13.00 Arrive in the Maasai Mara
After our journey this morning through the lake region of the Great Rift Valley we arrive in the Maasai Mara for a wildlife experience that is near impossible to rival. We will be spending 2 nights at the Sarova Mara camp in tented accommodation, raised above the rolling plains and situated in the centre of the migration path. Banish traditional images of camping from your mind. This is the Maasai Mara and here a tented camp can still offer luxury that competes with the best hotels. Our tents have canvas walls as you might expect but with wooden flooring, a permanent roof, ensuite bathroom and large windows to our beautiful surroundings it is truly camping on another level.
We enjoy a spot of lunch at the camp before having some time to settle in and get our bearings.
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Photo by Adam Disckson
16.00 Game drive in the reserve
What do we need for a game drive through the reserve? Make sure to have packed your camera (& charged it!) and binoculars for a closer view of the many birds and any far off animals. As for what to wear … clothing in neutral tones won’t show up the dust as much, a wide-brimmed hat with straps won’t blow off and a pair of good walking boots are a must. Layering your clothing will also mean you can adapt to any rapidly changing weather conditions.
Over the next couple of hours our driver and guide will expertly locate the best spots to see the myriad of local wildlife. In our 4WDs everyone gets a window seat so there is no jostling for position. Elephant, giraffe, eland, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are plentiful here and commonly sighted and, with a bit of luck, we may also spot a lion or cheetah.
Photo by Emily Fraser
19.00 Return to camp for dinner
After our thrilling experience with eyes peeled for the Big 5 we return to our camp for dinner and an early night.
6.30 Early start for game drive
We rise early for a morning game drive to get underway before the heat of the day kicks in. It is possible to arrange a morning hot air balloon over this incredible landscape where the open plains afford unhindered views for spotting wildlife. The balloons take off just before dawn so that you see the sunrise and the flight lasts for approximately one hour. (Note that this will be an additional cost as it is an optional excursion.)
For those who embark on the game drive make sure you have your cameras and binoculars at the ready. Hopefully if we’re yet to spot a lion we’ll catch a pride today! The likelihood of this is high given the concentration of these big cats in the reserve.
Photo by Emily Fraser
10.00 Visit a nearby Maasai village for a cultural experience
We next head to a traditional Maasai village where we are entertained by traditional Maasai dancers and are even taught their customary dance ourselves. We are invited to their manyattas, the maasai community is made up of several huts enclosed by a fence, and here we learn more about their culture. We are shown how to make fire without the modern assistance of lighters and matches and see the Maasai women working on their crafts such as beadwork and woodcarving. If you are keen there’s even an opportunity to try milking a Maasai cow.
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Photo by Annelieke Huijgens
12.00 Lunch at camp
We return to our camp for lunch and some time at leisure. An afternoon snooze might be on the cards especially for those who have gone on the optional pre-dawn balloon ride.
16.00 Game Drive
This afternoon offers us our final game drive in the Maasai Mara. As the sun begins to drop prepare to capture magnificent shots of wild animals at sunset.
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Photo by Craig McBey
19.00 Bush dinner
The Maasai Mara has one final treat in store for us this evening with a unique wilderness dining experience. We’ll be served dinner within the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, a special farewell under the Kenyan night sky. A Maasai Maran mock attack and cultural dance acts as a precursor to our barbecue meal, accompanied by safari lanterns, a log fire, the stars above and the sounds of the African wild.
Photo by Annelieke Huijgens
