Masai Mara National Reserve

An unforgettable experience I wish I could repeat.

I miss the sounds of the zebras. They often could be heard yip-yapping in the distance, especially in the morning and the evening.
When Africa is number one on your bucket list, where do you go next? I was beyond lucky to be able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime journey, but please, oh please I don't get to do something this amazing just once.
I tried to be present in every moment, to enjoy every day, and sometimes put the camera down and just watch. There was one moment, while closely viewing a pride of lions, three ladies decided to walk toward our vehicle, each getting closer than the last until the final lionness walked right beside the vehicle staring at each one of us before disappearing behind the rear of our open jeep. Indescribable.
One of the great disadvantages of time is that it keeps marching on, and once that time has passed it cannot be repeated. Sometimes an experience is so perfect all you'd like to do is just repeat it.
The air was warmer than I thought it would be in November, and after a nice long day it was so refreshing to jump into the cool infinity pool near the edge of the fence, and watch the rhinos and wildebeest that lived beyond it.
The people were kind and eager to share their lives with us. I remember moments like our safari walk with James, watching the Maasai dancers, and learning so much from our loyal and informative guides. Some experiences with the Maasai people are so magical I will keep them just for myself.
The food was delicious, so many tastes and smells, of ginger and curry, and bright vegetables. You might ask if they use organic food - of course they do, but they just call it food. If you are not a soup person, don't let that stop you - Kenyans know how to make a great soup.
To be able to finish this trip with a hot air balloon at sunrise was definitely the icing on the cake, to see the lions from above, and the elephants and giraffe. Photos don't do it justice. The hot air from the balloon burner on your neck, the sun in your face, the wind in your hair - floating over the Masai Mara without feeling like you're moving at all.
Please tell me I don't get to do something this amazing just once.
Africa, you are my favorite.

A vast landscape with piles of bones a reminder of the circle of life. We followed vultures to a kill and eventually to the cheetah mother who took down the wildebeest for her cubs. Warthogs were comic relief. Lazy hippos and crocodiles in the river, a tawny eagle near our picnic spot. And yes, lions. A bit too many vans, some get too close to the wildlife for their comfort or ours.

I don't have to say much about Masai Mara. It is the perfect safari experience and is good in all aspects. Spend as much time as possible here. Preferably end your safari trip in Masai Mara. Stay in a resort that in inside the gate of the park.

Do i say why? This is the place every wildlife enthusiast has to visit.

Ol Seki in Mara Naboisho
This was the last part of our Safari. The accommodation is very upmarket, in robust tents, embedded in the middle of the wilderness. It is a 10 min drive from the airstrip, and it is located in the heart of the Naboisho conservancy.
Run by a British Manager, this place is spotless, clean, very well looked after and the Manager (Melinda) looks after all guest very well. There are 6 tents, and all guests meet for breakfast, lunch and Dinner, depending on the safari arrangements, but if preferred the meals can be brought to the individual tents. Whilst we were here, all other guests were British and all were on honeymoon. This may alienate guests from other countries. There is electricity all day and decent Wifi to upload images. There is excellent hot shower (with extra boost in the evening).
Wildlife is excellent, we sighted a cheetah with a fresh kill, crocodiles, of course lions, giraffes and elephants and all the wildebeests, impalas, and gazelles. We had a one-day excursion to Masai Mara, which was to watch the large migrations, mainly zebras and wildebeest. David our driver was very experienced, and had lots of stories to tell. He knew the spots for photography and made stops when requested.
Overall this place was best for luxury, great food and service, great for wildlife, but less impressive for scenery than Meru.
Note, the masai mara has much less of a bush vibe than the Naboisho conservancy, where our lodge was. We made a day trip to the actual masai mara, which was full of minibuses, loaded with tourists and there was no feeling of solitude. The three stars for the bush vibe relate to that park, The Naboisho conservancy instead gets four stars for bush vibe!

Perfect safari destination with exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. The vastness of the area meant that we rarely saw other safari vehicles. If we went back, we would definitely stay there for at least three nights to make the most of the wildlife viewing opportunities.

The Masai Mara was the highlight of the Kenyan portion of our safari. The wildlife was unparalleled, from lions, cheetah, leopards, zebras, elephants, hippos, rhinos, impalas, gazelles, wildebeest, an amazing variety of birds, and several other animals. The scenery was breathtaking, and we never tired of driving through the park taking in all of the amazing animals and locations. We also visited a Masai village, and that was remarkable. We stayed at the Mara Leisure Camp, and that was very nice as well - the "tents" were amazing - yes they were canvas tents, but the size of the rooms and bathrooms rivaled any lodge we stayed in during our trip. The food was very good. I highly recommend it.

An experience spoilt in one day.

Our visit to the Masai Mara was spoilt in one day by a visit to Observation Hill. Was a disgusting scene to behold. The area is used a toilet stop except that there are no toilets. Hundreds of people a day use this area as a viewing point and a makeshift toilet. As the only stop for the day, one had no option. I am told the female area was particularly disgusting. The area is a disgrace to the National Park system and to the Kenyan Government. Were does all the money collected as park fees go. One wonders.

great national park with abundant wildlife and beautiful sceneries

Masai Mara is a must-see for its unrivaled scenic beauty and incredible abundance of wildlife. This park is a marvel of our planet. I hope with all of my heart that poaching and the demand for poaching will be eliminated and that the Masai people can continue to lead their traditional lifestyle while not having a negative impact on their wild animal co-inhabitants.