Masai Mara is a great destination for safari for adventure lovers. Kenya’s top safari destination, Masai Mara is renowned for its outstanding natural variety and unique animal protection refuge. Rolling hills, dotted (acacia) trees, and infinite open Savannah plains are features of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The renowned Maasai tribe that lived in the reserve is whence the term Masai Mara originates.
Although the name “mara” is derived from a Maasai word that means “spotted,” the Masai Mara is a complicated yet incredibly fascinating environment. It provides one of the most significant habitat places in the world for a wide range of wild African species. Most likely, if you dream about Africa, you will visualize the Masai Mara. This vast area of gently sloping grassland was dotted with acacia trees with flat tops.
The Masai Mara Game Reserve was first established in 1948 as a tiny 520 Km2 wildlife refuge. In 1961, it was expanded eastward and underwent minor size changes. Masai Mara National Reserve is a well-known safari location that may be found in the southwestern region of Kenya, to the west of Nairobi.
How many days will I need for my Masai Mara safari?
We visited the Masai Mara National Reserve as well as several other national parks in East Africa, and we were truly awed by the area’s amazing grandeur. How long should I spend in the Masai Mara to reap its full benefits is a question that comes to mind while making travel plans to Mara.
For you to fully appreciate the variety of animals in the area, you need to stay at the Masai Mara for a least four days and three nights. You may do 4 game drives throughout your stay of 4 days and 3 nights, and you’ll have ample time to recuperate before entering the park. The optimal plan for visiting the Masai Mara will be broken down in this blog, along with options for those with more time or a stricter timetable.
Recommended length of time for a safari in the Masai Mara
If you want to see a sizable portion of the park’s animals and scrivener, you need at the very least schedule 4 days and 3 nights there. The Masai Mara is a large area, so 4 days would be plenty of time to see all the park’s noteworthy features.
There are plenty of Masai Mara Budget Safari options you can choose from. Please verify it well before you purchase.
13 Exclusive Masai Mara Budget, Camping Safari
Masai Mara Budget Safari 01
3-Day Price range Safari Masai Mara Becoming a member of Group
This can be 2 nights 3 days Price range Tenting Safari Becoming a member of a random group of different vacationers on a mission to discover and Benefit from the Masai Mara in a minimal price range. You get to share tents with separate beds. The Tents are self-contained with sizzling water, bathing, a bathroom, tiled flooring, clean bedding, and clean towels.
Included
- Park charges (For non-residents)
- All activities (Until labeled as elective)
- All lodging (Until listed as improved)
- An expert driver/information
- All transportation (Until labeled as elective)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified within the day-by-day part)
Masai Mara Budget Safari 02
Three Days, 2 Nights Masai Mara Safaris
This can be a 2 night Three days Price range Tenting Safari Becoming a member of a random group of different vacationers on a mission to discover and Benefit from the Masai Mara on a minimal price range.
Includes
– 2 nights’ lodging
– Meals on Full board
– Transport in an open pop-up tour van
– Complete game drives
– Companies of knowledgeable tour information driver
– Decide up and drop off in Nairobi
– Driver information and the automobile
– Use of lodge services
Masai Mara Budget Safari 03:
Three Days 2 nights Masai Mara Price range Safari
This Safari will begin off with a journey to the attractive Masai Mara tours by way of the Nice Rift Valley which provides spectacular views.
On arrival at the Masai Mara Park, we are going to spend our time seeking the wildlife that makes this one of all of Africa’s premier safari locations.
The Masai Mara is particularly well-known for its giant cat inhabitants and likewise, the truth is that it performs an integral function within the Wildebeest Migration, wildlife spectacular like none different on earth.
This bundle, fashionable amongst our purchasers from Europe, the USA, and the UK amongst many others, is the best choice for first-time Safari-goers due to virtually assured sightings of the Large 5 at any time of the yr.
Maasai Mara can be recognized for the Great Wildebeest Migration the place over two million animals migrate from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the greener pastures of Maasai Mara, Kenya from July to October.
Masai Mara Budget Safari 04:
HerdTracker Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration Journey (7 days)
Experiencing the Nice Migration with HerdTracker provides one other layer to witnessing this Pure Surprise of the World.
A Safari with our Maasai Guides is life-changing expertise that may give you a deeper, extra significant understanding of the intricate particulars of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Nobody is aware of the Mara just like the Maasai: they’re the true specialists.
Masai Mara Budget Safari 05:
Three days Masai mara Price range safari
This can be a Three days safari supplied by Mufasa Excursions and Travels to Masai Mara that offers friends an opportunity to go to this nice vacation spot that is within the record of the Eight wonders of the world.
Lodging is on a price range foundation but when purchasers desire to be in a greater lodging place we offer lodges and different basic motels within the park.
Masai Mara Budget Safari 06:
Three Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari
The Masai Mara Sports Reserve is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating safari locations on earth. It’s situated southwest of Kenya, about 280km from Nairobi.
From the Jomo Kenyatta Worldwide Airport in Nairobi, the Mara is a brief 45-minute flight away. Additionally, it is accessible by the highway which takes about 6 hours.
One of the many largest points of interest in this sports reserve is the good wildebeest migration. This spectacle takes place yearly between July and October, pulling in thousands of vacationers from everywhere in the wild.
Through the migration, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras try and cross over to the Masai Mara from the Serengeti.
That will sound easy and sufficient, besides that, a whole lot of hungry crocodiles lay in wait below the water.
To additionally complicate issues, menacing predators like lions and hyenas await on the opposite aspect. For the wildebeests, making this cross is kind of actually a matter of life and death.
Masai Mara Budget Safari 07:
Three-Day Masai Mara Bush Camp Fly-in Safari
Get rid of the lengthy transfers on tough roads, by flying from Nairobi to the Masai Mara ecosystem, and again once more, benefiting from your time for sports viewing.
Keep away from the crowds on 4×4 sport drives within the personal Ol Kinyei & Naboisho Conservancies of Better Mara, exploring this well-known wildlife area with distinctive rangers.
Encounter giant mammals in these unique conservancies, internet hosting excessive concentrations of wildlife, together with an abundance of lions and different huge cats.
On this Masai Mara Bush Camp Fly-in Safari, you keep at an intimate and eco-friendly cell camp within the pristine Ol Kinyei Conservancy, getting up near the unspoiled wilderness.
Sport viewing actions embody a sundown sport drive with a sundowner cease and a bush stroll with native Maasai guides.
Masai Mara Budget Safari 08:
Three Days Maasai Mara Guided Safari from Nairobi
Uncover the wealth of wildlife within the Maasai Mara Nationwide Reserve, famed for its annual wildebeest migration, on this 3-day price range journey with transfers direct out of your Nairobi lodging.
Search for wildlife together with lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, and rhinos with guided game drive every single day. Your bundle contains park charges, most meals, and two nights in furnished safari tents.
Masai Mara Budget Safari 09:
Masai Mara Bush Camp Fly-in Safari
Neglect the lengthy transfers on tough roads and fly to Masai Mara as a substitute, getting straight into the sports viewing journey.
See the Large 5 and a profusion of different wild animals roaming the untamed plains of Kenya. Escape the crowds within the personal Ol Kinyei & Naboisho Conservancies of the Mara ecosystem and discover the world-famous Masai Mara Nationwide Reserve in 4×4 safari automobiles with distinctive rangers.
Enterprise into the wildlife-rich bush on foot, strolling with native Maasai guides. On this Masai Mara Bush Camp Fly-in Safari you expertise the African bush up shut, staying at an intimate and eco-friendly cell camp within the pristine Ol Kinyei Conservancy.
Details
Masai Mara Budget Safari 10:
Private 6-Day Tenting Tour Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara Wildlife Safari
Go to a few of Kenya’s most spectacular national parks on a tenting safari to Amboseli Nationwide Park, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara Nationwide Reserve with day-by-day game drives.
A mixture of visitor home and luxurious tent camp lodging balances consolation with the possibility of expertise Kenya’s panorama in the evening.
Combining three nationwide parks means a large range of animals, from Masai Mara’s huge cats to the flamingos of Lake Nakuru.
Details
Masai Mara Budget Safari 11:
Four-Day Masai Mara Luxurious Tenting Safari
An improbable 4-day Price range Safari to Kenya’s premier sports reserve – the Masai Mara.
This Masai Mara Safari departs from Nairobi, Kenya place you’ll proceed by way of the Nice Rift Valley with its spectacular views and onwards to the attractive Masai Mara Reserve.
Spend your days within the huge Masai Mara Park seeking the abundance of wildlife. Masai Mara is particularly well-known for its giant cat inhabitants and is the residence of the annual Wildebeest Migration, a wildlife epic like none different on earth.
The unforgettable Masai Mara Safari ends again in Nairobi.
Details
Masai Mara Budget Safari 12:
3-Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi
Sit again, loosen up, and revel in a number of pre-arranged game drives in Kenya’s Masai Mara Nationwide Reserve on this 3-day, budget-friendly small-group expertise from Nairobi.
Good for first-time safari-goers wanting to identify the “Large 5” of a lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino; and expertise the Masai Mara’s grasslands, the bundle incorporates all of the necessities for a clean and stress-free journey—lodging, meals, guiding, day by day sport drives, and return lodge transfers.
A price range safari in Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara (additionally known as Masai Mara) is a reserve in southwestern Kenya, near the Tanzanian border. It is without a doubt one of the best-known sports parks in Kenya.
Not shocking, as there are lots of wild animals right here and you’ve got an ideal likelihood to see virtually all of them! The park is greater than 1510 sq. kilometers in dimension and is divided into two areas:
The Better Mara reserve and the Mara Triangle. We visited the Better Mara reserve, the biggest and most visited space.
Is a safari in Masai Mara worth it?
Sure, positively! Masai Mara is, without doubt, one of the hottest parks in East Africa which implies you will note dozens of different jeeps and safari vehicles within the park.
Additionally, typically you’ll be with a big group of vehicles watching identical animals. (That mentioned, there have been many instances throughout the day we shared intimate moments simply with their automobile and the animals.)
There are few parks in the place you see so many animals collectively and have such a giant likelihood to identify the massive 5!
Tip: Do you know that Masai Mara borders the Serengeti in Tanzania? Animals haven’t any park or land borders so you see identical animals in each park.
As well as, Masai Mara is cheaper than Serengeti. Due to the dimensions of Serengeti, you will want a number of days whilst you can see a big part of Maasai Mara sooner or later.
↠ Journey ideas: this stuff shouldn’t be lacking in your packing record for Kenya
What did our sport drive appear like in Masai Mara?
At 6:30 am we’re prepared at the entrance of our lodge and are met by the cheerful Branis, an area Masai lady.
She is simply twenty years outdated however feisty and with a great sprint of feminism: “We women can do no matter what boys can, however higher!”.
Along with driver Dan, she is going to spend the subsequent twelve hours making an attempt to identify as many animals as attainable with us.
It has rained all evening and Ries, specifically, is afraid that almost all animals are not going to present themselves.
Luckily, the other seems to be true! After a brief break during which our jeep will get caught in the mud, we drive by means of the park at full pace.
You can be able to spot zebras, wild hogs (Pumba of the lion king), dozens of lovely birds, wildebeests, and enormous buffalos.Maasai Mara Sport drive budget Masai Mara Sport drive price range
So many animals within the Masai Mara Nationwide Park!
Yesterday we met two women from Canada who occur to be sleeping in the same camp and we determined to benefit from the safari collectively, tremendously enjoyable!
Once we come across an elephant household with two child elephants we’re all impressed. The animals are large and so stunning!
Once we then additionally see an actual cheetah hunt, the place 5 cheetahs catch and eat one wildebeest (it is rather uncommon to see cheetahs reach this sort of a hunt), we all know that in the present day is a big day!
A big day certainly; we see many extra cheetahs (and one other cheetah hunt), lions, ostriches, hyenas, and an uncommon leopard.
Hippos bathe within the river together with a couple of crocodiles and dozens of deer, impalas, and gazelles stay at a protected distance. We picnic below a tree and see giraffes each close by and much away. It’s a stunning day and even Branis is impressed by the variety of animals we spot.
After we see our last male lion (a small 2 meters from our automotive!!), we drive up the driveway of Mara Explorers Camp 12 hours later.
The 4 of us arrive again at camp drained but blown away by the Maasai Mara expertise! Maasai Mara Sport drive budget Masai Mara Sport drive price range
The way to do a price-range safari in Masai Mara National Park?
We booked our sport drive at Mara Explorers Camp, the campsite the place we stayed. Whereas they solely supply single day sport drives it was a tremendous possibility since you get a full 12 hours within the park.
Experiencing each daybreak and nightfall when the animals are most lively. When you examine this as a multi-day safari the place you might be solely within the park for a couple of hours a day (as a result of journey time) it’s a tremendous deal.
What number of days do you want for Masai Mara?
In case you have a safari day of 12 hours similar to ours, then sooner or later is sufficient to see a variety of Masai Mara Nationwide Park.
You may be within the park throughout each dawn and sundown and you’ll have a great likelihood of seeing many animals. If a 12-hour sport drive is just not a possibility, contemplate taking two safari days for The Mara!
Do you go for a personal safari or a bunch safari?
The jeep we drove in had an {electrical} outlet to cost digital camera batteries, and an open roof to additionally take a look at the animals standing.
Most of the 6 individuals go in a jeep and even then there’s room sufficient to have a great view and to have the ability to {photograph} nicely. For my part, reserving a personal automobile (dearer) is subsequently completely pointless.
How a lot does a safari or sport drive in Masai Mara, Kenya price?
We paid 60 USD per individual for our safari. That is the quantity we paid for the automotive and guides. As well as, there’s a park entrance price (80 USD per individual), lunch, and tip.
The tea and cookies are included. We introduced lunch ourselves, which saved once more cash as a result of we’re backpacking in Kenya!
Maasai Mara Sport drive price range
Beneath you may learn precisely how a lot of the price range safari in Masai Mara price. Understand that we did a full-day safari, however, the prices beneath additionally embody three nights of lodging.
You possibly can additionally contemplate spending only one or two nights within the Masai Mara Nationwide Park space.
Masai Mara Budget Safari 13:
Transportation to Masai Mara: 12.5 USD per individual a technique * (x2) = 25 USD
Resort: 20 USD per individual for a two-person tent (x Three days **) = 60 USD
Safari in Masai Mara: 60 USD per individual. Park Admission: 80 USD per individual
Tipping (information and driver): 30 USD per individual (that is after all totally as much as you).
Meals: 15 USD in groceries for 3 days
↠ Complete: USD 267.50 per individual. ↞
* After Masai Mara we drove on to Naivasha by public transportation, for which we additionally paid 12.5 USD.
** You possibly can do that while spending simply two nights in Masai Mara, however, we thought it could be good to have an additional day of relaxation.
Tip: you may pay for a park entrance by bank card (without surcharge). In most motels in Masai Mara, you pay a surcharge of 3-5% when you pay with a bank card. There is no such thing as a cashpoint close to the park, the final financial institution you encounter is in Narok.
↠ Is Kenya a costly vacation spot? Learn our price range weblog together with our spending!
Maasai Mara Sport drive price range
May we’ve got finished our safari in Maasai Mara even cheaper?
No, we don’t assume that this might have been cheaper. The most cost-effective safari packages that we noticed began from $350 per individual (together with a single day keep), without meals, drinks, or park entrance. When you do resolve to journey with your personal tent you’ll save a couple of {dollars} on lodging.
The place is Masai Mara in Kenya.
Masai Mara is situated in southwestern Kenya, on the border of Tanzania. When you cross the border, the park turns into the Serengeti.
The Serengeti is so much greater and extra expansive than Masai Mara. Masai Mara is 270 km from Nairobi.
How do you get from Nairobi to Masai Mara by public transport?
Masai Mara is 270 km from Nairobi. You may after all constituency an airplane for a couple of thousand euros. Barely cheaper is a personal taxi (+/- 250 euros per automotive). What we did, as actual backpackers, nonetheless, was less expensive and solely took an additional two hours:
1. By bus from Nairobi to Narok
First, we took the bus from Nairobi to Narok (a medium-sized metropolis within the west) with bus firm Straightforward Coach (500 KES per individual, a guide at their workplace within the center of Nairobi). We caught the 7:30 am bus, however, the 8:30 am possibility works as nicely.
2. By shared taxi from Narok to Masai Mara
As soon as on the Straightforward Coach bus station in Narok we needed to stroll one other 10 minutes to the matatu bus station that’s reverse the Naivas grocery store. Right here we shortly purchased some water and last-minute groceries.
As soon as at the matatu bus station you might be instantly accosted by individuals who wish to (sincerely) provide help to discover your solution to Maasai Mara.
The 2 least expensive choices are to take a matatu or rent a shared taxi. We opted for the latter and waited till we met up with different travelers (our Canadian pals!) to replenish the automobile. “Full” means there are at the very least six individuals within the 4 obtainable seats.
We selected to share the price of the 2 further seats between the 4 of us so we might arrive earlier and be extra comfy.
Because of this, we paid 750 KES per individual as a substitute for the conventional worth of 500 KES.
The automotive trip that adopted takes about two hours and runs on a dusty, bumpy grimy highway.
On the whole, our one-way transportation price is 1250 KES per individual, which quantities to 12.5 USD per individual.Maasai Mara Sport drive price range
The place do you sleep in Masai Mara with a small price range
There are few price-range lodging or hostels in or close to Masai Mara. We slept at the Mara Explorers Camp simply outdoors in the park for 40 USD per evening. We did this in a tent with an actual mattress.
It’s also possible to camp right here with your personal tent for 10 USD per individual or sleep in a dorm for 15 USD per individual.
For us, this was the proper backpacker’s lodging. An alternative choice is the Enchoro Wildlife camp, from 50 USD per evening (per individual).
Be aware: when you sleep in the park, you’ll have to pay an entrance price for every day you keep there. There’s a decreased fee however you’ll nonetheless pay 70 USD per individual per day.
Is favor one thing extra luxurious? Then Aruba Mara may be appropriate lodging for you. From 230 USD per evening (for two individuals)Maasai Mara Sport drive budget Masai Mara Sport drive price range
The place do you eat in Masai Mara
One of many causes we selected Mara Explorers Camp was as a result of they provide an outfitted kitchen.
Together with a fridge and cook dinner range. This allowed us to make our personal meals, which we love, and save some huge cash.
Had we not finished that, we might have been capable of eating breakfast and lunch for 10 USD every and dinner for 15 USD per individual at Mara Explorers.
Please word: there aren’t any supermarkets or ATMs within the village at the entrance of Masai Mara. You can find a couple of small outlets place you should buy contemporary produce and water.
If there isn’t a kitchen in your lodge, chances are high that you’ll purchase all of your meals out of your lodge.
Now we have not seen any eating places within the small village at the entrance of Masai Mara.
Take note of comparatively excessive costs within the motels.Maasai Mara Sport drive budget Masai Mara Sport drive price range
Recommended Itinerary
Day 1: After a lengthy trip from Nairobi, you arrive at the Mara. Rest up before getting ready for a morning game drive. On this first day, you can have the opportunity to go on an evening game drive to watch the sunset and slake your thirst for visiting Masai Mara.
Day 2: Take a morning game drive, do a lunch break, and then take a second evening game drive.
Day 3: A third full day of wildlife drives and picnic lunches, with the option of seeing the Masai settlement.
Day 4: Return to Nairobi by car.
You can complete the three days and two nights if you are traveling by air to the Masai Mara. If you choose this route, you’ll have more time to rest than if you drove to the Mara.
Days to stay in Masai Mara for a cheap vacation
Plan to stay in the Mara for at least 3 days and 2 nights if money is limited. The two game drives you will take on your single day of sightseeing will allow you to enjoy the Masai Mara’s natural splendor.
Should I visit other East African parks instead of only the Masai Mara for a safari?
The majority of East Africa’s other nations share the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania’s wildlife, while Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park also offer mountain gorilla treks for $700 per person each trip and $1500 per person per trek, respectively. In order to enjoy a lengthy itinerary in East Africa while traveling on a budget, use Great Adventure safaris.
What else is there to do around Masai Mara Nationwide Park?
We determined to remain for three nights within the Masai Mara space. On a primary day, we arrived and went for a run.
Day two was our sport drive and on day three we relaxed and we went to work once more. Nonetheless, you are able to do a lot of different enjoyable actions right here.
For instance, there’s a botanical backyard ($10) and a Masai village tour with conventional Masai dance ($10).
You are able to do a sizzling air balloon flight ($300 USD) or simply get pleasure from taking part in volleyball with the employees from Mara Explorers Camp.
What are the most well-liked activities for families in the Maasai Mara National Reserve?
According to visitors on Tripadvisor, these activities are the most well-liked ones to do with kids in Maasai Mara National Reserve:
- Ol Kinyei Conservancy
- Olare Orok Conservancy
Mara Triangle - River Mara
On my safari to the Mara, should I also stop at the Masai Village?
There are recommendations that you visit the Maasai Settlement, a village in the Mara when you are making travel plans there. You may see firsthand how the traditional Maasai people go about their daily lives in this Maasai village.
The Maasai people’s customs will never cease to interest you, and interacting with them is always a pleasant experience. The Maasai are one of the last tribes in Kenya to maintain a lot of their customs and ways of life. Observing them perform their customary dances and ceremonies is always fascinating.
The Maasai Village has the peculiarity that although there are Maasai who wears traditional garb, they could not actually be Maasais. They are probably members of other Kenyan tribes who are passing themselves off as Maasais. The Maasai Village is often a camp that residents build up in order to put on a show and profit from the entry fee and the trinkets they sell you.
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