In this blog, I will attempt to paint a picture of the spectacular Masai Mara using words to describe what I observed. It was too incredible to capture and articulate in words. To be fully immersed in all its splendor, wonder, and majesty, Masai Mara has to be experienced in person!
Masai Mara was the fifth item on my bucket list, and it gave me lots of joy to cross it off as done last year. I visited Masai Mara in August 2023 and one thing that I was looking forward to, was going on a game-drive/safari and experiencing the great migration. The Masai Mara experience was everything and then some of what I expected it to be. The landscape stretched as far as the eye could see. There were thorny trees, dry grass, and different animal and bird sounds wherever you turned. There were various species of trees, animals, and birds. There were numerous hills on the horizon and a gentle wind that seemed to blow in harmony with the movement all around.
You can enter the Masai Mara National Reserve through six gates. Sekenani Gate, Talek Gate, Musiara Gate, Oloololo Gate, Ololaimutia Gate and Sand River Gate. We arrived at the Talek Gate at dusk on August 2nd, 2023. Talek gate according to our tour guide was one of the most developed gates in Masai Mara. We did not ask what developed means, we were very exhausted and just glad to be in Masai Mara after driving more than 4,000 miles from Nairobi. After we paid our park fees, we were allowed into the park and drove for about 15 minutes to Mara Siligi, which was to be our home away from home for three nights and two days.
Mara Siligi was an adventure that we will never forget! Mara Siligi offers fully furnished ensuite guest tents. It is a solar-powered camp, complete with hot water, a lounge tent, a dining room, a massage room, and a campfire area. The staff were exceptional in their customer service. They welcomed us warmly, gave us a briefing, and carried our bags to our tent. They provided hot water bottles for the beds which came in handy because the temperatures dropped at night.
The lounge was colorful and vibrant with traditional décor and photos of animals on the walls. We were informed that the owner is a great photographer who had taken animal photos hanging on the walls. There were lots of books, card games, and even a workstation but what surprised us the most was having access to WIFI. The dining area was spacious, with some animal photos on the walls. The kitchen was detached from the dining area and there were washrooms outside close to the dining area. The campfire space was a welcoming space where families sat down and gazed up at the stars and listened to animal sounds from near and far. It was simply amazing to meet as strangers at the campfire and leave as friends.
At the time of our visit, Mara Siligi had seven tents: Simba, Nyumbu, Duma, Kifaru, Chui, Tembo, and Kiboko. The tents are named in Swahili for Lion, Wildebeest, Cheetah, Rhino, Leopard, Elephant, and the Hippopotamus, or if you prefer, Hippo. We spent our time in the Kiboko tent. Mara Siligi had a Masai guard who we were told would patrol the camp through the night. The Masai, especially morans are known to be fearless in the face of danger, even in the presence of animals such as lions, so we felt safe within the camp.
Please check out my upcoming blogs on which of the animals above we saw or missed during our safari.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Helen Keller