Kenya’s Desert, Wildlife, and Beaches in 15 Days – Day 9
Masai Mara – the name says it all! If you have dreamt of Africa, what have you seen? Have you seen a huge stretch of gently rolling savanna dotted with flat-topped acacia trees and many wild animals scattered across those rolling grasslands? The image you mostly picture of Africa, belongs to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara is one of the biggest highlights of all Kenyan safaris, so is ours. This was our last segment of Kenyan safari. Therefore, we wished to carry the best memories of the Masai Mara during our thrilling stay of 2 days and 2 nights here. In this part, you will get a general information about the Masai Mara National Reserve with a specific mention of Olarro Private Campsite. Keep following for the next one, which will be about the Great Wildebeest Migration taking place in Africa.
Highlights of the Day
- Drive from Maji Moto Eco Camp to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Game-drive in Masai Mara National Reserve
- Leisure in Olarro Private Campsite
Heading to Masai Mara National Reserve
We were so excited to realize that we were heading to Masai Mara National Reserve – the dream of Africa! On the previous day, we had a great time with the Maasai people in Maji Moto Eco Camp. We were ready for the most interesting part of our Kenya safari. The customized 4 x 4 pop up top Land Rover was anxiously waiting for some serious adventure. John, our driver-cum-guide, and Jumah, our cook-cum-guide were equally thrilled.
John drove around 70 km for 2 h and we reached the Sekeneni gate of Masai Mara National Reserve. It was around 1 PM. We had local traditional lunch, which includes the usual brown rice, noodles, ugali (made from cornmeal) with sukuma (steamed greens), cooked beans, and cooked cabbage and kachumbari (salad). We picked up some ration like fruits, and vegetables for the up-coming camping days from local grocery stores close to the Gate. Finally, we headed to the security guard at the gate who checked the booking details of Olarro Private Campsite that we had already booked in advance, and they let us in.
Olarro Private Campsite is located inside the Mara Triangle, which is another 60 km from the Sekenani Gate. This means another 1.5 h of driving. In other words, we got to enjoy a game-drive in the Mara Conservancy before entering the Mara Triangle. Once you enter Mara Triangle, you cannot drive around the Mara Conservancy unless you purchase a separate ticket for the conservancy. If this seems confusing, I will tell you the difference between the two parts of the Masai Mara in the following part.
Mara Triangle and Mara Conservancy
Masai Mara National Reserve includes the famous reserve called the Mara Triangle, surrounded by many conservancies, ranches, and Maasai villages. For instance, the Mara Conservancy is a popular one. The Mara River divides the Mara Triangle from the rest of the Masai Mara National Reserve. It is one-third of the total reserve, and the Mara Conservancy, which is a private, non-governmental agency, has been managing the infrastructure and anti-poaching efforts within the Mara Triangle of Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve.
The main differences between the two as as follows:
- Mara Triangle is the best site for encountering the much-anticipated Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings. This is because the Mara, Talek and Sand rivers run through the reserve. On the other hand, Mara Conservancy is a great place for other various wild animals.
- Even if you are not staying in Mara Triangle, still you can take day-trips there on payment of the park fee. However, the case is not same in Mara Conservancy. If you are staying in the conservancy’s camps or lodges, then you can enjoy wildlife viewing here. Otherwise, day-visitors are not allowed in here.
- Off-road game driving is strictly prohibited in Mara Triangle, while it is allowed in Mara Conservancy.
- The Mara Triangle strictly allows only 5 vehicles per wildlife sighting, while in Mara Conservancy, it is not uncommon to find 15-20 vehicles at a good sighting in high season.
- Night game-drives are not allowed in Mara Triangle as it is only open from 6.30 AM to 6.30 PM. On the other hand, Mara Conservancy allows night game-drives up to 10 PM, with a red-colored spotlight.
- Walking is strictly prohibited in Mara Triangle unless in camp areas, whereas Mara Conservancy offers walking safaris with guides.
Game-Drive in Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve looked exactly the same – just as I used to see Africa in my dream. I fell in love, immediately. We had a great game-drive there – almost for 3 h.
Olarro Private Campsite
Finally, we reached our campsite in Mara Triangle – Olarro Private Campsite – at around 5 PM. The camp is located near Mara River in the southern sector of the Mara Triangle. The campsite is cool for small group and has splendid view of the Mara River. It has good access road and the best part is that it is not far from wildebeest crossing points.
Rules to keep in mind while camping in the Mara Triangle:
- Each camping group has to book two rangers from the national park office and pay them in cash, else you are not allowed to camp.
- Firewood is not to be collected from inside the park. You can buy them from the rangers who will help you get them if told in advance.
- Extinguish fires after use and never leave the fire unattended
- Bury your toilet.
- No bathing in the river.
- Do not feed the animals or lay bait.
- Secure your food and equipment from animals.
- Do not stray more than 25 m from your camp.
- No loud music.
- Take all rubbish with you – do not burn.
Total distance covered: 150 km.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN USD)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 9 in Kenya – Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Private campsite booking fee shared among 3: 33
- Camping site fee (2 days): 80
- Entrance fee to the national reserves (2 days): 150
- Entrance fee and camping site fee for driver and cook, vehicle fee, and ranger fee shared among 3 (2 days): 56
- Food: 6
- Groceries: 15
Total expense (roughly): 340 USD
For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
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Awesome! Loved the videos:) I’m def gonna save this for my Masai Mara trip in future. Great job Shreya! Happy Globetrotting☺️
Thanks much, Reeta.
The landscapes do match what my vision of African safaris are like! I think it is great that the satellites are disguised as tree-like structures so the animals are not scared and it maintains more of their natural habitat.
Yes, they are so thoughtful for the animals – I loved that part.
Enjoyed your videos very much. Also thanks for the information on the hartebeests. This has been a bucket list item for me for so long. Your photos are very good. I definitely have to visit sooner rather than later. Thanks.
Yes Jane.
This looks like such a wonderful and rustic experience! Truthfully, I’m more of a glamper than camper, but you look like you had fun on your private campsite. Would absolutely love to visit Kenya one day, and do a safari drive like this one. Hopefully one day soon!
Lisa, you can stay in the lodges which are really luxurious.
What a brilliant experience! I’ll be showing my husband this tonight as he thinks it’s too expensive. It isn’t!
Well, tbh, it is not very cheap. I have just mentioned the expense day-wise.
This looks like quite an adventure! Staying in a tent is not exactly my cup of tea, but I’d put up with it for the sake of seeing Masai Mara Reserve. Your beautiful pictures game me a pretty good idea of the atmosphere of this place. It’s indeed very exotic.
The tents are actually very comfortable from inside. These are not the usual ones.
Photography,videos are jus superb,it made me my will more strong to add Masaimara in my bucket list..darling shreya good job
It got to be in your list, Neha!
Very well written blog. Loved the recollection. Very well written regarding the various animals. Whenever we think of Africa we think of landscapes like this. Can’t wait to be here again. You bring the pleasure in every trip. Mara got a new life because of this blog. Thanks for the amazing times. Love
Much love to you!!! The trip would not have been possible if you were not there by me.
Visiting the Masai Mara is at the top of my bucket list. I love wildlife and have done safaris in Southern Africa but would love to catch the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Yes, that is spectacular.
I must say every time i read a post about the Masai Mara it wants me to pack my bags and go straight away but unfortunately you need more then that. I have this on my bucket list but avoiding due to young children. It does look very safe and I have started planning this as the kids get older now. Nice to read all the details which help me plan better . The visuals of the wildlife in its origibanl habitat is the most rewarding aspect of it and one I cant wait to see. Thanks for sharing a in depth post about it.
It will be a great family trip.
Another delightful post about Kenya. Masai Mara is on everyone’s bucket-list these days and why not? I love how you share every detail, your personal experiences and relive the memories through your writing.
Trying! Love the motivation from you.
Wow that gorgeous giraffe alone seems worth all the trouble of planning a Masai Mara trip! Thank you for all the useful travel tips!
Hope you find them useful, Namita.
I love how they protect their environment by limiting the amount of tourists that can come in a day! As for the food they served, do they not eat meat there, traditionally?
They do eat meat traditionally.
Wow! All that nature and those animals… amazing! My big dream is to be able to visit Africa and go to a safari, and this really made want to go there right now. It must be such a wonderful experience. Also the camping looks like something that suits for a safari trip. Looks like you guys had such a great time.
Yes Paula, we really had a great time.
Camping in Masai Mara National reserve must be a beautiful experience. Also the drive inside this reserve is great because you got to see so many exotic animals moving freely in their natural habitat. I too want to try out traditional lunch as it has lot of vegetarian varieties. Thanks for sharing all details, specially the expenses break-up.
Happy to know that it’s helpful.