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How to Go on a Budget Safari in Masai Mara Kenya
Going on a safari in Africa is one of the ultimate travel goals for many people, especially animal/nature lovers. The only problem is, it can also be the biggest expense in your entire African trip. But that doesn’t always have to be the case.
It is possible to pay only USD 300 for a 3D2N all-inclusive safari package! This article will tell you how I did it.
Table of Contents
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
In October 2019, I went on a 3-day-2-night safari in Masai Mara.
Why did I choose Masai Mara?
Because of The Lion King. Really.
Masai Mara is not the cheapest place for a safari, but after watching the movie, I developed an affinity for Simba, almost to the point of obsession (bought Simba merchandise and all). So, I decided that I had to visit either Serengeti or Masai Mara, the two places that inspired the setting of the movie.
Masai Mara and Serengeti are basically the same park that is spread over the Kenyan and Tanzanian border. The Kenyan part is called Masai Mara and the Tanzanian part Serengeti. In general, Tanzanian safaris are more expensive than Kenyan ones, so Masai Mara it was for me.
It was a silly reason to visit a place, but hey, Iceland received an influx of tourists (from 566,000 in 2011 to over 1 million in 2015) because of The Game of Thrones, so, whatever floats your boat, right?
How to Get to Masai Mara
The Masai Mara National Reserve is located about 270 kilometers (168 miles) away from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Traveling by land between the two can take around 4 – 5 hours. You can DIY your trip by renting a car and driving to the game reserve.
To avoid this long travel time, many safari-goers fly into Nairobi’s international airport (Jomo Kenyatta International), and catch a short-haul flight from nearby Wilson Airport to the Masai Mara’s various airstrips.
Sometimes, the airplane may drop off other passengers first before continuing to your airstrip — sort of like a bus system for the savannah. It is, of course, not the cheapest option. Most budget-conscious travelers book a safari package that includes transport from Nairobi.
Landscape
The classic Masai Mara landscape is golden savannah: 370,000 acres of flat grasslands with an abundance of grazing areas, making it an ideal terrain to spot the grazers (and their predators).
The elephants — over the centuries — have pretty much flattened the land, clearing it of forests. But it still has clumps of trees and seasonal rivers. ‘Mara’ actually means ‘spotted’ in the Maa language — the language spoken by the Maasai people, who are the native residents in the area. It refers to how the park is dotted with acacia trees, indentations, and craters.
Here, you can expect to see elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, and the big cats — lions, leopards, and cheetahs. But what it is most famous for is the annual Wildebeest Migration, possibly the greatest show on earth, which takes place between July to November.
Best Time to Go on a Safari in Kenya
The only time when you should avoid going is during Kenya’s long rains around April to June. During this time, some safari lodges and camps might be closed. Apart from that, there’s no exact ‘best time’ to go. Thanks to its abundant wildlife, there’s always something to see in Masai Mara’s plains.
Therefore, deciding when to go to Masai Mara depends largely on your own personal schedule, budget, and what you want to see and experience.
Peak Season
- When? July to October
- Seasons: Autumn and winter
- Weather: Cool with no rain
- Wildebeest migration? Yes
- Landscape: Dry and dusty
- Highlights: Wildebeest migration
Low Season
- When? December to April
- Seasons: Spring and summer
- Weather: Hot with afternoon thunder showers
- Wildebeest migration? No
- Landscape: Lush and green
- Highlights: Babies and migrant birds
Alternatively, if you travel in the ‘shoulder seasons’ (November, May & June), you will get to experience a little bit of both.
What to Bring on a Safari in Kenya
Bring what you would normally bring on your regular travels, like your passport, wallet, phone, earphones, travel adapter, toiletries, etc, but most importantly:
- A hat or cap – You will be outdoors for hours. Although the vehicle you’re in most probably has a roof, the sun can still shine directly at you through the windows. Some vehicles also have raised roofs, allowing the sun to roast you to a crisp perfection.
- Sunscreen – Ditto above.
- Sunglasses – Ditto above. And also to look good for the pictures.
- A good camera – A phone camera just won’t do the place any justice, unless it has optical zoom. There are some animals that you just can’t get very close to because they’re either dangerous or shy, and because the safari vehicles are not allowed to stray from the marked trail.
- Binoculars – If you can’t get a good camera, at least get a good pair of binoculars (with at least 8x magnification).
- Prescription meds – Make sure you don’t run out when you’re on the safari!
- Sanitary products – Ditto above.
- Preventive meds – These are medicines that you don’t normally consume, but need to bring anyway, in case of emergencies, such as pills for diarrhea, motion sickness, headaches, heartburn, indigestion, allergies, and malaria. And while you’re at it, bring insect repellent and hand sanitizer too.
- Toilet paper – You’re going to be in the savannah for a whole day. At some point during your safari, you’re going to have to relieve yourself in the bush, whether you like it or not. Most companies provide toilet paper, but if you tend to use a lot, be sure to bring your own.
- Torchlight – Depending on your type of accommodation, this might be necessary.
- A small backpack – To carry the essentials with you on the safari, such as your water bottle and all of the above.
What to Wear on an African Safari
These days, many safari camps and lodges provide same-day laundry services. So, you don’t have to bring a change of clothes for every day that you are on the safari. Check with your travel agent if you will have access to a laundry service at your camp.
Also, ask them what the weather will be like during your visit. This will help you tremendously in choosing what to pack. Some places can be freezing in winter, so you might need gloves, scarves, thick jackets, and wool caps. Some places can be warm during the day but dramatically change in temperature after sundown.
- Keep it casual but comfortable – Be it your clothes, undergarments, or footwear, going on a safari is one of the times when you have to put comfort over style. Keep in mind that you’ll be wearing them for the whole day (and maybe night too). Quick-dry fabrics are a good option.
- Layer it up – When you’re visiting a place with fluctuating temperatures, instead of bringing one very bulky jacket, bring a few thinner layers — so that you can layer them up or peel them off as you see fit. This saves a lot of space.
- Wear neutral colors – There’s a reason why most safari-goers wear khaki outfits — and it’s not because it’s the ‘in’ thing to wear. Khaki, taupe, beige, and grey are the best colors to wear on a safari because black and dark blue are said to attract the African tse tse flies. Red will attract predators who identify red with wounded animals. And white is not an ideal color to wear due to the amount of dust in the bush.
- These are the must-have items in your safari checklist:
- T-shirts, loose shirts, or blouses. Long sleeves and collars can help protect you from the sun and mosquitoes.
- Safari trousers or shorts. Or those that zip off at the knees, so that you can have both trousers and shorts.
- Swimsuit if your camp has a swimming pool (check with your agent).
- Something elegant/smart casual if your safari includes dinners at nice hotels.
- Hat
- Comfortable walking shoes or sports sandals in the warmer months.
- Socks
- Bandanna/cotton scarf/sarong
- Fleece or warm jacket (depending on the weather)
- Undergarments
How Much is an African Safari?
Now we get to the most important question: how much is it?
The price of a safari varies greatly, based on:
- Location – Safaris in East African countries are generally known to be more expensive than those in the south. And even within the same region, prices can differ from one country to the next. For example, Tanzania is more expensive than Kenya and Uganda. Likewise, within the same country, the prices can still be different from one park to another.
- The time of the year – Traveling outside of the peak season can be a great way to save money. There are fewer people, and safari packages tend to be a lot cheaper. Besides, going on a safari in the rain is not entirely terrible. You might get some interesting shots.
- Duration – You can go on a 10-day safari if you want, or you can make it a day trip. The longer it is, the cheaper you have to pay per day, but the overall cost is still going to be more.
- Private or shared – Obviously, a shared safari is going to be a lot cheaper than a private one. And the more people in the group, the less that you have to pay per person.
- Type of accommodation – There are various types of accommodation available, from shared tents to private honeymoon suites.
- Activities – Some safaris also include hot-air balloons, cultural visits, boat rides, candle-lit dinners, spa treatments, etc.
A 5-star luxury safari in the high season can easily cost around $1,500 per person per night.
But I’m always one to go for the cheapest deal possible. And after many hours (probably days) of scouring the net, I finally found a safari package that suited my budget.
Malvic Tours & Safaris
I stumbled upon Malvic Tours & Safaris on Couchsurfing while I was looking for someone to host me in Nairobi. The company was founded and managed by a brother-and-sister duo: Cecelia and Victor, both of whom were Couchsurfing hosts.
Although they did advertise their company on their Couchsurfing profiles, not once did I feel obliged to book tours with them. But I asked anyway about what offers they had. And when I heard their price, I made a booking right away.
It was only USD 300 for a 3-day-2-night safari, all-inclusive. Not only did I score a great bargain, I also got a place to stay for two nights (before and after the safari) for free!
Not sure what Couchsurfing is? Watch this!
What to Expect on a Safari in Masai Mara, Kenya
Day 1
At 6.00 a.m., Victor and I left the house to take a public bus to the pickup point in the city. Taking public buses in Nairobi is in itself quite an experience. This is what a typical bus in Nairobi is like:
Yup, that’s a bus, not a nightclub.
We first went to Victor’s office so that I could make the full payment. Once that was done, he took me to a nearby cafe for breakfast (not included in the package).
After that, I met my driver cum guide, and the other people in my group. I was with 5 other people: 2 couples and one solo traveler. They were all about my age (early 30s), except the Japanese solo traveler, who was a little older.
When everyone was ready, we made our move at around 8.00 a.m. On the way, we stopped at a viewpoint to see the sprawling landscape of the Great Rift Valley. It encompasses 9,600 kilometers from Mozambique all the way to the Red Sea.
Lunch was a buffet of African dishes with rice. Although I’m a meat-eater, I couldn’t help noticing that there were plenty of vegan/vegetarian options, and that best of all, they tasted great. On top of that, the premise was exceptionally clean. The food was still hot and there was a chef standing by to ensure that it was replenished frequently.
After lunch, it was just a short drive before we reached our accommodation. We checked in, and collected our keys, towels, drinking water, and toilet paper. Note that the drinking water and toilet paper were provided by the agent, not the lodge.
I met my roommate, a Kenyan girl named Mata. Our room had tarpaulin walls with zippers, much like a tent.
However, the inside was very spacious and well-equipped that you’d feel like you were in a regular dormitory room. It came with electricity, charging points, and an ensuite bathroom! With hot water!
There were 4 beds but because we were the only two female solo travelers, we had the room to ourselves. Well, technically she wasn’t traveling solo. Her friend was on a romantic holiday and invited her along, so while the couple had a private room, she had to bunk with me.
We were given around two hours to rest and freshen up, after which we would be making our first visit to the park.
The real safari would start the next day, but this was to be a sneak peek at what we would be seeing tomorrow.
At about 3 p.m., we set out to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The roof of the van could be elevated so that we were able to see outside and take pictures without any glass barrier. The height was just perfect — we could all stand comfortably, but if you’re above 6 ft, I reckon it would be a little cramped.
Within just a few hundred meters from the main gate, we got our first glimpse of the wild animals — first the zebras, then the gazelles, and then the giraffes. It was such a magical feeling to see them for the first time in real life — and not in the zoo. I couldn’t believe it was really happening.
We had to leave by 5 p.m. otherwise the driver would be penalized. But in just a couple of hours, we managed to see giraffes, zebras, gazelles, elephants, and wildebeests — pretty much most of the grazers in the savannah. That’s not too shabby!
Day 2
We were told to wake up early on the second day to catch the sunrise. So, we woke up, had breakfast, and were ready before 7. The first animal we saw was this giraffe having his/her first meal of the day:
And then we started to see the big cats. It was crazy how close they were to us. They didn’t seem to be scared at all by the vehicles.
We saw quite a number of cheetahs frolicking under the morning sun:
Pumba minding his own business:
And a very lazy Simba:
But the most memorable sighting was probably of two lionesses hunting, killing, and subsequently eating a baby pumba (warthog). I’m not saying it was pretty, but man, was it unforgettable! The sound of bones crunching, and the sight of intestines trailing out on the grass. Definitely not for the squeamish.
The safari guides worked as a team and were constantly communicating with each other via walkie-talkies. Each time one of them saw something interesting, he would alert the rest, and we would all rush to his location.
For lunch, we had a picnic in the park. Like, a proper picnic — with a picnic mat, fruits, and sandwiches. The only thing missing was the wicker basket. Instead, our packed lunch came in brown paper bags.
We ended the second day with a visit to the famous river where the wildebeest migration takes place every year. At the time of our visit, there was not much activity there though, apart from hippos wallowing in the mud.
Day 3
On the third day, we were allowed to sleep in. Those who were interested in visiting the Masai village (which was right next to our camp) could do so at an extra charge of USD10. Otherwise, we were free to have a late breakfast before making our way back to Nairobi.
I went with a couple other people to the traditional Masai village. First, we were welcomed with a traditional dance. The Masai people, especially the men, are trained to jump high. The higher a man jumps, the less dowry he has to pay when asking for a girl’s hand in marriage.
After that, we were taken through their settlement, where we learned how they lived their nomadic lifestyle in houses made of mud and dung.
It’s interesting to note that all the houses in a Masai village are built by the women. The men’s job is to go out hunting. Young men are routinely sent out alone into the wild to kill a lion and bring home the lion’s teeth as a coming-of-age ritual. The teeth are then made into pendants to be worn or sold to visitors. Expect them to try to sell you some.
Done with the visit, we began our journey back to Nairobi. The driver dropped each one of us at our respective hotels. By 5 p.m., we had all reached our destinations.
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend Malvic Tours & Safaris?
Yes, definitely. In my travels (and in my life, for that matter), price is always the number-one priority. Everything else comes second. This attitude has allowed me to travel much further than I ever would have done had I been less prudent about money.
Sometimes, it can also mean that I get subpar experience. But fortunately, Malvic Tours & Safaris didn’t disappoint. Despite their relatively low price, they didn’t compromise on quality. I got everything as advertised — no cutting corners.
My roommate Mata, who booked with a different company, actually had to pay more. But while I got three large bottles of water, she got only two small ones, and only after requesting.
So, if you’re on Couchsurfing, do get in touch with either Victor or Cecelia and see if they could accommodate you. Otherwise, you can contact them via their website and Facebook page, as written above.
Is a 3d2n safari enough?
Yes, to me, it was more than enough. It could even have been shorter — if you skipped the Masai village and the first day of the safari.
Seeing the animals up-close for the first time is truly exhilarating — no doubt about that. You’re in awe. You can’t believe you’re there. You want to take as many pictures as you can.
But by the second day, the novelty would have pretty much worn off. Oh just another zebra. Just another gazelle. You only get excited when you get a glimpse of the rarer animals — like the big cats. But even those will bore you too after a while.
Within one day, I got to see 4 of the Big 5 (all except rhinos, but rhinos are extremely rare anyway). I can’t imagine going on longer safaris. I think it’s more suitable for serious photographers who want to take pictures in as many different lights and in as many different locations as possible. Otherwise, if your goal is simply to see the animals, I think 3d2n should suffice.
Additional Tips for African Safari
Now that you know how to book a safari and what to pack for it, here are a few other pointers you might find useful:
- Before you go, check with your travel clinic or tour agent about necessary vaccinations/preventive meds. Some places may require malaria pills, some don’t, and this may also vary based on the time of the year. I didn’t have to take malaria pills for Masai Mara in October because it was the dry season.
- Not every moment of your safari will be enjoyable. You might be driving for hours, sweating and swearing on bumpy roads before you even get a glimpse of the coveted Big 5. So, don’t set your expectations too high — it’s not going to be all rosy from start to finish.
- Be open-minded and flexible. Nature is unpredictable. On some days, it might be more difficult to spot the animals than on other days. Sometimes, it may mean driving back and forth in the same places or going around in circles while waiting for them to appear.
- Be considerate. If you’re taking a shared safari, be considerate to the other people in your group. Sometimes, game drives may start very early in the morning to catch the sunrise, so be punctual. Don’t make others miss it too just because you overslept or spent too long in the shower. Remember, you’re not the only paying customer.
- Obey rules. If your guide tells you to stay in the car, stay in the car. This should go without saying but DO NOT attempt to approach any of the animals, no matter how ‘cute’ you may think they are. Keep your hands and your camera inside the car when in close proximity to the big cats. Never go between a hippo and water. Don’t try to attract attention by making strange noises. In fact, try not to make any noise at all because this may either scare the animals off, or trigger aggression.
- Never venture out of your camp alone at night, even if it is fenced.
- Ask questions. Your safari guide is very experienced and knowledgeable in this field. So, take advantage of that and learn as much as you can about the animals and landscapes you see on that safari.
- If you want to see the Wildebeest Migration, be sure to book your safari far in advance — at least 9 months ahead. The migration is a major safari highlight, so camps can get booked up really quickly. However, do keep in mind that it is practically impossible to predict the river crossings. The herds don’t always follow the same schedule or route each year. Again, keep a positive attitude if things don’t go your way.
- Take lots of pictures, especially unusual shots like animals mating, animals with their youngs, or animals devouring their kills. Take them at the first opportunity you get. Don’t wait for later because you may never get the chance for a better shot. It’s better to end up with too many photos than too few. You can always delete the duplicates later and keep only the best.
- Nature isn’t always pretty. You might see things you don’t like, such as baby animals getting killed by predators. Nature can be ugly, and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.
- Stay hydrated! Constant exposure to the sun could be detrimental to your health if you are not careful. So, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and a hat.
Have you been on a safari in Africa? Where did you go and what was your experience like? Comment below.
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This sounds like a great adventure! I would love to go on a safari!
It was a great adventure, Kelli! I hope you’ll get to go on a safari too someday 🙂
I was planning to visit Tanzania and maybe Kenya next year so this is really helpful as I was so overwhelmed by the safari options. Especially the length, like what is enough? So I appreciate you saying the 2 nights was maybe too long for you as I was worried a one night would be too short. Can I also say that I fully respect the Lion King being the deciding factor on where you went!
Hahaha thank you, Emma! I love you! Honestly, I felt a bit silly for discounting all other (cheaper) safari destinations just because of an animated movie. But I must say I didn’t regret it, I felt so close to Simba and his family 😅
I can’t blame you for being overwhelmed. There are just so many options. To me, the 2 days were enough. I saw everything I wanted to see. But like I said, if you’re a true wildlife enthusiast, or a professional photographer who wants to get as many shots as possible, or if you simply enjoy being in the savannah, then maybe you’d want to stay longer.
Anyway, I hope you’ll get to do it next year. Have fun!
Like for so many people, a Safari is really high on my bucket list. I’m so happy you got to experience it in Kenya, it must be the perfect place for it! Great post 🙂
Thanks, Lina! There are actually many other places to go on a safari in Africa. Masai Mara, Kenya isn’t the cheapest, but I chose it because of the Lion King. I’m really obsessed with that movie hahaha. I didn’t regret it.
Wow you got such a bargain! I definitely paid a lot more for my safari in Tanzania. And I totally agree with your packing list and things to wear 🙂
Hey, Yvet! Yes, I did my research and found that Tanzania is much more expensive than Kenya for a safari, even though it’s technically the same park (but of course, Serengeti is many times bigger than Masai Mara). The other reason is because I didn’t go during high season, so that definitely helped.
What a gorgeous post. I’d love to visit a Safari park in Africa but budget always gets in the way. It’s great to know that it can be done on a budget! Thanks for sharing!
Hey, Jade! You’re welcome. I’m always happy to share tips for a budget trip. Most people think that all safaris are expensive, but that’s not necessarily the case. It can be cheap if you go during low season, choose a shorter duration, and join a group safari. There are other places in Africa that’s actually cheaper than Masai Mara, but you know, I chose it due to personal reasons 😉
Such an elaborate & well documented post! Really gave me an idea of what to expect. Helpful!!
Thank you, Nilima. Glad you found this article useful. Hope you’ll get to go on a safari soon 🙂
I loved my Masai Mara safari. I also did it on a budget but with another company. I hope the roads from Nairobi to Masai Mara is better now. It was really a challenge when I was there. Thanks for sharing and great tips helping to make the best decisions for future travelers!
You’re welcome, Anita! There are actually a lot of budget options to do a safari, but it can be overwhelming to choose the right company and the right package. I hope you enjoyed yours. The roads weren’t too bad when I went, if a little bumpy.
I really enjoyed reading this! So full of culture (what a great little fact about Masai men jumping high!) I’ve been desperate to go on an African safari – and this is packed with to the point detail! Thank you for sharing this!
You’re welcome, Galatia! Glad you enjoyed the article. Yes, I found it fascinating that the Masai men had to jump high to prove their worth. Good thing I’m not a Masai man, otherwise I’d have been a disgrace to the people. Anyway, I hope you’ll be able to use the information here to help you plan your safari in the future 🙂
I love this blog! It’s awesome that you included videos in your blog and also prices.
Thank you so much, Diana. Glad you enjoyed my blog. I hope you will consider subscribing for more travel tips and updates delivered to your inbox every month 🙂
A safari must be amazing! I haven’t had the opportunity to do one so far. I like that you chose the place of the Lion King: a great idea!
Yes, the safari was amazing, Ophélie. I can’t stop raving about it! There is actually a separate tour that can take you to the Pride Rock (you know, where Mufasa presented baby Simba for the first time), but it was closed during my visit due to rainy season. The place could easily get flash floods if it rained suddenly. Anyway, I hope you’ll get to do a safari too someday 🙂
Love this. I’ve been to Masaimara and this helped bring back so many memories. I still remember how bumpy the roads were. Our safari guides and drivers would call them an ‘African Massage.’ 😛
Hahaha I didn’t mind the African massage, to be honest, although I had to put my safety belt on all the time. I’m one of those weird people who actually prefer bumpy roads to smooth ones. Anyway, glad this article brought back happy memories. Kenya is a wonderful country.
This is awesome, thanks for sharing! We’re actually planning to go on our honeymoon to Kenya so this is super useful information for us.
You’re welcome, Danni. Glad you found this useful and I wish you a wonderful honeymoon in Kenya. Do check out my other posts on Kenya to see if there is anything else you might be interested in 🙂
Would love to experience this once in a lifetime chance to get up close and personal with the lion king. To be in the wild and in the backyard of all the wild animals would be amazing.
It was amazing indeed, Tekkaus. I had a personal obsession with the Lion King, so this took on a special meaning for me. I hope you’ll get to experience it too, someday. Do bookmark this page if you’re interested in doing it on a budget.
What a priceless experience! Thank you sharing the details, might use the info if we ever plan to go to safari 🤩
It was a priceless experience indeed, Edahyu. I used to think that going on a safari in Africa was way beyond my reach, financially speaking. But it’s actually more attainable than most people think. Do come back to this page if you ever decide to do this in the future 🙂. I will be updating the information in here from time to time.
bestnya dapat tengok Simba depan mata, sebelum ni tengok dalam movie je! Simba masa kecil comel ye, dah besar jadi malas hahaha
Simba kat dalam movie je rajin. In real life, pemalas. 😁
Reading and looking at the place this is definitely the right vacation to enjoy for those who loves adventure and animals… kerp it in mind once we are allowed to travel after CoVID-19 surpassed.
That’s right, Fas. An African safari is the perfect vacation for those who love wildlife and adventure. Do keep this for future reference, ya. 🙂
Ini betul-betul real safari nengok depan-depan gitu yaa… Sis pertama kali masa night safari di bukit gambang tu jee.. tu pun nampak harimau dekat dah kecut perut hahahaha.. tapi syoknyaa nampak zirafah tu..alahaiii..
Ni memang betul-betul real safari, sis. Haiwan-haiwan ni semua dalam habitat asal mereka, tak dikurung dalam kandang, zoo, atau sebagainya. Kita yang kena pergi cari sendiri. Kalau nasib baik, nampak la semua. Kalau tak, kita cuma akan nampak haiwan yang biasa2 je, contohnya zirafah, kuda belang, dan gazelle (tak pasti apa bahasa Melayunya). Sebab tu kena ambik pemandu yang betul-betul berpengalaman, sebab diorang tau mana nak cari semua haiwan kat sini, termasuk yang ‘rare’.
Your blog is the blog that I love to hate because I hate that I can’t go anywhere now but somehow satisfies my needs to see other sceneries other than my bedroom walls hahaha
Hahaha if it makes you feel any better, Rawlins, I’m writing this while I’m stuck at home, staring at my bedroom walls. 😉 I also envy my life pre-Covid.
Thanks for sharing your tips. My friend visited Safari too and it was very expensive but nice experience
That’s great, Rane! There are many different options when choosing a safari package. I’m hoping to dispel the idea that safaris have to be expensive.
So beautiful.. Dapat pergi safari.. Details you cerita dari pergi, harga, room, transport.. Love it.. Memang sesiapa yang nak pergi baca you punya blog mesti puas hati..
Terima kasih, Nadia. Nanti kalau Nadia nak pergi ke sana, atau ada mana-mana kenalan yang nak pergi, boleh la recommend kat diorang untuk rujuk blog saya, ya. 🙂
Seronok dapat melawat real safari macam nih nampak sangat teruja nak tengok haiwan-haiwan tu dari jarak dekat, Pengalaman saya pernah ke safari adventure di theme park di Korea, dapat lihat beruang besar sama tinggi dengan bas memang seram betul… tapi still tak percaya dapat tengok depan-depan
Wah, mesti seronok tu dapat tengok beruang secara dekat di Korea. Cuma bezanya safari di Afrika ni, semua haiwan liar tu bebas, bukan dikurung dalam zoo atau theme park. Jadi kita dapat tengok sendiri cara kehidupan diorang yang sebenar. Kadang2 menakutkan juga bila tengok haiwan pemangsa memburu binatang lain.
Very interesting trip that you have at the Safari, maybe some day i should arrange trip like this too.. I had mine in Bangkok two years ago.. I am more than happy by then to experience that. but this will be even better!
Oh, I didn’t know that Bangkok had its own safari too. But yah, safari in the African savannah is very different from what we can experience in Southeast Asia. Can’t find Simba in our rainforests 😁. Hehe. Anyway, hope you’ll get to experience this in the future.
satu hari nanti lepas habis semua pandemic dan kita semua boleh travel balik saya pun nak jadi seperti awak juga…travel ke tempat yang jarang orang pergi dan pastinya blog awak akan jadi rujukan saya …terima kasih atas perkongsian yang sangat menarik ini….
Terima kasih, Saidila, atas sokongan awak. Semoga awak berpeluang melawat ke tempat-tempat ni selepas pandemik reda nanti. Sebenarnya Kenya ni antara tempat yang popular di Afrika, cuma mungkin kurang dikenali oleh pelancong-pelancong Malaysia.
One of the place that i really looking forward is kenya… Love it so mich – adventure , safari wow..
Well I hope you’ll get to visit it someday. Do save this post for your future reference!
Bestnyaa dapat bercuti dekat sini. Satu hari nanti nak pergi dekat sinilah
Semoga berpeluang untuk bercuti di sini juga nanti. Dan jangan lupa rujuk blog ni semula ya kalau nak cari pakej safari bajet. Saya akan cuba kemaskini maklumat dari masa ke masa.
Wow you’ve been there ? What a beautiful journey you had ! Safari is one of my dream and must go !
Yes, it was a very beautiful journey, Cla! Thank you. I hope you’ll get to fulfill your dream someday, and if you’d like to do it on a budget, feel free to use the information here for your reference. 🙂
ummi !!!!!!!! best nya !! anak-anak akak suka haiwan.. dari sekecik-kecik haiwan sampai lah ke besar gajah.. hee~ gelak anak-anak akak tengok Lazy Simba tu..
Hehe thank you, kak Siti! Sama la saya pun suka sangat haiwan. Kalau la haiwan-haiwan ni semua jinak, memang dah lama kena gomol. Especially si Simba yang pemalas tu. Geram je tengok.
Wow.. nice sharing.. hope one day i can go there too
Thank you for your comment, Mohaz. Hope you’ll get to go on a safari too someday. 🙂
we have to take a poo in the bush? serious ah? i guess it is worth it.
Yup. The savannah is wide enough to not see anyone else for miles. So, we girls would choose one spot and the guys another. But need to be careful la, gotta check inside the bush first to make sure no animal is hiding in there. 😁
wow, best yer baca pengalaman Ummi travel ke Safari. Rasa teruja nak rasa juga suatu hari nanti. complete guide. bagus sangat sharing ni
Terima kasih, Wawa. Kalau Wawa berminat, boleh la save dulu info2 ni ya. Nanti bila dah dibenarkan travel, boleh rujuk semula.
What a dream trip. Can’t believe you found that price. Definitely a good suggestion on the Wildebeest migration. And interesting that you were ok with that short of a trip. Will keep this in mind!
Thank you, Alan. I don’t think I’d want to spend another day doing the same thing in the same park. I probably wouldn’t mind going to other locations though, like Lake Naivasha. But for those on a budget and who only want to get a taste of safari, I think 3d2n (or shorter) is perfect.
Going into a safari in Kenya is one of my dreams. Seeing so many animals and the masai jumping up and down is what determined me to dream I will go there one day. Thank you for all the information you shared, it is amazing to know so many things when planning my trip.
You’re welcome, Iuliana. I hope you’ll find this info useful for your future safari in Kenya. It’s a truly wondrous experience seeing those animals and learning about the Masai culture.
I have never done a safari but I hope to do one in a few years time when my two little children are a little bit older so they know what they are looking at (and too educate them also). Masai Mara I have heard of and has been on my list for a while so I hope to come here when I tick off Kenya. Great tips here, especially about what to wear and how to get to the park (I may go for the flight option into Wilson airport). 🙂 Would also like to see the tribe and learn more about the culture around here.
Hi, Danik. Yes, it would make sense to wait until your children are older so that they know what they’re looking at. It would also make it a lot more enjoyable for everyone, I think. You definitely should see the tribe while you’re there, and flying into Wilson airport sounds like a good idea. All the best for your future trip! 🙂
Going off-peak is such a great tip! And I love that you had so many cheetahs just waiting to be photographed. I went and we had a hard time finding them. Taking layers and lots of sun protection is an important tip, too. I loved my time on safari, and thank you for helping me re-live a bit of it!
You’re welcome, Jennifer! There were many cheetahs during our visit. They were just lazing around in the sun and totally ignoring us. The leopards were a bit harder to find but we still saw a couple of them.
Oh wow, visiting Masai Mara is at the very top of my bucket list. The cost of flights in addition to the safari trip has made it a bit difficult to execute thus far, so I appreciate your budget recommendations. After all, seeing those animals so up close in their natural habitats would surely be worth the price.
Yes, Chloe, a safari can be as expensive as you want it to be, but this was perfect for me as all I wanted was to see the animals. It was not about luxury accommodation.
Visiting Africa is one of my dreams. This is a very comprehensive guide for going on a safari, especially for those of us who have no idea what to expect. Good to know that I’d have to book my trip so much in advance if I want to see the Wildebeest Migration. I’ve heard Kenia is really beautiful. I envy you for this trip.
You heard right, Anda! Kenya is a beautiful country with plenty to do, even beyond the safaris. I would really love to go back and explore more. Well, I hope these tips will be useful for your future trip. 🙂
I love being on safari, it’s my favourite type of travel experience but unfortunately, I haven’t been to Kenya yet. Hope I can make it one day because the wildlife spotting sounds amazing. It must have been an interesting experience to visit the Masai community as well.
Yes, Paul. It was an amazing experience seeing those animals and visiting the Masai community. I hope you’ll get to experience it too, once it’s safe to travel. 🙂
I cannot believe that I have not made it to Africa yet and never experienced a safari! Masai Mara and Serengeti are two of the best places to experience a safari from what I’ve heard so I guess you made the right decision, even though your reason for choosing Masai Mara was the movie. Thanks for such a detailed post and recommendations on how to prepare for a safari trip!
You’re welcome, Medha! I hope these tips will come in handy for your future trip. Masai Mara and Serengeti are indeed two of the best and most popular parks for a safari, but they’re not the cheapest. Still, I didn’t regret my choice 🙂
Going on a safari in Masai Mara National Reserve is a dream for me. I have always had it on my bucket list forever. I would love to get there someday and see the spectacular animals in the wild for myself. Thanks for sharing the pricing and details of the safari as this helps in planning and estimating the cost.
You’re welcome, Raksha. I hope this helps you plan your future safari in Masai Mara.
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woww seronoknya dapat lihat haiwan safari.. tapi sis tak ada rasa takut ke masa nak tengok haiwan-haiwan safari tu?
Tak rasa takut pun, Tengku Butang. Sebab kitorang semua dalam kenderaan, memang tak dibenarkan keluar kecuali di kawasan2 tertentu yang dah dipastikan selamat. Lagipun, kita dilarang membuat bising atau membuat apa2 yang boleh membuatkan haiwan2 tu rasa terancam. Sebab bila dia rasa terancam tu yang dia akan bertindak menyerang.
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Hello, Ummi thank you for sharing your travel story, it was nice I especially liked your experiences and how relatable your content is, the other thing is that the rain season/wet season is from April to May the dry season starts during June, anyhow with global warming and changes in the climate even the wet season is not as disruptive for safari tours as has been in the past.
Hello there! Thank you so much for the information, I’m sure it will be helpful for those who are planning a safari in Kenya. 🙂
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