Getting There
After our visit in Egypt, we took the Egypt Air redeye flight from Cairo International Airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and arrived around 5:30 a.m. Being this early, passing through Kenya customs and immigration was a breeze plus we were first in the line. From Nairobi airport, we took an Uber to Wilson Airport to catch a smaller plane to the Mara. Our research suggested that Uber is more reliable than the relentlessly pushy taxi drivers offering us a ride for an unknown price. Again being this early, traffic is still light and it only took us 30 minutes passing a 10-mile stretch through a congested and busy city.
We could have made our Air Kenya original flight time of 7:30 A.M. but we got that rescheduled to the 10:30 A.M. flight instead due to our flight from Egypt to Kenya being delayed. Better safe than sorry. We travelled with only 2 hand carry soft-sided bags (no fancy hard case rolling luggage allowed) each weighing less than 33 lbs. (yes – it’s a strict limit per person), so check-in is easy. The Air Kenya departure area is very clean and cozy and they have a café that offers good coffee choices. I didn’t mind waiting here for more than 3 hours before our departure time. I also don’t mind flying Air Kenya again. We flew on a Twin Otter plane from Wilson airport to the Mara Keekorok airstrip for about 45 minutes. It’s the first out of five stops in Mara. Thank goodness, it spared us from the nerve racking take offs and landing on that small propeller plane. The airstrip is just a piece of dirt in the middle of the Mara Reserve with a Masai park ranger station, some vendors and a restroom.
The Pickup
JW Marriott Masai Mara has designated our safari ride and guide who also picked us from the airstrip. He greeted us as we got off the plane and helped us with our luggage that was quickly dropped off (literally). Easiest no security airport ever! We walked a few meters to our ride and with a nice surprise – champagne, juice and refreshments, welcomed us in style. We also met the other two guests who we shared the safari during our stay.
We pre-paid the park fees of $100 per person per day as the Masai rangers strictly require the payment before we can even leave the airstrip.
The drive to the hotel is like a mini-game drive. It was so exciting to see lots of animals including giraffes, elephants, a cheetah family, few African birds and lots of antelopes pre-check-in. It was pouring rain when we got to the hotel. We were offered another welcome drink and I got my first ginger tea shot to warm up from being doused in the rain. My husband has his first Tusker beer! We found out that we missed a welcome Masai dance due to the rain but we partake with other guests that arrived the next day.
Tips and Tricks
- Uber provides less hassle than dealing with the taxi drivers in Kenya. However, almost all the Uber drivers we used tried to haggle with us after the end of the ride, either by trying to get a much higher tip or getting the tip in cash at the end of the ride so be ready.
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Shop around for a cheaper flight either through the hotel or directly to the airlines. We paid $800 roundtrip for both of us for the Air Kenya flight that we booked ourselves from Wilson to Mara-Keekorok. The hotel wanted $900 for the same flight.
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Prepay the hotel for the park fees to avoid delays. Since the airstrip is inside the park, park fees are required even in your last day if you leave after 10am whether you had an offcial game drive or not. Masai park rangers will ask for the receipt before your flight out of Mara Keekorok.
Glamping in Style
We stayed for 3 nights and 4 days at the JW Marriot Masai Mara Lodge, which offered a very luxurious all-inclusive accommodation. The facility is built on a tent-like buildings lining along the Talek river which separates it from Masai National Conservation Park aka reserve. JW built a privately owned hanging bridge so we were dropped off inside the park and walked across the bridge to the hotel. JW allows Masai villagers to use the bridge with permission and as necessary. It’s quite a nice short cut for them if needed. We were welcomed in the nicely decorated patio sitting area with a fireplace, lots of African inspired decorations and a bar where we were introduced to the facility, what they offer during our stay and how we can all stay safely given that wild animals are just nearby. The hotel staff are so nice and warm and we felt at home right away. Everyone is smiling and saying “Welcome Home!”.
We stayed in Tent #4. There are only 20 guest tents in the facility, accommodating up-to 40 guests maximum at a time. It’s quite a walk to our tent from the main dining/receiving area. We are also asked to seek for an escort who are trained to deal with the wild if we want to walk at night.
Our tent is quite awesome and glamorous! It has a large balcony wrapping around two sides of the tent which are the entrance side and the one overlooking the Talek river and the reserve. I could hang out here longer just listening to lots of birds flying by, watching monkeys jump around the branches of the fig tree across the river and spotting hippos swim by the river when the water is low. There is also a jacuzzi which you can request to use three hours prior for setup and to heat the water. Inside the main room of the tent accentuated by African decors all over, it has a large sitting area, a king-size bed, a desk, 2 armoires with nice robes and slippers and a well- stocked bar (whiskies, gin, wine, assortment of beer, soda, sparking water, chips and nuts, all included). The bed area is lined with netting that is nicely tapered in the corners at day time and spread out at night for bug protection. The other room has a his and hers vanity, toilet and an indoor shower with a door opening to another shower outside the tent. There are no televisions and air-conditioning in the whole facility including the tents. We have ceiling fan and another portable standing fan. It can get so warm at noon but we only stay there for short time in between our morning and evening game drives. The tent is opened up with windows all around during day time and all windows are closed at night. All of these happens magically while we are out. Thank you to our butler who is only a call away!
