I’ve been working in East Africa, and in Kenya in particular, for over 20 years. Over this time, I’ve got to know many national parks in detail, but it’s the Maasai Mara that has become my home. There’s no need to say that it’s one of the best and most convenient national parks in Africa. I’m sure that if you’re interested in the continent’s wildlife, you’ve already browsed more than a dozen websites — and the name“Maasai Mara” has probably come up many times. And it’s hard to even count the number of films shot in the Mara or in the neighbouring Serengeti…
The Greater Mara covers more than 1 800 square kilometres of wild nature, which is protected day and night by rangers and wardens — from poachers, unscrupulous farmers and inconsiderate tourists. Recently, I joined one of the ranger teams and became part of the large and close‑knit Maasai Mara family.
I stopped being a tourist here a long time ago. I can confidently say that being just a tourist and being a respectful guest are two very different things! So if you’re planning to go on a safari and expect something special from it, you should approach the organisation of your trip differently — not like planning a seaside holiday in Turkey…
To get the most out of your experience, you should come to the Maasai Mara for at least five days — a week would be even better. Most travel companies offer accommodation in good hotels, but these are located outside the park. This limits the amount of time you can spend inside the park. Tourists are only allowed to stay within the park until 6 p.m. Since travelling around the park takes several hours, you’ll either end up driving around the same areas near the park entrance, or you’ll have to cover a hundred kilometres every day — and the roads inside the park are unpaved and not very smooth.
So the choice is clear: lodges and camps inside the park, whenever possible! There are now quite a few camps inside the park. They cost a bit more, but the difference inexperience is incredible!
I’ve stayed in nearly all the lodges and camps inside the Maasai Mara and I’m friends with their owners — so I can confidently say it’s safe, comfortable and truly exciting.
Your first night might feel a bit unusual, as you’ll be surrounded by completely wild nature: not only gazelles and antelopes, but also hyenas, lions, leopards and cheetahs come onto the hotel grounds. However, you won’t be at any risk as long as you don’t leave your tent or room without a guide.
The night sounds of the savannah will stop scaring you by the second night — and then you’ll sleep soundly and peacefully.
If you want more freedom and don’t want to stick to the public roads that are open to all park visitors, it’s worth getting an «Off‑road» permit for free movement across the Maasai Mara territory. This will give you the opportunity to get away from prying eyes, spend time alone with the wild nature, track animal movements, and see what they do out of sight of humans.
If you’re a photographer, this can be especially valuable — your chances of capturing a unique shot will increase many times over. You’ll get to feel like a real professional, just like those photographers with big cameras on the covers of National Geographic magazines. And who knows — this trip might bring you luck, and your photos could end up on the front page of a well‑known magazine or website.
The cost of the «Off‑road» permit varies depending on the season. You should arrange it in advance, as the number of permits is strictly limited.
To get a full picture of the lives of wild animals, it would be very interesting to learn about the work of the park’s rangers and wardens. And for the especially brave and curious, there’s an opportunity to join them for a day — to immerse yourself in the work of a real protector of the wild.
For those who are not only interested in watching animals but also want to learn more about them, it’s essential to talk to one of the biologists working in the Maasai Mara. There are many research teams in the park. Some focus on elephants, others on lions, cheetahs, leopards, and so on. It’s quite possible to find an expert on the animal you’re interested in.
If you put together everything I’ve talked about above, you can already imagine what an adventure your safari trip will be — filled with fascinating stories, events and new pleasant acquaintances. You can organise all of this yourself — it’s not that difficult. And if you need help or company, you’re always welcome to contact me.
Given my connections in the Maasai Mara, I can confidently say that my colleagues and I — with the support of the park’s rangers — run the most outstanding safari tours. Everyone who’s visited me in the Maasai Mara has experienced some of the best and most memorable moments of their lives!
I also provide assistance with organising professional video shoots. My team has been collaborating and arranging shoots for various TV channels for over 15 years, including BBC Wild. Over the years, dozens of wildlife documentaries have been filmed with our support. We arrange everything you need: from permits to shoot in any national park in Kenya — including permits to import equipment into Kenya — to special vehicles equipped for photo and video shooting, and we also ensure your safety.
My team includes experienced biologists, trackers and animal behaviourists. This helps us track animals, offer shooting advice, and — most importantly — fully introduce our guests to the fauna of the Maasai Mara National Park.
