East vs South Safari

Growing up in South Africa, I’ve been going on safari for as long as I can remember — but my trip to Kenya and the Massai Mara was unlike any other.  A safari holiday was always about venturing out into the bush as often (and much to my dismay) as early as possible in order to catch incredible wildlife encounters — a routine where the animals were entirely in charge of your day. 

Having travelled extensively in Southern Africa, visiting Chobe National Park in Botswana, Matetsi Private Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, and Kruger National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa — I couldn't believe the sense of freedom you experience in the Mara. Free to wake up whenever you please. Free to stay out as long as you want.  I thought I knew the drill: early starts and rigid schedules dictated by animal routines. But in the Maasai Mara, freedom reigned with the ability to linger longer without the ticking clock of a strict schedule. 

Maasai Mara Safari Routine

In the Mara, your day unfolds at your pace. Prefer breakfast before your safari? Done. Want to take it along? That’s an option, too. A typical day might begin at 07h30, with no rush to return to the lodge before the afternoon. The temperature is consistently pleasant, so the wildlife is more active, and with an abundance of animals to-ing and fro-ing, you won’t have to worry about missing the ‘lazy’ leopards or lions as they find shelter under the trees.

The vastness of the Maasai Mara has to be felt to be believed. You sit in the safari vehicle, and there's always something to see, even simple silhouettes of giraffes on the horizon like they’ve been perfectly placed. You don’t even have to be on safari to see large herds of buffalo or elephants because as you can look down from the escarpment, where Angama Mara is perched, you look straight ahead and are amongst the birds of prey circling at eye view. 

The only day you’ll wake up early in Angama Mara is for a sunrise hot-air balloon safari. Ironically, it feels like a dream as you sail above the trees and look down as intricate pathways appear beneath you.  

Southern Africa Safari Routine

Southern Africa safaris, by contrast, run on a tighter schedule as wildlife viewing is concentrated during the cooler hours. You meet with your ranger and other guests at 05h00 for coffee before setting off to spot the animals, particularly cats, before the temperature soars.   

You’ll be back at the lodge at around 09h30. Although you have had a peaceful and relaxing safari, you are tired from the early start.  After a hearty breakfast, it is time for some quiet time, or perhaps a swim?  

Lunch, a siesta if lucky, and then tea at 16h00 before the evening safari, returning for dinner at around 20h00 as the light has faded to night.  

Most guests make it an early night because they're up again early tomorrow. Two safari drives a day can be quite taxing, but the fear of missing out makes it too much to skip one! You’d forever be the one who missed the leopard because you wanted a lie-in.   

Although I’ll never tire of going on safari, especially close to home in Southern Africa, Kenya, and the Maasai Mara, it truly is the most relaxing, on-my-terms safari  I’ve ever had.