Sergio Busquets, the former Captain of FC Barcelona had a visit to Kenya on top of his bucket list. He flew to Kenya’s capital Nairobi and later to the globally famed Maasai Mara together with his wife, Elena Galera. Their two sons; Levi Busquets and Enzo Busquets also tagged along in their first-ever Kenya trip.
The 34-year-old said his visit to Kenya was long overdue and Barcelona winning the 2022-23 La Liga title made it the perfect time to jet to East Africa.
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Where Did Sergio Busquets Visit in Kenya?
Busquets and his family flew to the iconic Masai Mara for game viewing. Mara is often regarded as the eighth wonder of the world due to its stunning wildebeest migration phenomenon. It is popularly known as the Great Migration. An estimated two million wildebeests and zebras cross over to the Serengeti in Tanzania from Kenya.
Sergio Busquets in Kenya. Photo/Ole Teya/Twitter
The spectacle gets real at the Mara River where huge crocodiles feast on the wild animals crossing the river into the Serengeti. July to October marks the peak season but you still can sight a handful of wildebeest and a dozen other wild animals.
Why is Masai Mara Special?
Sergio Busquets visit to Kenya tells of the charm that this national reserve has over the world. Masai Mara is one of the world’s best safari big game viewing ecosystems. The Reserve covers 1,510 square kilometres (580 square miles). The area is at least twice as large as it was before the addition of conservation areas. It is home to about 95 different kinds of mammal species, as well as over 570 different kinds of birds. There are many compelling reasons why the Maasai Mara in Kenya fascinates visitors from around the world part of them highlighted below.
Wildlife
It is popular for its great wildlife, and it is one of the top safari destinations in Africa. The famous “Big Five” (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros) are among the abundant and diverse species found in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Mara Game drives are electrifying as you traverse the whole wildlife ecosystem in Kenya’s most revered reserve.
Wildebeest Migration
The annual wildebeest migration, in which millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores cross the Mara River in search of greener pastures, is one example of an exhilarating wildlife encounter that tourists can watch.
Culture
Further, Masai Mara also provides a distinctive cultural experience. Inhabitants of the area are the Maasai people, renowned for their distinctive attire, lively customs, and strong ties to the land. Busquets during his visit to Kenya spent time with the Maasai who guided him and his family through the Mara.
Sergio Busquets with his wife, Elena Galera and two sons at the Masai Mara in Kenya for his post-season holiday break. He left Barcelona after winning the La Liga title. Photo/Ole Teya/Twitter
Ideally, the surrounding community comprises the Maasai who are the original inhabitants of this region. They oversee various community conservation efforts across the vast reserve. Visiting the Mara is practically impossible without learning the culture of the Maasai community. Tourists interact with Maasai villages to learn about their long-standing traditions, religious rites, and way of life. Visitors get a deeper understanding of their culture, resilient spirit and rich cultural legacy thanks to this cultural immersion.
Breathtaking Scenery
International tourists are also drawn to Masai Mara’s beautiful scenery. The expansive savannah grasslands, interspersed with rocky outcrops and acacia trees, make for a beautiful setting for wildlife encounters. Photographers and nature lovers capture breathtaking images thanks to the grassland’s golden tones, especially at sunrise and dusk.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
The reserve is without a doubt an expansive one and it is tiresome to explore its width and breadth on a vehicle alone. That’s where hot air balloon rides come in. In the case of Busquets with his family, he has an exciting tale to tell about his visit to Kenya.
Have Other International Footballers Visited Masai Mara?
Argentine football player Mauro Icardi flew to Kenya for his holiday flanked by his wife Wanda Nara. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker and his wife visited Masai Mara and rode in the hot air balloon. Its unique nature, expansiveness, the abundance of wildlife and a string of luxurious hotels and lodges always invite a few international footballers to visit each year.
