Masai Mara Game Reserve Nightlife

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There was no TV available in my room at the Mara Sopa Lodge. So, to catch the latest sports update (in this case, the World Cup games), a TV is available at the Warrior Bar. You can warm yourself with a nice bottle of Tusker beer or sit by the fire outside.

At 10pm, they have a feed-the-hyena session on a platform outside. It's quite interesting because you can also spot other noctural animals e.g jackals, mongoose rushing for the meat & bones. However the most daring animal has got to be the hotel cat, because it can go up to the ravaging hyenas, snatch a piece of meat and calmly walk away!!

Dress Code: Bush style :)

Every Saturday night, the Mara Sopa Lodge has a dance by "Maasai Warriors" around the lounge of the hotel. This is quite entertaining for the hotel guests but the "Maasai" people are actually hotel employees

The main reserve of Masai Mara does not allow driving during the hours of darkness, but Siana Springs Camp is surrounded by its own conservation area. As there are no fences or boundaries around the Mara, the same game as is found in the reserve can be found by the camp.

We went on a night drive with a driver, armed ranger and a spotter. We saw many nocturnal animals, including the curious spring hare, which looks like a kangaroo when it jumps. Although not as spectacular as a day-time drive, I personally feel that a night drive is worth it for a different perspective on a safari.

We paid US$40 each directly to the lodge for this drive. There was thre of us, it operates with a minimum of two passengers.

Dress Code: Wrap up warm as there is quite a chill in the air.

Some evenings the camp puts on Maasai Dances with people from the local school and village performing for the guests. The Maasai are tall and sinewey people who are agressive but graceful in their dances. Lots of jumping.

Children are always so much cuter than adults when it comes to such displays, and I loved wathcing the different footwear the kids had.

Every evening a camp fire was lit just outside the restaurant area, which was a great place to sit and chat with fellow guests and share stories from the day's game viewing. Around the fire there were huge logs to sit on.

Dress Code: Something to keep you warm.

When we returned from our game drive in the late afternoon on 31st December, there was an invitation in the tent which read:

"Jambo Grete & David,

On behalf of the Management, it is our pleasure to invite you for a complimentary cocktail drink at 7.00 PM under the Kigeria tree to commence the countdown for the year 2005.

Karibu Sana!!"

There were veryc nice cocktails containing fruit and vodka, gin and tonic or beer if preferred, plus of course non-alcoholic beverages for the children and the wimps amongst us. Snacks were provided too and a guitarist was playing music for us. It was a very nice atmosphere, and all the staff and management would mingle with guests and chat.

Dress Code: Most people had changed out of their daily safari gear, but there was no need to dress up as such. Somepeople found it a little chilly and had put on a fleece or jacket. Comfortable shoes was a must - high heals don't go too well on the lawn.

The best pic of the bunch!! Out of nowhere,
many WILDERBEASTS, just ran right in front of us! Really great! Will never get this again!!
If you need any input on this. E-mail me!!
I will try to help.
10/2001

Dress Code: CHILLY!

The good looking LION CUB was close behind MOM! We were not that close. Very quiet. The drives can not be done inside the reserve. It's along the outside! The MASAI DRIVER and another MASAI with the light!
Took us on this drive.
10/2001

Dress Code: IT'S CHILLY!