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Wild Masai Mara

Kenya

6 nights 10 Departures Available

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There is nowhere better to answer the call of the wild than the renowned Masai Mara, and the iconic Governors’ Camp, its riverside setting superb for scenery and safari

Overview

For fifty years, Governors’ has been pioneering safaris and setting the standard for tented camps. The original Governors’ Camp was the first permanent tented camp in the Masai Mara. Nestled in the forest by the banks of the Mara River, it occupies the best spot for year-round wildlife watching, a position considered so perfect that it was reserved for Kenya’s colonial Governors, and has been known, and revered, as Governors’ Camp ever since. From this iconic enclave, your safari explores the Big Five and Big Cat reserve, famed for the most thrilling wildlife event on earth, the annual Great Migration, when more than a million wildebeest, joined by thousands of zebra, make a grand circuit between ‘the Mara’ and neighbouring Serengeti. With five hundred species of birdlife recorded in the reserve, a list of the Mara’s mammals runs through the alphabet from aardvarks to zebras; covers the size range from tiny dik-dik antelopes to six-ton elephants, and graceful giraffes, the world’s tallest terrestrial animal; and spans the species types from porcupines to pangolins, wide-eyed bushbabies, comical warthogs, majestic topi, agile vervet monkeys, and angry buffalos.

Highlights

  • Stay at the iconic Governors’ Camp
  • The Masai Mara, a ‘Big Five’ reserve
  • Witness the annual Great Migration
  • Lake Naivasha diverse wildlife
  • Lake Nakuru’s flocks of flamingos
  • Optional sunrise balloon ride
Wild Masai Mara Map 2023

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Nairobi

Fly from your chosen airport to Nairobi, and transfer to the 4-star Eka Hotel, for an overnight stay.

Day 2 - Fly to the Masai Mara Game Reserve

Return to the airport for your flight to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. It’s all in the name at this National Reserve, ‘Maasai’ for the ancestral inhabitants of the area, ‘Mara’ translating from their language as ‘spotted’ – a description of the savannah landscape, dotted with bushes, scrub and clusters of trees. Enjoy an afternoon game drive. Four nights at Governors’ Camp.
(B, L, D)

Day 3 - Explore the park through game drives

Rise early each morning to make the most of your spectacular location. Each day will offer you the option of game drives within the Mara, an immersive experience amid the rich diversity of wildlife in this game reserve, where lions laze, gazelles graze, and cheetahs choose their prey.
(B, L, D)

Day 4 - Enjoy an optional balloon ride before your game drive

Perhaps begin the day with an optional, unforgettable, early morning balloon ride over the Mara (pre-bookable), before game drives in the Big Five reserve, its 583 square miles home to elusive leopards, elephant families, hook-lipped Black Rhinos, buffalo herds, and hundreds of the Mara’s iconic black-mane lions.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 - Spend the day exploring

Enjoy your final full day here in the haunts of the Big Cats. Separated from the Serengeti by the Mara River, the Masai Mara is at its most awesome during the Great Migration between the two reserves (usually July-September), when a miles-long, moving line of wildebeest stretches from horizon to horizon on their journey seeking sweeter pastures.
(B, L, D)

Day 6 - Enjoy a game drive before flying home from Nairobi

Early morning game drive before your flight to Nairobi; enjoy a Farewell dinner at the aptly named Carnivore Restaurant, its all-you-can-eat meat buffet, local music, and informal ambience making it one of East Africa’s most famous and popular venues; and transfer to the airport for the return flight.
(B, L, D)

Day 7 - Arrive home

Arrive Home.

Notes:

Some travel is on unmade, bumpy roads and it may be necessary to ‘climb’ into the safari vehicle.
On occasion, alternative hotel of the same standard may be used in Nairobi.
A luggage allowance of 15kg per person is applicable for internal flights.

Reviews

Accommodation

Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.

Eka Hotel, Nairobi, Exterior Facade

Eka Hotel - Nairobi

A contemporary style hotel located near the airport offering comfort and convenience. Restaurant, bar, pool and WiFi (free). 170 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.

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Governors Camp, Masai Mara, Restaurant with giraffe walking past

Governors' Camp - Masai Mara

The original and pioneering camp, created in 1972 is under canvas with all of the comforts of a luxury hotel. Some of the 25 tents line the riverbank, tucked into the forest enjoying uninterrupted views over the Mara River, others have views across the sweeping plains of the Mara. The tents are big and bright in classic safari style with private facilities and a private veranda. There is a bar tent with deck overlooking the river, dining tent with views over the plains, a spa tent offering a range of treatments and Wi-Fi (free).

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Optional Extras

Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.

Optional Excursions

Hot Air Ballooning, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Morning Balloon ride Masai Mara

The balloon adventure usually begins early so you can see the day unfold over the Mara. Cups of hot Kenyan coffee or tea and snacks are served to ward off the morning chill. You’ll then be picked up in a custom 4X4 Landcruiser around 0500hrs (Pick up time varies depending on the location of your overnight accommodation) you arrive at your launch site an hour later. The scene here is exciting be as you take in the ground crew firing jets of hot air into the balloon to give it lift. Soon your pilot shares important safety information and describes what you can expect on your flight. Meanwhile, the balloon starts to billow out and the crew attaches the large basket that will be your viewing platform. You are soon helped into the basket and around 6:30 am, with a quick flash from the burner above, you feel the basket lift from the ground and you’re suddenly and gently airborne.
As you rise, new vistas quickly form all about. The great display of the Masai Mara unfolds – you take in giraffe, zebra, gazelle and hippo below as worlds of birds, rivers and forest fill your horizon.
From the scenery you got to see so many animals from a different angle from being in the safari jeep
You’ll sail on the prevailing currents over this ancient land for an adventurous hour before settling back to earth, your head now filled with a lifetime of memories.
To complete the celebration a champagne breakfast is served on the Mara plains after the flight, complete with butler service and an open bar. This elegant repast is set at a scenic spot, perhaps on the crest of a hill, perhaps under a lone acacia tree. This is a full-bodied meal, served up Kenyan style. Waiters in traditional garb bring you fresh juice, eggs made to order, champagne and more. Enjoy this feast for the body, adding to the many morning memories of your balloon adventure.

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Extension Options

Flamingo, Lake Navasha Extension, Kenya

Extend your stay in Kenya and relax at the serene Loldia House, overlooking Lake Naivasha and its spectacular variety of birds, including fish eagles, white breasted cormorants, ospreys, lily-trotters. A number of animals can be found grazing on the lake shores. Includes full board, transfers and Lake Nakuru excursion.

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Stay Extra Nights...

Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.

- Travel Guides -

You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.

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