You’ve made some excellent bookings for your upcoming trip! Here’s a guide to address your questions and optimize your budget:
1. Understanding the Park Entrance Fees
The Masai Mara National Reserve park fees are charged separately and are payable per person per 24 hours.
- For Non-Residents:
- Adults: $80 per person, per day.
- Children (3–12 years): $45 per day.
How It Works:
- Since you’re staying at Sarova Mara Game Camp, which is located inside the Reserve, every day spent there incurs the park fee.
- For three adults over three days, the total comes to $720 ($80 x 3 adults x 3 days).
If you calculated $1,800, it might include additional conservancy or reserve access fees, so confirm directly with the camp or your operator.
When and How to Pay:
- You can pay the park fees in advance via your tour operator, at the gate upon arrival (using a card or cash), or through Sarova if they assist with logistics.
2. Transport from Nairobi to Sarova Mara
For your budget (under $800), you have two main transport options:
- Private Driver/Vehicle from Nairobi
- Cost: $250–$400 one way for a 4WD Safari Land Cruiser or minivan.
- Pros: Flexibility to stop for sightseeing en route (e.g., Great Rift Valley viewpoints).
- Cons: The journey takes around 5–6 hours.
- Fly from Nairobi to Mara
- Flights from Wilson Airport to Mara cost approximately $200–$250 per person, one way.
- Pros: Saves time (50-minute flight). Offers scenic aerial views of the Mara.
- Cons: You’d need additional transfers from the Mara airstrip to Sarova (about $50–$100 per vehicle).
Recommendation:
If comfort and time are priorities, fly. If you’d like to see Kenya’s countryside and save costs, hire a private driver.
3. Game Drives
Since Sarova Mara is inside the Reserve, they will likely offer guided game drives as part of their services:
- Half-Day Game Drives: Usually included in full-board packages at no extra cost.
- Full-Day Game Drives: Available at an additional fee (around $100–$200 per vehicle).
If game drives aren’t included in your package, Sarova will arrange them at a fee. Hiring a private guide from Nairobi for the duration of your stay can also be an option, but this is usually more expensive.
4. Budget Breakdown
Here’s how your budget could look:
- Accommodation: $2,940 (Sarova Mara) + $326 (Best Western Plus Meridian) = $3,266.
- Park Fees: ~$720 (3 adults x 3 days).
- Transport: $600 (round-trip private vehicle) or ~$1,200 (round-trip flights for 3).
- Total: ~$4,586–$5,186.
This is within your $5,866 budget, depending on your transport choice and potential add-ons like private game drives.
Final Recommendation
- Confirm with Sarova if your package includes game drives and transport from the Mara airstrip (if flying).
- If driving, hire a trusted private driver through an operator like Crystal Tours Kenya or Ajala Safaris.
- Pay your park fees directly at the Reserve gate or arrange through Sarova for convenience.
Enjoy your trip to the Mara—it’s bound to be an unforgettable adventure! 🦁🌍