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Masai Mara, The Great Rift Valley, Amboseli National Park & Tsave National Parks
offered by supplier M16421 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 6
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 10
people
Destination(s):
Kenya
Specialty Categories:
Self Drive
Ecotourism
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 575 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1055 US Dollar (USD)
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The Masai Mara (also spelled MaAsai Mara) is a large park reserve in south-western Kenya, the 7th Wonder of the world, (the most famous in Kenya) which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania. Named for the Maasai tribes people (the traditional inhabitants of the area) and the Mara River which divides it, it is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of the wildebeest every September and October, a migration so immense to be called The Great Migration.
The Masai Mara is perhaps most famous for its lions. All other members of the "Big Five" are to be found in the Masai Mara, although the population of black rhinoceros is severely threatened, with a population of only 37 recorded in 2000. Hippopotami are found in large groups in the Masai Mara and Talek Rivers. Cheetah are also to be found, wildebeest the dominant inhabitant of the Masai Mara, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, impala, topi and Coke's hartebeest.
The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving an immensity of hervibores: some 1,300,000 Wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson's Gazelle, and 191,000 Zebra. These numerous migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by a block of hungry predators, most notably lions and hyena. The Masai Mara is a major research centre for the spotted hyena. Additionally, over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park, including vulture, marabou, secretary bird, hornbill, crowned crane, ostrich, long-crested eagle, and pygmy falcon.
Lodges and camps inside the reserve include Mara Serena, Governor's camp, Siana Springs tented camp, Mara simba, Keekorok, and Sarova Mara. Outside the reserve borders are Mara Sopa, Elephant Pepper, and Sekenani camp. Mara Serena Airport and Keekorok Airport are located in Masai Mara. The BBC Television show Big Cat Diary is filmed in the Masai Mara.
A rift valley in geology is a valley created by the formation of a rift. The Great Rift Valley, located in the Middle East and Africa, is the most famous of the world's rift valleys. Rift valleys are produced by tensional tectonic forces which occur at divergent plate boundaries. Rift valleys typically appear as a down dropped graben between a pair of faults, or vertical Earth movements. Rift valleys are often associated with and flanked by volcanoes.
Amboseli Game Reserve, formerly Amboseli National Park is in Kajiado District, Rift Valley Province in Kenya. The park is 3,260-square kilometer (1,260-square mile) in size and the local people are mainly Maasai, but people from other parts of the country have settled there attracted by the successful tourist-driven economy. The park is a combination of swamps, dried-up lake and semi-arid vegetation.
Tsavo is a region of Kenya located at the crossing of the Uganda Railway over the Tsavo River, close to where it meets the Athi River. The place achieved fame in The Man-eaters of Tsavo, a book about lions who attacked workers building the railroad bridge, an episode also depicted in the 1996 film The Ghost and the Darkness. Two national parks, Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park are nearby.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Nairobi - Masai Mara. Descend into the Great Rift Valley and proceed to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, adjoining the famous Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. Lunch is provided at your lodge/camp. An afternoon game drive is provided, giving you ample opportunity to view the beauty of the Mara and its abundant wildlife. Dinner and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sarova Tented Camp or Mara Serena Lodge.
Day 2: Masai Mara. A second day is spent in this reserve, noted for its black-manned lions and other plain game. Three game drives are provided, one early in the morning before breakfast, another one after breakfast and yet another in the afternoon. Meals and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sarova Tented Camp or Mara Serena Lodge.
Day 3: Masai Mara - Rift Valley. After breakfast the tour proceeds to Lake Naivasha or Nakuru for lunch. Both lakes are famous for their birds. After lunch a tour of Lake Nakuru National Park is provided, including a visit to the flamingo-rich Lake Nakuru, before retiring for dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.
Day 4: Rift Valley - Amboseli. After breakfast, the tour leaves for the Amboseli National Park via the Masai Trading centre of Namanga. After check-in and lunch at your lodge/tented camp, an afternoon game drive is provided, and you can enjoy the view of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background. Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge, Amboseli Lodge or Oltukai Lodge.
Day 5: Amboseli - Tsavo. An early morning game drive is provided and after breakfast the tour leaves for Tsavo West National Park via Mzima Springs, arriving at your lodge in time for lunch, after which an afternoon game drive is provided. Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Serena Lodge, Taita Hills or Salt Lick Lodge.
Day 6: Tsavo - Nairobi. A 6:00am game drive permits further exploration of this great Park, according opportunity to notice the large number of birds, estimated to be over 500 species. After breakfast the tour returns to Nairobi, arriving in time for lunch.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- Transport in 9-seater minibus with English speaking driver/guide
- Full board accommodation
- Park entrance fees and game drives while on safari
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Kenya
Self Drive
Ecotourism
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