Masai Mara Safari Kenya Africa-Best Masai Mara Safari Lodge Kenya

By Robert Muhoho

If you love hippos, the Mara Safari Club Kenya is the place for you! Set along the looping Mara River at the northeastern part of the Mara, this luxury tented lodge combines the romance of Masai Mara tented accommodations with all the security and comforts of a grand lodge. From the effusive hostess who greats you in her stylish African dress, to the pool which is heated, the Mara safari club aims to please in every way.

The spacious lodge, built of dark wood logs with high peaked ceilings, is sited on the edge of the Mara River. The open-plan, multi level design follows the curve of the river. Although the Masai mara lodge includes reception, dining room, bar, fireplace, lounge and gift shop, its unusual and asymmetrical shape helps to mask its size.

A wooden deck curves along the outside of the Mara lodge over the banks of the river. Here are two pleasant and shaded seating areas with nice views of the river and the resident hippos.
The hippos are a highlight of staying at the Kenya Mara safari club. You can see and hear them in the river-often from the deck of your tent. There something humorous and special about lying in a tent at night listening to hippo wuffles and snorts! The high, steep banks of the river and electric fences ensure that they do not wander into camp.

Each of the 45 tents is near the edge of the river bank. The Kenya safari tents are raised on high wooden decks, and the natural growth between them gives a sense of privacy. Stone pathways and green lawns lead from the lodge to the tent sites. The natural and rustic mix pleasantly with the established and well-tended.

Near the lodge is an attractive, heated pool with lounge chairs and stone paving partly shaded by tall trees. There is an outdoor bar and grill. Safari chairs and tables are sometimes set up near the pool for alfresco eating at lunch-very pleasant with the sounds of birds and the river below. Breakfast and dinner are served in the main dining room which is split into two levels with dark walls and matching furniture.

After the evening game drive, a fire is lit in the lounge where tea is served. In the evening a slide-show/lecture by the resident naturalist alternates nightly with Masai dancing.

Since it is outside of the Masai Mara national reserve, the Mara safari club is able to arrange for morning Kenya wildlife walks safaris, sundowner cocktails, or Mara bush banquets. On your game drives you are also likely to see stately Masai herders in their vivid red shuka.

Up to three game drives a day are included in the tariff. The Masai mara safari club has a fleet of 16 land cruisers modified for game viewing: seats covered in green canvas, field guide books, binoculars, a cooler filled with drinks, and well padded, open roof for game viewing.
Most guests fly in to the all weather strip close by.

Accommodations at the Masai Mara Safari Club Kenya
He tents are luxurious, fun and well- equipped. Four poster beds are bedecked with a striped canopy and mosquito net, and colorful carpets are on the floors. There are thick toweling bathrobes, and the shower and sink in the ensuite bathroom are both encased in wood. The electricity is on all night-great for readers. Best tent: # 12 has King-sized bed and sunken bathtub as well as a superb view of the river and the surrounding hills.

Other offerings at the Masai Mara Safari Club Kenya
Balloon safaris, bush banquets, sundowner cocktails, B.B.Q. dinners, visit to Masai village in Mara, souvenir shop, airstrip, fishing on Kenya lake victoria, “ off the beaten track safaris”, visit to “ wanga” rhino sanctuary with white rhino roaming freely on private grounds.

Robert is a Masai mara holidays adventure planner with landmark safaris Ltd. Landmark safaris –your connection to Masai mara Kenya safari adventures.
http://www.landmarksafaris.com

Kenya Africa Safari Holiday-Top African Destination Kenya Fact

By Robert Muhoho

Why Visit Kenya Africa

Magnificent Kenya wildlife

See the big five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard) along with graceful giraffe, and herds of zebra and gazelle in their spectacular natural setting-conservation issues take on new meaning.

Amazing Kenyan Landscape

From the snows of Mts. Kenya and Kilimanjaro to the great Rift Valley with its string of unusual lakes, from open savannah with no apparent horizon to mountain ranges with strange inselbergs and mesas; from plantation of coffee, tea, and coconut palms to tropical gardens lush-green and brilliant with flowers and colorful birds.
Beautiful Kenyan Rift Valley Lakes

Lake Victoria, almost an inland sea; lakes ranging from emerald green to flamingo pink; lakes with land and water birds galore…an ornithological heaven. tropical coastline.

Miles of white sandy beaches, waving palms, and coral reefs bright with exotic fish. Big game fishing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kite surfing in Mombasa Kenya coast.

Strong ethnic traditions-Kenya culture & Kenya people

You have many choices; highlands ranches, some dating back to first European settlements; relaxed and spacious coastal resorts; historic hotels such as the Norfolk , the Aberdares county Club, and the Mt. Kenya Safari Club. You will love the traditional Kenyan welcome- a big smile and a tropical drink.

Kenya Weather-rains, sun and climate in Kenya

Generally sunny and warm, with occasional showers-practically perfect vacation weather, amazing blue skies with an astonishment of clouds, and right on the Equator.

Kenya Food-Kenyan staple & traditional cuisine

Tropical fruits, highland vegetables, fresh beef and lamb, freshwater Nile perch and high land trout, every kind of seafood (try the Swahili preparations), wine and spirits from local vineyards, Europe and South Africa.

Kenya Handicrafts, some fine, some useful, some amusing

Wood and soapstone carvings, handwoven fabrics, gemstones (especially tsavorite and tanzanite), ethnic and modern jewelry, leatherwork, embossed chests and mirrors, hand woven carpets, baskets.

Kenya Pre-History age and sites

The Leakey family and others study early man in 5 million year chunks of time-see the Turkana boy (5 million years young) in the Nairobi Museum.

There is something about Kenya-perhaps it truly is the birthplace of mankind, and we all feel a returning, that the land is not unknown to us.

Kenya is also renowned for its sight seeing opportunities like the viewing of the Great Rift Valley floor from atop an escarpment. There are several stops and viewing platforms on the Nairobi-Nakuru High way where tourists will look don into the vast valley floor. It’s an amazing sight with contrasting straw colored ground below merging with the clear blue skies in the horizon hemmed in by serrated edges of the rift valley floor volcanic mountains, bluffs and knuckle shaped hills.

Robert is a Kenya travel agent of Landmark safaris- For Kenya discount travel deals & plan.
Kenya airways Travel and Kenya safari discount air travel online bookings-the way you want it! http://www.landmarksafaris.com

Kenya Safari Security-Kenya Safari Safety, Insurance Cover, Plan

By Robert Muhoho

Kenya safari security, culture / exercise.

The word safari means “journey” in Swahili. A “safari in Kenya” sounds like such an outdoor, healthy activity. It connotes exercise (perhaps strenuous) and possibly hiking boots. A false impression. For most tourists, game –watching safaris in the major game parks mean game drives in vehicles, vast amounts of food in the form of generous buffets, perhaps a siesta, and sitting around the campfire. Hardly great for abdominal muscles.

Many game lodges are now realizing the popularity of game walks. There is a move to offer more personal interactive experiences with the African bush. Because of park regulations, this is easier for places outside of game park Boundaries. Ranches and home stays often specialize in this kind of interaction.

Ironically, it is easier to get more exercise at the coast. There is always swimming, perhaps disco dancing at night, and long walks along the beach. However, sun and humidity, the languid pace, big meals and good beer also mean that exercise might not feature in your Kenya coastal holiday. You can always return to your aerobic classes when you get home.
Kenya tourist Security

Kenya has more than its share of bad press, particularly in the north and in Nairobi. While theft and violence are real concerns, the tourism industry and the government of Kenya are taking every possible step to ensure your safety. Travelers should exercise good sense and take some reasonable precautions:

• Don’t parade valuable jewelry
• Don’t stroll the streets at night
• Catch cabs rather than walk in strange areas.
• Don’t carry lots of money and important papers
• Don’t take valuables to the beach
• Don’t walk around Nairobi at Night.

Culture shock/stress in Kenya
Although Kenya is one of the wealthier countries in Africa, there is still a great deal of poverty. Visible poverty. Poor mothers with babies beg in the streets, makeshift shacks mushroom next to modern buildings, trash heaps have just but recently disappeared.
Life goes on in public-hairdressers ply their craft under a tree, sewing machine
s sing on sidewalks; furniture makers display their wares in the sun.

Kenya jars and excites with color and chaos, vibrant life and the unexpected. It can be an exhilarating, eye-opening cultural experience.

If you come from a fast and efficient lifestyle, you may feel frustrated by the slow pace and the inefficiencies. Humor works better than anger. Surely, slowing down and appreciating a different culture is part of what makes a holiday.

Remember one of the most common Kenyan Swahili expressions: “Hakuna Matata” Kenya- no problem in Kenya.

Vendor vigilance
You may be pestered by local vendors. Bargaining is the order of the day. Bartering is an option-T-shirt and pens are popular. Remember! Use humor and don’t be dismayed at persistence.
Photos-animals, landscape, people in Kenya

Photograph landscapes, photograph animals, but ask permission before taking photos of people, and be prepared to pay for the privilege in some instance.

Creepy Crawlies
You will see less of these than you expect but they do exist. You should not walk around at night, or in the bush, without shoes. Hopefully you will be lucky enough to see some brightly colored lizards or perhaps the odd chameleon. (P.S. most of us who have lived in Kenya for years have only seen a snake twice). Don’t forget your insect repellant.

Our Furry Friends
The animals are wild. They are not paid to entertain the guests, Respect them, and keep your distance. The fact that hippos are grazing next to your tent at night does not mean you can pat them. Hippos are very dangerous. So are lions, elephant, buffalo, rhino, crocodiles, monkeys, teddy-bear-like-hyrax…It is just not prudent to pet.

The big Five are lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and your choice of buffalo or hippo. Remember, each animal is more than an addition to a list. It is fun to see how individuals react with each other, in groups, and with the environment.

Favorites of tiny five
A scarlet nit, an iridescent emerald fly, and the walking stick.

Robert is a Kenya travel agent of Landmark safaris- One of travel agencies in Nairobi. At Landmark, we provide you with African travel advisories, Health and disease information and preventative injections and medications. Let us know where you want to go and your travel health questions here http://www.landmarksafaris.com