Night Game Drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
Night Game Drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
Night Game Drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are part of the wildlife experiences that is done in Kenya and very interesting to seek wildlife in the night. The night game drives are rare in most African protected area and Masai mara national reserve is among the few reserves where the night game drives are done. The African wilderness is Magical during the day and during the night is more than promises of the nocturnal life or theatre with only hunters found in the game. Find the restless kobs and gazelles sleep with all the ears alert, the lions roaring. It’s a great experience to be under the canopy of African bright stars in the middle of soft velvet of the great African night. Hearing the calls and coughs of the kings of the jungles the lions, whoop-whooping of the rare dotted hyenas crackling in the middle of the bushes. Birders enjoy the night bird species like African owl, the nightjars and many more making your adventure lifetime. The sport light is reflected by the bright eyes of the animals at night as hunters enjoy their territories. The leopards are easily seen, the Masai Mara National Reserve night game drives have exposed the unique black leopards that have been spotted at the reserve.
Masai Mara National Reserve night game drives also expose you to other nocturnal animals like Aardvarks, bush babies, cape hares, and others. The Masai Mara National Reserve night game drives are not permitted within the territories of the national reserve but it is done along with the conservancies and reserve areas by the camps or lodges. The fee of the Masai Mara national Reserve night game drives are paid separately from the park entry fees. They start at 7 pm when you leave the lodge or your camp with the hired spotting light, Masai shukas for coldness and some drinks. These are done under a private arrangement with the lodges or can be also arranged by the tour operator with the lodge on behalf of the guest as a full package. The guests who want to do these night game drives Masai Mara National Reserve are advised to stay outside the park.
Night Game Drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are mostly done in Mara Naboisho Conservancy which has the highest record of successful night game drives in Masai Mara national reserve. The night game drives are always organized by camps in Mara Naboisho Conservancy they start at 7 and lasts for two hours. The conservancy is rich with nocturnal animals like lions, leopards, white-tailed mongoose, civet cats, porcupines, Cape hares, and others. The lodges have their land cruisers that have night spotting lights that are specifically used for Masai Mara national Reserve night game drives. This helps for the best wildlife spotting hence making your game drive more experiential. Get close to the nocturnal wildlife through our couple of night game drives. This experience is optional since the guests have to pay some extra money. There is no fixed amount since its negotiable depending on the lodge which is organizing for you. The driver guides will always brief you on these activities depending on the location of your accommodation. This is simply because the night game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are not done inside Masai mara national reserve but around the reserve conservancies. It should also be noted that not all conservancies offer night game drives. For the best of the great Masai Mara safari experience, one has to hire a local safari guide to incase your using a self-drive car. If you have booked your safari package through the reputable company they offer all the packages and also go ahead to advise you before and during the game drive. There are clear park rules and regulations that must be followed by all the travellers during their stay in the reserve.
Other game drives done in Masai mara are day game drives. These game drives are divided into two those are Morning game drives and evening game drives. The morning game drives are always the most rewarding game drives in Africa. The game drives start very early in the morning as early as 6 am. The morning game drives give us a chance to witness the African sunrise which rises with all the strength. The game drives can start before breakfast or after breakfast. This is more lively with great actions as the early birds are present, it is easy to view the African big 5 when its morning. The game drives are done in accordance with the rules and regulations of the park. Failure to observe the park rules leads into penalties, the most sited animals include Lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, elephants, Rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, gazelles, hyena and many more.
The evening game drives start at 3 pm after lunch, this gives you a chance to look for more game which might have been missed during the morning game drives. The evening game drive gives you a chance to witness some nocturnal animals as they start coming out of their hidings.
Apart from the Masai Mara National Reserve night game drives, the guests also enjoy more local tour entertainment from the Maasai locals. They always perform at night around the campfire and this gives you more African cultural experience.
Birding: This is one of the other great activities that is done in the Masai Mara national reserve. The reserve has over 450 bird species. The best time to do birding is always a rainy season that starts from March to May.
Masai Mara National Reserve night game drives and other game drives can be done throughout the year. Plan of the African trip, game drives are a must for the best enjoyment of the African big five. See more wildlife during your game drives. The mixture of both day and Masai Mara national Reserve night game drives gives you the extra experience of true African wildlife.
