This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
Published on September 1, 2019, by JAN FOX, a Director at IDC.
The Maasai Mara is famous for its incredible wildlife spectacle, but the peak migration season can be overwhelming, with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and tourists flocking to the area.
However, with some research and planning, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a luxurious experience on a budget. One tool that can help is the 'HerdTracker' application, which plots the daily movements of the migration across the entire ecosystem.
By following the live feeds on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, you can get a better idea of the precise locations of the herds and make an informed decision about where to stay.
Another option is the online platform www.lastminutemara.com, which offers great deals on high-end lodges and camps in the Mara.
According to Nicole Hankar, General Manager of Last Minute Mara, the idea behind the platform was to address the overreliance of lodges and camps on long lead time bookings from foreign tourists, which has left the local market poorly served.
Through the website, travellers can book package deals with lodges and camps in the Mara, including flights from Nairobi, provided the trip is within 30 days of the booking.
The properties listed on the website are scattered mainly across the conservancies to the north and east of the Masai Mara National Reserve, which are great options during the high season due to their low tourist densities and limited vehicle numbers.
The conservancy principle was first introduced in the region to avoid overcrowding and other problems that have occurred in the reserve, and it has led to vastly improved wildlife habitats and animal densities.
So if you fancy treating yourself to an impromptu trip to the Mara, check out the deals at www.lastminutemara.com.
