Memories of Mohn

3 days safari in Masai Mara, Kenya

Have you ever wondered, if a safari trip is something for you? Here’s an insight, to what a safari trip in Masai Mara might look like.

Private safari trip for two

Going on a safari trip has been a big dream of ours for years. As it was the first time for both of us, we found it a bit hard to navigate in our expectations. The booking process was a bit of a nightmare, as there are so, so many options, and you’ll have to be careful not to get scammed. We opted for a private trip, and luckily, we ended up having an amazing time. We are still so stoked about our adventure. Let me just tell you about it!

Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve

So, first of all, you might know that Kenya is known for a lot of national parks and reserves, so you can imagine that it was a bit challenging, deciding which one to choose. We ended up going with Masai Mara. The park is based in both Kenya and Tanzania, and it is known for The Big Five which includes: elephant, lion, leopard, cape buffalo and rhino. We sadly didn’t see any rhinos, but we were recommended visiting Nairobi National Park as they protect black rhinos.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Day one

We chose a company called Africa Marvel Tours, and decided to book a private jeep, as we wanted more flexibility on our trip. We got picked up at our Airbnb (we stayed here) in Nairobi at 7.30 am. A six-hour drive was ahead of us, so of course we were prepared with snacks.

We brought some salty licorices from Denmark and made our driver Sam taste it. He wasn’t as thrilled about it as us Danes though.

The drive was long but very beautiful. On our way, we stopped at The Great Rift Valley to enjoy the view, and apparently buy me a safari hat. I tried to convince Martin to buy one as well, but I’ll have to admit that he looked kinda funny.

View point - Great Rift Valley

Martin and I love learning new languages wherever we go, so now we had a good amount of time to practice. Kenya is an old English colony, which means that the spoken language is partly English, and Swahili. As I’ve been to Zanzibar a few years ago, I already knew a bit of Swahili, which made it a bit more fun.

Arriving at the base camp

When we finally arrived at the camp, the lunch was served right away. The food was amazing, and very tasteful. Every day, we got a three-course menu, at both lunch and dinner. The camp we stayed at is called Zebra Plains Mara Camp, and is located in beautiful surroundings.

Zebra Plains Mara camp

First evening drive in Masai Mara

After lunch we went on an evening drive. Just 15 minutes before we had to leave, it started pouring down. I have to admit, I really didn’t feel like going in that moment. Luckily it stopped, and the drive ended up being amazing.

Our driver Sam was good at spotting the animals, and that evening we saw so many incredible animals including cheetahs, lions, and a big family of giraffes.

Cheetah – Duma

Giraffe – Twiga

Lion – Simba

Wildboar – Nguruwe mwitu

Crowned Crane – Korongo taji

After the rain stopped, the weather was a bit chilly, but we didn’t seem to notice, as we were so intrigued by the animals. Just observing them in their natural habitat was so calming. We could’ve stared at them for hours.

When we got back to the camp we went for dinner, and afterwards coffee by the bonfire. It was such a relaxing and happy way to end the day, staring into the fire, talking about our favorite moments of the day

In the night, we heard lions very close to our tent. The camp was based right outside Masai Mara Reserve, but wild animals would still wander around the camp area at night. Therefore, Masai people would guard the area all night, to make sure everybody stayed safe. Actually, the sounds of the lions made me so excited, that I felt like going outside in the dark. I was too scared to move though, because of a big spider on the mosquito net. So ironic, I know…

Day two

The next day started at 6.30 am. The morning sky was pink, as were our happy hearts. After a cup of coffee, and some freshly baked bread, we were more than ready for a new day of adventures.

Our driver got a call over the radio that a male lion was spotted nearby. This was Martin’s biggest wish, to spot The Lion King. Sadly, he was not to be found, when we arrived.

However, our new favorite memory was just around the corner. A pack of lions, including four females and seven cubs, wandered in their own pace right beside our car. Even though they were no longer than an arm’s reach away, they didn’t seem to notice our presence.

Side-striped Jackel – Bweha

The weather was amazing, and we kept seeing animals everywhere we went. We were very lucky to see all the animals with cubs both zebras, lions, giraffes, elephants etc. They were absolutely adorable.

Plains Zebra – Punda Milia

African Elephant – Tembo, Ndovu

Thomson’s Gazelle – Swala tomi, Lala

The benefits of a private cruiser

As we had a private vehicle, we had the opportunity to decide if we wanted a full day game drive or a morning, and an evening game drive. We chose the last one, as we wanted to spend some time in the camp as well. The roads in the park are very bumpy, the sun is warm, and as you constantly are on the lookout for animals, you easily get tired.

When we got back to the camp, the staff had made us a little romantic surprise in our room. The staff in general were so kind, and helpful.

When we went out on our evening drive, luckily, we saw a male lion. Martin was thrilled.

You are obviously never guaranteed anything while going on a safari, because the animals live wildly in a huge area. Just the way it should be.

Leopard – Chui

Hyaena – Fisi, Nyangao

The sunset every night was absolutely stunning.

Traditional Masai dance

While eating dinner, the Masai people performed the traditional Masai dance. This was one of the things on my bucket list, while in Kenya. We thought about visiting the Masai village, but decided just to embrace this moment, as our safari trip was only a few days long.

The dance was very unique and wonderful. They were dressed in happy, colorful outfits. One at a time, they jumped as high as possible, while making very loud noises. I found it a bit difficult not to laugh, when they started gathering around our table.

Day three

The last day, we chose to go on a boat ride in Lake Naivasha, before heading to the airport. Lake Naivasha is placed about 1.5 hour drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Lake Naivasha is a beautiful lake with an extraordinary bird life, and a lot of hippos. The hippos are very aggressive animals, so we had to keep our distance. Several places in the lake, we found hippos in groups of ten, peaking up from the water. Usually, they go to the shore at night to eat.

Hippo – Kiboko

Lake Naivasha

African fish eagle – Furukombe

Martin is very fascinated by eagles, so when we saw the African fish eagle, he got so excited.

Pelican – Mwari

To sum up

Obviously, there are lot of different ways to go on a safari. You can do it a lot cheaper or you can throw more greens at it, it depends on what type of experience you are looking for. It all comes down to which company you choose, accommodation, and the duration of your stay. Here’s an overview of our expenses for the trip.

Price overview for 3 days, 2 nights safari in Masai Mara

* Program costs 1.300 USD for two people – Including:

– Transfers to/from your hotel/airport in Nairobi

– Park fees

– Accommodation

– Meals on full board + drinking water

– Private 4×4 cruiser jeep

* Boat ride 35 USD each person

* Tips for staff and driver/guide

Nice to know before booking your trip

* If you decide to book your safari online, make sure to do your research beforehand. Contact the different companies that appeal to you, and compare the price, and the value. Do not just choose the first you find. Check out Safaribookings.com.

* Choose no less than 3 days when visiting Masai Mara. As the drive is so long, it would be a shame if you didn’t have at least one full day of exploration. It’s also possible to fly to Serena Airstrip in Masai Mara, if you’re short on time. Keep in mind that it’s a bit pricier.

* Bring clothes for both warm and cold weather. The mornings and evenings can be a bit chilly, but in the middle of the day it can be very warm. Wear neutral colored clothes.

* If you want to see the animals with cubs in Masai Mara, you should probably go in January till March, which is when most animals give birth.

* Remember to tip the staff at the camp, and especially your driver. At lot of hours, and energy is spent on trying to give you the adventure of your life. Tip your driver at least 10 USD per day.

* If you want great pictures of the animals, DO NOT use a smartphone. Digital zoom will not give you the pictures you are hoping for. Instead use a camera with an optic zoom.

* Remember to enjoy and appreciate the moment. It’s not every day you have the opportunity to observe wildlife this way. Embrace it!

I hope you enjoyed a little sneak peak of the African savannah. If you have the opportunity to go on a safari, I highly recommend you do that. Yes, it can be a lot of money, but if you ask me, you can’t put a price on an experience like this.

Take care and be safe

– Anne Mohn

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