FAQs.
We answer your questions.
1/ When is the best time to visit Le Camp?
2/ What else to do in the camp?
3/ money?
4/ What is actually included in the price?
5/ What is not included in the price?
6/ What should I bring?
7/ Should I worry about wild animals?
8/ Do I have to pay park fees?
9/ Electricity?
1/ When is the best time to visit Le Camp?
January
January is an opportunity for photographers and nature enthusiasts to discover the magic of Mara. Visitors also see wildlife, including large herds of elephants, giraffes, warthogs and the big cats of the Masai Mara. These include lions, cheetahs and leopards. There are many baby animals in the park after the birthing season which begins in December. Bird watching and wildlife watching are common Masai Mara activities for visitors in January.
FEBRUARY
The Masai Mara receives a little more rainfall in February. This month offers perfect opportunities for wildlife viewing. As in January, it is the best time to witness the births of small savannah mammals. Bring plenty of sunscreen as February is the hottest month in Kenya.
March
During this period, the Masai Mara is less crowded and prices are lower. This is the best time to visit for an uninterrupted stay. Afternoon showers may make the roads muddy but will not interfere with your experience at Mara Major camp. The average rainfall in March is 145 mm, which makes the grasslands of the Masai Mara flourish. Despite the muddy roads, March offers exquisite sunrises and sunsets. Top Masai Mara activities in March include bird and wildlife watching. You are likely to encounter elephants grazing on the open plains of Mara and large troops of olive baboons. Impalas, gazelles, warthogs, buffaloes, ostriches and hyenas.
April
April is the wettest month of the year in the Masai Mara. Low clouds provide the perfect weather for exceptional wildlife photography. During the day, the magnificent sunshine provides spectacular views of the flora and fauna of the greater Mara. The roads can be difficult to navigate, but the park offers excellent views of wildlife. These may include large herds of buffalo and elephants grazing on the open plains of Mara. It is also common to see warthogs, gazelles and impalas. The roaring Mara River offers exciting views of hippos and their young as they emerge into the shallow waters. The month of April is also an opportunity to observe birds in the green meadows of the Masai Mara, there are no fewer than 1,157 species of birds in Kenya.
May
Precipitation begins to decrease in May in preparation for the Great Migration season. During this time, the Mara offers wildlife and bird watching opportunities. Some wild animals you might encounter include elephants, waterbucks, lions, gazelles, leopards, baboons and warthogs. The Masai Mara is home to countless species of birds.
June
The green season ends in June, with lower rainfall and cooler weather. June is also the driest month of the year with light rainfall averaging 95mm, or around 12 days of showers. Guests can view plenty of wildlife at the start of the busiest season of the year. These may include Mara River hippos, buffalo, giraffe, impala, zebra, gazelle, waterbuck, baboons and elephants grazing in the vast grasslands of Mara. You can also watch the Masai Mara's big cats in action and large flocks of bird species. During the last weeks of June, game viewing becomes the park's main activity as more visitors begin to arrive at the start of the migration season.
July - September
July marks the start of the migration season. The weather is cool and dry with exciting wildlife viewing opportunities. Average daytime temperatures remain at 20°C but nighttime temperatures drop to 10°C on average. July sees limited showers, around 11 days of rainfall with 80mm of average rainfall. This is a good time to visit the Masai Mara for guests who want to experience the thrill of the great wildebeest migration. Additionally, there's plenty of action in the thinned grasslands of the Massai Mara, where predators prey on savannah herbivores. Safaris become even more exciting with spectacular wildlife including buffalo, wildebeest, cheetah, leopards, lions, vultures and zebras. It is during this time that you have the chance to witness the exciting Great Migration with zebras and wildebeest crossing the Mara River. Prices are higher and the number of tourists is increasing every day.
October
The first weeks of October are dry and windy. Guests experience captivating views of sunrises and sunsets, with daytime highs of 28°C and nighttime lows of 13°C. Again, mornings can be very cold. The short grasslands of the Massai Mara offer exciting game viewing experiences. As the Great Migration season comes to an end, the park is less crowded and prices are lower as well. By mid-October, the short rainy season approaches with rainfall averaging 100 mm in afternoon showers. October offers the best chance of spotting Mara predators in action. Leopards, cheetahs and lions are in the grasslands stalking savannah creatures. It is possible to catch prey such as impalas, gazelles, Topi and many other wild animals.
November
November sees an average of 20 days of precipitation. Daytime temperatures rise up to 26°C while nighttime temperatures can drop to 15°C on average. The great wildebeest migration stops when they return to the Serengeti. November is the best opportunity to get a glimpse of the final days of migration. There is a lot of wildlife in the park, including lions which wait for their prey on the banks of the Mara River. November is the best time to visit the Masai Mara for visitors who want to observe the Mara's wildlife in depth.
December
The festive season is also an excellent time to view Mara’s wildlife. Mara Major Camp offers families exciting opportunities to celebrate Christmas together at affordable rates. The Masai Mara is hot in December, although you can expect scattered rainfall throughout the month. There was an average rainfall of 115mm and temperatures of up to 27°C and as low as 15°C at night. In December, many savannah creatures also give birth to their offspring. Photographers and nature lovers who want to experience birthing at the Mara can choose to visit in December.
Apart from wildlife viewing, Mara Major Camp offers exciting holiday packages to enhance the Christmas celebrations.
Overall, the rainy months can make it difficult to navigate the main roads leading into the dense African bush. At the same time, the Mara offers ecstatic views after the rains when the flora and fauna come back to life. There are fewer people and the prices are incredibly lower than in peak season. You can visit Mara Major Camp anytime to experience the magical landscapes and wildlife. The Massai Mara is a great place to visit and have a great time during any of the five seasons described above.
It doesn't matter when you visit the Masai Mara. You will always experience the magic of the Masai Mara every time you visit Kenya's most popular reserve.
2/ What else to do in the camp?
In addition to staying at the camp, our guests can also participate in various activities. Here is a list of things to do while at camp:
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Game drive safaris.
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Hot air balloon flights over the magnificent landscapes of Mara
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Walking safaris in nearby Maasai villages
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Safaris in other parks of the Maasai Mara Game Conservancy
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Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration at the Maasai Mara
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Enjoy a cold drink on the camp terrace with a view of the garden.
3/ Money?
The currency in Kenya is the Dollar shillings (Kenyan Shillings).
You can also use the US Dollar (prefer $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 notes, avoid $50 and $100 notes and their dates before 1989, they will be refused).
Your Visa, Mastercard, CB or Amex will do the job perfectly, there is an ATM 7km from the camp where you can withdraw money.
It is not necessary to travel with a large quantity of cash ($250 to $400 is enough just in case).
4/ What is actually included in the price?
The price includes accommodation per night and all meals, whether taken at camp, at your tent or in Game drive. We are happy to offer a package price with game drives and other activities on request.
5/ What is not included in the price?
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The main return plane ticket (from your country to Nairobi Kenyata Airport).
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The hotel room in Nairobi the evening of your arrival.
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The secondary return plane ticket (from Wilson Airport Nairobi to Massai Mara).
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Daily park fees ($100 / day / per person in low season from January to the end of June and $200 / day / person from July to December).
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Alcohols.
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Tips.
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Glass bottles of water for meals taken at camp at lunchtime and in the evening ($3.00 each).
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The Guide and the car for your Game Drive ($170.00 / day, whether you are alone, in pairs or with family).
6/ What should I bring?
Although we offer comfortable accommodation, we recommend the following essentials:
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A jacket for cold nights and raincoats for chilly mornings.
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A pair of hiking shoes for walking safaris.
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A pair of sunglasses and a cap or hat.
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Quick-drying, long-sleeved tops and pants for protection against the sun and insects.
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A camera to keep memories, or more for photo pros!
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A pair of binoculars.
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Solar cream.
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A travel charger or extra phone batteries.
It would be useful to carry a sturdy bag for your game drives (backpack).
7/ Should I worry about wild animals?
Wildlife has the right of passage in our eco-camp. However, our warrior guards are always on duty to ensure the safety of all guests. We will provide you with a briefing upon check-in. Our warrior guards will accompany you to your tents in the evening and will always be nearby to ensure security. It is a privilege to share space with wildlife and gives our guests the opportunity to observe wildlife from the terrace or from the comfort of their tent.
8/ Do I have to pay park fees?
Yes, you need to pay an entrance fee when you go on safari in Mara.
You can obtain prices by visiting this site:
https://www.maasaimarakenyapark.com/information/masai-mara-national-reserve-fees-2021/
This amount is paid directly to the Maasai Mara park authorities.
9/ Electricity?
All your electrical appliances work in Kenya, the voltage is 240 V. Check your electrical devices and chargers, they must have the word INPUT which translates into a notion of voltage and frequency.
GOOD TO KNOW: chargers for mobile phones, cameras, laptops, tablets and even electric toothbrushes are almost all intended for use in Kenya, they mention: INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz and can in this case be used internationally.
YES, you need an electrical outlet adapter to travel to Kenya. We advise you to opt for a universal electrical adapter. It will therefore be usable internationally.
Here is an example of model and price on Amazon
10/ Should you be vaccinated?
No vaccination is required to travel to Kenya (unlike Tanzania), however there may be a slight risk of yellow fever depending on the season of the year for some. For people who prefer to be vaccinated against yellow fever, do not hesitate.
