Masai Mara Cheap Safari Packages

Recent political violence in Kenya after disputed general elections led to a drastic decline in numbers of tourist's visitors, and the busy national parks and beach locations are experiencing low turnover.

This means there's never been a better time to travel in Kenya and take advantage to cheap safari travel packages being offered. 2007 two million tourists traveled to Kenya, in 2008 as a result of last of violence, things took a nose dive January, usually one of the peak months, a mere 52,000 tourists traveled in Kenya. National Parks in Kenya are as "empty as a baggage carousel at Terminal 5", said Esther Muthoni, in comparison to how crowded they were before last year's troubles - scenes of safari vans queuing to see lions were far from uncommon - that means "there has rarely been a better time to travel to Masai Mara". So where should you stay?

Tassia Lodge

Tassia Lodge is the ultimate luxury safari eco-lodge. No trees were cut down in order to construct the lodge, the energy is solar-powered and the water is heated in drums using small fires. Better still, it is Masai-owned, which means that profits go to the community. Tassia Lodge offers only walking safaris, accompanied by armed guides, many tented camps, lodge and camp sites in Masai Mara claim to be eco friendly yet their guests drive around the park in fuel guzzling safari vehicles

Kicheche Camp

Kicheche Camp luxury safari tented camp can accommodation 22 people; this translates to exclusive personalized services complete with proper beds and en suite bathrooms. It also offers excellent meals, given its size.

Kicheche is located deep into the African Savannah were lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards" roam, the camp is unfenced but the guards are on hand to escort you back to your room after dark. Kicheche Camp like Tassia Lodge has striking eco-credentials and laundry is done by hand and a charcoal-walled shed operates as a fridge for much of the food.

Masai Mara is the most popular game reserve in Kenya. It is an extension of the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania, and offers the best game viewing in Kenya. On these wide open rolling grasslands of Masai Mara reserve, you can often see an incredible variety of different animals at one time. Perhaps a cheetah sits on a termite mound with her punky looking cubs, while beyond, gazelle, antelope and zebra placidly graze.

Giraffe might peer curiously through the trees, while elephant pass on silent feet and vultures circle endlessly. Every year millions of wildebeest migrate north from the Serengeti to the green grass of the Masai Mara Kenya. This exciting spectacle in your Masai Mara safari usually occurs sometime between July and August of every year.

Even when animal are not highlighting the Masai Mara scene, the views by themselves are worth the safari, Imagine bright oblique rays of evening light slanting under blue-storm clouds. The rich golden expanses of waving grass are brilliant in this light, and the solitary flat-topped acacia tree is dramatically spotlighted on the crest of a hill.

Beyond rise the steep smoky blues of the Oloololo Escarpment-such distances, such breathing space. At sunup you may be hanging on to the open overhead hatch as your land cruiser plunges down a rocky track to ford a rushing stream in your Masai Mara safari. Your hands feel frozen solid, and the steep climb on the other side looks impossible. You loosen your knee joints, tighten your grip and grin inanely-what fun!

Some of the Masai Mara safari camps and lodges are within the reserve itself, others are outside. To enter the Masai Mara safari reserve you must pay a park fee. Places outside of the Masai Mara reserve do not have to adhere to park rules and can offer game walks as well as night game drives. Animals, however, are not confined to the Masai Mara reserve and are also found in good numbers outside. You are also likely to see human habitation, especially Masai with their herds, when you stay outside the mara Masai reserve.

Visits to a Masai Manyatta can be arranged from many of the Masai Mara safari camps or lodges. Another popular excursion is a romantic Kenya Masai Mara hot-air balloon trip and safari where you view animals from above and then touch down for an extravagant breakfast in the bush. Another day or overnight jaunt offered from the Masai Mara reserve is a flying trip to an island camp on Lake Victoria where you fish for giant Nile.