Driving to Masai Mara National Park is a thrilling way of getting to the conservation area, the national park is a gorgeous destination known for the great wildebeest migration, annually there are millions of wildebeests, zebras together with their predators cross through river Mara, and it is situated in southern Kenya bordering the Serengeti national park to the northern Tanzania. The park is home to abundant wildlife species including the so-called big five of the wilderness (African buffaloes, leopards, lions, Rhinos and elephants). Driving to Masai Mara National Park is the adventure its self, there are several routes you can take depending on where you would like to be picked for the transfer.
Driving to the Masai Mara national park begins from a pickup at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport or a self-drive, it is advisable to take a strong car with 4×4 wheel drive in order to beat the tough terrain of the African wilderness for example safari land cruisers, safari drones, super customs, the drive to the Serengeti National park takes approximately 230 kilometers along the floor of the great rift valley, the direct route heads west on Mombasa road until you reach Narok, it is from here that you will turn right to the Sekenani gate. One can choose to take the most scenic drive via Lake Naivasha, enroute you experience some animal species, from Naivasha you proceed through Mai Mahui and then head to Narok where you will find the Sekenani gate this routing is a longer drive which can take you up to +/-7 hours’ drive. The other commonly used gates include Talek, and Oloololo gate.
Driving to Masai Mara National Park involves using some roads in a bad condition, it is not all straight despite it having some proper maintained roads, if guests are considering doing a self-drive, park rangers will advise you at the entrance to hire a game ranger for protection, it is wise and makes it comfortable to be in the Masai Mara National park with a game ranger. When driving ensure to have enough fuel for the journey because gas stations are very scarce in the national park. you will require to pay park fees in order to have access to the conservation area, these can be paid through a tour operator or directly to the Narok county council who manage the park.
Driving to Masai Mara National park is best done during the dry season between the months of decmeber-febuary and June –September when the trails of the park are much drier and easier to access, it is also regarded as a high tourism season and therefore important to make reservations earlier. The other alternative if getting to Masai Mara National park is by flying to any of the airstrips in the park, and a ground transfer to the accommodation facility booked for your stay.
In conclusion, driving to Masai Mara National park is a beautiful experience, the drive along the floor of the Great Rift Valley, the view of the growing endless grasslands are lovely to explore, drives arrive the national park on game drive and it is hard to miss animal species.