| Safari-speaking, the best place to be during the | | | | National Reserve. That was in 1965. Being located in |
| months between July and October is the Masai Mara | | | | the direct path of the wildebeest migration, one gets |
| Game Reserve. One of the greatest wildlife | | | | the feeling of being right in the middle of things, |
| spectacles - the annual wildebeest migration- takes | | | | surrounded by hundreds of wildebeest, zebra and |
| place in the Mara during this period, give or take a | | | | gazelle. This feeling is overwhelming especially if you |
| few weeks on either side of the 'time-boundaries'. | | | | happen to stay there at the very peak of the |
| Although being anywhere at the Mara National | | | | migration. |
| Reserve during this time will give you a chance to | | | | It is not easy to secure space at Keekorok during |
| enjoy this awe-inspiring natural event, picking the | | | | the migration period especially if you do not book |
| right lodge might just add that 'front-seat' feeling that | | | | your space early. For those who get the space, the |
| will enhance your safari experience. | | | | rooms are comfortable and well-done, and tastefully |
| Some lodges have this 'front-seat' advantage when it | | | | decorated. You can also enjoy a swim after the |
| comes to the migration. Such lodges are not many, | | | | game drives at the swimming pool at the lodge. Hot |
| considering the fact the there are over 40 lodges | | | | air balloon flights are also available every morning. |
| and camps in the Mara Reserve and the surrounding | | | | Sarova Mara Tented Lodge - Masai Mara |
| conservancy areas. | | | | Sarova Mara Tented Lodge is another lodge that is |
| Here are the 3 top lodges I consider best spots to | | | | well-situated as far as the migration goes. From the |
| enjoy the migrations even without driving far and | | | | Sarova Mara Camp, you will be also be able to enjoy |
| wide. The listing is not in any order of preferences. | | | | other safari activities like visiting an authentic village |
| Mara Serena Lodge - Masai Mara | | | | to see the local peoples way of life. You can also |
| Following the tradition of Serena Hotels - that of | | | | enjoy bird-watching and sport-fishing. Or just enjoy |
| designing lodges in line with the local people's | | | | the migration spectacle as the animals spread out on |
| architecture - Mara Serena lodge buildings are | | | | the rolling plains around the lodge. |
| structured and organized much in the local traditional | | | | Even though it is never possible to point out with |
| Maasai people's way. The domed huts are clustered in | | | | precision the dates the migration is likely to cross into |
| a semi-circular pattern that blends with the | | | | Masai Mara from the Serengeti, chances are, it will be |
| surrounding vegetation. All rooms have a view of the | | | | there in July and August of every year. This is |
| open savanna the spreads as far as your eyes can | | | | obviously the busiest period for the hotels and lodges |
| go. | | | | in the Mara. |
| Few lodges enjoy the vantage position in the Mara - | | | | If you do not reserve your space in advance, it is |
| location on a hilltop giving an almost 360 view of the | | | | difficult to get lodging space in the some of the more |
| surrounding plains. The lodge is a perfect choice for a | | | | popular lodges like the ones listed above. But you can |
| photographic safari besides being an ideal location to | | | | still enjoy the migration in the Mara even while |
| enjoy the annual wildebeest migration. | | | | staying in the other lodges by way of well planned |
| Keekorok Lodge - Masai Mara | | | | game drives. |
| This was the first lodge to be built inside the Mara | | | | |