Two Luxury Wildlife Tours You Must Add to Your Holiday List

Think wide-open grasslands with wildebeests, hyenas, and leopards roaming just metres away from your luxurious resort. Think 360 degree views of flat landscapes and horizon with rain, thunder clouds and a shining sun in different directions - all at the same time. Imagine being escorted to day long and evening wildlife safaris in exclusive jeeps and Land Cruisers. Need we say more? Oh yes, you will enjoy the best of culinary options and relaxation with the two luxury wildlife tours we have in store for you. The stage for the first one is set in Kenya.  

Sarova Mara Game Camp - Masai Mara National Park

Staying at the Sarova Mara is nothing less than having premium cabin seats to one of nature's most amazing wildlife shows - the great wildebeest migration. We know you wouldn’t want anything less than the best. And Sarova makes up for everything beyond your wildest imagination.

To best enjoy your wildlife safari experience, you'll need at least two full-day game drives in the park. With Sarova, expect to get into the middle of all the wildlife action. Spot the Big Five (Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros), hyenas, gazelles, zebras, wildebeests, African deer and more. Mara Game Reserve is flooded with wildlife and you can expect to see all these animals.

Resort Highlights: Multi-Cuisine Restaurant | Pool | Spa | Gift Shop | Mini-Golf | Sport Fishing

 

Camp Amenities: 4-poster double beds | Min Bar | Tea/Coffee Maker | Welcome drinks | Sofa Set | Night Lamps | Bathroom Slippers | Towels | Luxury Toiletries | Ambient Lighting

Getting There

Flights to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya are available from major metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai.  Your (pre-booked) Safari vehicle will pick you from the airport and transfer you to your camp/resort in Masai Mara National Park. Flight Duration:  6 to 8 hours (Depending on your city of departure) Nairobi to Kenya Drive: 5 hours and 30 minutes Currency: Kenyan Shillings | 1 Re = 1.47 Kenyan Shillings Best time to visit: January to September | Wildebeest migration starts in July Tip: Get a local SIM card outside the airport. It’s much cheaper to make international calls from it rather than roaming on your home network.  

What About Transport?

Inside Masai Mara safari park, local (personal) transportation is not allowed. Looking at the kind of animals you'll be staying with, it’s not advisable to drive out of the resort especially during nighttime. But fret not. You'll be going for long game drives during the morning and in the afternoon, often returning just before sunset. For daily needs, you can get in touch with Sarova Resort’s staff and they’ll be happy to oblige.  

Visit The Masai Village - The Best of Wildlife Tours Experiences

Not far from the resort, and within the safari park, the Masai village is one experience you should not miss. Meet Masai men and women as they are, in the wild. Get a peek inside their lifestyles, their village, and how they spend time hunting and gathering. You can even buy Masai trinkets and handicrafts at the village from their open-air market. Drive to Masai Village: 45 min from Sarova Mara Game Camp Village Entry Fee: USD 20 - USD 30  

Movie Connection

The Meryl Streep and Robert Redford movie Out Of Africa was shot at the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Do watch the movie before leaving your city. It will definitely get you all excited about your wildlife trip to Kenya.  

The Fern Gir Forest Resort - Gir National Park

Why Gir?

Last we checked, Gir National Park is home to around 400 lions and 300 leopards. Spotting both these majestic animals will be very easy here. Other animals to look out for in this safari park include the spotted deer (chital), chousingha (four-horned antelope), wild boar, Indian gazelle, jungle cat, striped hyena, spotted cat, porcupine, langur, and the blue bull (nilgai).

Safari Charges: Rs. 3500 per jeep First things first; the Fern Gir Forest Resort is the only 5-star resort adjacent to Gir National Park. There are others but we know you’d only settle for the best.  Villas, cottages, suites, cottages - you name your kind of accommodation and people at the Fern will be happy to help. The staff is courteous and multi-lingual and the service, impeccable.

We recommend booking the Hazel Suite for 3 nights. You'll need at least 3 days of safari to soak in all that Gir has to offer.

Room Cost: Rs. 25,000 per night + taxes

Resort Highlights: Swimming pool | Spa | Jacuzzi | Gymnasium | Amphitheatre | Gift shop | Landscaped Gardens

In-Room Facilities: Private Verandah | Open Sky Bathrooms | LCD TV | Minibar | Electronic Safe | STD Facilities | Bath amenities | 24-hour hot & cold water | Tea/coffee Maker | Bathrobe | Slippers | Complimentary Bottled Water | In-room Dining | Full-length Wardrobe | Daily Newspaper | Private Garden But that’s not quite it. The resort offers two amazing fine dining options - the multi-cuisine Banyan tree restaurant and the Riverview Restaurant that serves delectable Italian cuisine and tasty mocktails.

Getting There

Flights The closest airport to Sasan Gir is in Diu, almost a 2 hour drive from the resort. Flights to Diu are available from all major cities in India. Trains If you are coming by train, the nearest stations to Gir would be Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Junagarh – all well connected to major cities.  

What About Transport?

The hotel staff will be more than happy to book luxury cars in case you want to dine out on one of the nights or enjoy day tours. But mostly, you'll be busy with those amazing game drives. Exclusive game drives along with trained guides can be booked at the resort.

You Can't Wear These Crocs, They Bite!

While you are busy with your safari, do make a stop at Gir Crocodile Breeding Centre. It’s a good place to see crocs of all sizes.  

Food

While the Fern has a pretty elaborate menu of Indian, Chinese, Continental and Italian food, who says you can’t enjoy some local curries and breads? Do pay a visit to Gir Rajwadi Hotel, one of the best vegetarian food joints in Gir. And inexpensive too! Imagine a delicious Gujarati Thali for just Rs. 80! Anything specific you’d like to know about both these places. Let us know through the comments section below.