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Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safari - Top 3 Lodges to Enjoy the Migration From

Safari-speaking, the best place to be during the months between July and October is the Masai Mara Game Reserve. One of the greatest wildlife spectacles - the annual wildebeest migration- takes place in the Mara during this period, give or take a few weeks on either side of the 'time-boundaries'.

Although being anywhere at the Mara National Reserve during this time will give you a chance to enjoy this awe-inspiring natural event, picking the right lodge might just add that 'front-seat' feeling that will enhance your safari experience.

Some lodges have this 'front-seat' advantage when it comes to the migration. Such lodges are not many, considering the fact the there are over 40 lodges and camps in the Mara Reserve and the surrounding conservancy areas.

Here are the 3 top lodges I consider best spots to enjoy the migrations even without driving far and wide. The listing is not in any order of preferences.

Mara Serena Lodge - Masai Mara

Following the tradition of Serena Hotels - that of designing lodges in line with the local people's architecture - Mara Serena lodge buildings are structured and organized much in the local traditional Maasai people's way. The domed huts are clustered in a semi-circular pattern that blends with the surrounding vegetation. All rooms have a view of the open savanna the spreads as far as your eyes can go.

Few lodges enjoy the vantage position in the Mara - location on a hilltop giving an almost 360 view of the surrounding plains. The lodge is a perfect choice for a photographic safari besides being an ideal location to enjoy the annual wildebeest migration.

Keekorok Lodge - Masai Mara

This was the first lodge to be built inside the Mara National Reserve. That was in 1965. Being located in the direct path of the wildebeest migration, one gets the feeling of being right in the middle of things, surrounded by hundreds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. This feeling is overwhelming especially if you happen to stay there at the very peak of the migration.

It is not easy to secure space at Keekorok during the migration period especially if you do not book your space early. For those who get the space, the rooms are comfortable and well-done, and tastefully decorated. You can also enjoy a swim after the game drives at the swimming pool at the lodge. Hot air balloon flights are also available every morning.

Sarova Mara Tented Lodge - Masai Mara

Sarova Mara Tented Lodge is another lodge that is well-situated as far as the migration goes. From the Sarova Mara Camp, you will be also be able to enjoy other safari activities like visiting an authentic village to see the local peoples way of life. You can also enjoy bird-watching and sport-fishing. Or just enjoy the migration spectacle as the animals spread out on the rolling plains around the lodge.

Even though it is never possible to point out with precision the dates the migration is likely to cross into Masai Mara from the Serengeti, chances are, it will be there in July and August of every year. This is obviously the busiest period for the hotels and lodges in the Mara.

If you do not reserve your space in advance, it is difficult to get lodging space in the some of the more popular lodges like the ones listed above. But you can still enjoy the migration in the Mara even while staying in the other lodges by way of well planned game drives.

This post was written by: Franklin Manuel

Franklin Manuel is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Twitter