Safaris and Wilderness Travel
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The Masai Mara is still one of the best game experiences you could hope to have. Aside from the undeniably spectacular prospect of seeing tens of thousands of wildebeest brave the crocodiles as they cross the Mara River en masse, the Mara has a huge variety of general wildlife and among the best chances to get great views of lion, cheetah and even leopard. The rolling plains and treed thickets are reminiscent of the days of early explorers and many of the small camps retain the same authentic, low-key feel that we like so much. A fairly concentrated wildlife experience, days start early to take advantage of predators on the move, but afternoons are spent lazily in camp before heading out once again in the cool of the evening. Although the migration (July – October) is a highlight, good wildlife can be found out of season, with the added benefit of fewer people.
However, the Mara has seen a lot of development over the past 15 years and so you need to choose carefully where to go. Community conservancies now provide an important buffer to the reserve itself and these are often the best places to find small, authentic camps in beautiful areas, far from the busier game routes. Here, you can enjoy fantastic game drives and walks amongst the undulating plains and treed thickets that are so typical of the Mara.
Kicheche Mara Camp is one of the best value safari camps in the Mara Conservation Area. This is a well put together, traditional safari camp, and it's somewhere you'll get excellent game viewing and comfortable accommodation, without having to re-mortgage your house. Kicheche may not be as intimate as some of the smaller camps at eleven double tents, but it still manages to provide an excellent service and all in all is one of our favourites. Read more?
The Mara Conservation Area surrounds the main Masai Mara Reserve. This land is owned by a series of different Maasai communities (although mmuch of it falls under conservation partnership ageements with the private camp-owners), and differs from the main reserve in a couple of important ways. First, the Maasai to whom this is home are allowed to use this area to graze their cattle. Second, because it lies outside the main reserve, walking is allowed in this area. While many of the camps located here - the likes of Kicheche Mara Camp, Ol Seki Mara Camp, Richards Camp and Elephant Pepper Camp are within relatively easy reach of the main reserve, we would council against using this area simply as a dormitory for visiting the main park. Like Loliondo in northern Tanzania the Conservation Area really offers another side of the Mara ecosystem. It's probably worth recognising that the game viewing may not be quite on the scale of the main park - and that for the major river crossings you'll need to make the journey. However, in our experience, game viewing here rarely disappoints and the added dimension of the Maasai involvement makes this an excellent place to spend a few days. Read more?
Catherine's long experience of, and enthusiasm for Africa, makes her a mine of travel information. Add to the mix her vivacious character and inscrutable attention to detail and there are few people you'd rather have plan your holiday.
