Maasai Mara Safari: Comparing Road Safari vs Fly-in Safari options
Maasai Mara Safari: Road Safari vs Fly-in Safari options
Travelers planning to visit Maasai Mara safari
often find themselves in a dilemma between choosing a drive or fly-in safari
option.
The decision is not as easy as choosing
between prices and luxury. The two options offer completely different safari
experiences. The option you go for will influence the time spent during the
safari, budget, and accommodation options, and most importantly, the actual
duration inside the Maasai Mara reserve.
Masai Mara-Road Safari
A road safari is the most common way of safari
and the most affordable way to reach Maasai Mara. The journey takes about six
hours from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. The safari takes you across Kenya's most
scenic landscapes, across the Great Rift Valley, Narok town, with stopovers at
various attraction sites.
It is the best option for groups, families and
budget travelers since they can share the cost of transport and guiding to
reduce the cost per person. Road safari is the most recommended for visitors
with ample time for traveling.
Masai Mara-Fly-in Safari
The fly-in safari is tailored for visitors who
value comfort, time, and convenience. The flight takes about one hour from
Nairobi to Maasai Mara, depending on the airstrip to land on. It is the most
recommended for luxury travelers, photographers, honeymooners, and visitors who
want to connect Maasai Mara with other destinations but have limited time.
However, fly-in safaris are expensive and have
luggage restrictions from the airline. Visitors can only carry 15 kg per person
on board.
Which transport option is the best for Masai Mara Safari?
Most visitors get it wrong to think that
flying will give them better wildlife sightings, which is not guaranteed. The
quality of the game experience depends on your choice of stay, location of the
wildlife, and time spent when you are inside Maasai Mara. Nevertheless, flying
will give you more time at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, unlike the road
safari option where most of the time is spent on the road.
Is it Possible to Combine a Road Safari and a Fly-In Safari?
The answer to this question is yes. It is
actually the most adventurous way to do the Maasai Mara safari. You can choose
to fly to Maasai Mara and vice versa. This option will help you save time and
enjoy the scenic landscapes to Maasai Mara.
What you should know before Choosing Between the two Options
While traveling by road is perceived as the
most affordable, it does not mean that a road safari is an inferior option.
With a good tour guide, the right accommodation, and a well-planned itinerary,
you can achieve an exceptional Maasai Mara safari.
For travelers visiting remote camps and
conservancies in Maasai Mara, flying is the best option, as it helps them save time on the road and avoid the exhaustion of long hours in a
vehicle.
Additionally, the flight option offers aerial wildlife viewing above the ground as an added advantage.
Here are three safari trip options to travel to Masai Mara
