We love animals and to see them in their natural habitat in the wildest part of the Planet is what took us all the way to Masai Mara Safari . We took the direct Kenya Airways flight Non-Stop Flight which takes 6 to 6.5 hours only to reach Nairobi from Mumbai . Visa was On arrival , though we took the Yellow Card fever injection that is valid for 10 years .

Day 1 – We Landed in Nairobi

We Stayed at the Hotel Royal Orchid Azure Nairobi which is not too far from the airport .

Mid- Range Hotel – Royal Orchids Nairobi

This Hotel particularly has very good Indian food and the buffet breakfast has a great spread , the place boasts one of the best breakfasts in Nairobi and options of vegetarian , Indian and continental varieties are good too .

Day 2 – Drive to Masai Mara [ 6 hours from Nairobi ]

Beautiful adventurous Drive begins ,which itself is a roller coaster ride as out of the 6 hour journey the last 2 hour drive is on a patch with no proper roads . It is more like an off road drive but the landscapes and animals that surrounds the place makes you forget the bumps on the road . You also cross many African Villages .

Traditional Villages

During the Drive not very far away from Masai

Next Stop – Our Stay Masai Mara Keekorok Lodge

Keekerok Lodge

Today we just took it easy and relaxed the rest of the day and enjoyed strolling around the resort . The resort also has a hippopotamus enclosure so we got to see some good Hippo sightings . Keekorok Lodge has very good food and good choices of Vegetarian and Indian Dishes too in the spread . All meals and Game Drives are included in the Package .

Dream of every tourist to Catch a glimpse of the Big 5 during the Safari – Black Rhino , African Buffalo , African Elephant , Lion , Leopard .

Rooms of Keekorok Lodge , Masai Mara

Should be careful here . If you doors are open they come in can take your stuff in search of food . So be careful about your cameras and passports !

Tea Time with our neighbour during the stay

Day 3 – Game Drive

Day begins with the Game Drive at 6.30 am for about too hours till 8.30 am . Morning is a good time to catch a glimpse of the animals .

Game Drive begins , Masai Mara expedition

Impala

Zebra Sights while driving

Then we headed back to the Lodge to have breakfast after a beautiful 2 hour drive in the middle of wilderness .

Breakfast

Next – Evening Game Drive

In the Evening we headed out for our next game drive . Got to know through the Walkie Talkies that the drivers used to communicate, that there is a vehicle which got stuck with an Indian family somewhere in the middle of the jungle . So our driver suggested we could go and help before it gets dark .

Travellers Jeep got Stuck middle of the jungle

Rescue Operation

Back to our Journey

Into the Wild

Hungry Lions behind !

We Spotted 2 out of the big 5 today – Elephants & Lions

We ended our exciting day with beautiful Memories

There are Night Safaris too available with extra Costs .

Day 4 – Visit to Masai Villages after Morning Game Drive

Visit to the Masai Village is the best part of Masai Mara apart from the animals.

Warm Welcome at the Masai Village with their popular dance

The tribe has so many stories of how the Lions attacked their cows and a Masai Man in order to get married needs to kill a Lion first to prove his manhood . He also wanted to trade my I-Phone with his Cow! They were also courteous enough to show us how they live inviting us in their huts which had no electricity . They showed us how they make fire .

Masai Family

They even have their own school , Grow herbs and most of them could speak English language . Very content & happy people in spite of living in the most modest & humble way .

Handicrafts which make a good souvenir to take back home

We also Spotted Leopard on our way back . Interesting fact that we learnt , difference between cheetah and leopard are the black dot lines that join the eyes of cheetah all the way down . So you can make our the difference very clearly when you spot a cheetah .

Another 1 of the big 5 - Leopard

Spectacular creatures - Giraffes

Another beautiful day ended

Day 5 - Last Day in Masai Mara – Hot Air Balloon & Breakfast , Middle of the Jungle .

We started our day early as our pick up was at 4.30 am and they took us to the spot where they were getting the Balloon Ready for the Flight . It was about 30 mins drive from the resort . Cost - $300 to $ 350 per person if you directly take it there , you could bargain the price too . Online pre-book might cost you slightly higher .

Getting Ready for the Flight , Hot Air Balloon

Another beautiful experience to see the sunrise over the Horizon while flying in the Hot Air Balloon .

Beautiful Sunrise over the Horizon

Enjoying this wonderful experience of flying over animals

Fun Filled Flight & Landing

After the Ride the Crew took us to have Bush Breakfast where we could hear the animal sounds from a distance . It is supposed to be safe in that area but there were people who kept an eye for us while we enjoyed the scrumptious breakfast .

Breakfast in the Middle of the Jungle

Cheers to a lovely landing & delicious Bush Breakfast

Next - We headed to Mara River

Mara River is the most important landmark during the Great Migration for millions of wilder beast & Zebras who take the journey across Countries in search of greener pastures . They have to cross the river to get across the border and Cheetahs , Lions & Crocodiles wait anxiously for the herds to hunt them down . It’s a photographers delight to catch a glimpse of the action every year . Also the best time to do the Hot Air Balloon Ride .

Mara River

Next – Headed Back to the Lodge

Had such a wonderful time . Hot Air Balloon over the Masai Mara or Serengeti is a must . It is considered one of the 6 top destinations for Hot Air Balloon experience .

Some lovely sights on the way back

African Buffalo - 4th member of the Big 5 we spotted

Day 6 – Returned to Nairobi .

We left after breakfast from this beautiful heaven with a bag full of memories to cherish a lifetime ! We reached Nairobi after a drive of 6 hours and went back to Hotel Royal Orchid Azure in Nairobi .

Day 7 – We Returned back home

This trip is highly recommended and something you will not regret . Kids over 5 years of age will just love this place as they would know about the animals & birds they see . For Couples & Honeymooners it will be a very different experience also as they would get to break the pattern of beaches & mountains . Masai Mara & Serengeti can be done together also .