Luxury Maasai Mara Safaris & Southern Kenya Vacations
The Maasai Mara is one of the most renowned safari destinations in Kenya and the whole of Africa, and it’s easy to see why…
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Kenya's Maasai Mara is one of Africa's most iconic and breathtaking safari destinations. The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is celebrated for its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and vibrant Maasai culture.
Its plains are home to huge concentrations of game and every year, from July to October, over two million wildebeest flood the plains providing one of nature’s most extraordinary sights. The camps here are usually tented and traditional in style for an authentic safari experience with a focus on guiding.
In southern Kenya, you’ll also find the Chyulu Hills, which boasts fascinating rolling green hills, a view of the not-so-distant Kilimanjaro, and the remnants of extinct volcanoes. As well as Amboseli National Park, the second most popular national park after the Maasai Mara.
No matter where your safari trip in southern Kenya may take you, there’s incredible landscapes and wildlife waiting for you.
Luxury Safaris & Accommodation in Maasai Mara, Kenya
When it comes to Maasai Mara safaris in Kenya, where you stay is integral to your safari experience, with lodges and tented camps supplying their own safari guides and game drives.
At Scott Dunn, we’ve done the work for you finding the best exclusive properties in southern Kenya. We’ve built relationships and experienced these places ourselves to ensure our guests enjoy a breathtaking experience.
Paired with our sample safari itineraries, inspiration is beckoning you to seek out this phenomenal destination.
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Where to Go on Safari in Southern Kenya?
Southern Kenya holidays are meant for traipsing after the ‘Big Five’ as well as other endemic species to Kenya. Remain in a constant state of awe while you photograph and take in the resplendent wildlife in southern Kenya’s national parks.
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Maasai Mara National Reserve
Perhaps the most famous national reserve in Africa, the Maasai Mara is home to the Big Five and much more. Comprising the main park and various private concessions and conservancies, the Maasai Mara is a hot pot of lodges and camps offering unforgettable safari experiences. The landscape extends across grassy plains and rolling hills.
The vast park that borders Serengeti National Park in Tanzania also affords the world-famous Great Wildebeest Migration from October and November, where visitors flock to watch the once-in-a-lifetime Mara River crossings.
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Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is beautifully scenic and the ideal location for game activities where the Big Five can be found here along with prolific birdlife.
Kenya’s Amboseli National Park is one of the most popular safari parks, and with its open savanna and sparse vegetation, game viewing is highly successful all year round. Only an hour-long flight from Nairobi, it is easily accessible. The park is renowned for its spectacular snowy-peaked Kilimanjaro backdrop, which many elephants often group in front of, creating excellent photography opportunities. Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa to get up close and personal with free-roaming herds of elephants.
The park is relatively small, but it sits at the centre of an enormous diverse ecosystem that straddles the Kenya-Tanzania border. This means that wildlife is abundant, and it is a Big Five safari destination. Amboseli is also a haven for birders, with over 400 species such as pelicans and kingfishers, as well as over 40 species of raptors.
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Chyulu Hills National Park
Sandwiched between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, Chyulu Hills is a landscape of ancient volcano cones and craters that pepper the park. You’ll find the longest lava tunnels in the world, yet it remains one of the least visited parks in Kenya.
The terrain is a mixture of rolling foothills and open short-grass plains, and although many of the Big Five can be seen, the wildlife is more interesting than abundant. Lesser kudu, oryx and cheetah are among the more unusual species that can be seen. Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya at around 21,000 sq km, and Tsavo East consists mainly of vast plains of scrubland, home to huge herds of elephants.
- Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Amboseli National Park
- Chyulu Hills National Park
Things to Do in Southern Kenya
While game drives are a major attraction of visiting Maasai Mara and southern Kenya, there are many ways to seek out the revered wildlife. When the safari is done, embrace the vast savanna on a deeper level or soak in the vibrant Maasai culture. The unique experiences waiting to be had make this so much more than a safari destination.
- Hot Air Balloon Safari: Get a bird's eye view of the abundant wildlife racing across the savanna. It’s one thing to see them up close and a completely other thing to see the herds working in unison and get a real understanding of the intricate wildlife at play here.
- Walking Safari: While game drives are skilled at getting you up close to wildlife, a walking safari presents a real and raw experience without the comfort of a vehicle.
- Fly camping: For the truly adventurous, fly camping in the remote Maasai Mara is an unforgettable experience. Sip cocktails under the stars while you listen to the roaring lions, wake up with the morning dew to a fresh pot of coffee, and take time to see the smaller animals that make up the biodiverse landscape.
- Learn from the Maasai tribes: Take time to visit the villages and spend the day dancing, laughing, and eating while experiencing their way of life.
Southern Kenya FAQs
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In addition to the Big Five and the wildebeest migration, the Maasai Mara is home to several endemic and rare species. These include the critically endangered black rhinoceros, the elusive cheetah, the graceful giraffe, the distinctive Maasai giraffe, and the striking Grevy's zebra. Spotting these unique animals in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience that showcases the incredible biodiversity of the Maasai Mara.
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Yes! Kenya and in particular the Maasai Mara is a fantastic destination for a family vacation and safari. With private game drives that can cater to your family's needs, as well as private accommodation perfect for multigenerational trips, expect comfort, ease, and enriching experiences that your family will remember for years to come.
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The Maasai Mara is renowned for its annual wildebeest migration, typically occurring between July and October. This period offers the best opportunity to witness millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals crossing the Mara River in search of greener pastures. However, the Maasai Mara is a year-round destination, and each season offers its own unique experiences.
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