Kenya

Everything You Need to Know About the Masai Mara

Kenya Fact File

Park Rules in Kenya

How to Get Most of Your Safari in Tanzania and Kenya?

Everybody wants to have an unforgettable experience when it comes to safaris in Africa. Booking a safari is first step to do so, but many people don’t know or don’t think of all possibilities! To truly enjoy and experience African landscape and wildlife from all possible angles, we have compiled ideas to consider when planning safari to Tanzania and Kenya.

Chose mobile tented camps.

If you are after specific event then make sure you will book your safari in right season and time of the year. Although safaris are without a doubt exciting all year there are certain times of the year that can deliver much more.

Great Migration is one of them. If you are after great migration in full swing, we recommend booking your safari stay in mobile camps.

Mobile camps have the best locations, primarily focused on superb viewing areas. They are usually found in more remote areas, which means less tourists and big chance to witness animals from the comfort of your safari tent verandah!

Book a lodge with elephant waterhole.

Alternative option for those who want to be close to animals and great views of wildlife is to book a lodge that has on site waterholes, one of them is Four season Serengeti Lodge and some lodges in Tarangire, while in Kenya you have properties where giraffes wander around in the backyard gardens! Contact us for more advice!

You can save on a night.

Look for offers we regularly publish, often times we have special deals for booking two nights and get on for free and similar. If you are lucky, you can get even more than a night for free. Some offers like recent; include many activities that are usually available for additional cost, for free. So, be flexible and you may end up with free night and additional freebies like free night game drive, free walking safari or free bush romantic dinner. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about safari deals!

Go for hikes and trekking’s or walks.

To truly feel the nature, it is worth to book a walking tour during safari – available are short walks to several trekkings in Ngorongoro, which, will reveal an amazing scenes and panoramas not visible from safari vehicle.

Go for hot air balloon ride!

Fly over the plains in hot air balloon safari, available in Tanzania in Serengeti and Tarangire as well in Kenya (Masai Mara). This flight takes place in early morning hours before the breakfast at sunrise. To observe the wildlife from the air is real privilege!

Spend a night in Masai village and get an insight of daily routine and life. Or include a trip to Hadzabe tribe on Lake Eyasi region,where you spend a fair amount of time to learn hunting with spears, and how to make fire.

As you see there are exciting possibilities to enhance your safari. Once you are done with decision where to go and where to stay, all you have to do is bring you camera, for the rest Shadows of Africa takes care of.

Great Migration In Masai Mara

Undoubtedly Masai Mara, located in the South West of Kenya is one of the best holiday destinations in the World. A true Kenyan safari is not complete without a visit to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, which is an adventure like no other. It is home to the Big 5 and thousands of bird species and other wildlife.

But what makes Masai Mara more adventurous is the spectacular wildebeest Migration between July and October every year, an event that already dubbed as the 8^th Wonder of the World.

Millions of wildebeests accompanied by zebras and other types of antelopes migrate from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya, crossing the Mara River, which is inhabited by some of the largest world’s crocodiles. Why do the animals migrate? It is purely in search of water and pastures when supplies of pastures dwindle in the Serengeti.

The migration follows a cycle calendar every year BUT timings may vary. In between January and March, it is the calving season in the Serengeti in the short grass. There are plenty of pastures and all expectant mothers congregate to give birth. The calves are born in labor duration of 30 minutes and a few minutes after birth they are ready to walk and join their mothers. They have to feed properly in anticipation of journey before them.

After this, the wildebeest migration starts when the rains are over in the Serenegeti because it is dry. As the Serenegeti is drying up the Masai Mara side is flourishing. Since the wildebeest herds are in millions they quickly deplete grazing pastures very fasts whereas their water needs are great. They have to keep on moving and in fact the whole reason for wildebeest migration. The migration journey to Masai Mara is a hard one. Many animals collapse and die on the way as they are weak due to lack of enough food and water, while others fall to predators.

By around June and July climaxing in August and September the great phenomenon takes place in Masai Mara . Millions of the wildebeests have already arrived in Mara a plain where there is much lush grass pastures.  The wildebeests try to close the Mara River to access the plains that have plenty of pastures. At this time the Mara River is swollen because of heavy rains on the Mau Escarpments and crossing becomes a dangerous affair for the weak wildebeests and they end up drowning and also because of the great stampede resulting from crossing at one point.

But what makes the Migration drama more thrilling is the presence of predators. From the Mara River crocodiles that pounce on the wildebeests in the waters to lions and hyenas that take advantage of the drowning and injured animals on the shores, it is a feast carnival for the predators. This drama makes the crossing a spectacular event. Just what the cameras have been waiting for.

Animals feed in Mara plains in October and start heading back to Serengeti in November for another calving season. During migration over 200,000 animals perish under the harsh conditions. But as soon as they get back to Serengeti, there are approximately 500,000 new births and ready to start the cycle again.

This cycle repeats itself every year BUT being a natural occurrence there is no precise timing and directions because of conditions influencing grass growth.

South Africans Now Require Visa For Kenya

As of July 1st, 2014, South African visitors to Kenya will now require a visa.

The High Commission of the Republic of Kenya just announced new visa requirements for South Africans.

Ordinary Visa applicants travelling to or transiting through Kenya will be required to pay a service charge of R 750 ($70).

Holders of Official or Diplomatic Passports travelling on Government business are not affected by these changes and will continue to get visitor’s Passes on arrival at the ports of entry.

The High Commission further wishes to inform that the Visa Service Fees payments should be made at the Kenya High Commission/Embassy premises and Visas will no longer be issued on arrival in Kenya. It should be noted that the processing period for the visas is strictly five (5) working days.

As with other nationalities, South African nationals are now required to apply for their Kenyan visa in advance.

Read more about how to apply for a Kenyan visa online

Kenya Airways Reopens Flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar

Kenya Airways has just announced a re -launch of flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar.

Fly Instead Of Drive - Summer Flying Migration Safaris

Save your time for Great Migration!  Fly instead of drive straight to the center of action. We are presenting Fly in Safari with direct flight to Northern Serengeti

Best Safari Picks in June and July With Prime Viewing Areas