I've been out to the Mara for about a week. Very beautiful right now, but hard to see the fauna. A lion can be 10 meteres away, but I can't see him due to the high grass.
Getting to the Mara by road is always a challange, so let's say - Your trying to take advantage of off-season rates and visit one of the lodges on the Transmara side of the park. It is a beautiful part with much less chance of seeing the hoards of vans that afflict the eastern side. You've booked into Mara Serena, Olonana, Mara Siria, Mpata Safari Club, Mara West, or Kichwa Tembo. But your driving the 4X4 as you need to save a bit of money as the whole family is going. As you get near the turn off to the C13 road that goes to the park via Ngorengore and Lemek you see dark clouds to the southwest. Oh no, dark thoughts of black cotton mud fill your mind. This type of mud that is in the plains to the north of the park can render most 4x4's impotent.
Here's the alternative - Continue on the good road out of Narok towards Sotik. This will take about 1hr. 17 min. Once reaching the T-junction in Sotik (S 00'40.546' E035'08.412') turn left towards Kisii. In about 25 minutes you will come to the town of Keroka. Turn left towards Nyangusu (S 00'46.802' E034'56.851') This part will take about 35 minutes. This road is under repair by the Kay Construction Co. and it appears they are doing a good job. It will eventually be paved. Upon reaching the junction in Nyangusu (S 00'55.907' E034'50.427') turn left towards Kilgoris. This section of "paved road" is quite bad, but its only about . Turn left at the roundabout in Kilgoris (S 01'00.446' E034'52.847') and continue on this gravel road which is at times quite rough. After about 1 km. you will see a sign on the left pointing towards the Masai Mara. DON'T take this road. It is not an all weather road. Continue straight towards Lolgorian. Midway to Lolgorian you will cross the Migori River on the on the P.W.D. Maghor River Bridge (S 01'10.330' E034'50.200') which was built in 1937. Does anyone know who Maghor was? I can't find anything on the Internet. Please let me know if you have any info. Before coming into Lolgorian town you will see a Kenya Police Post and Telkom tower on your left. Just past this you will turn left towards the Oloololo Gate of the Park (S 01'13.662' E034'48.542'). It is now about 35 kms. to the park. Before reaching the gate you will come to a junction with sign boards directing you to the various lodges and camps.
This route will add 1 to 1.5 hours overall to your trip, but potentially save you time, as you will most likely not get stuck. Corrolla station wagon taxi's ply this route all the time. Overall, this route is going to take you around 6.5 hours from Nairobi.
