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Extension Guide
Masai Mara Reserve & Nairobi
Local partner
What to expect
The Masai Mara Game Reserve
The Masai Mara Game Reserve, or The Mara as the locals call it, is located in Narok County, Kenya and on the border of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is most famous as part of the Great Migration of wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and zebra but is also known for its abundance of lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Plenty of elephants and Masai giraffes roam the plains along with many other animals. When in East Africa, you will have an opportunity to see these animals in the wild. Since the area is well patrolled by park rangers, there is almost no poaching, which means there is a large population of wildlife, and you have an excellent chance to see these magnificent animals up close.
To enrich your adventure even more, the park limits the number of vehicles, so you may be the only game drive in the park. The big cats mostly live in Fig Tree Ridge, Leopard Gorge, and the Mara River that separates the Masai Mara from the Serengeti. More than 479 species of birds have been seen, including 60 species of raptors. Some birds are migrants, but most of the year you can expect to see ostriches, breasted rollers, crowned cranes, secretary birds, marabou storks, African pygmy-falcons, and the national bird of Kenya the lilac-breasted roller.
IMA’s safaris to the Masai Mara Game Reserve are coupled with an overnight in Nairobi to visit the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. This is the most popular trek among our past interns. Nearly all of our past interns in East Africa have elected to go on this safari.
At a glance
Duration
4 Days
Effort Level
Light
Primary Focus
Wildlife & Culture
Structure
Guided Safari
Sample Itinerary
1
Day 1
Arrive Nairobi, Kenya - Giraffe Centre and Nairobi National Museum
IMA’s representative and safari guide will pick you up from the residence very early in the morning and drop you off at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
Your flight will arrive in Nairobi early in the morning and you will be picked up from the airport by a designated driver.
Your first stop will be at the Giraffe Centre.
You will then have lunch at Bush Garden Restaurant in the Karen neighborhood of Nairobi. Lunch on this day is included with the exception of drinks. Please note that dinner is not included on this day of the trek. On request, we will prepare you a breakfast-to-go before departing Mombasa.
After lunch, you will complete the day’s tour with a visit of the Nairobi National Museum.
Your designated driver will take you to both parks. All of your transportation, park fees, and accommodation (3-star hotel overnight) are included
2
Day 2
Arrive - Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast depart from the capital of Kenya, Nairobi between 7 AM to 8 AM, we drive down the escarpment via the floor of the scenic Great Rift Valley.
We arrive at Masai Mara Game Reserve in time for lunch in the afternoon. We will check you into the Simba Oryx Camp that are self-contained and fitted with feature beds and en suite bathroom areas.
In the evening at around 4 PM, we take our first thrilling game drive in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, one of East Africa’s top safari destinations.
At 6 PM return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
In the night you can hear a chorus of different animal sounds as they communicate with each other in the darkness – more than enough reason to visit.
3
Day 3
Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast, leave for a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch at the Mara River.
Our morning and afternoon game drives take us in search of Africa’s Big Five and the plethora of other wildlife inhabiting this vast Kenyan game reserve.
Wherever you go in the vast Masai Mara you will see diverse wildlife such as Masai giraffes, baboons, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyenas, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeests, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and hippos. It is common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot but fairly common.
At 4 PM return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
4
Day 4
Masai Mara Game Reserve and Return to Mombasa
We start the day with an early morning game drive from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM
We depart from the safari camp at 10 AM and drive back to Nairobi with a brief stopover at Narok for lunch.
We later proceed with the trip arriving in Nairobi later in the afternoon. This unforgettable 3-Day Masai Mara Safari ends upon arrival at the airport where you will catch your flight back to Mombasa
Dinner at the IMA Mombasa Residence
Hot springs hours and rules can change. Plan with flexibility and confirm details locally rather than building your day on assumptions.
A two to three day extension that fits cleanly after your clinical internship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Subject
International Medical Aid Internship Opportunity?
International Medical Aid provides an exceptional opportunity for students pursuing healthcare and pre-med internships abroad. By offering hands-on clinical experience, cultural competency, and exposure to global health and healthcare policy, IMA sets its interns apart as competitive and well-rounded medical school candidates.
We encourage students to apply or contact us with any questions they may have about the program. With a commitment to safety, cultural immersion, and academic excellence, IMA offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to gain invaluable experience and make a meaningful impact in their field.
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