When You Go     The Maasai Mara, Kenya

Traveling There: Northwest Airlines and KLM, from New York City through Amsterdam, provide flights to and from Nairobi, the closest international airport for reaching the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. If you are an independent traveler, it is recommended to utilize Lonely Planet Kenya for arranging the details of your itinerary and the transportation options. While the Maasai Mara Reserve is only about 200 miles from Nairobi, the road system is poor. Options include bus, safari company transport, and flights from the small local Nairobi airport. While each of the many tribes of Kenya has their own language and dialect, Swahili is the national language, and English is also spoken by many of the residents. Nairobi is a large city, with a full range of services.

Safari Arrangements: The first-time visitor to Kenya is usually best served by signing up with a reputable safari company such as Abercrombie and Kent or Micato Safaris which utilize lodges or luxury tent accommodations for their clientele and take care of the myriad of details such as connections to and from Nairobi, the game drives, meals, optional excursions, etc. We felt Micato Safaris provided a first-rate safari experience. Optional half-day excursions were offered for a hot-air balloon safari, a visit to a Maasai settlement, and a bush flight to Rusinga Island in Lake Victoria.