Majestic Mara

I had the privilege of going to Maasai Mara sometime back courtesy of the Mara Wildebeest Resort, an idyllic lodge of its kind tucked at the banks of River Mara that is on a transition path to its former glory when it was under different ownership and name. As promised, it was possible from the porch of the cottages to spy on crocodiles and hippos going about their business in the river unperturbed.The style is rustic, the setting is wild, but the experience is, to say the least, thrilling!

Vava-Voom!

We met in Nairobi on the planned Saturday morning and set off at exactly 8 o’clock in the morning in a procession of three safari vans. Carrying forth from the abnormally freezing temperatures of the capital city, I hoped in my mind that the weather in the Mara would be less harsh. Travelling with professionals from the tourism industry always brings with it stories to no end. Thus the company I had were brilliant. Being approximately 300 kilometres from Nairobi, the journey there was expected to last around four hours with arrival slated in time for lunch. We had a brief stop in Narok town, the epicentre of Maasai country in Kenya. After having a brief stop, we proceeded on towards Bomet and branched from the very smooth tarmac road and onto a laterite road while maintaining the high speed. This I learnt later from our driver guide that it helps cushion the vehicle from all the physical shock of moving on a rough road.

Gradually, the vegetation changed and the weather was pleasant for a safari in the world’s best nature conservancy. The name ‘Mara’ is Maasai for scattered thicket. Maasai on the other hand are a unique people found in Kenya and Tanzania who are proud of their unique culture that they have not let go off even with the advent of modernization. Maa is their language and they are truly the face of Kenya abroad.

The outside dining area

Even before making it to the Sekenani Gate that serves as one of the official entry points, we could see wild game in the vicinity. Herds of zebra grazed alongside their herbivorous friends in wildebeests gazelles, antelopes and a couple of the unique looking eland. Being a National Reserve and not quite a park, the Mara is thus not fenced. This ensures that the local community can access and enjoy the natural resources. This includes pasture for their herds of animals, water and even the collection of firewood is allowed. It is especially a mutually beneficial relationship between the Maasai and the Mara since the former don’t hunt down game for its meat since it is abhorred by their custom. The same scenario is reminiscent of the National Reserves in Samburu.

Safari time

We checked into the lodge, ushered in by the kind of smiles I have only seen in Kenya. A wet medicated face towel in hand as we were led to our rooms designed in a spectacular manner. The lodge-formerly known as the Mara Buffalo Camp is built adjacent to the Mara River that hosts many hippos and crocs as well as being the stage on which the dramatic annual wildebeest migration occurs. Lunch was sumptuous and we were taken round the lodge by, Mr. Frank Neugebauer our German host who is also the General Manager. As the sun prepared to set behind the hills to the Western side of the Mara, we set out on a game drive. As the animals head to the water-holes and the nocturnal ones prepare for the night ahead, there is no better time to view them than in the evening. It was eventful and we got to see all the big five-bar rhinos among others.

Back at the lodge and dinner was served in true African style. Above our heads were countless stars being replicated below by a huge bonfire. The background music was the constant bellowing of hippos half submerged in the Mara River waters that went on overnight. Sadly, we could only experience the magic of Mara for one night and it was time to return back to the city.

It was truly a remarkable weekend. The Mara is a gift that every Kenyan at one point in their lives should experience. The wild is untamed, the undulating topography to behold, the wild animals are in high numbers and accommodation is of various kinds, from high range luxury lodges like the Mahali Mzuri owned by Sir Richard Branson, various categories of hotels and even camping sites for the tourist that is  truly adventurous. 

The entourage

Tembea Kenya

Beautiful Republic

At 'Kona Baridi' i.e Cold Corner, near Ngong

I am a Travel and Tourism student. I love my course because it adequately covers what I am almost most passionate about. God’s grace enabled me join the best institute that offers Hospitality and Tourism learning in Africa. That not only means I occasionally interact with foreign students (that sounds discriminatory), but also offers a chance to travel far and wide mostly for research, familiarization and fun! This is a post about a recent trip to the Kenyan Rift Valley, a natural phenomenon of exquisite beauty and a geological masterpiece produced by millions of years of intense volcanic, tectonic and faulting processes. This we capped by paying a 3 day visit to the world renowned Maasai Mara Game reserve; host to the 7^th natural wonder in the world, the annual cycle of wildebeest’s migration to and from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Menu: Kenya...spoilt for choice

With colleagues after going through the gorge

Day 1 saw us travel to The Bogoria Spa Resort. Enroute we visited the flamingos’ paradise that is Lake Nakuru and got an aerial view of the Rift Valley near Kijabe. An elegant establishment owned by Kenya’s second president and less than quarter of an hour’s drive to the famous Lake it’s named after. It also prides itself for having the only natural spa in the entire world that constantly bubbles out water at 37°C, the human body temperature and as such, a pool has been built that offers not only the warm water but also healing properties for the skin. That was fun, trust me; swimming at 0200HRS in that water is unrivalled. Next day, we got the chance to visit the nearby Lake Baringo with its 7 islands including one which is dwelt by one man, his 5 wives and 27 children! Lake Bogoria is marvellous with its characteristic long and slender outline but more so the thousands of flamingos on its shores and geysers that spring over 20 metres high. Boiling eggs in its hot springs was also massively fun, and so was the partaking of themJ

Hell's gate and the spa's swimming pool

After two nights, we departed for the other lake town of Naivasha passing the Equator as we travelled South not to forget the spectacular Lake Elementaita just past Kenya’s most famous ‘nyamchom’ (grilled meat) location, Kikopey. The night was an eventful one and energy levels high as we planned an early hike in the absolutely fascinating Hell’s Gate National Park. This was to be followed by the two hundred kms journey to the Mara. For any man that hopes to propose marriage to a lucky damsel soon, I would suggest you do it at the gorge in the H.G.N.P…it began as a crack. This then developed and the erosion processes over millions of years has made the gorge a site to behold. We had a local Maasai guide and the hike through various spots took our breath away; from visible volcanic plugs, to rocks bearing hot water and steep descents and ascents coupled with the eerie feeling of being totally surrounded by wild animals is unrivalled. Let us just say it’s a smaller version of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Lakes Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru and Magadi

Heading to Mara along the very straight Maii Mahiu-Narok Road, you’d be mistaken to think a ruler was used all through. We passed in between two volcanic mountains. Suswa on the left is extinct but the more spectacular Longonot is dormant; meaning it may just blow up anytime with no prior warning! The drive was long but we got to relax for two nights at Sarova Mara, a marvellous hotel built right inside the game reserve.

Locomotion; our tour bus in various locations

The drives in Mara are to die for and unique. Early morning we went to witness the unique Balloon Safaris. Basically, you pay 420 US$ (35,000 KSH) for an unforgettable experience composed of an hour in the air watching either animals, the African sun rise from far in the horizon or taking awesome aerial pictures. I give up. My words cannot describe just how amazing it is. It has to be done at dawn because then the sun has yet to make the air hot which would prevent the hot air rising up. The Mara River swarms with crocodiles and hippos and is a site to behold as thousands of animals cross for greener pastures, literally. After visiting more hotels and sites, our cameras were now full of pictures holding immense memories and it was time to drive back home.

One of the seven wonders of the World

Dear reader, Kenia ist schön  (Kenya is beautiful, German). Plan and get away from the city sometime. Explore the nation that is surely a Beautiful Republic. I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.