Maasai Mara National Park, Reserve, Accommodation, Lodges: A guide to activities, safaris , atttractions, camping and campsites, accommodation lodges
https://gorillasafarisrwanda.com/serengetinationalparklodges.htm
Famous and popular lodges/ luxury tented camps in Serengeti National Park include Andbeyond Serengeti, Lemala Mara, Singita Sabora , Singita Farufaru Lodge, Serengeti Serena Lodge, Kubukubu Tented Lodge, Four Seasons Serengeti, Serengeti Katikati, Lemala Nanyukie, Lemala Mara, Nomad Lamai, Mkombe’s House.
Masai Mara And Serengeti Ecosystems
The wildebeest shapes, conditions and maintain the Mara Serengeti Ecosystem. The contiguous ecosystem is extremely rich, self sustaining and hence it has earned the label of the only “true ecosystem” on earth. The Masai (Maasai) Mara enjoys a magical panorama. From the tops of the rounded hills, the panoramic views of expansive grassy plains teaming with herds of animals resemble a canvas painting. The overwhelming populations and the rich species presentation is mesmerizing. “The Masai (Maasai) Mara ecosystem has one of the richest assemblages of wildlife in the world and supports about 237 herbivores per km2 , making it one of the most productive natural terrestrial ecosystems” On other hand Serengeti National Park is the best place to see predators in actions. The predator population is over 10,000 individuals. 8000 0f these are spotted hyenas and 3000 lions whose males famed for their black manes. Seronera with its visitor centre is not only ideal for information but it a major wildlife hub with all the species represented. Hippos, lions, leopards, crocodiles, giraffes and primates can all be spotted within the area. Birdlife is profuse. The park has a total of 500 species recorded of birds
Wildebeest Migration Serengeti 2012
The annual Maasai (Masai) Mara /Serengeti wildebeest migration is not about wildebeests migrating per se but rather its influence on life on the whole ecosystem. The migration is a natural phenomenon, a never ending milling of over 2.5 million wild animals comprised of about 1.7 million wildebeests, 800,000 common Zebras and gazelle, followed closely by their predators-lions, hyenas, leopards, jackals. Hovering in the skies are thousands of vultures, the super predators. Patient in nature, the vulures survey the migrating herds descending on the dead carcasses reducing them to skeletons in a matter of seconds. The hazardous crossing of crocodile invested Mara and
Grumeti rivers is magical wonder of nature attracting thousands of human beings.
This survival of the fittest spectacle has been described at the “seventh wonder of the modern world”. Strategic sighting of the migrating herds tend to influence the setti
For ultimate wildlife experience Combine Masai Mara Serengeti 11 days with 4 Days Gorilla tracking in Rwanda
Maasai Mara Accommodation:- Lodges Tented Camps & Camp Sites
As per the last count, Maasai Mara had a total of 108 properties. Alarm concerns have been raised Worldwide in regard to overuse and environmental degradation of this wildlife sanctuary. Our focus will be on location of the facility, their size, facilities in the rooms or tents. Our short and detailed pre-amble focuses on the composition of great Maasai Mara, how to access it and the activities therein. This will help one to understand the haphazard and catastrophic development taking place within the region. The over development has led to sometimes high concentration of human traffic with devastating effects to the environment and the wildlife behaviour.
The Greater Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the most famous game sanctuary in the world. The size of Maasai Mara is debatable. Is it 520 Km Sq or 1510Km Sq? The original reserve comprised of the Mara Triangle alone(520Km sq). LATER, two sections, The Musiara (Northwestern block) 300 Km Sq and the Sekanani (Eastern Block) of 700Km Sq were added to the reserve hence the total of 1510 Km Sq. These are surrounded by large group ranches owned by the local Maasai. The group or community ranches include Kerinkani(8,100hac) Oloirien(80,000Hac) Kimintet(37,000Hac) to the West, Koiyaki(94,000Hac), Lemek(66,000Hac), Ol Choro Oiroua(11,800 Ha), Ol Kinyei (80,000Hac) to the North and Siana(152,000Hac), Maji Moto(140,000Hac), Naikara and Ol Derikesi to the East. In these group ranches are private conservancies like Ol Kinyei, Olderikesi, Siana, Olare Orok and Motorogi.
Acess:
Masai Mara can be accessed by road or by air. The park is approximately 320 Km from Nairobi. It all depends on the gate you use to enter the park. Olololo gate is 320 Km from Nairobi, Musiara is 340 Km. Other gates in Sekanani section include Sekanani, Taleki and Ol Laimutiek. Daily flight operate from Nairobi to Mara. The Mara Serena Airstrip, Kichwa Tembo Airstrip and Olkurruk serve the Mara Triangle. Two airstrips serve Musiara. One is at Governors and the other at Mara Intrepids. Keekorok Airstrip serves Sekanani section.
Activities:
Maasai Mara is a big game country, hence most of the activities focus on animal sighting like day/night game drives, nature and bird walks, balloon safaris, visits to local Maasai community, excursions to Lake Victoria.
Accommodation:
Will you spend the night inside the Mara National Reserve or in one of the group ranches? While our list is not exhaustive, it will help one to answer this question. One of the major environmental concern in Maasai Mara is the proliferation of unplanned development. Currently there are approximately 108 properties in Mara with a bed capacity of 4000. A large proportion of the properties are in the community group ranches. The properties are either lodges, tented camps, private houses or campsites. The tented camps and lodges fall under three categories- luxury, mid range and budget. Our aim is to feature as many properties as we can focusing on their location (Inside or outside the reserve), prices and facilities.
Inside the Mara National Park/ Reserve are 12 properties distributed as follows.
A) Within the Mara Triangle are
1. Little Governors: 17 luxury en-suite tents with wooden deck verandahs tucked around a large watering. The camp is approached by a boat ride across the Mara River, then an escorted walk through the riverine forest. Vehicles are left on the far river bank, and the camp is therefore quiet and undisturbed. High season 16Jul-31 Oct; 15DEC-31 DEC Single PP USD 570, Sharing PP USD 456 Mid Season 1Jan-31Mar; 1Jun-15Jul; 1Nov-14Dec Single PP USD 496, Sharing PP USD 403, Green Season 1April-31May Single USD 287, Double USD 287
2. Mara Serena Safari Lodge( USD
74 rooms styled in circular motif of a traditional Maasai “Manyatta. Has swimming pool, gift shop, forex facility. Offer laundry, baby sitting, beauty therapy and massage service. Rooms desidgend to blend seamlessly into the landscape with magnificent vistas from their private verandas. Rooms feature spacious bathrooms.
B) Within Musiara Sections
3. Governors Camp (From USD 406 PP in low season to USD 456.00 PP sharing in high season)
Enjoys magical setup and was earlier reserved exclusively for Kenya’s colonial governor. Has 37 tents with en-suit bathrooms, with hot and cold running water and flushing toilets, located along the Mara River with uninterrupted views over the Mara River others have views across the sweeping plains. High season 16Jul-31 Oct; 15DEC-31 DEC Single PP USD 570, Sharing PP USD 456 Mid Season 1Jan-31Mar; 1Jun-15Jul; 1Nov-14Dec Single PP USD 496, Sharing PP USD 403, Green Season 1April-31May Single USD 287, Double USD 287
4. Governors Il Moran Camp
Has 10 with twin or double beds. Tents lined along the banks of Mara River with magical vistas. Tents are luxurious that feature super ‘king size’ beds fashioned from ancient fallen olive trees, and en-suite Victorian style baths, large shower, twin basins, flush toilet with running cold and hot water. An ideal Camp for honeymooners and couples seeking a special safari experience. Offer game drives, balloon safaris, tours to lake Victoria and cultural tours.
3 Governors Private Camp
4 Mara Explorer Mara Intrepids
5 Rekero Tented Camp
Rekero Tented Camps has 8 spacious tents which can accommodate two pax. One family tent and the rest are either twin or triple. Tents ensuite with flush toilets and bush towers. 24 hours solar power supply for lighting only. Lantern lamps available. No power sockets in tents but power to charge electrical items available a the main house.
6. AFEX Mara Camp.
C) In Sekanani
6. Keekorok Lodge
7. Nairob Camp
8. Entim Camp
9. Sala’s Camp
10. Sarova Mara Game Camp.
D) Koiyaki Group Ranch has 20 properties. These are Aruba Camp, Base Camp Maasai Mara, Dorobo Bush Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Fig Tree Camp, Governors Bush Camp, Grant and Cameron Private Mara Camp, Ilkeliani Camp, Karen Blixen Camp, Koiyaki Wilderness Camp, Mara Leisure Camp, Mara River Camp, Mara Simba Lodge, Offbeat Mara Camp, Ol Seki Mara Camp, Riverside Camp, Riverside Camp Site, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Serian Camp, Tipilikwani Camp.
E) Lemek Group Ranch accounts for 8 properties–
1. Kicheche Camp USD 319 PP per night
Kicheche has 11 tents. Each tent features en-suite bathroom, flushing toilet, low wattage lighting is supplied 24 hours. Majority of tents are in secluded positions overlooking the plains and nearby hills, while others are closer together for families or friends. Mess tent has lounge with comfortable seating, a library, board games, cards and local crafts.
2. Saruni Safari Lodge & Camp USD
Saruni lodge has 6 cottages while the camp has three tents. Each cottage has hot and cold running water, 220 volt electricity, elegant Italian bathroom fittings, polished wooden floors, and large bathrooms where the canvas front can be totally open to offer you an amazing “shower with a view”. Lodge has 220 volts electricity, running hot and cold water.
3. Bush Buck Mara Camp
4. David Livingstone Safari Lodge
5. Duma Camp
6. Kicheche Fly Camp
7. Mara Buffalo Camp
8. Westminster Safari Lodge
F) Siana Group Ranch accounts for 15 properties, Leleshwa Camp, Sekenani Camp, Siana Springs Intrepids, Amicabre Camp Site, Gypsy Mara Safari Camp, Flamingo Camp, Impiripiri Camp, Mara Bush Tops Camp, Hippo Mara Safari Lodge, Mara Safari Camp Springs, Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge, Olperr Elongo Camp, Oropile Camp, Line Africa Safari Camp Site, Spur Wing Camp Site.
Siana Springs USD
Siana means “plentiful” in local maa language. Siana accounts for a large number of springs and hence the name. The permanent tented camp is located on the edge of Mara Reserve inside Siana group ranch. Has 38 tents with a swimming pool. Tents are ensuite with showers and flush toilet. They offer day and night game drives, bush walks, balloon safaris, aromatherapy. Has a private airstrip.
Leleshwa Camp USD
Has 6 intimate tents privately situated.
Sekanani Camp USD
Fifteen (15) en-suite tents, on raised platforms, with full length bath. A suspended bridge connects the tent with the mess area with bar and dining.
Olderikesi Conservancy is for exclusive use of Cottars with two properties- Cottars 1920 Safari Camp and Little Cottars Camp. Ol Kinyei Conservancy has Mara Porini Camp. Porini Lion Camp is located inside the Olare Orok Conservancy.
Maasai Mara National Park | Masai Mara National Reserv 