Kenya's Best Wildlife Park Without Going Broke

MASAI MARA, Kenya, Oct. 15, 2009— -- Of Kenya's wildlife parks none is as famous, and many say as magnificent, as the Masai Mara National Reserve, home to all of the "Big Five" safari animals: Lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, and leopards.

Along with its Tanzanian sister park, the Serengeti, the Mara is also home to the great migration, a yearly event when more than 1 million wildebeests along with a few hundred thousand zebras cross the Mara River and head south to the Serengeti for more lush pasture.

This amazing feat was named one of the new 7 Wonders of the World in 2006.

Every year, there are nearly as many tourists who visit the Masai Mara as there are wildebeests who leave it. The reserve is one of Kenya's biggest money-making enterprises, and tourists often pay huge amounts of money to visit.

Most of the park does not allow for camping or budget options, so most visitors stay at one of the Mara's many luxury lodges or tented camps, running anywhere from $350 to $600 per night, per person. That cost (usually) includes, food, most drinks and at least one game drive.

But what it doesn't include is park fees or transport to the Mara, located about five hours by car and one hour by plane from Nairobi. Adding up everything, even a short Masai Mara safari can easily end up costing thousands of dollars, a big reason why most travelers choose to book their safaris using agents or safari companies.

But with a little patience, research and some luck, there is a way to see the Masai Mara without breaking your budget or having to rely on mass safari operating companies.

Here are some tips for how to see the Mara for less:

1. Plan your own safari -- By contacting a lodge or camp directly you can find out if they have any special offers. For example, the Olonana camp, an exquisite and intimate tented camp that houses only 14 luxury tents overlooking the Mara river, is currently running a special where all guests staying three nights will get a fourth for free. The ultra posh Governor's camp also has deals going where guests can get up to a 25 percent discount for booking up to a month before their safari.

Many other lodges have special deals with the airlines to create their own packages.

Research can be done through travel books or the Internet. Travel blogs Web sites such as the Kenya Association of Tour Operators give you an idea of available, reputable accommodations and tour operators.

Another way to contact lodges directly is by looking at safari sites that offer proposed itineraries listing what lodges the tourist will stay in, and then contacting the lodge yourself. If you have the time and the energy, planning your own safari can result in not only a cheaper trip, but also a more personalized experience.

Masai Mara Safari on a Budget

2. Go during the off-season -- True, tourists coming before July or after October won't see the migration, but they will still likely see all of the Big Five, as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and crocodiles, and they'll see it for hundreds if not thousands of dollars less. One other benefit of going to the Mara during the off-season? A more authentic experience. During high-season it's not uncommon to see almost as many safari cars on the savannah as animals.

3. Look for opportunities to bargain -- It may seem ironic, but some of the best deals to the Mara can be found in this economic downturn. Tourism is down in all of Kenya, and that includes the Masai Mara. Rates for places and services that are almost never negotiable can now often be bargained down.

4. Book locally or at the last minute -- Tourists able to wait until actually arriving in Kenya before booking their safaris may be able to take advantage of last minute deals. No luxury accommodation wants to have vacancies, and many will be more likely to cut a deal on rates if a reduced rate is the alternative to no guest at all.

The risk of course is that a lodge or camp you wanted may not be available, which is more likely if you are coming during high-season. But for backpackers, volunteers or people on a business trip, a last-minute booking to the Mara can allow for a great safari experience at much cheaper price.

Try not to rely on the hotel concierge or many of the safari "agents" looming around the hotels who promise you a "good price" for your safari. At best, they usually have a deal with a particular lodge or safari operator that benefits them financially without much, if any, savings to you. At worst the "agent" is actually a con man or woman who will take your money and leave you with a shoddy safari experience, or with no safari at all.

5. Be a resident -- If you are living in Kenya for any reason, be it for school or work, and will be in the country for a significant amount of time on a work permit or visa, make sure you have a resident's card. Most lodges and camps offer huge discount packages, often including airfare. The resident rate is available to encourage Kenyans and expats living in Kenya to take advantage of the beauty in their own country. If you're lucky enough to be one of these people, you could end up saving hundreds if not thousands of dollars on your Mara getaway.

*One caveat, don't try and claim you're a resident if you're not, and watch out for scams where someone tells you they can get you a resident rate for an additional fee.