Safari Kenya: Masai Mara

Luxury Camp Asilia Africa in Masai Mara

I often hear that a dream vacation is a safari in Africa, so I am going to give you all the details on my quick safari trip in Kenya’s Masai Mara, and hope it proves useful as you plan your African safari!

I was working and living in rural Kenya, Migori to be more specific. I was in graduate school at Duke University, and was spending a few months researching HPV positive women’s access to treatment in rural areas. [Plug for the Duke Center for Global Reproductive Health] In short, I found out my work in Kenya was abruptly coming to an end and I was moving to Kampala, Uganda – I had 3 days to get to Uganda, meaning, I had to hurry up and go on Safari before my move. That being said, my 48 hours on safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara was worth every penny, and if you’re finding this trip to be expensive, or challenging to plan, just know that it is 100% worth it!

The Safari Experience

There are several tiers of luxury you can select from when on Safari. Given I only had two days, I wanted luxury, but… grad student luxury. Even though I was on a grad student budget, I would call my experience a higher tier luxury safari experience because I was able to get a significantly discounted rate. The staff felt like family after a mere 48 hours on safari, and that was what stuck with me more than my outdoor shower and king sized bed. I won’t complain about the coffee and cookies that were brought to my tent each morning as a wake up call, though. Not only will you be sleeping in luxury among the lions, and eating phenomenal cuisine, but you will learn a great deal about all vegetation and wildlife within the Masai Mara and surrounding areas.

Staying at Asilia Africa: Masai Mara

There are countless luxury safari camps within the Masai Mara and neighboring Naboisho Conservancy – I chose Asilia Africa. Why? I met a super awesome friend (pilot for the Mission Aviation Fellowship in Kenya) who helped me navigate Kenya when I first arrived, and he highly recommended the camp and crew at Asilia Africa, so I ran with it! He wasn’t wrong – they are the most genuine and knowledgeable staff I have ever met.

Asilia Africa owns several camps in the Conservancy, Mara and Serengeti. Initially I was looking at Encounter Mara, but their prices and availability didn’t work for me, so I ended up staying at their sister camp – Naboisho Camp. Regular price per night per person is around $700 (varies by season). That price is all-inclusive, including all food and drink as well as 2 Game Drives per day (morning and afternoon).

Since I was working as a researcher in the area, I got a reduced rate of $290/night! Residents get an even cheaper rate. This made selecting this camp a no-brainer.

How to Get to the Masai Mara

Most safari companies will offer a private plane transfer that drops you right down into the middle of the Masai Mara. When you arrive in Nairobi, you’ll likely land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. They will liekly scoop you up there, or at the smaller Wilson Airport. After a breathtaking flight in a small plane, you’ll arrive on a small dirt landing strip in the middle of the Masai Mara.

My arrival was less than conventional in that I was living in Migori and hired a driver to take me right into the Masai Mara. We drove through the Masai Mara and into Naboisho Conservancy where my guide met me in a safari vehicle. I took the safari vehicle to our camp and was met by the greatest duo of all time, Rich and Della, a South African couple who ran Asilia Africa.

Since I wasn’t going back to Migori, and instead was flying to Kampala, I had a more conventional departure. I arranged a flight with Asilia Africa from the Masai Mara to Wilson Airport (via Safarilink), and a private transfer from Wilson Airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The flight with Safarilink was $210 one-way, with a $20 private transfer.

Total cost of trip: 2 nights at $290 / night + flight to Wilson Airport $210 + private transfer $20 = $810.

3 Day, 2 Night Safari Itinerary

If you are traveling on Safari I sure hope you give yourself more than 3 days and 2 nights, but if you find yourself in a pinch for time like I was and still want the experience, you can do it!

Day 1

• Arrive at camp mid-afternoon, shower, have exquisite dinner at long communal table with all camp guests, staff and guides. After dark go on a night drive and see the conservancy and wildlife at night. Late-night drinks by the fire.

Day 2

• Very early morning wake up for walking safari with guide through the conservancy for several hours. Come back for lunch and relaxation, then go on an afternoon game drive. Stop and watch lions with a snack (samosas) and wine from safari vehicle (called a sundowner). Come back for dinner and drinks around the fire with all other guests, staff and guides.

Day 3

• Very early morning wake up and game drive with breakfast out on the Conservancy. Pack all belongings before departure for game drive, as you will go right from game drive to small airstrip in Masai Mara for departure.

Safari Packing List

Assuming you will go on a walking safari, coupled with your driving safari, you will want comfortable shoes and full coverage clothing. It is warm during the day and can be quite buggy at night, bug spray is advisable. Depending on where you stay, they will likely have many toiletry-related amenities, as well as tools to keep safe (large flashlight, airhorn, etc.) in your tent. I would bring flip flops for meandering around the camp site and for taking outdoor showers.

Bring cash, as there are many wonderful shopping opportunities within each camp site. Locally made Masai crafts, jewelry and more often await in a gift shop. Asilia Africa had a shop that operated on the honor code, which was a really delightful way to peruse locally made Masai crafts. You may also likely tip in cash – this could include tipping the chef, your personal safari guide, your hosts, as well as on any excursions you embark on.

Bring a camera and a notebook/pen to jot down all of the awesome stuff you learn on safari!

Safari Photography

Story : Week 1 in Kenya I was standing on my bed, on the phone with my husband, trying to kill a mosquito that had made it through my bed net, when I clapped at the mosquito with my iPhone in my hand.. the phone went flying and subsequently shattered on the floor. Luckily, smartphones are easy to come by, so I picked up an old Samsung Galaxy and went on my way. All of my photos featured here were taken with an ancient Samsung Galaxy, many of which I pressed the phones camera lens through my binoculars and snapped away. Proof, I suppose, that you might not need a $5,000 camera or your trusty iPhone to get the shot.

The footage was taken with my GoPro – great for film, not great for images.

Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions if you are headed on Safari – I am happy to put you in touch with some of the friends I made along the way living and working in East Africa!