Things to Consider When Planning a Masai Mara Safari

Organizing a family safari to Africa has never been easier! You can plan the safari from the comfort of your home in India and structure the itinerary to suit your preference. Then travel to Kenya and enjoy your trip with all the logistics taken care of! How?

This article gives you the lowdown on how you can organize a fantastic Masai Mara safari from India and witness the dramatic Masai Mara Wildebeest migration.

1. Choosing a Tour Company

While it is possible to plan your safari independently, the best Masai Mara safari from India are normally planned through reliable Kenyan Tour operators such as Masaimarasafari.in or Ajkenyasafris.com.

That way, once you land in the country, you can maximize the tour experience without worrying about the details and logistics. A lot of factors inform the choice of tour company you opt for. But most importantly, how do you tell if a Kenya tour company is legit? Well, the first thing is to look at their online presence. Does the company have a consistent online presence? Here, their website, social media accounts, and the consistency of their narrative tell a lot. Also, note the company’s preferred mode of payment. Most legitimate tour agents will not ask you to make cash settlements. Instead, they will go for bank transactions or PayPal and other digital forms of payment.

Why does this matter?

When you effect payments through a third party (such as a bank), it offers you the satisfaction of knowing that you can track the agent and recover your dues should things go awry. Another thing to consider is the company’s product pricing. Also, look at their ratings and reviews on social media. Consider whether their tour guides are knowledgeable Kenyan natives.

2. Structuring your Itinerary

Unlike before, we now have tour companies that offer tailor-made safaris. Perhaps you want a family vacation from Kenya to India, a solo excursion, or a romantic getaway. The tour agent will guide you on the best attractions, accommodation, and the ideal time to visit based on your travel party. This way, only the best things go on your itinerary, the stuff you want to see.

And always remember, though it may be called a Masai Mara safari from India, there is still so much more to experience. You most likely won’t be limited to exploring the Masai Mara alone. The great wildebeest migration is just one of the attractions. Aside from the jungle, your itinerary may include a visit to Kenya’s award-winning beaches, animal conservancies, and Old Towns. Some of these Old Towns, such as Lamu, are UNESCO world heritage sites with rich stories to tell.

3. Health and Safety

As always, when visiting foreign countries, your health and safety come first. When planning a Masai Mara safari from India, it is advisable to get some necessary vaccines before travel. One of the mandatory vaccines required from foreign travelers is a yellow fever vaccine. A yellow fever certificate is typically issued, which immigration officials will require you to produce upon arrival at the airport. Given that Kenya is located in the tropics, it is also recommended that you take a dose of malaria medicine before travel.

The dose will help keep you from contracting malaria while in Kenya. Also, please make a point of carrying some mosquito repellent ointment with you to keep those pesky mosquitoes away as they tend to come out in the evening. Other recommended inoculation jabs include meningitis and hepatitis vaccines. If you plan an independent trip, free of tour agents, always remember that finding an English speaker in Kenya is relatively easy.

Consequently, upon arrival, if you happen to have any queries, you can always ask around. For serious security concerns, we have the tourist police who exclusively handle tourist matters and regular police if you cannot locate the nearest tourist police.

4. Travel Requirements

Whether planning a Masai Mara safari independently or through a tour agent, please note that the duty to secure a passport and consular visa rests upon you. Previously, Indian travelers could secure a travel visa upon landing at the Kenyan airport. Sadly, that is no longer the case.

As of January 2021, travelers are now required to secure their travel visas before arrival in the country. Thankfully, the process of doing so is easy, as all you need to do is process the visa online through Kenya’s eVISA system.

5. Package Deals

To avoid misunderstandings and confusion, always go for tour packages that clearly state what is included or excluded in the deal. Vague safari packages are a recipe for disaster.

Therefore, if possible, before committing to any deal, ask the tour company to send you a copy of the itinerary agreed on. The itinerary should be detailed and include the places you are scheduled to visit when the visit will occur and the items to be catered for by the tour company. In equal measure, the itinerary must also indicate what items are excluded from the deal.

For example, most tour companies do not cater to items of a personal nature, allergy medicine, etc. Therefore, it is always good to know so that you can prepare accordingly.

A well-planned safari is a blueprint for everlasting memories. The best time to plan these vacations is early in the year when you can comfortably schedule your most convenient time.

So, why not plan a family or romantic vacation from Kenya to India today?