Medical Issues:- It is strongly recommended to see you GP at least 4 weeks before travel. ( 2 weeks at a push). You will have to be immunised against Yellow Fever ( around £45), along with all the standard immunisations (Hepatitis A, Typhoid, etc) Anti malarial should be taken at all time. The best ones on the market at the moment are called Malarone. They happen to be the most expensive (around £70 for a 2 week holiday) but there the most effective (95%- 100%).
Weather:- Most travellers travel at peak time in our summer time. In kenya however it is their winter and the coldest time of thew year. It is still very warm during the day. In the Mara however besure to take warm clothes as in the early mornings and at night, it can get very cold.
What to expect:- You can plausibly say that after a few days in the Mara you will see the Hunters Big 5 ( African Elephant, Water Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Rhino). Not to mention Maasai giraffes, Impala, thomson Gazelle, Elands (biggest of the antelope), dik diks (smallest of the antelope), zebra, warthogs, hippos, cheetahs, wildebeest, baboons and much much more. From the minute you get off your small 20 seater plane you will begin to see more and more wildlife.
Accommodation: All the accommodation in the Maasai Mara is to a very high standard and is therefore very pricey. Mostly luxury tented like lodges with excellent views over the Mara riiver or landscape. Mosquito netting and full facilities included. Excellent 5* service.
Transport:- All safari lodges will offer a series of gamesdrives. Usually 3 each day in a 4 x 4. (most safari lodges give each party their own driver and 4 x 4) Prepare for a full day!!. A typical day includes:
6am (Early wake up call, room service of tea, cofee or hot chocolate) 6.30 - 8.30 (Early morning game drive watching the animals waking up) 8.30 - 9.30 (Breakfast) 10.00 - 11.30 (Mid morning game drive) 12.30 - 2.30 (Lunch) 3.30 - 6.30 (Afternoon Game drive) 7.30 - 8.00 (Entertainment) 8.00 - 9.30 (Dinner)
N.B Be aware that game drives often exceed times.
Best time to travel:- The best time of year is AUGUST as this is when you will have the best chance of seeing nature's spectacle : the wildebeest migration. (in which 1.5 million wildebeest along with zebras and predators make the dangerous journey from Tanzania acroos the crocodile infested Mara river) Make sure you find a lodge that is in close proximity to one of the river crossings (such as the Keekorok lodge).
Other Info: My final "must do" is a trip to a traditional Maasai Village. Our guide told us that the Maasai are the only tribe in Africa that has kept it's culture and is the same way it has always done. This really is a once in a life time experience and is a real eye opener. It was amazing to say the way in which they live.
Have a wonderful time in the Maasai Mara!!
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Advantages: learning about an amazing culture/stunning scenery/up close with the animals Disadvantages: food and drink where we were staying was not inclusive so rather expensive
Advantages: Stunning scenery, amazing wildlife, holiday of a lifetime Disadvantages: cold mornings and evenings, very early mornings, unsafe food and water
Advantages: learning about an amazing culture/stunning scenery/up close with the animals Disadvantages: food and drink where we were staying was not inclusive so rather expensive
very helpful by (85%):
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