Maasai Mara, Kenya 3-day tour

Day 1: Nairobi - Masai Mara

I was picked up from Nairobi CBD in the morning and then joined the group of 7 to drive to Masai Mara through The Great African Rift Valley escarpment through Masai Town Narok. We arrived at the camp after 6-hr drive for lunch and checked in at the camp and rest. We had an Afternoon game drive as from 4:30– 6:30 through the park and saw  lions, Cheetahs, Buffalo, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, plus other animals. After dinner, we had a bon fire at Lenchada budget camp Masai Mara.

I booked this tour via a trusted friend’s referral. It costed $380 for single occupancy, and $340 for double occupancy. If you have time to book the tour after arriving in Nairobi, you can save $40. It is rather hard to drive 4x4 in the park and rental cars are expensive, so I recommend taking the tour.


















Day 2: Masai Mara - Mara River

I worked up 5:30 am, had Breakfast by 6 am and left for a full day game drive with packed lunch. We had a Comprehensive game drive to view the wildlife and a visit to the Mara River (famous for the wildebeest migration yet not in season now). We picnicked by a tree and then proceeded with the game drive until 5:30 pm. Beside the animals we saw on the first day, we saw elephants, cape buffalo, hippos, Nile crocodile, elands, herons, ostriches, vultures, baboons, Uganda national bird: great crystal cranes, Kenya national blue birds, and other animals. As you can see from the photos with my iPhone SE 2020, we were very close to the animals. 

The morning was cool then noon become hot, so I had to take off my layers of clothes during the day. After standing in the Jeep for hours to see animals while passing via bumpy tracks, my arms and back hurt and had to take rest and naps in the Jeep. It was a long yet fun day to see the great landscapes and animals. 

I took a shower before dinner after returning the camp.



















Day 3: Masai Mara - Nairobi

After one night rain, we started Early Morning game drive as from 6:30-9:00 am to see the animals grazing the wet grass, then drove back to Nairobi with a lunch break at Narok. During the 3-day tour, I tried other Kenya dishes, so ch as Mutara （sausage stuffed with fresh blood and meat then blended with ginger, garlic, scallions, and chilies）， Kachumbari ( salad prepared with fresh tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, cilantro, coriander, lemon juice, and salt), Sukuma Wiki (sautéing collard greens in oil along with diced tomatoes and onions), etc. 

I exchanged contact information with my safari mates, 2 Germans (one actually studying @ George Mason University) and an Indian family of four. 

I went to the supermarket to pick up some items for the coming 40-day overland truck camping tour.











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