Our flight to Masai Mara wasn’t until 10:00 so we were able to sleep in a bit before some last minute packing. I took a few photos of the grounds (very tranquil) in the daylight and our ride was ready so we checked out and headed toward Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL) to check in with Air Kenya.
Henry Thuku Road
The Norfolk
Real security; unlike so many other places in the world. Every bag goes through an x-ray.
Reception
Lobby
Main courtyard
One of a number of historic vehicles in the courtyard
Back gardens
The pool
Corner room
Courtyard view
Being Good Friday we were spared of Nairobi traffic and made it to Wilson in just 20 minutes. Upon entering I pointed out our names on their reservation manifest to confirm our booking and they weighed all of our bags (combined) before checking the bigger one. We only used 17 kg of our allotted 30. Security for actual passengers was rather minimal. Once inside they matched our passports to their list again and issued color-coded boarding cards.
Police station
Wilson Airport
Check in counters
Our flight
Black boarding card
We had about 40 minutes to wait and the gate area was a step above any normal airport, but not quite worthy of being called a lounge. It was swarming with children. I guess the blessing of traffic free Good Friday comes with the cost of families traveling for the long weekend (They also get “Easter Monday” off). The cost of this return flight stung when I purchased online ($360) but it was certainly a fun experience. I still didn’t know what aircraft would be operating nor what stop we would be. The WIL to MRE (Masai Mara airstrips) route is more like a bus route. A number of safari facilities are scattered across the Southwest of Kenya and depending on the number of passengers for each, they drop off and pick up from a variety of airstrips. Eventually I learned we would be first, so no extra takeoffs and landings. Air Kenya operates a mix of Dash 6, Dash 7 and Cessna 208’s depending on demand. I was certainly rooting for a Dash 7 given its rarity. Boarding took a play out of the United playbook as they announced pre boarding for families with children. Except everyone had a child today. Seating was Southwest style, but my dad and I got a C-list boarding pass.
Gate area
Small café
Children running everywhere
Boarding for Diani South Coast (just south of Mombasa)
There it is! Dash 7 afterall
Four spinner
5Y-CDK
At least it isn’t square
Only 113 built
Bit of a boring paint job
P2 (Airkenya Express) flight 853
Nairobi Wilson, Kenya (WIL) to Mara - Ngerende, Kenya (MRE)
Depart: 10:50, Arrive: 11:26, Time: 0:36
DHC-7-100, Seat 8D
Onboard we found two seats right beside the propeller with another heavily scratched window. A quick safety demonstration was performed and before I knew it we were in the air. At our cruising altitude of 12,000 feet they provided a mint and before we knew it began our descent. The terrain, as its name, Masai Mara, suggests, was a spotted plain. The Ngerende Airstrip runs right along a few kinks in the Mara River. About ten of us deplaned and they fetched the bags as we pointed them out. Ours had already been pulled and loaded in the jeep so there was a brief moment of panic. Just as fast as the plane arrived, it fired up the left side props again and headed back to the airstrip for its ensuing departure. We were all warmly welcomed with a cool towel and some refreshing drinks before our driver Henry introduced himself and we were off to the camp ten minutes down the road.
At least you can stand
A few rear facing seats
Safety demonstration
Meal service
At least it wasn’t dripping on me…
Another quality window as we approached the Mara
So where is the airport?
Who needs tarmac?
Popular vehicle in this part of town
Welcome drinks
Cold towel
Some other drink
The whole road is bumpy, not sure why they need a sign
Mara River
Camp sweet camp for the next three nights
We’ve arrived
Once we reached the main lodge we were matched with another member of the staff who led us to our private tent at the end of the property. Tent 11 was just beside the Hippo Corner and had an excellent view of the bend in the river. We were shown how to close the tent flaps and windows and how the lights operated. With about an hour until lunch we roamed the property to see what it had to offer. The entire 51 tent facility (along with lodge, pool, parking lot and staff facility) was nestled in a big bend of the river and the one open side was gated with an electric fence to keep the animals out. Or maybe the people in. The riverbanks were steep enough that even the most motivated of hippos or crocs couldn’t climb the embankment, but just snort really loud. All day (and night) long!
Entry yurts
Reception
Library
Lodge
Fireplace
Bar
Dining room
Outdoor dining
Deck overlooking the Mara
Pool
Massage tent
Five minute stroll to the tent
Tent #11
Frontporch
Flips to a do not disturb sign
Not your typical tent
That’s why the call it glamping
The study
Bathroom area
Toilet to the left and shower to the right
Obligatory toilet shot
Who knew tents can have showers
Hippo Corner
Great lookout over the river
The corner that keeps you up at night
Butterflies everywhere on the property
Perimeter fence
Back at the lodge we kicked off our first meal by trying to eat one of everything. The quality and variety of the food was very nice, but after three days, buffets became blasé. We were offered the soup of the day along with some fresh bread before helping ourselves. Today’s meal included a carving station, but we never saw that again. Stuffed, we retreated back to the tent to take in the atmosphere around camp and search for a hippo. With the sun directly overhead most every hippo was fully submerged to keep cool underwater and came to the surface seldom. The local Masai villagers were herding their livestock on the other side of the river to the sound of bells ringing, goats bleating and villagers making whatever sound villagers make. They were very friendly and would always wave when they saw us.
Daily bread
Tomato soup
Salads and cheese
Fish, ham and pork rib
Dessert selections
The villagers herding
Hide and go seek with the hippos
***Please stay tuned for the second part of the day including our first game drive.***