Masai Mara Game Reserve Things to Do

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Even if they are or can be nuisances, try to have some sort of contact with these women that normally wait around the entrance gates to the Mara trying to sell their wares to the tourists. We had to wait for our second truck to arrive so got down for a pee. After a little bit of hassle and then a few biscuits and sweets I managed to get them to pose for a photo or two. Not easy but worth it in the end. It's true also that the Maasai are weaned on the fact that you have money and it is normal that they would like a piece of it, but after showing pics of grandchildren and laughing the atmosphere was a lot better and apart from some biscuits it cost me nothing. And I bought nothing. These were at the Sekenani Gate.
If you notice all genuine Maasai have one tooth pulled, those that have a full set of teeth proclaiming they are Maasai are false. The reason for the pulled tooth is : That working with animals and coming into contact with manure, that manure carrying bacteria and getting into cuts causes tetanus (lockjaw), affecting the muscles of the jaw and neck. The only way these people could be treated with their jaws locked was by pulling a tooth and forcing the medication through the gap. The Maasai still have a tooth pulled in case of.....

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2 NIGHTS / 3 DAYS MASAI MARA CAMPING SAFARI, KENYA .

SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Nairobi / Masai Mara

10.00 hrs: Leave Nairobi via the Great Rift Valley for Masai Mara Game Reserve, picnic lunch en route. On arrival, proceed for a game drive in search of black maned lion, elephants, leopard and cheetah, buffalo and other plains games. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight. {HB}

Day 2: Masai Mara Game Reserve

06.30 hrs: Proceed for an early morning pre-breakfast game drive. Return to the camp for breakfast.
10.30 hrs: After breakfast proceed for a further game drive. Lunch at the campsite.
15.30 hrs: After lunch a further game drive. Dinner and overnight at the campsite. {FB}

Day 3: Masai Mara / Nairobi

08.30 hrs: After breakfast leave Masai Mara for Nairobi arriving around 16.00 hrs. {HB}

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We were given the oportunity to visit a local Masai village to learn and understand a little of their culture. Our driver from Polmans arranged the visit and I thought it could become very touristy. I was pleasantly supprised that this was not the case. First the cost we were quoted by Frank our driver was indeed what the chief of the village was paid. He even went to the trouble to explain why the charge and where the money would go. He reasured us that they did not view such visits as intrusive and genuinely wanted to explain their history and culture. There was the expected dancing but the people certainly appeared to enjoy their performance as much as we did. The whole visit was extremely informative and I thank everyone who made our visit so enjoyable. I am not sure which village we visited but I am sure most trips will be organised in the same respectfull manner so take advantage if you get the chance.

"If you are in the Masai Mara you can expect the wildebeest to make their arrival as early as July, but they generally arrive between August and September and remain in the Mara between October and November. Between December and January the wildebeest gradually begin their migration back towards the Serengeti.

The precise timing of the Wildebeest Migration changes annually and it is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event. The calving season takes place in the Serengeti between the months of January and mid-March before the Wildebeest Migration begins heading towards the western Serengeti in June.

The best time to see the migration is usually between June and August when the wildebeest congregate and prepare to cross the famous Grumeti River."

*** The best option is a hot balloon ride during the migration to take it all in!

I won't say Serengeti is necessarily better, but it certainly is a lot bigger. The Grumeti is in Serengeti, with it's associated giant Kirawira crocs!!

If you have to go to Nairobi, I'd suggest you go to Tsavo too, a taste of what the Mara will offer...

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There is something wonderful about Zebras. The guides seemed to be much less excited about them than I was and I have to admit a lion or a cheetah is probably more elusive but I love to photograh Zebra.

They seemed to pose as well which can make for an interesting picture!!

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We really enjoy our late afternoon game drive . It’s amazing what a three hour break can do .We see lots of animals including lions, zebra ,baboon and cape buffalo. Even though we’ve seen these animlas many times by now , we just can’t get enough. There aren’t as many elephants here but we do see a few in the distance as the sun is setting.

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Maasai Mara Game Drive
We learn the Mara has a large concentration of lions and we see several on our evening drive. For me they are probably the most exciting animal to see , so I take many more pictures .The Mara reminds us of the Serengeti with huge open plains and tall golden grass.

There are many more vehicles here however and when we spot a lion they all show up. I can’t help but wonder how disturbing this is to the animals and to think this isn’t even high season.

We continue to the place where the animals cross the river. It is here where many famous documentaries are filmed. It’s a narrow rockey section of the Mara but is so treacherous as crocs gather to grab as many animals as they can.
When we finish our hike we stop and have our picnic lunch.. There are very famous and popular for tourism this area is it is surprising how truly neglected it is.