Serian ‘The Original’

AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
The Masai Mara ecosystem is one of the best game viewing areas in Africa and is especially good for viewing the big cats. Elephants, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyaena, impala, gazelles, eland, waterbuck, topi, jackal and serval are all common and seen regularly. Rhino are found in certain areas, and wild dogs are more transient visitors. The famous wildebeest and zebra migration is usually in residence from mid-July through to mid-October, though the movement of the animals is always somewhat unpredictable. The scenery of the Masai Mara is stunning with open grassland plains intersected by rivers, rocky ridges and pockets of riverine forest. Birdlife is varied and especially good around the riverine woodland areas.

Whilst the official Masai Mara Game Reserve can be busy with tourist vehicles in places, especially at river crossings in migration season, the Mara North Conservancy offers relative exclusivity away from the crowds. You do still see other vehicles, especially at predator sightings, but much of the time you will be able to explore away from other vehicles. The Conservancy is vast, stretching from the Aitong Hills all the way down to the north-western boundary of the Mara Reserve, and offers a good mix of wide open plains, rocky valleys and riverine thickets. The game viewing is superb.

The conservancy is funded by a limited number of ‘tourism partners’ in cooperation with local Maasai land-owners, and this model has been shown to benefit not only the local land-owners who receive greater income and better pasture for their livestock, and the tourism partners, but also the wildlife and in particular, the predators.

Serian have use of a small, private concession area to the west of the Mara River which is a walking only area and allows them total exclusivity.

Activities
The main activity at Serian is game drives through the Mara North Conservancy (by day and night), and to a lesser extent into the official Mara Game Reserve. Guided bush walks are also possible, often on the western bank of the Mara River where Serian enjoy use of a private vehicle-free concession. Walks of all durations are possible, from one hour birding walks along the river to multi-day trails across Mara North.

Fly-camping is available, either as an overnight experience or as part of a more dedicated multi-day walking trail. There is also the ‘Nest Treehouse’ which is beyond sister camp Ngare Serian on the west bank of the Mara River, where guests may spend a night out on their own in the bush. Fishing in the Mara River can break up the game drives, whilst helicopter scenic flights and hot air ballooning can be arranged via third party organisations (at an extra cost).

Seasons
Serian is open all year. Game viewing is good throughout this period, with the migration usually in residence from mid-July to mid-October.