Mara Engai Lodge

The safaris are accompanied by an armed Kenya Wildlife Service Ranger and followed closely by a vehicle. The walk starts directly from Mara Bushtops and takes you through the private conservancy on the edge of the Maasai Mara National Park. There are six different walking routes to choose between, from short leisure walks to more intense trails if you love the thrill of getting up close to animals. You’ll likely see giraffes, as well as herds of zebra, impala and elephants. There have even been occasional sightings of lions. Along the way, your guides will point out animal markings and droppings, you’ll also get to learn about the various medicinal trees and shrubs that the Maasai community has used for generations. One of the routes takes you to the historic Kakiya Cave, which is part of everyday Maasai tribal life and used for rituals, worship, preparing medicines and initiation ceremonies. A walking safari offers a totally different vantage point from traditional 4x4 game drives. You get a chance to walk among the Kenyan landscape, surrounded by wildlife in its natural habitat and outside the comfort of your safari vehicle, yet with an experienced team of local guides.

A private balloon safari is available at many of our recommended properties in the Maasai Mara. Starting just before dawn, you’ll enjoy a hot drink while watching the balloon slowly inflate at the launch site. Take off is around 6.00am as the sun rises over the plains, bringing the landscape into colourful life. The aerial views over the Maasai Mara are just magical, with the chance of seeing large herds of elephants, buffalo, and gazelles from above, as well as giraffes and zebras wandering the plains. Guests are amazed by how vast the savannah looks from this elevated angle, it’s a totally different perspective from a game drive in the Maasai Mara. When you land there will be a table all set up with camp chairs and a tablecloth for the bush breakfast. The first thing you’ll get is a glass of Champagne – who doesn’t want some bubbly in the middle of the Maasai Mara? Then you’ll enjoy a hot and cold breakfast spread. Your pilot will join you to answer questions, share bush stories, and explain the history of ballooning in the Mara.

Carrying just 13 passengers, you will be flying in a Cessna Caravan, which are very good for short take-offs and landings and function well at high elevation. From your bird's eye view, you may see the circular kraals where the Maasai keep their cattle. As the landscape unfolds, look out for herds of elephant, zebra and gazelles as they graze the open plains. During the Annual Great Migration, between July and October, you may get to see wildebeest crossing the rivers in vast numbers. Even when the migration isn’t happening, the Musiara airstrip attracts all kinds of animals because it's set near the river. So, right before landing, you might see an ostrich to the right side, an elephant to the left and straight ahead there may be a herd of topi - the perfect welcome to the Maasai Mara.

Starting just before dawn from Mara Bushtops, you’ll watch the balloon slowly inflate at the launch site. Take off is as the sun rises over the plains, bringing the landscape into colourful life. The aerial views over the Maasai Mara are just magical, with the chance of seeing large herds of elephants, buffalo and gazelles from above, as well as giraffes and zebras wandering the plains. Guests are amazed by how vast the savannah looks from this elevated angle, it’s a totally different perspective from a game drive in the Maasai Mara. Upon landing you can enjoy a wonderful Champagne breakfast in the bush before either returning back to camp or heading off on a game drive.

At that time of day, the grazing animals are just waking up. Elephants are munching in the forest, hippos are heading back to the river and the trees are filled with birds. It’s particularly busy during the Annual Great Migration when massive herds of wildebeest roam the plains. Governors’ has the best flight path in the region, drifting along the Mara River above beautiful riverine forest where rhinos graze, before ending in the open savannah where you might see giraffe, zebra and lion. Guests love the serenity of the balloon ride and the fantastic opportunities for photography. You’ll also have the chance to drop seedballs from the balloon, as part of a conservation scheme to replant indigenous African olive trees. At the end of the hour-long flight, the balloon will land near a bush breakfast site where tables are set up under trees in the middle of the savannah. Here you’ll enjoy a lavish breakfast spread including eggs, sausages, pancakes, fruit, muesli, and of course Champagne. It’s a laid-back, picnic-style feast where your pilot will share bush stories and explain the history of ballooning in the Mara.