Masai Mara National Reserve

June may not be the best time to visit

June, being the time of the year just before the Migration, was not the best time to visit. The grass was very high and smaller big cats like Cheetahs and Leopards were impossible to spot in the grass growth.

Still the bigger wildlife like Wildebeests, Buffaloes, Elephants and Giraffes were almost common without compromising on the 'wild' feel. Lions were quite easy to spot but the Male lions were quite elusive.

Musa is a very knowledgeable n experienced guide who made the safari wonderful.

Ashnil mara is a beautiful property on the mara river n what makes it stand out are its Staff. Attentive, friendly n hardworking! The food selection was also very good n tasty. It was an experience of a life time we saw Wildlife, up close n personal! Our tour guide Musa knew exactly where to go n view the animals. The weather was a lil crazy with it being too hot when the sun was up. N too cold as the sun set. All the people we met from start to finish went the extra mile to make us hav a memorable n wonderful holiday.

Stunning wildebeast migration

During the big migration the Masai Mara turns into a full-blown spectacle: Virtually endless herds of wildebeast make their way to or from the Serengeti. Along with dramatic crossings of the Mara river. Think crocs...

We stayed at Little Governor's Camp. Their 4-star tents are amazing! They left me wondering how 5-star tents would look like... (which we recently tested in Botswana...)

The experience was memorable.

Better than expected

Because I had already seen the Northern part of Tanzania (which was amazing), I didn't think Masai Mara would be just as good. While Tanzania wins it in terms of scenic beauty and variation of landscapes, Masai Mara is equally good when it comes to wildlife. I had amazing sightings - lions (eating), cheetahs, a leopard closeby in a tree, a lot of elephants, hyena, topi, impala, giraffe and many more. I have some beautiful photos of all of them and also some stunning photos of the landscapes. I really loved the long drives on dirtroads standing in the vehicle with the wind and the sun in my face.

The weather was perfect. Not too hot. Not too cold. Only a few short showers in the afternoon. Accommodations were beautiful. Perfect trip altogether.

The view, nature and silence

Masai Mara is a amazing place. Loved the horizons, silence and the variety of wildlife. Never expected it would impress me this much. Been in Kruger before but this is a totally different experience. More endless planes and in it, very easy to spot, birds and animals. Also liked the climate, due to the elevation it was just perfect between 20-24 degrees Celsius.

Countless animals just roam around the savannah. I saw Big Five over and over, as well as a cheetah hunting a gazelle. It's like watching Nat Geo or Discovery Channel live. The sceneries were peaceful and inspiring.

Greatest Wildlife Diversity in a Single Location

Of course I missed the Wildbeast migration, but I didn't miss the stylish giraffe walks and lion-gazelle live hunts that I only see in the National Geographic series. The accomodation, food and transportation was all catered for by my travel company, Helinas Safaris. And the memories with the amazing guides are bound to remain intact for the next century or so.

My experience in the Masai Mara provided me with the greatest opportunities to see big carnivores. The number of these large predators was truly amazing. Additionally, our stay at Richard's Camp provided possibly the most luxurious of accommodations. All of our camps were delightful, but Richard's Camp was a cut above the norm. Gorgeous tents with wildlife literally in your front yard and meals beyond compare. Highly recommended.

Once you land in Mara, you'll get to know why it was rated one of the seven wonders of the modern world. With flat landscapes as far as the eye can see, you'll easily spot lions, cheetah, buffalo, rhinos, elephants and if you're lucky like me, the elusive leopard. Getting to witness a river crossing by zebras and wildebeest is too awesome for words.