Masai Mara, A travel documentary to Kenya.

A Diary: Journey to Masai-Mara, Kenya. Quick Fact: Language: Swahili (National Language), english is widely spoken. Population: Around 31 million, consist 70 different tribal groups. Economy is based on: Agricultural crops: Tea, coffee, sisal, wheat, sugar cane. Mining: Diatomite, limestone, lead, gemstones, silver, gold. Manufacturing: Food processing, textile manufacture, light industry, vehicle assembly, chemicals, cement, steel, paper, oil refining, tobacco, rubber. Other: Tourism particularly to the national parks and the coastal resorts is a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings. Religion: 70% Christians. Other religions are Islam (Sunni and Sh’ia), Hinduism and Sikhism. Currency: Kenya shiling (KSh) Capital: Nairobi / population about 2.3million GDP: US$380 per capita Life expectancy in years at birth: 46 Personal Suggestion: Suggested best month to travel to Masai Mara is in end of July till mid August, since there will be spectacular and grand migration of wildlife. But it could be very dry and hot. Bring enough water with you. Eat lots of fruits-banana and vitamin C. Bring mosquito spray or repelling wax. Tripod, Long lenses 400mm and above, torch light and binoculars. Extra battery, due to no charging or electricity supply if you stay in on a camp site. Stay at least 3days 3nights in Masai Mara to be lucky enough to gaze all big five (Elephant, lion, hippo, rhino, leopard). Try wearing boot, rugged and earthly color cloths. Buy enough food from city before heading to Masai-Mara, because food and drink can be a ripped off in price for tourist. Make sure you only buy and drink mineral water purchased from a city supermarket. Packed water selling on road is totally not safe as they can be refill. Brief Dairy: Arriving Nairobi airport early in the morning around 4am. Having the choice of taking public bus to city or joining a local safari agency (Safari planet) from airport. I have bargained with the local safari agency where I have the flexibility to customize my own travel destination and scehdule on the spot with a reasonable adjusted price. After the payment, I mentioned that I would like to take sunrise pcture from Nairobi city. The driver immediately bring me to the hill top where I can see the city in sunrise. Well, it was not the best point as I predicted, but at least I some quick documentary snapshot. Then, I have requested again to the driver to bring me to the local market after sunrise shooting before they drop me to the safari planet travel agency. The morning market was crowded and dusty. Kenyan and some local tribe were selling their wood and hand made craft work. I was immediately surrounded by many seller. Luckily my driver was with me in the morning market, he started to shout and yell at the local seller to be calm down and leave the customer alone. After that we headed toward the city. The driver give me a quick city tour before arriving the Safari planet travel office. There I waited for an hour before the manager hook me up to a local four wheel drive, driver and animal tracker to Masai Mara National Park. In the meantime, I was brought by the office boy to a local supermarket to buy some water and food supply. I also bought an extra mosquito repelling wax just in case the one I brought is not useable. At around 8am, we headed on the road to Masai Mara. The road to Masai Mara was bumby and rough. It tooks us 7 hours to arrive to the National Park. The rest of my three days was mostly “game drive”, searching for animals. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to see the big five (Elephant, lion, hippo, rhino, leopard). In the meantime, I have the chance to visit the huts of Masai’s people. In order to pay a visit, visitor need to pay an amount of $USD20. However, it is up to your bargain and negotiation skill as well as the number of visitor entering the site. You will get a better discount if a group 5 is going in together. You can see how they live in such a harsh condition. Then the Masai women will sing a folk song and dance in about 15min. Masai are no nomad people. They do plant crops and owning heard of cows and goats. They are not suppose to leave their cows and goats across the border of the National Park. However due to the massive landscape, Masai people normally ignore these rules and regulations which sometime causes lions and leopards attacking their farm animals. Sunset in Kenya is like a drama. Here the sun is strong. You can easily take beautiful dramatic sunset photographs if you hike up to the hill top with your local bodyguard. Rememder, do not go into the bushes alone. It can be very stupid and dangerous to do so since you might become the prey of wild animals. Always be very alert of your surrounding while taking photograph if you plan to go down from the 4wheel drive, which is not advisable to do so. In summary, Kenya Masai Mara is an adventurous and guarantee place fo you to see wild animals roaming in group in a massive scale. The endless stretch of landscape somehow makes you feel lost and tiny. I am sure your search in Masai Mara will be a fruitfull and unforgetable experience in Kenya