Masai Mara Big Cats & Game Safari

Nairobi - Masai Mara

Upon arrival into Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) (Suggested to arrive early AM), you are met and transferred to Nairobi Wilson Airport to catch your scheduled flight to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Upon arrival, you are transferred by road, game driving en-route to your camp, located right in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Overnight: Naibor Camp (L, D)

Masai Mara Reserve

You have two full days in the main Mara Reserve. You have the opportunity to enjoy early morning and afternoon shared game drives around the reserve in search for the resident game as well as the migrating wildebeest! The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem supports the most diverse migration of grazing mammals in the world and the Masai Mara is crucial in sustaining this mass migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles and is one of the highlights of a Kenya safari. Its rich grasslands are able to support these vast herds of migrating animals from Tanzania during critical points in the dry season. Their arrival spells a bonanza for the Mara’s big cats making your chances of spotting them very likely! The rolling grasslands of the Mara Reserve are dominated by the red oat grass that form an endless sea of waving long grass dotted with solitary Balanites, the Desert Date Tree. The Mara’s famed rivers are lined by lush riverine forest areas with some magnificent stands of African greenheart, African olive and various species of fig trees which attract a whole host of wildlife. These rivers are themselves home to numerous pods of hippos. The grassland plains are the stomping grounds for the migrating wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle as well as Grant’s gazelle, topi, eland, impala and large herds of buffalo. The cats are never far away from the plains game and lion and cheetah are mostly seen on the rolling savannah plains of the Mara reserve and Masai community lands, whilst leopard prefer the riverine forests along the Mara, Talek, Olare Orok and Ntiakitiak rivers making for an exciting wildlife safari. During the migration, the most spectacular wildebeest crossings are on the Mara and Talek rivers in the northern section of the reserve. For much of the year the Mara Reserve itself is dominated by the longer grasslands which attract the migrating herds from Tanzania and this area is at its best for wildlife viewing at the peak of the migration.

Overnight: Naibor Camp (B, L, D)

Masai Mara - Olare Orok Conservancy

This morning, there may be enough time for a morning shared game drive within the Mara National Reserve before you are transferred overland to the Ol Kiombo Airstrip and onto your camp in the Olare Orok Conservancy, bordering the Mara National Reserve.

Overnight: Kicheche Bush Camp (B, L, D)

Olare Orok Conservancy

You have two full days to experience the magic of the Masai Mara Reserve with your professional driver/guide and 4x4 vehicle, on a shared basis. A variety of game can be seen in this region with some huge herds of wildebeest and zebra passing through in migration season; this results in stable numbers of predators throughout the year so you should be in for some good game viewing! Huge hippos and large crocodiles can be found lazing around in the waters of the Mara River. Here, you can explore the wilderness and the rolling hills. Cultural visits to the nearby Masai communities just outside the reserve as well as bush breakfasts, bush picnics and sundowners with a view can also be arranged as well as hot air balloon safaris (needs to be pre-booked in advance at an additional cost).

Overnight: Kicheche Bush Camp (B, L, D)

Olare Orok - Nairobi

This morning, you enjoy a final morning shared game drive or shared guided game walk within the Olare Orok Conservancy before you are transferred to the Ol Kiombo Airstrip, game driving en-route, to meet your internal flight back to Nairobi Wilson Airport. From here, you are met and transferred to the Ole Sereni Hotel (N.B. dinner/room are not included but can be paid for locally on the day). Finally, you are transferred back to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in order to meet your international flight back home (suggested to depart, late evening.