[2024 Mara Attraction] Travel Guide for Mara River (Updated Nov)
No.9 of Best Things to Do in Kenya
Rivers
Address:
Tanzania
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5-1 day
12-Day Multi-Country Tour of Ethiopia and More|Travel Guide.
Hey guys! Here's a complete guide to a 12-day multi-country tour of Ethiopia and more! Experience the culture of multiple countries without any detours. Save this post now!
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Explore the ancient country of Ethiopia, experience 3,000 years of history, and enjoy unique injera cuisine and colorful clothing. Then travel to other countries and experience the diverse culture and magnificent scenery of the African continent. 🌍🏰🍽️
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🛫Recommended Route: Multi-Country Tour of Ethiopia, Kenya, and More
DAY 1-2: Depart from Guangzhou/Beijing/Shanghai/Chengdu, arrive in Addis Ababa, experience Ethiopian coffee culture, and fly to Nairobi.
DAY 3: Travel from Nairobi to Amboseli, track animals, and view Mount Kilimanjaro from afar.
DAY 4-5: Cross the border to Tarangire, then head to Ngorongoro to see elephants, birds, and African landscapes.
DAY 6-7: Travel from Ngorongoro to Serengeti, explore the crater, and enjoy a full day of natural beauty.
DAY 8-9: Cross the border from Serengeti to Maasai Mara, enter the park twice to track animals, especially in the Mara River area.
DAY 10-11: Head to Lake Elmenteita and Naivasha, then return to Nairobi, fly to Addis Ababa, and transfer back to Guangzhou.
DAY 12: Arrive in Guangzhou and end the trip.
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Travel Tips:
1. Airport Transportation: Addis Ababa Airport is busy, and security requires you to take off your shoes, so travel light. 🛫
2. Visa Information: You need to apply for a visa in advance for a multi-country tour of Ethiopia and more. You can get a visa on arrival, but an e-visa is more convenient. 📌
3. Time Difference with China: Pay attention to the time difference, adjust your biological clock in advance, and avoid travel fatigue. 🕰️
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After traveling through Ethiopia, don't forget to like and save this post! 🌍✨ More exciting trips are waiting for you to explore! 🚀
Henry Price 345~
Brave people, go see the world first!
【Kenya's Main Safari Attractions】
Amboseli National Park: Look up at Africa's tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, with its perennial snow-capped summit also being a major attraction
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【Masai Mara National Park】
The world's largest wildlife sanctuary, follow the off-road vehicle Safari to find the traces of Africa's Big Five (lion/buffalo/cheetah/elephant/rhino).
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【Lake Naivasha】
Kenya's most beautiful freshwater lake, also the highest lake in the East African Rift, specially arranged boat tours of the lake allow for close observation of the hippo family.
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Selected Flight Route:
CZ6043 CSX NBO 0050 0730 (Flight time: 11 hours 40 minutes)
CZ6044 NOB CSX 1500 0800+1 (Flight time: 12 hours)
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Recommended Itinerary:
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Day1: From all over the country--Changsha--Nairobi
Gather at Huanghua International Airport, take the Southern Airlines international flight the next early morning, flying to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Hotel: On the plane
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Day2: Nairobi--Amboseli
Drive to Amboseli on the border of Kenya (about 4 hours by car)
Hotel: AMBOSELI AA LODGE Local four-star or equivalent
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Day3: Amboseli--Nairobi
Drive back to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, with free activities in the afternoon.
Hotel: Eastland Hotel Four-star hotel or equivalent
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Day4: Nairobi--Masai Mara
Drive to the wildlife sanctuary--Masai Mara, passing through the scar of the earth--the East African Rift.
Hotel: MARA CHUI LODGE Four-star hotel or equivalent
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Day5: Masai Mara National Reserve (Mara River)
Spend the whole day in the park tracking animals (depart at 8 am, arrive at the hotel at 3 pm)
Hotel: MARA CHUI LODGE Four-star hotel or equivalent
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Day6: Masai Mara--Lake Naivasha--Lake Elementaita (About 4.5 hours by car)
Drive to Naivasha (about 4.5 hours by car), arrange a boat tour of Lake Naivasha. Stay in the Lake Elementaita area, with a distant view of Lake Elementaita.
Hotel: Jacaranda Lake Elementaita Lodge Four-star hotel or equivalent
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Day7: Lake Elementaita--Aberdare (About 4 hours by car)
Drive to near the equator--Aberdare, visit the tea homeland.
Hotel: Country Club Hotel Four-star hotel or equivalent
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Day8: Aberdare--Nairobi (About 4 hours by car)
City tour: Drive past the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Freedom Square, the Cathedral, etc.
Hotel: Eastland Hotel Four-star hotel or equivalent
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Day9: Nairobi--Changsha
Sleep in, go to the airport at the scheduled time - fly to Changsha.
Hotel: On the plane
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Day10: Changsha--All over the country
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Essential Items:
Sunscreen, sun protection clothing, face mask, hat, windbreaker, slippers, toothbrush and toothpaste, hydrating skincare products and face masks, lip balm, disposable bath towels, socks, underwear, adapter, wet wipes, medicine, snacks, cash (USD), camera,
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Outfit Suggestions:
In addition to the regular Safari attire in earthy and army green colors, the 'Old Qian' style is also suitable, and the wasteland series is also OK
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Audrey Adams
Enjoying the Wildebeest Crossing in Masai Mara | Divine Experience and Tips
I posted a note the day before yesterday, sharing my divine experience of witnessing the 'decade's largest' wildebeest crossing in Masai Mara a few days ago. Such a scene is rare, but I have summarized some tips based on my experience and the information from the guide, which you are welcome to refer to if needed.
❗️This is just a personal experience sharing, not guaranteed to be 100% correct, and sometimes you may need a bit of luck in addition to experience.
🟤Hotel:
This time we stayed at a hotel called Entim Masai Mara, right next to the Mara River, a very niche Boutique Camp with only 15 tents. The hotel faces a crossing point, but it's relatively non-mainstream, and there has never been such a spectacular crossing scene before (there was no large-scale crossing in the days after we left), this time was a real luck.
However, this crossing point is the hotel's private territory, ordinary people cannot enter, only guests can have such an experience. I estimate that after this time, Entim will be hard to book, and you need to book a long time in advance.
If you are staying at other hotels, I strongly recommend staying in the park! Because it takes an hour and a half to drive from the entrance of Masai Mara, if you stay outside the park, you will waste 3 hours on the road every day, which is not cost-effective.
🟤Crossing Point:
In addition to the niche crossing point in our hotel, most people go to a few large main crossing points, where the probability of seeing the crossing is also higher. But whether you can see the wildebeest crossing, where to see it, and what the scale is, no one can guarantee.
🟤Season:
Normally, the wildebeest migration takes place every year in July and August, with the highest probability in mid-August. This year's migration was delayed due to drought, and it wasn't until the recent rains that they were brought over. It was still raining in Mara a few days ago, so there is still a good chance of seeing the wildebeest crossing in the next two weeks, and it's not impossible during the National Day holiday.
🟤Time:
Wildebeest usually choose to cross the river when the water is warmer, which is in the mid to late afternoon. However, we saw it at sunrise for two consecutive days, so no one can be sure about this. I would suggest leaving early, we left at five thirty on the first day and saw the crossing at six, animals are always more active in the early morning.
🟤Patience:
To see exciting scenes on a game drive in Mara, you often need to wait, sometimes for several hours or even half a day, so patience is important. If the guide suggests waiting, then it's worth waiting a bit longer, it's part of the game (provided the guide is excellent and responsible).
🟤About the River Crossing:
Wildebeest crossing ≠ River crossing. The latter must be in the Mara River, and the difficulty is higher, it needs to meet many harsh conditions, such as dust, crocodile predation, migration, rapid water flow... Recently because it often rains, the ground is wet, it is difficult to meet the condition of dust, no matter how large the scale is, it is just a wildebeest crossing, not the 'River Crossing' level.
JARED MACK
A supreme experience in Masai Mara | Watching antelopes crossing the river while having breakfast
I dare say this is a unique experience on the whole network.
Here's the thing. Masai Mara, due to the severe drought this year, has no fresh grass, so the classic scene of antelopes crossing the river in August has not appeared, and the antelope army has not been able to migrate from Tanzania, so all the tourists who came in the peak season have not seen the great migration.
In early September, Mara finally had a few light rains, and new grass slowly grew a bit. The day we arrived, it was raining heavily, and the guide said everyone was waiting for this rain, and perhaps our Mara trip could have a surprise.
The camp we stayed in Masai Mara is very niche, with only 15 tents, occupying a prime location by the Mara River. Early the next morning at five o'clock, we were going to watch the sunrise, but the driver received news of antelopes crossing the river in front of the hotel, so we rushed back.
Then, wow, the scene from the documentary appeared, with thousands of antelopes crossing the river in groups from the river bay in front of the hotel, and many more were gathering on the opposite bank, with the buzzing and mooing sounds all around.
What's more exaggerated is that it's right in front of our tent, it's a 360-degree unobstructed view of the river crossing. And because this location is the hotel's private territory, cars from outside can't come in and don't know the location, so only the hotel guests' 3 cars watched this spectacular scene for an hour.
I thought we were lucky enough, but the next morning when we were having breakfast at the hotel, more antelopes appeared, on a larger scale than the day before. All the hotel guests went out for the game, and only the three of us were incredibly excited to have such a view.
The funniest thing is, when we were fully immersed in this miracle, we suddenly turned our heads and found that all the hotel staff were standing behind watching, even the chef came out with his phone to take pictures😂 According to our waiter, he has been working here for five years, and this is the largest scale. Our driver also said that this is the highest density and duration of river crossing he has seen since 2012, which can be called the best in ten years.
When the river crossing was almost over, a few photographers came over, their faces not looking very good, because they couldn't take good photos from their nearby positions. He looked at my unfinished Benedict Egg and couldn't help but laugh and cry, saying 'This is truly luxurious.'
Indeed, the real luxury is such unpredictable and untraceable moments of serendipity, there's no regret when it's not there, but if you're lucky enough to have it, enjoy this moment to the fullest.
JARED MACK
In September, you can still see the move of the century - the crossing of the Mara River!
The annual migration of the Masai Mara River at the junction of Kenya and Tanzania, you know how lucky!
Kenya, which arrived on September 10th, thought that this time there was no animal migration, because the general migration of animals was concentrated in July and August, and a car friend was waiting here on the Masai Mara River. I didnt see it for a week. I didnt expect that we only went to one day and could actually see it.
I was originally planning to drive Kenya by myself, but considering that because I am watching wild animals, I dont know where there are wild animals in the unfamiliar people. It is easy to miss a lot of wonderful things, and finally I chose a chartered car. In terms of the results, this decision is too correct, because the locals will have a walkie-talkie communication. Once the animals are found, they will tell other drivers at any time, everyone will come quickly, so this is why we can see so many animals. , Africa's five hegemons, wildebeest migration, lion hunting, I saw everything I wanted to see.
So, if you come to Kenya, Tanzania, Africa to travel to see animals, it is recommended to charter a car, but if you go to North Africa, it is very suitable for self-driving, the road conditions can still be
Luna..
A must-see wildlife migration The Paradise of the Heavens in the East African prairie
The Tanzanian Prairie is known as the last habitat of large-scale wildlife on the planet, where a natural event takes place every year. Spectacles - Millions of animals travel thousands of kilometers around the world for food and water, and between Tanzania and Kenya.
East African prairie h
East African prairie across Tanzania and Kenya, bounded by the Mara River, almost 90% of which are in the Serengeti country of Tanzania The park, while the rest belongs to the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.
The migration of animals
The migration of animals is roughly divided into 3 waves. According to the order of the foods that you like to eat, it is generally the zebras who like to eat the green grass tips. The wildebeests that eat oatmeal, and finally the gazelle, because they want to eat the tender seedlings that have just grown out after other animals have finished eating.
In fact, the animal migration is not only two months, it is a collective action that spans a whole year - from June until May, but from July to September is East Africa The climax of the great migration is also known as a wonderful part - a million horns crossing the Mara River.
Mala River is a gateway that animals must pass every year when they migrate.
Generally speaking, the wildebeest will look for the best time to avoid the crocodile and hippo. When a pioneer rushes over, all the wildebeest will start running until it is safe to cross the river. The lower part of the foot, and this spectacular scene is called "the paradise of heaven."
I didn't catch up with the best time to watch the Wildebeest crossing the river, but I was fortunate to have recorded a scene of a group of wild horses crossing the river.
Recommended accommodation
The hotel we stayed in was the tent hotel on the Mara River. It has the best view of the migration of animals, the original architectural style of the interior plus The vast East African prairie outside the window.
I strongly recommend that you live here. If you are fortunate enough to see the "Heavenly Cross", it will be even more perfect!
Arale_Zhang.
Masai Mara Tianhe Zhidu, the animal migration must be seen once in life!
On the East African plateau, southern Kenya and northern Tanzania have a vast prairie, the world's largest wildlife habitat. There are millions of the world's largest zebra and wildebeest groups. Just like locusts, wherever they go, the grass does not stay, so this group will continue to roll-migrate on this prairie and complete a tour every year.
This team will have a Mala River interception route when they pass through the Masai Mara Prairie. They will turn their backs and rush to the other side of the grass.
Masai Mara is the most concentrated habitat of animals and the most colorful wilderness. Wild animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes and zebras are endless. Here, people and nature, people and animals live in harmony, the unique original culture, the wonderful scenery of the grassland sunrise and sunset, can make the modern people who have lived in the city forget all the pressures and troubles, fully integrated into the wonderful nature. Feel the ease and happiness of a return. The
mara River is home to many Nile crocodiles and hippos and is the lifeblood of wild mammals. Here, the worlds most spectacular wildlife migration, the Mala River Crossing, takes place every year. At that time, you can see thousands of wildebeests marching forward and seeing the spectacular scenes of the Mara River from the wide-mouthed mouth of Hippo, and experiencing the natural selection and survival of the fittest in the animal world.
To say that you like the original ecological tour, you can find the world, and the African desert is definitely not to be missed. Looking for Africa to see wild animals is of course the first choice in Kenya on the East African plateau. Among the more than 50 national parks in Kenya, the Masai Mara is the most famous.
Why? One of the most important reasons is that in the July and August of each year, millions of zebras and wildebeests migrated. The scene of crossing the river is very spectacular. Friends who like animals will definitely see it on TV more than once. The exhilarating scenes are always immersed in the situation and witnessed it quickly.
Tango.
Masai Mara National Park is one of Kenya's most attractive attractions. As you follow the locals to visit here, there is no chance of intimate contact with animals. However, when thousands of zebras and wildebeests rush along the vast grasslands, the scene is spectacular.
Groups of wildebeests, galloping in the grasslands. Elephants with huge bodies, walking through the woods, watching these magical animals in jeep are incredibly memorable.