Where to stay as you watch great migration

If you have not started planning your holiday to watch the over two million animals migrating between the Mara and Serengeti Nationa Park in Tanzania, the window for booking accommodation is fast closing.

A spot check on online bookings for the period, usually between July and September, show that the last weeks of July and the whole of August are nearly fully booked.

The greater Maasai Mara has several conservancies including Enonkish, Olchorro, Lemek, Mara North, Motorogi, Olare Orok, Naibosho and the renowned Mara Triangle, home to the great migration channel.

Accommodation is available at the various conservancies, each suited to the budget of the tourist. The facilities range from high-end to the budget, roughing-it-out-in-the-wild kind.

Mahali Mzuri

Sir Richard Branson’s camp Mahali Mzuri is located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. It has 12 luxury tented suites catering for a maximum of 24 guests at any one time. Ten of the suites can be configured with either king or twin beds and two of the suites have four kingsize beds and can accommodate two children on sofa beds in the living room.

Part of the Virgin Limited Edition, the lodge has a special rate for residents during this high season. Single occupancy is Sh54,035 and Sh73,225 for double occupancy per person per night.

Non-residents pay Sh108,070 for double occupancy and Sh146,450 for single occupancy per person per night. To have exclusive use of the 12 tents and facilities, it will cost about Sh2.5 million, depending on the dollar exchange rate. Exclusive use rates usually apply when booking seven or more tents.

The rates include daily game drives, all meals and drinks, Olare Motorogi Conservancy fees, transfers from the Mara North Airstrip, wireless Internet and laundry services.

Hemingways Ol Seki Mara

Part of the local Hemingways Collection, the Mara lodge caters for residents and non-residents. A two-night package for two people per tent is Sh65,000 per person sharing. However, a group of six will pay a lower rate per person sharing of Sh48,500 while the family tent is Sh71,650 per person sharing.

Similarly, a three-night package is Sh93,000 per person sharing for a two-person tent, Sh70,500 for a six-person tent and Sh105,400 for a family tent.

For children between six and 11 years, the rate for the two and three nights package is Sh19,600 and Sh29,300 per child sharing respectively.

This package includes pick up and drop off at the Hemingways offices, accommodation on full-board basis, bush dinner on request or sundowner, shared day or night game drive at the Naibosho Conservancy, conservancy fees, soft drinks, beers, wines and local spirits. This does not include premium drinks and imported spirits, and Maasai Mara park entrance fee.

Sanctuary Olonana

Known for its eco-excellence, the small private camp is feted for its community and philanthropy projects. To stay at the camp during the migration season, rates start from Sh72,720 per person per night sharing. This fee includes all meals, all drinks (excluding premium brands), laundry and two daily shared game viewing activities.

These include game drives, nature walk, Maasai village visit, sundowner cocktails and bush meals. In addition, return transfers to and from Kichwa Tembo airstrip to the camp.

Governors’ Camp Collection

Kenya’s colonial Governors’ Camp has 37 tents nestled in the forest along the winding banks of the Mara River in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

July bookings for the flying safari package will be four nights for the price of three for residents. Created in 1972, Governors’ Camp has been one of the front running luxury facilities in the conservancy. All tents have ensuite bathrooms. There is a bar tent with deck overlooking the Mara River and dining tent, ideal for views over the plains. It will cost from Sh61,610 per person sharing or Sh77,265 for individuals. Its sister camp, Governers’ IL Moran Camp offers a smaller, more intimate setting with only 10 tents.

The luxurious tents feature super kingsize beds fashioned from ancient fallen olive trees, and Victorian-style baths. During the day, meals are served on the banks of the Mara River.

The rate is Sh80,295 per person sharing or Sh100,495 for individuals.

Basecamp Explorer

It has Basecamp Maasai Mara, Eagle View and Wilderness camp. It is offering a Sh312,090 package to watch the widebeest migration. The deal is for a seven-day stay for a minimum two persons.

In 2006, while still a senator, US President Barack Obama chose to stay at Basecamp Maasai Mara. It has 12 riverside tents built on the banks of Talek River. Rates at the camp start from Sh29,290.

Eagle View Camp has nine double viewpoint tents built on elevated platforms. Each tent has bio-flush toilets, an inside shower, an outside safari shower, as well as a private viewing deck where you can view Naboisho Conservancy. Three of the Double Viewpoint tents have separate annexes with two additional beds. Eagle View has 10 tents and free Wi-Fi. It costs Sh43,430.

Wilderness Camp is an eco-camp with five traditional tents and is open all year round. The rates at the camps start from Sh29,290. The tents have bathroom unit with a traditional “bucket shower” which can be heated at your request.

All prices include airstrip transfers, unlimited day game drive safaris, full-board accommodation with selected beverages, Maasai Mara park fees, bird walks at Basecamp Maasai Mara, visit to community projects, picnic breakfast and lunch, tea and coffee service in your tent, and private dining at the platform.

Ngerende Island Lodge

Over four years ago, there was nothing on the area where this lodge sits. The owners bought and cleared the land then planted about 3,000 trees. They built only seven units, scattered across the 12 hectares of the property, all hidden from each other by the 3,000 or so trees that are now fully grown.

For the migration season, Ngerende has a Sh292,294 per person all-inclusive offer. This comes with flights and transfers. This offer is for three nights for the price of two with indoor and outdoor dining under the stars. You also have your own vehicle and dedicated driver guide.

Mara Explorer and Mara Interpids Luxury Tented Camp

Part of the Heritage Hotels, Mara Explorer has 10 luxury tents, each with its own private river frontage of River Talek’s southern banks. Seven of the tents have queen size beds, while three have twin beds.

Its sister camp, Mara Interpids, has 30 tents spread across the banks of Mara River. Each luxury tent is fitted with a queen size bed or two twin beds.

The rate for a night stay at Mara Explorer is Sh119,685 per person and Sh93,223 at Mara Interpids.

The rates include airstrip transfers, three daily guided safari drives into the game reserve, morning-guided bush and bird watching walks, meals and drinks, bush breakfast, dinner and laundry services.

Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Dan Chahenza, the assistant lodge manager at the Mara Serena, says occupancy has increased with the onset of the wildebeest migration.

“We are estimating to have an occupancy of 84 per cent, although not as impressive as last year’s 92 per cent at same time,” he said.

For residents, the rate for one night is Sh28,400 for a double. For non-residents it is $765 for a double and $510 for a single. These rates include full-board accommodation.

The flying package for residents is Sh73,500 for two nights per person and Sh52,600 for one night. Any extra night a guest wants to stay on the flying package will cost an extra Sh21,000 per night.

Non-residents pay Sh99,770 for two nights per person and Sh69,230 one night per person. Any extra night a guest wants to stay on the flying package will cost Sh36,650 per night.

This caters for accommodation on full-board basis, return flights from Nairobi on Safarilink, airstrip transfers, two game viewing drives per day and a hippo pool breakfast.

Hotel residents also have access to the newly built Maisha spa, gymnasium and swimming pool.

You can enjoy a Maasai village visit, balloon safaris, night game drive, nature walk, birding safari, sundowners and Maasai-themed barbecue dinner at an extra cost.

Olare Mara Kempinski

The Safari package for residents is Sh45,000 per person sharing or Sh55,000 for singles. Children under 12 pay Sh22,500.

This package offers one night accommodation on a full-board basis, soft drinks, beers and selected wines and spirits, airstrip transfers on request, shared game drives and a sundowner cocktail. However, premium spirits, Maasai village cultural visits, Maasai Mara Game Reserve park fees, transport to the Mara from Nairobi and other expenses are not included.

Guests landing at the Ol Kiombo Airstrip pay park fees of Sh1,200 per adult and Sh600 per child. In addition, a 4x4 Land Cruiser may be hired at Sh50,000 one-way from Nairobi to Mara. Kempinski also offers a fly-in package, which in addition to all features of the safari package has a return flight from Nairobi to the Mara and two nights accommodation on a full-board basis.

The fly-in package costs Sh112,960 per person sharing and Sh146,680 for singles and Sh67,930 per child under 12.

Fairmont Mara Safari Club

The Fairmont Mara is not fully booked as yet. “We have received interest from both local and international tourists. However, we are very happy to note that there is increased local interest,” said Njeri Chege, the group communications manager for Fairmont Kenya.

For those looking to stay at the hotel, the resident flying package is Sh71,000 per person sharing a riverfront tent for three days and two nights.

This package is valid up to September 30 and includes full-board accommodation in luxury tents, return flights between Wilson Airport and Ngerende, domestic airport taxes, transfers from the airstrip to the club and two game drives per day in Land Cruisers.

Guests can also visit Maasai Mara’s only white rhino sanctuary located within the conservancy free of charge.

Sarova Mara Game Camp

The camp has 20 club tents, 51 standard tents, two family tents, a main restaurant, bar, bush dining options and a free form swimming pool with its own pool bar.

The residents’ majestic Mara flying package per night on full board accommodation is Sh53,000 per person, Sh37,500 per child sharing a room and Sh41,200 for a child with an exclusive room.

The two nights package is Sh73,000 per person, Sh50,000 per child sharing and Sh57,400 per child exclusive. An additional stay will be Sh20,000 per night, Sh12,500 and Sh16,200 per child sharing and exclusive respectively.

This package is inclusive of a return flight, two game drives per day, one cultural village visit and one garden breakfast.

Angama Mara

The latest addition to the Mara family is now open. Nicky Fitzgerald, one of the creators of Angama says space in the new lodge may be available on a fairly short notice this year.

The 30 tented suites located on two camps on the edge of the Ololoolo Escarpment are 300 metres above the Maasai Mara floor and offer a suspended feeling, hence the name angama, Swahili for suspended in midair. The lodge overlooking the Mara triangle has a private airstrip for its guests, a five-minute drive from the suites.

A night stay at the camp will cost you Sh125,000 per person. However, there is an offer for a four-night stay and pay only for three. Residents also get a special rate that includes accommodation, all meals, all beverages (except French champagne) and all scheduled safari activities.

For an additional fee, guests can enjoy travel to the Mara, the park, massage, shopping and hot air balloon safaris.

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