Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara was where we witnessed the great wildebeest migration, complete with crocodiles, lions, and vultures. As the trip progressed, our accommodations got progressively more "bush", with the last being tents with no fences, no electricity, and Massai guards. An amazing, awesome experience.

Wild...

We went to Kenya for our honeymoon.
We had the chance to get a great guide and driver who took the time to let us look at Nature's beauties. He gave us a lot of explanations about the country, the animals, the people. The guy was pretty interesting.
We first stop at Lake Nakuru. We had the chance to see 2 000 000 pink flamingos. Amazing scene. The lodge was good, the food aswell but there were many many many mosquitos out there. Take some cream with you.
Then, we went in Masaaï Mara for 3 days. AWESOME!!! We've seen 4 of the 5 fives. The Leopard's pretty hard to see. We didn't have that chance. But we've seen some stuff we will never forget. What you see in reality is far better than what you see on TV.
It's hard to describe a trip like that. If you like wildlife, don't hesitate a second.

I would do it again

Wildlife, scenery, weather, accommodations, food, transport, our guide - all amazing. The guides knew where all the animals like to hang out. I was only here for 4 days, so I only saw a small portion of this reserve, and I would love to go back and spend more time on my own. I worry about the noise and pollution impact of so many diesel engines, the high number of tourists in the area, the seemingly high number of dirt roads, and water consumption due to tourism in a savanna setting that seems quite arid. The hotel we stayed at was very well maintained, the staff were wonderful, and the food was tasty. I loved the architecture, and thought it contributed to the "bush feel". I appreciated the commitment to electricity conservation and the fact that solar water heating was used. It was unfortunate that our drives happened in the mid-day when lighting is not very conducive to photography. I generally do not like being on organized tours - I prefer the freedom that going alone provides - but it was worth it to have a guide here since I wasn't well educated about the wildlife and it was my first time to Africa. I hope to visit this reserve again, as well as others in the region, and would like to do a walking safari. Our group's focus was on The Big Five and other large mammals so I didn't feel comfortable rating birding. I did see a number of pretty cool birds just by chance! Four days wasn't enough...I want to spend 4 months out here!

Handshake with the animal kingdom!

We visited Masai Mara National Reserve in November 2011 which is considered to be a rainy season there. And rainy it was! As soon as we checked in to Sentrim Mara Lodge, it started pouring. For a moment we felt that the game drive we had been dreaming of had been drained away, but soon the weather started to ease off. The heavily clouded atmosphere added a breathtaking spectacle in the overall atmosphere.

Masai Mara presented an uninterrupted expanse of grass and trees which is really a treat to watch. Roaming around in the wilderness with the animals is something which is beyond expression. It like being a candid observer of a wildlife routine!

We also took the Hot Air Balloon Safari, without which I feel the safari experience is half-done!

The safari is absolutely safe and the precautionary procedures are well observed. The lodges range from extraordinary to very disappointing depending on what you pay for. Our experience of Sentrim Mara Lodge was really an exciting one.

Masai Mara is famous for the Wildebeest and Zebra migration to Tanzania around Mara River. We were not expecting to observe this natural wonder in November, but we were extremely lucky that we were able to see the famous uninterrupted chain of wildebeest migrating in November, and that was something which has left deep memories to me and my family.

An experience not to be missed

The Masai Mara is not just a feeding ground along the great migration, it's a scene taken from the pages of earth's majestic hot spots. Not only does the beautiful scenery go on forever making you see--maybe for the first time--just how big and wonderful our planet is, but you also get to be part of the animal kingdom in ways you've never imagined. As our driver turned a corner here and there another species of animal, bird, reptile, and plant came into view. A pride of lions nursing their cubs, giraffes eating from tall acacia trees, elephants on their way to the water, a cheetah getting up from a nap and walking so close to our jeep I could touch him, wildebeest as far as the eye can see--some battling for supremacy, hyenas snatching a leg from a carcass where vultures were having a last snack...so much and so wonderful. The hippos and crocs, and birds and lizards, and warthogs and monkeys were all so entertaining as well. If you don't know God yet, you'll get pretty close to Him on the Mara.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In October, there were very few animals around. Migration had already ended. However, the amount of lions we saw was very big, and we had the opportunity to watch how they behaved. The fact than migration wasn't on, reduced the number of vehicles around and we could see some lions and other animals alone.