Maasai Mara is situated in the southwest of Kenya, covering an area of 1 510 square km (583 square miles), the Maasai Mara National Reserve is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains.
The quintessential Maasai Mara safari delivers many attractions, as the reserve is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game, including the more than two million wildebeest, zebras and other antelopes that make up the famous Great Migration.
Four Days Journey Schedule
Fairmont Mara Safari Club
What We Love About Fairmont Mara Safari Club
Travel Arrangements
Insurance
For more information contact;
Eco Swahili
WhatsApp : https://wa.me/254702086676
Call us on : +254702086676
Email us at : info@swahiliecosafaris.com
Facebook : https://fb.me/swahiliecosafaris
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/swahili_eastafrica
Telegram : https://t.me/swahiliecosafari
Website : https://www.swahiliecosafaris.com
The quintessential Maasai Mara safari delivers many attractions, as the reserve is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game, including the more than two million wildebeest, zebras and other antelopes that make up the famous Great Migration.
Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves. Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible and most spectacular eco-systems, and possibly the world’s top safari big game viewing eco-system.
It hosts over 95 species of mammals and over 570 recorded species of birds. This is the World Cup of Wildlife.
Due the amount to be seen in the reserve we feel a THREE to FOUR day safari is suitable for just the Maasai Mara. If you are interested in photography, the longer you stay, the more chance of getting the ultimate photographs.
The reserve is a photographer’s and naturalist’s paradise, with abundant elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah alongside the migratory wildebeest and zebra. Leopards are frequently encountered, endangered black rhino hide in the dense thickets and large rafts of hippo and enormous crocodiles are found in the Mara River.
Specially created for;
- Wildlife enthusiasts
- Luxury adventure travellers
- Families
Day 1
Our driver guide will pick you from your Nairobi hotel, airport or place of residence which is the starting point of our safari and proceed for Maasai Mara game reserve.
After a short briefing the safari will commence. The journey will take you through the countryside as you pass through the floor of the scenic Great Rift Valley. You will have a few stops on the way to view the fall of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and other scenic spots.
Arrive in time for lunch at Fairmont Mara Safari Club in the afternoon. Check in at your reserved camp. In the afternoon proceed for a thrilling game drive as from 1600hrs until dusk.
Dinner and Overnight at the Camp.
Day 2
Awake to the noisy calls of the birds. After an early breakfast, Embark on a full day game drive in the Maasai Mara National Park with picnic lunch.
Game drives are always a delight here as they don’t get much better than in this central triangle of the Maasai Mara. Lion, cheetah, buffalo, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, bateared fox and various antelope are conspicuous in the plains that divide the rivers.
Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Early breakfast then a full day of game viewing within the reserve. Elephant and buffalo abound in the riverine forests, while out on the grasslands impala and Thompson’s gazelle can be seen together with their attendant predators such as lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal.
Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Final early morning game drive, breakfast and then road transfer to Nairobi and drop off at location of choice.
The Fairmont Mara Safari Club, a luxury Maasai Mara resort hotel in Kenya, re-opened in 2009 following an extensive renovation program. Surrounded on three sides by the breathtaking Mara River, and on the edge of the world’s Seventh “New” Wonder of the World – the Maasai Mara - Fairmont Mara Safari Club is the epitome of tented luxury.
A Top 20 Luxury Resort by Travel & Leisure Magazine, The Fairmont is a host to a number of fine dining, safari and outdoor activities. The main Maasai Mara lodge at the center of camp hosts an indoor restaurant, bar and library with Internet access to keep the relatives up to date with safari adventures.
A spacious outside deck overhangs the river and leads to a swimming pool, complete with bar and private massage tents. Outdoor dining is enhanced with the creation of a boma, a structure influenced by traditional homesteads, where guests can enjoy a cultural dinner reflecting not only African cuisine but also rich musical accompaniment.
The main building, with a lounge and dining room is cantilevered over the river. An African theme runs throughout the camp, with lovely beaded screens for partitions and décor - including safari chairs, authentic lampshades, stools, wall hangings and floor rugs, with an ethnic edge.
The main lodge is a burst of rich African colors including reds, browns and tans. It consists of modern African furniture interspersed with, distinct African wall hangings and artistic touches of leather, bead work and calabashes, which have been used to give the room a warm, yet refined touch.
Guests can choose from a wide range of activities at Fairmont Mara Safari Club resort hotel, including game drives and balloon safaris over the Mara plains capped with a marvellous breakfast on the Savannah or a stroll in the footprints of the hippo-trodden path escorted by a Maasai Moran.
The location provides a perfect base for visiting the Maasai Mara, one of the world’s richest wildlife reserves, and home to an astounding array of animals including zebras, cheetahs, wildebeests, gazelles and of course the “Big Five”.
With four poster, pillow-top beds and a veranda overlooking the hippo and crocodile-filled river. Each of the 50 tents at Fairmont Mara Safari Club is superbly furnished with its own private, three-piece bathroom, including a number of “outdoor showers” in select tents, offering one of the most luxurious Maasai Mara hotel accommodation.
Insurance
It is essential that adequate travel insurance be taken out prior to departure. It is important to note that it is recommended to purchase travel insurance within 14 days from paying your deposit. This should cover any medical situation such as hospitalisation, as well as cancellation, curtailment of arrangements and baggage.
Check-in times
In accordance with global practice, all hotel and lodge check-in/out times are as follows:
Check-in: 14hrs; check-out: 11hrs
Language
The national language in Kenya is Swahili, although English is widely spoken.
Photography
Bring sufficient memory cards and batteries as these are not always readily available. Remember to ask permission before taking a photograph of any local resident.
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is not allowed in any of the conservation areas, until such time as their impact on wildlife and anti-poaching initiatives can be assessed. This rule applies throughout Africa.
Important information
Please note that local laws, religious beliefs and cultural practices in parts of Africa may be more conservative than those in your country of origin. As these must be observed and adhered to, we suggest that guests carry out due diligence on any areas of concern to them and exercise their discretion when travelling in the region.
Money
Banks and foreign exchange bureaus are available at all international airports and in all main towns.
Officials may not be in a position to issue change, so please carry small denominations of cash where possible. Most hotels and lodges accept visa and MasterCard. In addition to credit cards, travelers should bring USD cash.
Check-in times
In accordance with global practice, all hotel and lodge check-in/out times are as follows:
Check-in: 14hrs; check-out: 11hrs
Language
The national language in Kenya is Swahili, although English is widely spoken.
Photography
Bring sufficient memory cards and batteries as these are not always readily available. Remember to ask permission before taking a photograph of any local resident.
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is not allowed in any of the conservation areas, until such time as their impact on wildlife and anti-poaching initiatives can be assessed. This rule applies throughout Africa.
Important information
Please note that local laws, religious beliefs and cultural practices in parts of Africa may be more conservative than those in your country of origin. As these must be observed and adhered to, we suggest that guests carry out due diligence on any areas of concern to them and exercise their discretion when travelling in the region.
Money
Banks and foreign exchange bureaus are available at all international airports and in all main towns.
Officials may not be in a position to issue change, so please carry small denominations of cash where possible. Most hotels and lodges accept visa and MasterCard. In addition to credit cards, travelers should bring USD cash.
Small denominations are recommended as high denomination notes may not be accepted or change may not be available. Credit card transactions could take anything up to a few months to go through, especially from more remote areas. USD are widely accepted; however, notes dated before 2006 are no longer accepted.
Climate
Hot and humid at the coast; temperate inland; very dry in the north; warmest period is February and March and the coolest July and august; rainfall in April, May and November.
Generally temperatures are pleasant averaging 26ºC during the day; sometimes rising above 30ºC in the coastal and northern regions.
Dietary
Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements before you travel and these will be communicated to all properties.
What to pack
As a general guide, comfortable, casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. Muted colors are recommended for game viewing. Game-drives are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, which can be very cold, especially in winter.
The most practical items to pack for safari are;
Climate
Hot and humid at the coast; temperate inland; very dry in the north; warmest period is February and March and the coolest July and august; rainfall in April, May and November.
Generally temperatures are pleasant averaging 26ºC during the day; sometimes rising above 30ºC in the coastal and northern regions.
Dietary
Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements before you travel and these will be communicated to all properties.
What to pack
As a general guide, comfortable, casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. Muted colors are recommended for game viewing. Game-drives are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, which can be very cold, especially in winter.
The most practical items to pack for safari are;
- Khaki, green, beige and neutral colors (dark blue and black should be avoided, as it attracts tsetse flies)
- Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, as protection from the sun, mosquitoes and tsetse flies)
- T-shirts
- Shorts or a light skirt
- Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
- A jacket and sweater is recommended for early morning and evening game drives
- Lightweight water-proof jacket
- Swim and beachwear
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun block, sunglasses, hat, moisturiser and lip-salve are all essentials
- Strong insect repellent
- Binoculars and camera equipment
Most lodges, camps and hotels do their best to deliver a same day laundry service, weather permitting. Dry cleaning can be arranged at most hotels but is not available at lodges. At the lodges soap suds are generally provided in your room for delicate items. Please be mindful that, due to culture and customs in many of the areas in which we operate, some lodges/camps do not wash underwear. While most lodges/camps can arrange for your shoes to be polished, we regret that we are unable to provide a service for these to be washed.
Plastic bags illegal in Kenya
Kenya joins over 40 countries that have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on our environment.
The ban applies to carrier bags with handles (and with or without gussets), and flat bags without handles and without gussets.
If you are travelling to Kenya, plastic bags that match the above description, including duty free bags, will be confiscated at the airport. However, there is a bigger risk that if anyone is caught using these plastic bags, the fine is ksh 4 000 000 (approximately USD 38 000) or a prison sentence of up to four years. If you are travelling to Kenya, please refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic bags in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possibly prosecution.
Electricity
220/240 volts ac, 50hz. It is possible that lodges in more remote areas do not have electricity and run on generator or solar power.
Health requirements
Please consult your physician for advice on malaria precautions before travel to east Africa.
Anyone who takes any special medication should take enough supplies to last the visit.
Yellow fever
Plastic bags illegal in Kenya
Kenya joins over 40 countries that have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on our environment.
The ban applies to carrier bags with handles (and with or without gussets), and flat bags without handles and without gussets.
If you are travelling to Kenya, plastic bags that match the above description, including duty free bags, will be confiscated at the airport. However, there is a bigger risk that if anyone is caught using these plastic bags, the fine is ksh 4 000 000 (approximately USD 38 000) or a prison sentence of up to four years. If you are travelling to Kenya, please refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic bags in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possibly prosecution.
Electricity
220/240 volts ac, 50hz. It is possible that lodges in more remote areas do not have electricity and run on generator or solar power.
Health requirements
Please consult your physician for advice on malaria precautions before travel to east Africa.
Anyone who takes any special medication should take enough supplies to last the visit.
Yellow fever
Swahili eco safaris’ terms and conditions require you to obtain advice from your medical practitioner or travel clinic before travelling to any destination to determine if you are required to get a yellow fever vaccination, no less than 10 days prior to travel.
If required you must be able to produce a yellow fever certificate as proof of vaccination. Depending on which countries you are travelling to prior or post your stay in Kenya the certificate will be required.
The certificate may also be required when re-entering your country of origin, or other African countries, if you have visited a destination within the yellow fever belt.
For more information you may consult the following website but we must reiterate that we advise you to visit your medical practitioner or your closest travel clinic for further information. http://www.who.int/
Swahili eco safaris recommends that travellers entering Kenya directly from non-endemic countries receive the vaccination in their home country. Kenya health officials can be inconsistent in enforcing the correct regulations; however, when they do, and travellers do not have the required documentation, this can result in refusal of entry and unnecessary delays.
Additionally, it is essential for those travelling from the Masai Mara (Kenya) to the Serengeti (Tanzania), via Migori and Tarime, to obtain a yellow fever certificate. Tanzanian health officials have held guests at the Isibania border for extended periods of time, due to lack of certificates. Failure to provide a yellow fever certificate, at these specific destinations, may result in refusal of entry.
Ticks
Ticks can be found in Africa’s wilderness areas. To avoid getting bitten when going on bush walks, guests are advised to take precautions by wearing long trousers, socks and boots. Please note that there is a possibility that tick bites could lead to tick bite fever. Symptoms include fever, headaches and painful, enlarged lymph glands in the area of the bite. If you experience these symptoms after returning home, please visit your doctor and advise them of the possibility of tick bite fever.
Safety
Like anywhere else in the world, visitors must always take reasonable precautions as opportunistic crime does happen and it can be best described as when an opportunity presents itself and subsequently tempts a person to steal.
Most accommodations offer in-room or reception safes to secure your valuables.
Visitors are advised not to leave their belongings or personal property unattended.
Do not carry large sums of money or valuables on your person.
Always buy your excursions from a licensed operator, your hotel or travel agent representatives can assist you with verification.
Flights & transfers
Check-in is 1 hour prior for domestic departures and 2 hours prior for international departures.
Due to particularly stringent security measures at airports in Kenya, guests are required to arrive an additional hour prior to their departure time:
In the event of bad weather, airlines reserve the right to drop guests off at the nearest serviceable airstrip which may mean a road transfer for guests to get to their final destination. Any costs resulting from such diversions would be for your own account. Aircrafts used on inter-lodge flights are small and interior space limited. In addition, some activity and scenic air operators may also have weight and/or height restrictions. For the sake of your own comfort, please advise us at time of booking if you are particularly bulky or tall and we will do our best to accommodate you. Additional costs may apply.
Swahili eco safaris cannot be held responsible should airlines discontinue flights or change scheduled times resulting in missed connections etc. Should an amendment in a routing or itinerary be necessary, we will re-quote accordingly.
Luggage restrictions - Kenya
As you will be travelling in vehicles and aircraft with limited space, luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag weighing a maximum of 15kg (33 lbs) which includes hand luggage and camera equipment.
Type of luggage & dimensions: soft bags with maximum dimensions of 35cm (13.7 inches) wide x 40 cm (15.7 inches) high and 70 cm (27.5 inches) long. Wheels on a bag are only permissible if they are not part of a solid frame or rigid structure. No hard suitcases are allowed and oversized bags may not be carried on your lap. An additional seat can be booked for extra luggage, subject to availability.
When travelling to any of our destinations in Africa, please remember that possession of wildlife trophies is illegal. A wildlife trophy is defined as “any protected animal, game animal, or game bird, alive or dead and any bone, claw, egg, feather, hair, hoof, skin, tooth, tusk or other durable portion whatsoever of that animal or bird or fish or other aquatic life whether processed, added to or changed by the work of man or not, which is recognizable as such a durable portion”. Any person found in possession of these restricted items, without the necessary permits, will be liable to a fine and/or prison term, with the said item being confiscated. In Kenya, certain items made from the ostrich and crocodile skin, both of which are being reared for the purpose, would be permitted as proper permits are issued by the dealers.
Passports & visas
Passports are required by all foreign visitors and must be valid for 6 months after the intended length of stay. Please ensure that you have at least 2 consecutive blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) in your passport. Our recommendation is 3 or even 4 blank pages if you are travelling through more than one country. If there is insufficient space in the passport then entry could be denied.
Visa applications to enter Kenya can be done online via https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke/ .visas can also be acquired upon arrival. Where visas can be obtained at port of entry, fees are payable in USD, cash only, we recommend small denominations of bills not older than 2008. Officials are not in a position to give change. It is recommended to obtain visas prior to arrival as there is a likelihood of long queues at all airports.
Kenya single entry visa - visitors who have obtained a visa for Kenya and then leave the country to travel to either Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda will not need a re-entry visa to return to Kenya. The single entry visa will still be applicable, and will only cease to be acceptable if the re-entry is more than 30 days from the first issue or you go beyond the boundaries of East Africa.
Depending on nationality and country of origin, visa requirements may vary or change without notice. We advise checking with the appropriate consular authority prior to departure. Should the appropriate authority confirm that visas can be obtained on arrival, please ensure you have the applicable fee available.
Swahili eco safaris recommends that travellers entering Kenya directly from non-endemic countries receive the vaccination in their home country. Kenya health officials can be inconsistent in enforcing the correct regulations; however, when they do, and travellers do not have the required documentation, this can result in refusal of entry and unnecessary delays.
Additionally, it is essential for those travelling from the Masai Mara (Kenya) to the Serengeti (Tanzania), via Migori and Tarime, to obtain a yellow fever certificate. Tanzanian health officials have held guests at the Isibania border for extended periods of time, due to lack of certificates. Failure to provide a yellow fever certificate, at these specific destinations, may result in refusal of entry.
Ticks
Ticks can be found in Africa’s wilderness areas. To avoid getting bitten when going on bush walks, guests are advised to take precautions by wearing long trousers, socks and boots. Please note that there is a possibility that tick bites could lead to tick bite fever. Symptoms include fever, headaches and painful, enlarged lymph glands in the area of the bite. If you experience these symptoms after returning home, please visit your doctor and advise them of the possibility of tick bite fever.
Safety
Like anywhere else in the world, visitors must always take reasonable precautions as opportunistic crime does happen and it can be best described as when an opportunity presents itself and subsequently tempts a person to steal.
Most accommodations offer in-room or reception safes to secure your valuables.
Visitors are advised not to leave their belongings or personal property unattended.
Do not carry large sums of money or valuables on your person.
Always buy your excursions from a licensed operator, your hotel or travel agent representatives can assist you with verification.
Flights & transfers
Check-in is 1 hour prior for domestic departures and 2 hours prior for international departures.
Due to particularly stringent security measures at airports in Kenya, guests are required to arrive an additional hour prior to their departure time:
- 3 hours prior to international departures
- 2 hours prior to domestic departures
In the event of bad weather, airlines reserve the right to drop guests off at the nearest serviceable airstrip which may mean a road transfer for guests to get to their final destination. Any costs resulting from such diversions would be for your own account. Aircrafts used on inter-lodge flights are small and interior space limited. In addition, some activity and scenic air operators may also have weight and/or height restrictions. For the sake of your own comfort, please advise us at time of booking if you are particularly bulky or tall and we will do our best to accommodate you. Additional costs may apply.
Swahili eco safaris cannot be held responsible should airlines discontinue flights or change scheduled times resulting in missed connections etc. Should an amendment in a routing or itinerary be necessary, we will re-quote accordingly.
Luggage restrictions - Kenya
As you will be travelling in vehicles and aircraft with limited space, luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag weighing a maximum of 15kg (33 lbs) which includes hand luggage and camera equipment.
Type of luggage & dimensions: soft bags with maximum dimensions of 35cm (13.7 inches) wide x 40 cm (15.7 inches) high and 70 cm (27.5 inches) long. Wheels on a bag are only permissible if they are not part of a solid frame or rigid structure. No hard suitcases are allowed and oversized bags may not be carried on your lap. An additional seat can be booked for extra luggage, subject to availability.
When travelling to any of our destinations in Africa, please remember that possession of wildlife trophies is illegal. A wildlife trophy is defined as “any protected animal, game animal, or game bird, alive or dead and any bone, claw, egg, feather, hair, hoof, skin, tooth, tusk or other durable portion whatsoever of that animal or bird or fish or other aquatic life whether processed, added to or changed by the work of man or not, which is recognizable as such a durable portion”. Any person found in possession of these restricted items, without the necessary permits, will be liable to a fine and/or prison term, with the said item being confiscated. In Kenya, certain items made from the ostrich and crocodile skin, both of which are being reared for the purpose, would be permitted as proper permits are issued by the dealers.
Passports & visas
Passports are required by all foreign visitors and must be valid for 6 months after the intended length of stay. Please ensure that you have at least 2 consecutive blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) in your passport. Our recommendation is 3 or even 4 blank pages if you are travelling through more than one country. If there is insufficient space in the passport then entry could be denied.
Visa applications to enter Kenya can be done online via https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke/ .visas can also be acquired upon arrival. Where visas can be obtained at port of entry, fees are payable in USD, cash only, we recommend small denominations of bills not older than 2008. Officials are not in a position to give change. It is recommended to obtain visas prior to arrival as there is a likelihood of long queues at all airports.
Kenya single entry visa - visitors who have obtained a visa for Kenya and then leave the country to travel to either Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda will not need a re-entry visa to return to Kenya. The single entry visa will still be applicable, and will only cease to be acceptable if the re-entry is more than 30 days from the first issue or you go beyond the boundaries of East Africa.
Depending on nationality and country of origin, visa requirements may vary or change without notice. We advise checking with the appropriate consular authority prior to departure. Should the appropriate authority confirm that visas can be obtained on arrival, please ensure you have the applicable fee available.
Eco Swahili
WhatsApp : https://wa.me/254702086676
Call us on : +254702086676
Email us at : info@swahiliecosafaris.com
Facebook : https://fb.me/swahiliecosafaris
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/swahili_eastafrica
Telegram : https://t.me/swahiliecosafari
Website : https://www.swahiliecosafaris.com
