02Nights-03 Days Maasai
Mara Wildlife safari
Tour code: DSOA01
Starting Date: Any day
Number of Passengers:
02 and above
Vehicle: 4*4 7
SEATER TOUR VAN
Starts: NAIROBI
End: NAIROBI
Meals: FULL BOARD
Immediately on the 23rd October Morning after breakfast and at around
08:00Am in the morning where you’ll be picked up by your driver guide to start
an amazing adventure and start your drive towards Maasai Mara National reserve
via Mahi Mahio and Narok which is about five hours drive.
The information below aims to help prepare you for your
adventure. It’s not exhaustive so it’s worth you doing your own research too
and ask us if you still have some burning questions.
Contact Numbers of
the in-country team
Elisha +254725289430/
+254734825127
Shadrack +25412089974
Full Itinerary
Day1 [21st
Nov17] – Nairobi – Maasai Mara
After breakfast Depart Nairobin the morning at 8.00am for a
journey south through the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Arrive in time for
lunch at the hotel. Experience Early evening game drive is taken.
Lunch
and Dinner Included.
Dinner and overnight at Mara
Simba Lodge
Day2 [22nd
Nov17] - Maasai Mara Full Day
Today we have a Full day game drive, in the park in search
of the Big Five. Our game drives take us in search of Africa’s Big Five and the
plethora of other wildlife inhabiting this vast Kenyan game reserve. On clear
days, the Mara offers fantastic orange tinged sunset’s well-worth capturing on
camera. The Mara reserve is 1510 km² of incredible wide-open landscapes and
fertile riverine woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek
rivers in Kenya. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical
open savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.
Wherever you go in the vast Maasai Mara you will see a
frequent amount of wildlife such as Maasai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat
eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests,
wildebeest. Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos are also found in great
numbers. It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or
surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to
spot, but reasonably common.
The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual
wildebeest exodus, the Great Migration, in July and August when millions of
these grass eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass
before turning south again in October.
Breakfast, Lunch and
Dinner Included.
Meals and overnight at Mara
Simba Lodge
Day3 [23rd
Nov17] - Maasai Mara – Nairobi
After breakfast depart Mara for Nairobi Morning game drive
as we depart Maasai Land through Narok town, arriving late afternoon. On this
day we have the opportunity for the visit to a Native Maasai Boma and have a
local interaction where we do not only meet but make new and permanent local
friends. Our drive back to Nairobi takes a different route through the Great
Rift Valley view point and will have a brief stopover to one of the oldest and
smallest Catholic church in East Africa which was built by the Italian first
world war army officers while constructing the Nairobi to Kampala road.
Breakfast and Lunch Include.
Price inclusive
• Transport
in 7 seater Tour Van with pop up roof
• Tour van
fitted with Hi-Fi radio
• Accommodation
at the lofge
• All park
entrance fees
• All
Government taxes and levies
• 3 Meals a
Day Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian
• Game
drives
• One Liter
Mineral water a day while on safari
• Drivers
Allowances
• Airport
Transfers
Not included
• International
airfare & flights
• Airport
departure tax
• Travel
insurance
• Visa and
Passport fees
• Alcoholic
and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages in Camp
• Anything
not stipulated in the inclusive
PRICE $$$.$$ USD
(per. person)
Optional Activities
• Hot air
balloon [$430]
• Visiting
Maasai Boma[$25]
OPTIONAL MASAI MARA
BALLOON SAFARI STARTING FROM USD 450 PER PERSON:
• Close
your eyes, and for a moment feel your body lift up, with you having no control
over it, and there is a certain part of you, inside you, saying to yourself, I
am crazy for taking this balloon safari. This is what most people feel, when
the excitement of a Maasai Mara balloon safari crosses one’s emotion of
self-control and independence.
Don’t stop! Tell
me more about my Maasai Mara Balloon Safari in Kenya?
• The
feeling is indescribable, crispness of the African air, chill in the wind that
hits your face as your Mara hot air balloon gradually rises, smoothness in the
exhale of your breath, and the excitement to see and learn more. One’s physical
presence can be felt on the plains of the Maasai Mara when reading this.
You trip begins
when you get your wakeup call at your safari lodge or tented camp in the early
hours of the morning, as you yawn away, and thoughts about your wildlife
viewing from an elevated position begins to stir your mind. The fresh Kenyan
traditional hot tea and coffee quickly awaken you, in fact preparing you for a
“mission”.
By 6.15 a.m. you
are almost arriving at the hot air balloon site in the Maasai Mara. As you
approach the site, the balloon seems bigger than you expected, the experience
is one that has never been visited, and you are about to have a trip of a
lifetime.
Liftoff! Up and
away we go! At 6.30 a.m., the hot air balloon safari starts. The captain asks
you to relax and experience the wonders under the African sky. As you finally
start to get a grip on the elevation, an inner smile that resonates on one’s
face does not need an explanation. The wildebeest moving in large numbers
across the Maasai Mara plains, the beauty of the landscape when the rising
sun’s bright orange colors are displayed, the elephants at the water pool, and
the gazelles and zebras scampering away, just if it was their first time to
witness an alien object in the sky.
By 7.30 a.m., one
is very content with balloon safari, and it is almost touch down time. There is
a celebration, and for those who prefer a toast, champagne is served, as hot
breakfast in the bush is being prepared. You ask yourself, is this true? I am
really doing this trip of a lifetime in Kenya? In the Maasai Mara? As the sweetness
and aroma of the African coffee surrounds you, with fresh eggs being served as
you like it, you hope for another ride, and wish that such luxury never ended.
• By the
time you finish your breakfast, you have made up your decision to immigrate to
Kenya because such life is only found here. You begin to question yourself, and
you feel an urgency to seek, live and enjoy this pristine beauty, a once in a
lifetime “thing”.
By 9.00 a.m., you
have been declared a champion, a mighty certificate of completion handed out to
you which you hope to display in your home country, to family, friends,
coworkers. Clapping and participation by everyone present makes you proud to
have achieved a trip as wonderful as this.
• By then
you hear a blaring sound of music or even an annoying buzz, you turn around and
switch of the alarm clock. Your eyes wide open, you know that you have to get
back to Kenya, to Maasai Mara, again otherwise the recurring dreams will drive
you mad.
Maasai Mara National
Reserve
• Maasai
Mara National Reserve (also known as Maasai Mara or The Mara) is situated
within the Great Rift Valley in the southern part of Kenya. Measuring
approximately 1510sq. kilometers (approx. 938sq. miles) in size, this unfenced
savannah grassland is roughly 150 miles southeast of Nairobi.
• Maasai
Mara derives its name from the indigenous people of Kenya - the Maasai tribe -
and the Mara River that cuts through the park.
• The
Maasai Mara provides the best view of the famous wildebeest migration as the
animals cross the Mara River between July and August.
• The Mara
is also home to the richest concentration of wildlife, including the "Big
Five" (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo), zebras, antelope,
gnus, Oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos,
crocodiles and others. The park has the largest concentration of African lions,
including the black-maned lion. Birdlife is as plentiful as wildlife at the
Maasai Mara, which boasts over 400 different birds’ species.
• The
reserve's topography is mainly open savannah (grassland) with clusters of
acacia trees along the southeastern area of the park. The Mara and Talek rivers
grace the rolling plains of the reserve. Myriad seasonal rivers appear during
the rainy season but dry out once the rains are gone.
How to Get to Maasai
Mara National Reserve
• By Road:
From Nairobi, it takes about six hours to get to Maasai Mara. The roads are all
weather; however, only 4WD game viewing trucks are allowed during the rainy
season.
• By Air:
You can book one of the scheduled daily flights that depart from Wilson Airport
and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. Travel time is about
45 minutes and flights land at one of the three airstrips (Keekorok, Olkiombo
and Musiara) that serve the park. Flights are also available from Mombasa to
Maasai Mara.
• Herds of
plains zebras are found throughout the park, as well as Maasai giraffes, common
giraffes, jackals, white-bearded gnus, Oribis, warthogs, Thomson's and Grant's
gazelles, hartebeests, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, rare Topi antelope and
beautiful rone antelope, as well as hippos and crocodiles in the Mara River.
Wildebeest Migration
• Over 1.5
million wildebeest, zebras and several species of antelope make an annual
circular tour between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Maasai Mara in Kenya in
search of greener pastures.
• The trek
happens with a fair share of animal drama as the migrating herds attract the
attention of hungry predators - the hyenas and lions that prey on the lame and
sick animals along the way.
• The
animals trek for four months (July-October) towards the Mara. The months of
July and August are the best times to see what is truly the world's most
spectacular wildebeest migration and the dramatic sights that occur during the
mass crossing of the swollen Mara River.
Hot Air Balloon rides
• For the
adventurous tourist who wants a sky-high view of wildlife from the air hot air
balloon rides and safaris the best way to travel over the massive Maasai Mara
park. Hot air balloon rides last approximately an hour and a half and often
take place at dawn.
• You will
get a great view of the animals while you glide above them. Breakfast is
prepared on the balloon burner upon landing.
Bird Watching
• For bird
lovers, the Mara birds come in every color and size. More than 400 bird species
have already been recorded, including birds of prey.
• You can
enjoy a colorful view of birds such as vultures, ostriches, long-crested
eagles, pygmy falcons, secretary birds, marabous, red-winged Schalow's turacos,
white-tipped crests, ross turacos, orange buffs, Pel's fishing owls, wary
guinea fowl, Jackson's bustards, black-bellied hartlaubs bustards and many
others.
Maasai Cultural Tours
• You could
step back in time and visit a Maasai village where you get a chance to interact
with the Maasai people in their traditional setting and experience their
culture. Often the Maasai morans (young Maasai warriors) will perform their
traditional dance. You also get an opportunity to purchase traditional Maasai
souvenirs, art and collectibles.
Healthy Travel Packing List
Use the Healthy Travel Packing List
for Kenya for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip.
Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.
Nairobi city streets and other towns
are NON-SMOKING ZONES but there are designated points for smoking. Check
with your tour director if you need to smoke.
---------Useful
tips---------
Baggage
Baggage space on safari is restricted
to one medium suitcase or hold all per person, plus hand baggage (private
safaris where there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not subject to
this restriction). Visitors to treetops and the ark are asked to take overnight
bags only; suitcases can be left at the base hotel. Hotels will normally store
baggage at no extra cost.. A baggage weight restriction of 15 kg per person
applies on air safaris. Where very small aircraft are used this maybe reduced
to 10kg.
Credit cards
Visa, MasterCard and American express
are widely accepted for tourist services. There's usually a 5% mark-up on top
of the price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their
transactions.
Security
Normal precautions as in any other
destination worldwide should be taken. Visitors are advised not to leave cash
and valuables in their hotel rooms but to make use of safe deposit boxes and
safes. One should never carry large sums in cash and women should keep a tight
grip on handbags in crowds or busy streets. Jewellery snatching is quite common
in city streets. As in all major cities walking alone or in small groups at
night should be considered a hazard and avoided. Reliable taxis are available
at all the principal hotels. Taking photographs at airports, near military
installations, of policeman, the president, the national flag, the state house,
state lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before
photographing local people, permission should be obtained and a fixed price
agreed. Seek the assistance of your driver/guide in this matter.
Voltage
Both mains electricity and generated
supply in lodges provide 240 volts ac 50 cycles. Most large hotels and some
game lodges provide shaving points with 110v 50 cycles. Sockets are normally
three pin and of the 'square' variety.
Tipping and poterage
Although hotels and lodges include a
service charge, it is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and
safari drivers/guides.
Language
Kiswahili is the lingua franca while
English is the official language. In addition, most tribes have their own
language.
Post and telephones
keeping in touch by mail and
telephone is generally easy. Direct overseas dialing is possible from major
centers and increasingly from remote places such as game lodges. Call home
bureaus are in plenty in Nairobi as are the cyber café for e-mail and Internet
access.
Arrivals and departures
Kenya has two main ports of entry by
Air: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Located 16 km from the city
center. Moi international airport, Mombasa. Located 12 km from the town center.
Mombasa is the main port of entry by sea.
Airport departure tax
International airport departure tax
equivalent to us$ 40 per person is payable on departure from the international
airports. A local airport service charge is also payable on departure for
domestic flights. As this varies from country to country, please check with us
on the prevailing amounts payable prior to your flight departure.
Opening and shopping hours
Major stores, tourist services,
offices and museums open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm in large towns though offices
often break for lunch. In rural areas and out in the bush small shops can be
open at almost any hour. Souvenirs to take back home can include wood and soap
stone sculptures and carvings, ciondos (sisal baskets), beadwork and tribal
regalia, masks, textiles and gemstones set in unique jewellery pieces.
Photography
East Africa is a photographer’s
haven. It is abundant in wildlife and bird life in their natural habitat,
magnificent scenery, diverse culture and unlimited sunlight. It is difficult
not to capture its beauty. While on safari, one must remember that the animals
are not tame and it is advisable to keep a distance or remain in the vehicle.
When taking shots of local people,
respect their culture and always seek permission from them first. Photography
around government institutions and premises is prohibited. Tourists intending
to film and take photos in parks and public city space for commercial purposes
have to apply for a permit beforehand. The use of drones is not allowed.
A UV filter and lens hood is required
to redu ce the glare while a camera bag comes in handy to protect the equipment
from the dust.
Tipping
Most hotels, game lodges and tented
camps include a service charge in their tariff, as do most restaurants. Most
workers expect a tip for services offered.
Driver guides and other safari and
hiking crew will generally expect some form of gratitude if you are happy with
their services. The amount is at your discretion. Recommendation for tipping
can be obtained from our office and varies from program to program.
General advice
Gratuities aren’t compulsory, but
they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If
you are happy with the services provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank
them.
TIPPING GUIDE
To give you a bit of guidance, we’ve put together the following tipping notes.
These are just suggestions, of course.
Leaders and drivers - as a guideline
USD4 to USD6 per staff member, per day can be used. Of course you are free to
tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service
quality and the length of your trip. It is best to then divide these amounts
into separate envelopes for each crew member. Remember, a tip is not compulsory
and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Local guides –
Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your
leader. We suggest USD2 to USD3 per person, per day for local guides.
Basic restaurants –
When checking the bill, if there’s an addition of 10% service charge, there’s
no requirement for tipping. Otherwise, 10% of the total bill amount is
appropriate.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL & CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
Kenyans are welcoming and well
disposed towards visitors, but you should be sensitive to local culture. Loud
or aggressive behavior, drunkenness, foul language and disrespect, especially
towards older people, will cause offence.
There is a high proportion of Muslims
in Kenya, especially along the coast and on Mombasa and Diani. Respect local
traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your
actions to ensure that they don’t offend.
You should dress modestly. Women
should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts, and
particularly in Stone Town and other places where the local population may be
offended.
Suggested Kit List
What you need to bring will vary
according to your requirements. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as
lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own
luggage, and walk with it for short distances.
Below are some ideas and helpful tips
on what you specifically need for this trip.
Footwear
Sturdy, comfortable shoes, preferably
waterproof. They will get dirty. Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the
evening Comfortable, breathable socks
Clothing
Lightweight, breathable trousers
Short- sleeved shirts, cool and
breathable (neutral colors are best, avoid black, dark blue and bright red)
Bathing suit if staying at a lodge
with a swimming pool or if visiting Zanzibar
Long -sleeved fleece or sweater for
evenings and/or early mornings
Waterproof/windproof jacket is a good
idea for wet days, and early morning or evening game activities when it can be
cool.
Warm fleece and beanie for morning and evening
game drives.
Women: trousers (capri-length or
longer) and shirts that cover the shoulder are advisable for village visits.
Lightweight dresses or skirts that cover the knees are optional depending on
how rural your village visit is but can also be worn for evening dining at the
accommodations.
Men: short -sleeve shirts with
collars (for visiting villages or evening dining at the accommodations). Keep
valuable jewellery to a minimum Note: Laundry service is available at most
lodges either at a nominal cost or free of charge in some cases.
Baggage
Baggage Backpack or waterproof duffel
bag Day pack
Suggested kit list
General Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Towel (or travel towel) Scarf (for
dust and/or sun)
Spare batteries
Binoculars (2 pair are standard in each vehicle)
Money (small
Kenyan bills and/or small US bills for small purchases and tips. Larger US
bills and/or credit/debit cards for bigger purchases) Journal/notebook, pencil
and pen
Travel adaptor
Energy bars and snacks
Head torch or flashlight
Playing cards, games, books
Camera, memory cards, mini –tripod
Personal music device
Travel pillow
Personal toiletries Roll of toilet
paper (for some public restrooms)
Water bottle
Personal medical kit
Painkillers
Antiseptic cream
Band
Aids
Bandages and tape
Diarrhea medicine
Anti -malaria pills
Antibiotics
Insect repellent
Antihistamines
Lip balm with sunscreen
Suggested
