My husband are I are honing in on where to spend a few days after doing a gorilla trek in Rwanda (December). We think the Masai Mara sounds like a good choice because we could do private game drives, with the potential of some offroading, and also the potential of all of the Big 5 in one park.

Now the question - where to stay. We don't want to break the bank (two days of gorilla trekking is already taking care of that, thank you very much).

Any suggestions for a lodge, tented lodge, or camp in the Masai Mara??

Also - how far are these places by road from Nairobi? better to fly or outrageously expensive?

I think the Mara Serena has the best location, and its far enough away from the other camps that, at least when I visited, we saw very few other vehicles. Its very reasonably priced. There are regular flights between Nairobi and the Mara, and they are reasonable, as well.

I have no idea, though, how good the Mara is in December (you won't catch the migration, I don't think).

Driving from Nairobi takes 5-6 hours depending on where you're staying. The eastern part is closer but there are more larger lodges here.

The flight costs around $220 roundtrip.

What is your budget?

I've stayed at Governor's and Little Governor's (same trip-had to split my stay between camps due to availablility issues). Liked them both-Little Gov much better in terms of privacy.

Hari

Hari,
Did you fly and use Governors vehicles? Do you know if you can bring your own vehicle and guide to Governors? I noticed they only list rates inclusive of game drives and sole use of vehicle is charged at an extra $300 per day.

I think the OP asked about places where she won't "break the bank". Aren't the Governor's lodges among the most expensive in the Mara?

HA - when I looked up the rates at Governor's I was thinking "I guess break the bank wasn't specific enough".

Toshi,
Yes, you do need to be quite specific here

I stayed at Ilkeliani last November. They have a 2 night flying package for $499pp + reserve fees which I think are now $40pppd http://www.ilkeliani.com/rates.htm

The flying package price would be based on shared game drives. You could email them and ask about the cost for sole use of vehicle.

If you want to travel by road with your own private vehicle and guide, they also offer fullboard non-package accomodations.

The camp is just outside the Talek gate.

Governor's is about mid-range for camps in the Mara; Little Governor's is more expensive and Il Moran the top of the line of the Governor properties. And, yes you can stay here on a Full Board basis using your own guide.

If you're visiting the beginning of December, the prices at most places are still at "low-season" - prices increase as Dec 15 for the Christmas/New Year's holiday.

gotta go, there's an electrical storm and last week I was spiked. Back in a few once it blows over.

Toshi, my daughter and I stayed at Mara Intrepids the last week of November last year. We flew from Nairobi to their airstrip, stayed 3 nights and it was about $2400.00. We saw 4 out of the big 5 on the first game drive. Since there were few people at the lodge we had the truck and guide to ourselves. We spent the rest of our time looking for what we wanted to ( male lions, cheetahs, leopards, and an elusive black rhino). The location along a small river allowed us to watch hippos and elephants from our deck. If I go back to the Mara I'll stay there again.

Patty,

Hi! Yes, flew in and used their own jeep/guides. However, we shared the vehicle on only one drive in a 4 night stay. There was a german couple in our vehicle on the first drive, they departed and subsequently, no one else was put in our car.

Also, we got 3 drives a day...would go out on another drive after breakfast to try to find crossings. Morning and evening drives were spent finding cats.

However, during that trip....the big cat diary was being filmed and guides were in radio contact with the spotters who were responsible for locating the cats for the Show.

Only drawback, the sightings were full of vehicles....that we bearly spent over 5 minutes at any specific sighting....

Hari