Masai Mara Safari in Kenya

Masai Mara safari tour and safaris in Kenya
The Masai Mara (aka Maasai Mara) is a large park reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania. Named for the Maasai people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River which divides it, it is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest every July and August, a migration so immense it is called the Great Migration.

Geography
With an area of 1510 km² the Masai Mara is not the largest game park in Kenya, but it is probably the most famous. The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley that extends from the Mediterranean Sea to South Africa. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, with clusters of the distinctive acacia tree in the south-east region. The western border is the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment of the Rift Valley, and wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good and tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224 km from Nairobi, and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists.

Masai Mara Wildlife
The Masai Mara is perhaps most famous for its lions. All other members of the "Big Five" are to be found in the Masai Mara, although the population of black rhinoceros is severely threatened, with a population of only 37 recorded in 2000. Hippopotami are found in large groups in the Masai Mara and Talek Rivers. Cheetah are also to be found, although their numbers are also threatened, chiefly due to tourist disruption of their day-time hunting. As mentioned above, the plains between the Mara river and the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular regarding lion and cheetah.

Like in the Serengeti, the wildebeest are the dominant inhabitant of the Masai Mara, and their numbers are estimated in the millions. Around July of each year these ungainly animals migrate in a vast ensemble north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh pasture, and return to the south around October. The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving an immensity of hervibores: some 1,300,000 Wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson's Gazelle, and 191,000 Zebra. These numerous migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by a block of hungry predators, most notably lions and hyena.

Numerous other antelope can be found, including Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, impala, topi and Coke's hartebeest. Large herds of zebra are found through the reserve. The plains are also home to the distinctive Masai giraffe as well as the common giraffe. The large Roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely present elsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders. The Masai Mara is a major research centre for the spotted hyena. Additionally, over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park, including vulture, marabou, secretary bird, hornbill, crowned crane, ostrich, long-crested eagle, and pygmy falcon.  

A typical safaris in Kenya to Masai Mara safari tour and holidays as offered may be as follows:

3 Days Maasai Mara Lodge Safari tour

Day 1: Nairobi - Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Distance: 285 kms (5 hrs) Morning drive into the Masai Mara with its amazing concentration of wildlife and outstanding scenery. Lunch at the lodge Afternoon game drive. Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge, L,D.
 
Day 2: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Morning and afternoon game drives in the finest game sanctuary in Kenya, noted for its lions and other wildlife. Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge, B, L,D.
 
Optional Visit to a local Maasai village at a cost of $25 per person or hot air balloon ride at US$ 450 per person may be undertaken on this day
 
Day 3: Maasai Mara - Nairobi
Early morning game viewing drive. After breakfast drive back to Nairobi to arrive at approximately 1.30pm, B
 
Tour cost: US$ 800 per person sharing. Single room supplement: US$ 155
 
Tour Cost Includes:
-Guarantee price/guarantee safari on confirmation
-All ground transport whilst on safari in a comfortable safari minibus equipped for game viewing, photography and touring
-Full board accommodation whilst on safari and meal plan as described, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodation in double/triple room
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
-All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
-Bottled water whilst on safari
-Start and end in Nairobi.
-Personalised service

Tour Cost excludes:
-Tips
-Laundry
-Beverages/Drinks
-International flights
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature
-Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary

You may want to take this trip to Masai Mara safari tour. If you wish you, please contact African Sermon Safaris in Kenya and also for other offers like Masai Mara safari tour and Kenya safari holiday to see wildlife in Kenya

Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro - Climbing in Kenya and Tanzania

Climb Mt Kenya safaris in Kenya - Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania:
Kenya is located in the eastern part of Africa. It has an area of about 150,000 square kilometers. It is a very popular tourist destination and also a hotspot for climbing and hiking. In the central highlands a couple of hundred kilometers north of the equator lays Mt.Kenya. It is here, where the Kikuyu god 'ngai' resides. It is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa. It is one of the few places near the equator on Africa with permanent glaciers. The name of the country has been known to have been derived from climbing Mt.Kenya which was formerly known as Mount Kirinyaga.

The mountain is located 180 kilometers north of Nairobi and it can often be seen from high-rise buildings in Nairobi and from Thika. It is an extinct volcano, which formed a couple of million years ago. The mountain is located in the Mount Kenya National Park, which is a designated protected area around the mountain above 3200m altitude. The Kenya Wildlife Service manages the park. The national park covers an area of 700 square kilometers and was established in 1949.

Kenya enjoys an equatorial climate with average annual temperatures of about 26C and diurnal temperatures of about 3C. There are two rainy seasons on the mountain from April-June and October-December. The mountain is an important water catchment area and many rivers such as the Naro Moru emerge from the melting glaciers.

The first documented ascent of the mountain was by Halford Mackinders. At the moment the mountain attracts several thousand climbers both local and international annually. It is this popularity, which has contributed to the deterioration of the environment and the litter accumulation.  

At the base and around this mountain are famous hotels such as the Mount Kenya Safari Club, Outspan Hotel, Naro Moru River Lodge, Treetops Lodge, Mountain Lodge, Aberdare Country Club, Bantu Lodge and several others. Tourists who do not wish to climb often visit the hotels for the view, luxury accommodation, fresh air and the tranquil atmosphere.

Compared to climbing Mt. Kenya Africa’s highest mountain Kilimanjaro is a relatively easy climb and the main summit of Uhuru peak (5895m) can be reached by most climbers. The mountain, though the highest is relatively a boring climb with not much scenery or change in landscape. The origin of the name Kilimanjaro still remains a mystery and is thought mean a great hill in Kiswahili. It is also thought that Mount Kilimanjaro once belonged to Kenya up until the division of the British empire in east Africa when the Queen of England altered the border of the two nations to accommodate the mountain onto Tanzania. After that local history has it that the presidents of the two nations agreed on a trade; Mount Kilimanjaro will be part of Kenya if Kenya hand over Mombasa to Tanzania which did not happen as Kenya would loose a strategic port and its second largest city.

Though Kilimanjaro is relatively dry and can be climbed all year round the main dry climbing season begins from January-February and June-September. For climbers with limited time one can easily fly to Kilimanjaro International airport from either Nairobi or Dar es salaam and stay overnight in Moshi or Arusha town.

The Mount Kenya Clean Up Mission 1998 was formed in May 1998. It was an idea based on previous attempts by the community to clean the mountain.

Masai Mara Safari, Kenya: Masai Mara, Safari trips to Masai Mara

THE MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE:
The Masai Mara is one of the best known and most popular reserves in the whole of Africa. At times and in certain places it can get a little overrun with tourist minibuses, but there is something so special about it that it tempts you back time and again.

Seasoned safari travellers, travel writers, documentary makers and researchers often admit that the Masai Mara is one of their favourite places. So why is that? Perhaps it is because of the 'big skies', the open savannahs, the romance of films like 'Out of Africa' and certainly because of the annual wildebeest migration during Masai Mara safari tour holiday and wildlife safaris in Kenya, the density of game, the variety of birdlife and the chance of a hot air balloon ride.

Also because of the tall red-robed Masai people whose lifestyle is completely at odds with western practices, and from whom one learns to question certain western values.

A combination of all these things plus something to do with the spirit of the place - which is hard to put into words - is what attracts people to the Mara over and over.

The Masai Mara lies in the Great Rift Valley, which is a fault line some 3,500 miles (5,600km) long, from Ethiopia's Red Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and into Mozambique. Here the valley is wide and a towering escarpment can be seen in the hazy distance. Most of the game viewing activities occur on the valley floor, but some lodges conduct walking tours outside the park boundaries in the hills of the Oloololo Escarpment. The animals are also at liberty to move outside the park into huge areas known as 'dispersal areas'. There can be as much wildlife roaming outside the park as inside. Many Masai villages are located in the 'dispersal areas' and they have, over centuries, developed a synergetic relationship with the wildlife.

There are four main types of topography in the Mara: Ngama Hills to the east with sandy soil and leafy bushes liked by black rhino; Oloololo Escarpment forming the western boundary and rising to a magnificent plateau; Mara Triangle bordering the Mara River with lush grassland and acacia woodlands supporting masses of game especially Masai Mara safari tour in annual migrating wildebeest; Central Plains forming the largest part of the reserve, with scattered bushes and boulders on rolling grasslands favoured by the plains game.

ANIMALS & BIRDS
In a short stay during the wildebeest migration you could see thousands of animals, at other times there are still hundreds. The plains are full of wildebeest, zebra, impala, topi, giraffe, Thomson's gazelle. Also regularly seen are leopards, lions, hyenas, cheetah, jackal and bat-eared foxes. Black rhino are a little shy and hard to spot but are often seen at a distance.

Hippos are abundant in the Mara River as are very large Nile crocodiles, who lay in wait for a meal as the wildebeest cross on their annual quest to find new pastures.
Cheetah on 4x4 vehicle.

Every July (or sometimes August), the wildebeest travel over 600 miles (960km) from Tanzania's Serengeti plains, northwards to the Masai Mara and the Mara River is the final obstacle. In October or November, once they have feasted and the grass has all but gone, they turn around and go back the other way.

The Mara birds come in every size and colour including common but beautiful ones like the lilac breasted roller and plenty of large species like eagles, vultures and storks. There are 53 different birds of prey.

Altitude is 4,875-7,052 feet (1,500-2,170 metres) above sea level, which yields a climate somewhat milder and damper than other regions. The daytime rarely exceeds 85°F (30°C) during the day and hardly ever drops below 60°F (15°C) at night.

-Rainy Season: It rains in April and May and again November and this can cause some areas of the Mara to be inaccessible due to the sticky 'black cotton' mud.
-Dry Season: July to October is dry and the grass is long and lush after the rains. This is a good time to come and see the huge herds of migratory herbivores.
-Hottest time: The warmest time of year is December and January.
-Coldest Time: June and July are the coldest months.

MASAI MARA SPECIALITIES
· Wildebeest Migration
. Wildebeest Migration River Crossing.
· Hot Air Ballooning
· Huge savannahs of golden grasslands
· Big skies
· Rift Valley escarpment
· Lion sightings

FACTS:
.This is a malarial area
.The reserve covers an area of 1,510 km²
.There is no night driving and vehicles must be back at the lodge by 6pm.
.Several lodges are located outside the park's boundaries, but as there are few fences you may not be aware of this.
.This is a Reserve rather than a National Park and it belongs to the Masai people.

Check for more African safaris in Kenya safari offers to include safaris in Kenya and safari tours in Masai Mara and Kenya safari holidays.

Kenya safari - Travel warning against Kenya relaxed on March 21, 2008

US State Department has relaxed travel warning against Kenya owing to the rescinding cases of violence and security. Kenya tourism industry has dramatically welcomed the move to help the ailing sector. Americans can now travel to Kenya especially with the migration season in July. Canadian government also reviewed travel warning a few days earlier. Come visit Kenya to see its magical beauty in terms of culture, wildlife, scenery, white sparkling beaches, Mount Kenya and many more. See safaris in Kenya trips available

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Maasai Mara migration safaris & Serengeti Wildebeest migration Safaris

This July to October, enjoy Masai Mara wildebeest migration safari with African Sermon Safaris for Kenya safari holiday and Masai Mara safari tours. View wildebeests as they cross the Mara River and crocodiles/predators feasting on them. Stay in one of the many magical lodges located in the migration path. More details can be found with your professional safaris in Kenya outfitter and Masai Mara safari tour operator

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Mount Kenya Climbing: Trekking & hiking in Kenya

Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain at 5,199m and the highest of all Kenya Mountains. Mount Kenya is roughly circular, about 60km across at the 200mm contour, where the steep font hills rise out of the gentler slopes of the centered highlands arrange safaris in Kenya to include climbing Mt Kenya trek and hiking adventure experience

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Hot air balloon safari ride in Masai Mara & Serengeti

Masai Mara hot air balloon ride is probably the most beautiful balloon flight in the world and the ultimate African safari experience. This can be arranged in during safaris in Kenya (Masai Mara and Great Rift Valley) and Tanzania in Central Serengeti. At dawn we take off, rising as the sun rises and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take you. Further details can be seen with hot air balloon ride in Masai Mara safari tour during safaris in Kenya safari tour.

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Kenya family tour & Kenya family safari vacations

ASS 901: 9 Days Kenya Family Safari in Kenya
Whilst adults enjoy the many hours driving through the open African savannah plains in quest of the many species of fauna and flora, we recognize that young children tire easily and become bored on 2-3 hours of game viewing in the confines of a safari vehicle. This safari is specially designed for families with children aged 4-16 years. It includes a dedicated full-time children educational and entertainment programmes, ‘Adventurer Club’.

The Adventurer’s Club's ultimate mission is to give young visitors a valuable lesson in the vitality and fragility of the African Wilderness, and to teach natural appreciation for life. The range of subject matter is as diverse as it is fascinating – from mammal habits and habitats, to the migration of birds and butterflies, the use of medicinal plants to environmental quizzes and treasure hunts, traditional dances, games and handicrafts.

Day 1: Nairobi
Arrive Nairobi airport, met and assisted. Transfer to The Norfolk Hotel for an overnight rest.

Day 2: Mount Kenya
Drive to Mount Kenya for an overnight rest at Serena Mountain Lodge. This afternoon enjoy a guided nature walk on Africa's second highest mountain on this family holiday. Dinner and overnight floodlit game viewing from the lodge's balcony, Mountain Lodge Serena. B,L,D

Day 3 and 4: Samburu Game Reserve
Drive to Samburu Game Reserve for game viewing and the children’s first experience of the Adventurer’s Club. Meals and overnight Samburu Intrepids Club. B,L,D

Day 5: Sweetwaters
Drive to Sweetwaters, a 24,000 acre private game reserve with magnificent views across the plains to the twin snow capped peaks of Mt. Kenya. Activities are game viewing drives, a visit to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and to see Morani, the tame rhino. Meals and overnight Sweetwaters Tented Camp. B,L,D

Day 6: Great Rift Valley
Drive to Lake Naivasha for lunch and afternoon boat trip to Crescent Island. Dinner and overnight Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge/Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge/Lake Naivasha Country Club. B,L,D

Day 7 and 8: Masai Mara
After early breakfast depart for Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and flight over the Rift Valley to the Masai Mara game reserve for game viewing and the children's Adventurer’s Club. Meals and overnight Mara Intrepids Club. B,L,D

Day 9: Depart
After breakfast, return flight back to Nairobi for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant. Afternoon visit to Giraffe Centre where children can hand feed giraffes. Proceed to Karen Blixen Museum and later transfer to the airport for departure from Kenya. B,L

This safari may be extended to a beach resort in Mombasa Island or Zanzibar, please enquire more at the time of booking.

More details and information regarding family safaris in Kenya, please contact African Sermon Safaris for professional Kenya safari holiday and Masai Mara safari tour advise.