Maarifa Wildlife and Cultural Safari

On one of the days during your stay, you will be escorted on a walk by Maasai warriors to a village to get an insight into their fascinating culture and way of life. Then take a game drive in the camp’s open-sided 4×4 safari vehicle into the conservancy, stopping for a sundowner at a scenic spot overlooking Kilimanjaro, followed by a night game drive to look for nocturnal animals such as aardvarks, serval cats, caracals, bat-eared foxes, African wild cats, and other species.

Shared game drives with excellent guides in the Selenkay Conservancy and in the Amboseli National Park, a full day (with picnic lunch) spent in the National Park , an escorted walk with Maasai warriors to visit an authentic Maasai village to learn the way of life of the Maasai community. Night game drives in the Selenkay Conservancy to seek out the nocturnal animals. Sundowners at scenic spots.

Game drives in the Masai Mara are unforgettable due to the abundance of wildlife and the spectacular landscapes. With gently rolling hills and wide open plains, this is the quintessential African safari experience. Travellers can expect to encounter large numbers of animals year round, with big herds of elephant, buffalo and other plains game. It is also common to see predator interaction. The Great Wildebeest Migration passes through the Mara for approximately three months each year. Game drives may last from a couple of hours to the whole day, with a picnic breakfast and lunch.

If you are lucky enough to experience nature’s greatest spectacle, the Wildebeest Migration, it is a sight to behold. From July to November each year over two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle embark on a cyclical movement through the Mara, driven by rainfall and the subsequent availability of grazing. Throughout their journey, the wildebeest face tremendous threats, crossing rivers teeming with wily crocodiles and encountering an abundance of predators following closely behind them

A bush walking safari is an adventure packed activity where participants embark on relaxed, guided walks in a wildlife conservantion area with the objective of seeing wild animals in a more natural way without using vehicle and provides a new perspective on the African landscape and its many residents. Tread across the vast plains of the conservancy accompanied by an authentic Maasai warrior, with tribal knowledge that spans over centuries. Learn the traditional Maasai way of life and discover how they live in harmony alongside Africa’s mighty wildlife. The perfect setting to appreciate nature, the slow pace of the walk combined with the interpretative skills of the guides will open your eyes to a fascinating world, they bring you closer to nature, leaving lasting impressions from an ancient culture, and an appreciation for a simpler way of life.

Night game drives in Masai Mara are quite a thrill and provide a wonderful opportunity to spot the nocturnal animals which are more active at night than during the day. Some of these nocturnal wildlife that you are likely to see include: Aardvark, Leopards, Hippos, Bat Eared Fox, Silver backed jackal, Honeybadger, Striped Hyena, Banded Mongoose as well as Bush Baby, Bush Pig, Caracal, Genet Cat, Cape Hares, Porcupines, Civet cats, Aardwolf and Owl. The typical timing is from 7pm to 9pm ( to start the night shared safari), with a typical duration of 2 hours. The 9 pm night safari would therefore occur after dinner while the 7 pm one takes place before dinner. We are careful to use filtered light so as not to blind the animals we see with our lights.

A sundowner is simply a ‘happy hour’ during sunset over the African Bush. As you round off your Afternoon adventure, your game drive will be spiced with a sundowner - enjoy the African sunset from a vantage and scenic spot in the Mara, A selection of drinks, cocktails and delicious bites are usually served against the unforgettable backdrop of the African sunset. During a sundowner, we advise guests to just sit back, relax and take in the atmosphere while they listen and watch the wildlife of the savanna. Most sundowner spots also offer amazing opportunities for a photographic session.

There is a somewhat almost primal joy about eating a meal in the raw wilderness of the African savannah, more so if the setting happens to be in our Maasai Mara conservancies where it is quite possible that your views are framed by stunning landscapes and magnificent wildlife. Though the picnic meals are typically simple though satisfying, the often scenic setting in the wild makes this a truly memorable meal.

At extra cost:

Nothing matches the surreal experience of witnessing 360-degree views of the Masai Mara than a hot air balloon safari! Seeing the spectacular sunrise and gliding effortlessly over the Masai Mara plains and savannas is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Take a Masai Mara hot air balloon flight and get a distinctive perspective of this beautiful landscape and its wildlife.

Morning, evening and night shared safaris. Sundowners at scenic viewing points. Escorted bush walks with Maasai warriors and safari guide. Bush breakfasts and bush lunches are also provided as part of the experience with the focus on being out in nature with your qualified Maasai guide and spotter.

Where better to celebrate your wedding than in a romantic and tranquil setting, within stunning scenery and surrounded by the sounds of the bush. The multi award-winning Porini Lion Camp is perfect for unique civil ceremonies, renewal of vows or blessings. Wedding ceremonies can be arranged at private, scenic viewpoints with stunning views across the game-filled landscape. Maasai traditional customs and blessings can be included to make a very special and spiritual experience.

A walking adventure in the bush provides a new perspective on the African landscape and its many residents. Tread across the vast plains of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, accompanied by an authentic Maasai warrior, with tribal knowledge that spans over centuries. Learn the traditional Maasai way of life and discover how they live in harmony alongside Africa’s mighty wildlife. The perfect setting to appreciate nature, the slow pace of the walk combined with the interpretative skills of the guides will open your eyes to a fascinating world.

Ending your day on Safari with your favorite drink in hand, the company of friends or loved ones and a gorgeous sunset unfolding right before your eyes is a very special experience indeed and recognizing this, sundowners are included in your stay at the Porini Lion Camp

There is a somewhat almost primal joy about eating a meal in the raw wilderness of the African savannah, more so if the setting happens to be Masai Mara where it is quite possible that your views are framed by stunning landscapes and magnificent wildlife. Special meals are for this reason a popular activity during a safari in Masai Mara and are pre - included in your stay at the Porini Lion Camp

If the wilderness is magical by day, by night it promises nocturnal theatre on a magnificent scale. Above you sparkles an unbelievable spangled canopy of stars, and around you wraps the soft velvet of the African night, punctuated by the rough, dry coughs of the lion, the cackling and whoop-whooping of the hyena, and the symphony of birdsong. Adventure indeed.

The night belongs to the hunters: the lions and the leopards. It’s also the only time when you may catch a glimpse of such elusive nocturnal creatures as aardvarks, cape hares and bush babies. Best of all, your vehicle will be equipped with a powerful hand-held lamp, which can be used to sweep the bush for sightings of creeping shadows and gleaming eyes. The light is filtered thus does not blind the animals.

Unique to the conservancy experience, night safaris are not permitted within the boundaries of the national parks and reserves. So they’re the ultimate safari luxury, game-viewing extravaganza and photo-opportunity

Hot Air Balloon rides are exhilarating in any setting. A hot air balloon safari over Masai Mara National Reserve, though, is a once in a lifetime experience!

Though this comes at an extra cost, we highly recommend it. Experience the thrilling "hot air balloon safari over the remarkable lands of Africa Maasai Mara. Glide your eyes over the panoramic plains and explore the fantastical features of the valleys, the sparkling rivers and the lush grasslands before you.
In between, the heads of gentle giraffe forging leafy trees, sleeping elephants sweeping in the cool wind, elegant gazelles sprinkling in the vast expanse, and the hippos pots sprinkle in the water can be seen.