The Masai Mara is without doubt the most popular safari destination in Kenya. Every year, this magnificent game reserve receives a total of about 300,000 guests, many of whom come during the wildebeest migration season.
So, what are your options for accommodation when going for a Masai Mara safari? As you would probably expect, you have a wide range of choice from the basic camping sites, to the exclusive luxury lodges.
Basic Camping Sites
This type of accommodation is only suitable for those who really don?t mind ?roughing? it. You bring your own tent and all other provisions, and prepare your own food for the duration of your stay. You also share bathroom facilities with several other people in the site, and the toilets are mostly the ?long-drop? type (pit latrines).
Most of the basic camping sites in the Mara are located outside the main reserve. This however does not mean that you get a sub-standard game watching experience. There are almost as many animals here as there are in the main reserve, and if you desire, you can always go for game drives inside the reserve.
Some of the popular basic camping sites include the Oloololo, Iseiya, and Eluai campsites in the Mara Triangle.
Budget Accommodation Facilities
These are for travelers on a tight budget, but who also want to enjoy the comfort of staying in a proper lodge or permanent camp. Such lodges and camps offer full board accommodation, meaning that all meals are taken care of in the rate you pay. You will however have to make arrangements for your game drives with a tour operator, or pay additional fees to use the lodges? vehicles.
Most of the budget facilities in the Mara are permanent tented camps. They include Mara Springs camp, Manyatta camp, and Mara Sidai camp. Rates range from as low as $55 per person per night during the low season, up to $90 per person during the peak season.
Mid Range Lodges
A lounge at the Ilkeliani Luxury Tented Camp in Masai Mara
A majority of the lodges in the Masai Mara fall in this category. Most of them offer a luxury experience of some sort, and some can easily be considered luxury lodges depending on the evaluation criteria. The mid range lodges provide full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner are included). Most of them can also arrange an all inclusive package for you, taking care of all game drives.
Lodges in the mid range category consist of a mixture of tented lodges and more permanent (brick and mortar) lodges. Some of the lodges in this category include Mara Simba Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge, Mara Leisure camp, Ilkeliani Luxury Tented Camp, and Ashnil Mara camp. On average, rates per person range anywhere between $100 to $250 per night, depending on the season.
Luxury Lodges
Naturally, these lodges offer guests an experience superior to that in the mid range lodges. What really distinguishes these lodges from their mid range counterparts is the superior luxury standards for ambiance, d?cor, service, food, and wine. The lodges also give you more exclusivity than that in the mid range facilities, though not comparable to the truly exclusive lodges.
It is still possible to stay in the luxury lodges on full board basis, then have your tour operator to organize the game drives for you. However, it may be better to take advantage of their great all inclusive packages.
Like with the mid range facilities, luxury properties in the Mara comprise of a mixture of tented camps, and permanent lodges. They include: Sarova Mara Game Camp,? and Mara Serena safari lodge. Their rates per person range from $200 to $450 per night depending on the season.
Exclusive Lodges
These are the cr?me de la cr?me of the Masai Mara lodges, the most top-notch, the best of the best. Obviously they are meant for the high end clientele seeking complete exclusivity and absolute luxury while on safari. Most of them have very limited guest capacity, catering to only as few as 14 guests at any given time. They are superior to all the other lodges in terms of service, d?cor, ambiance, and (most often) location.
The exclusive lodges only operate on all inclusive packages. The rate you pay often caters for airport transfers, game drives, all meals, beers, non-alcoholic drinks, and laundry services among others. Rates per person range from $500 to over $1000 per night, depending on the season.
Examples of these exclusive lodges include Mara Bushtops, Royal Mara, and Ngerende Island Lodge.
Where Can You Book Your Masai Mara Lodge
Africa Point offers a wide range of lodges and camps in the Masai Mara. Visit our Masai Mara lodges webpage at www.africapoint.com/hotels/maasai_mara.htm to select a lodge of your choice.
?
Source: http://www.africapoint.net/destinations/kenya/your-guide-to-accommodation-at-the-masai-mara/
coachella 2012 line up lsu crimson tide crimson tide dixville notch 2013 ford fusion lsu football
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.