samburu – Nairobi

We start with an early wake up at 0600hrs followed by some hot coffee and biscuits. Thereafter our driver will drive us to an early game drive to try and catch the elusive animals that we may have missed. Look out for the hyenas, the crocodiles and the wild dogs. A sighting of a leopard in the early morning sun is always a welcome surprise.

You will return to the lodge at 0800hrs for a proper breakfast and thereafter departure at 1000hrs for Nairobi.

We will arrive in Nairobi at 1300hrs for a lunch at the Blue Springs hotel in Thika. Our drop off in Nairobi hotel after the Samburu national reserve 3-day safari is at 1500hrs.

3 day Samburu private safari is the most unique short 2 night safari from Nairobi.

End of 3 days Samburu game reserve safari.

4. Travel to a 3 Day Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park Safari

4. 3- Days Tsavo East West National Park Safari

Tsavo east and west national park are the largest wildlife areas in Kenya. The parks are located mid-way between Nairobi and Mombasa and you can therefore start this 3-day safari from either of these towns. Known for their notoriously aggressive and testosterone pumped lions, Tsavo is also a gem in contrasting landscape and mighty rivers. The Tsavo as they are endearingly referred to, are rich in wildlife and different landscapes to view including mountain ranges, natural springs, volcanic lava flows, plateaus, huge rivers and dams. This is the most popular 3 day safari from Mombasa to Tsavo East and West national park.

Day 1: Mombasa/ Nairobi – Tsavo East

Your driver will pick you from your Nairobi or Mombasa hotel for the drive to the Tsavo east national park. Arrive in time for a sumptuous buffet lunch and great views of the wildlife at the Voi safari lodge. There are hundreds of elephants to see at the watering hole right outside your lodge. The park has red soil and the elephants have a red tinge as well.

Relax for the afternoon with a siesta until 1600 hours in time for an evening game drive. Drive to Aruba dam to see the hundreds of animals here. There are lots of animals you will see here like the lions, elephants, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos, giraffes, zebras and many others to see here. Your driver will drive you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight after the tour.

Day 2: Tsavo East – Tsavo West National Park

Wake up to the singing of birds and watch have some bitings and hot coffee. We will drive for our last game drive here to try and look out for the animals we may have missed so far. Look out for the elusive leopards, wild dogs and the rhinos.

You will drive back to your lodge for a proper breakfast and check out at 10:00am. Drive out of the park and into Tsavo west national park. Check into Ngulia lodge or Serena Kilaguni lodge for lunch. You are free to take a swim in the pool or have a siesta in the afternoon.

We will go for an evening game drive in Tsavo west national park to see the rhino sanctuary, shetani lava flows and the mzima springs. This park is full of exciting landscape views including mountains and rivers.

Return to the lodge by disk for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Tsavo West Nairobi / Mombasa

On this day we will wake up to a sumptuous breakfast followed by a game drive in the park enroute to the gate for exit. You will see the mane less lions of Tsavo and the large herds of red coloured elephants.

Arrive in Mombasa or Nairobi in time for lunch at 1300hrs.

End of 3 days Tsavo east Tsavo west national parks safaris.

5. Go Hiking on a 3 Days Mt Kenya National Park Climbing Safari

5. 3 Days Mt Kenya National Park Hiking Safari

If you are a lover of active tours, then a hiking 3 day safari climbing Mt Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa is up your alley. Mt Kenya peaks are a beautiful scene with the ice capped Batian, Nelion and Lenana tops. Your 3-day Mt Kenya climbing safari can follow the Naro Moru route which has banker beds and camps all along or the scenic route of Chogoria.

Day 1: Nairobi – Mt Kenya

Our driver will pick us up at our hotel at 0800hrs and drive north through the central Kenya highlands. Arrive in Nanyuki town for some food shopping and lunch in a local hotel. You will pick your cook and mountain guide and porters in Nanyuki.

Drive out to Sirimon or Naro Moru route to access the park gates. After the gate formalities, you will drive to the first camp of either Old Moses or met station depending on the route you are using to climb. Check into your camp and set up your lodgings with dinner in the evening. This is a climatisation day at 3300m above sea level.

Day 2: Old Moses to Mckinders camp

On day 2, depart after breakfast for a 9 hour hike to the Mackinders camp, closer to the peaks. You will be able to summit to point Nelion on the morning of the 3^rd day.

Day 3: Summit – Nairobi

At midnight depart for a 5 hour hike to point Lenana summit arriving at dawn to take the awesome pictures with the sunrise.

Later you will descend to the Mackinders camp for lunch and hike further down to old Moses base camp. Your driver will pick you from here for the drive back to Nairobi. Drop off in your Nairobi after end of the Mt Kenya 3-day hiking safari.

End of your 3 days Mt Kenya climbing safari from Nairobi.

There are many other 3 days Kenyan safaris but the above 5 tours are the most popular among three day trips from Nairobi and Mombasa.

Find out more details on 3-day Kenya safaris by sending us a whatsapp message on +254722661827 or email us at info (at) sojournsafaris.co.ke

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How to Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya – Maasai 3 Day Tours | Sojourn Safaris Ltd

Explore Masai Mara game reserve in a 1 day or 3 day budget camping group joining safari from Nairobi. This article will give you tips on what are the best things to do in Masai Mara to get the most of your short safari. A visit to the Masai Mara should be in your bucket list of places to visit before you kick it. Find out what are the must do things in a Masai Mara 3 day camping or lodge safari from a Nairobi.

Top 7 Tips to Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve

If you want to really feel the fun of being in a 3 days Masai Mara safari, then you need to know what are the best things to do while you are there. You can plan to explore the Mara in a private 3 –day Masai Mara budget camping or lodge family safari. You can also arrange with friends to join a masai mara group joining safari from Nairobi and meet new people.

Explore Masai Mara Game reserve Big five animal’s game drive
Track the Wildebeest Migration in summer
Discover the Masai culture with a visit to Masai village
Fly in an air balloon safari with champagne bush breakfast
Go on a guided Walking safari among wildlife in Masai Mara game reserve
Savor a bush dinner by the bonfire
Watch most beautiful African sunsets

These are a few of the many activities you can do in Masai Mara on your 3 days safari from Nairobi. The conservancies outside the park allow more activities like night game driving and walking safaris. The game reserve does not allow such activities inside the park but you can make arrangements with your driver to book such outside of the park.

1. Explore Masai Mara Game Reserve with Big Five Game Drives

Masai Mara game reserve big five game drives are the main activities for your 3 day safari in Mara. The game drives are arranged such that you have the first one at 0630 in the morning and a second one at 1600hrs. These timings are meant to correspond with hours when the sun is not too hot as the animals hide away from the day’s heat. Doing a game drive at 1200 is fruitless as most of the animals tend to take cover under the trees. Your Masai Mara game drives target to show you the big five animals which include the elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalos. These are the most sought after animals in each game drive. The rhino and the leopards are the hardest to see although you are guaranteed to see them in a 3 day tour of Masai Mara. Of course, there are other types of animals in Masai Mara to see besides the big five. The grazers are the majority and Masai Mara has an estimated population of more than 3 million animals.

2. Track the Mara Wildebeest Migration in Summer (July – November)

2. Track the Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration

One event that has made Masai Mara to be voted as the new 7 wonders f the world is the great wildebeest migration. In this single event that takes place once a year, over 1.5million wildebeests move across 3,000km, crossing 2 countries in search of pasture. The wildebeest migration is so huge that it can be seen from space as a moving black mass. The migration takes a clock wise motion from Serengeti and Ngorongoro plains into north western part of the Masai Mara and returns back to Serengeti after 3 months in Masai Mara. This event is witnessed by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. The single most significant event of the whole migration is the Mara river crossing where hordes of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles have to cross the flooded river. The crocodiles in the water grab several thousands of the wildebeests, while the stampede and drowning claims their toll on the population too. Over 10,000 wildebeests lose their life in a single migration river crossing but that never stops them from doing it over a year later. Their security is in their numbers.

3. Discover the Masai Culture in a Masai Village

It is recommended that you don’t finish your Masai Mara safari without visiting a Masai village to see how the Masai tribesmen live. The Masai people are among the few tribes that have refused to abandon their culture even in the midst of 21^st century technological and social changes. A Masai village tour is usually arranged for the afternoon of the second day in Masai Mara. You will visit the Masai village and witness firsthand how they live amongst t the wildlife like lions and elephants. The Masai homestead will welcome you with dances and smiles. You will be ushered into one of their houses where they stay together with the children. The Masai village guided tour will educate you on how the Masai went to war, how they go through their rites of passage, how they marry, how they raise cattle among many other cultural norms. You will learn how to throw a spear, how to make fire from sticks and elephant dung and how to dance the jumping dance. You can also support these families that have had to sacrifice their land for the conservation of wildlife, by buying some of their curios and trinkets at the Masai market in the village.

4. Fly In a Hot Air Balloon Safari and Have Champagne Breakfast at Dawn

4. Fly in a Hot Air Balloon in Masai Mara

One of the unmissable activities of the Masai Mara is to go on a hot air balloon at dawn. On the second day, you may opt to buy a hot air balloon game drive and enjoy watching the wildebeest migration from the air. Your driver will pick you up at 0500 and drive you to the hot air balloon airstrip. The captain bundles you in the balloon basket which takes 12 people and they start pumping the hot air into the enormous balloon. Slightly before dawn, the tethers are released and you gradually start to gain height as the balloon takes to the air. It is still dark but once airborne; the sunrise will come up in one of the most spectacular views across the African savannah. After watching the sunset airborne, you start to concentrate your attention to the millions of wildebeest and other animals below you. Some are startled by the looming balloon shadow as it approaches them while others just gaze up to you. After an hour of one of the most spectacular balloon game flights, you will land in a designated area and breakfast will be already set for you among the grass. You will be treated to one of the freshest bush breakfast on landing and some champagne. A certificate of flight is issued and you go along for an hour of game drive in the plains before you are driven back to your lodge or camp. Though the price tag at almost $500 is pricey, it is well worth the once in a lifetime experience to be above all that wildlife in the Mara; not to mention the amazing sunrise and champagne.

5. Go On a Mara Guided Walking Safari among the Wildlife

Walking safaris in Masai Mara 3 day tour are mostly offered by conservancies around the game reserve. The Masai Mara game reserve does not allow walking safaris inside the park for visitor security reasons. However, the community conservancies around the park offer these guided walking safaris where you walk in the grass and view the wildlife at closer range than when in a vehicle. These are experienced masai guides who understand animal behavior and can predict when its unsafe to approach any animal. Similarly, they have acute vision and are able to avert danger even before you yourself have seen it. Its noteworthy to remember that the masai people live within these wildlife areas and have to fetch water, firewood and walk to shopping centres among the wildlife. So the Masai make for excellent walking safari guides in the Mara. In some lodges, walking safaris are offered with the escort of an armed ranger carrying a shotgun just in case of rouge animals. Walking safaris are a great way to experience nature on foot and feel the air around you. You will be amazed at how far these Masai guides can see wildlife and point them out for you.

6. Enjoy a Masai Mara Bush Dinner over a Bonfire

Savor the privacy of a bush dinner set on a table in the grass close to your lodge. The lodge or camp offer special couple dinners for special occasions or on request. You will be able to have the best quiet romantic dinner in the moonlight and below the stars as the waiter serves you the different courses of the meal and keeps watch from an ear shot position. The setting could not be more magical as you pop the champagne and enjoy a quiet dinner in the bush amongst the wilderness. These moonlight diners are very popular with honeymooners and they are to die for. You can make local arrangements with your tour operator or order on last minute from the hotel or lodge at an extra fee. The bush diners are mostly restricted to adult couples and usually the policy does not allow children in such diners.

7. Watch the Mara Magical African Sunsets from your Room Verandah

Masai Mara is known for the most romantic golden sunsets as the sun falls beyond the horizon casting a golden colour across the expansive savannah plains. You will be enthused by the wildlife silhouettes at dusk as their dark bodies are cast against a dimming sun to produce one of the most abstract yet readable pictures. From the silhouettes, you can tell the name and type of each of the wildlife and such pictures speak a thousand words about your ultimate experience in the wilderness of Masai Mara. From sunrise to sunset, each of your Masai Mara experience is a first. Not a single minute is like the other in Masai Mara in regards to wildlife and sceneries. It’s just magically dynamic.

These are afew of the things to do in a 3-day Masai Mara camping or lodge safari. You can enquire more on any specific activity that you would like to do in your own holiday and get it tailored for you.

Book your trip and explore 3-day Masai Mara game reserve experience; whatsapp Robert on +254722661827 or email us here: info@sojournsafaris.co.ke

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How to Plan a Masai Mara 3 Day Budget Camping Safari | Maasai Mara Group Joining Trip

Explore Masai Mara on a 3 day budget camping safari from Nairobi and see the big five animals. This article helps you to plan and find the low cost camping sites and best activities to do in the Mara on a 2-night stay.

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3 days masai mara joining safari