Sept. / Oct. 2024 / 2025: Kenya: Masai Mara Migration Safari
Masai Mara Migration Safari is an eight-day set-departure safari in Kenya. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, this migration safari has to be top of your list. There's no doubt that East Africa's Wildebeest migration is one of the most incredible events in nature anywhere in the world.
More than 2 million head of game, made up mostly by White-bearded Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus), complete a roughly circular journey through the Serengeti / Masai Mara ecosystem of Tanzania and Kenya, following a primal urge to seek out fresh grazing grounds. It's a clockwise route and by October they are on their way south through the Mara as they set their sights on the short-grass plains of Ndutu and the Serengeti.
Their journey is by no means rigidly structured though, as they follow signs of rain anywhere in the area, so it's hard to predict events such as the famously chaotic crossings of the Mara River. And even if one misses these, just witnessing the ordeal of the massive herds trekking through the vast open plains of the Masai Mara, followed by predators such as Lion and Spotted Hyena, will be a safari (and even a lifetime) highlight that's honestly hard to beat.
Areas covered:
This itinerary kicks off with a night in Nairobi to settle in, followed by an early flight the next day into the Mara, and you can be game viewing by lunchtime! This costs a bit more but avoids the grueling 5 - 6-hour road transfer from Nairobi, so you arrive fresh and ready for your first excursion.
We then have 6 nights in the Masai Mara, divided between two camps in different areas: Mara Serena in the Mara Triangle Conservancy, and Entim Camp in the Masai Mara National Reserve (camps may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances). The camps are located on different sides of the Mara River and together will give us prime locations within the greater Masai Mara conservation area. Full, exciting days out on safari, evenings discussing the highlights around a fire before a wonderful evening meal, followed yet again by an exciting day out in the field - this is an epic African wildlife experience in every way.
Accommodation:
The accommodation is of a high standard, comprising private safari lodges, offering superb rooms, great food and drink. Importantly, all accommodations have en-suite facilities, and are clean and comfortable.
The mammals:
While the masses of Wildebeest are the main attraction, there's plenty more to be seen. During the safari we'll be looking for these species plus many more: Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Topi, Eland, Impala, Buffalo, Masai Giraffe, Kirk's Dik-dik, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Serval, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Honey Badger, Hippopotamus, Black Rhino (rare), Elephant, Common Warthog, Springhare, Olive Baboon, Syke's Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, and a variety of Mongooses.
The birding:
While birds are not the main focus of the tour, keen birders will always have something to see. Common species we may encounter include Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Straw-tailed Whydah, Jackson's Widowbird, Donaldsons-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver, White-headed Buffalo-Weaver, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Hunter's Cisticola, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Black Coucal, Secretarybird, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Bare-faced Go-Away Bird and many others.
In conclusion, seeing the great Wildebeest migration on the open plains of the Masai Mara is a dream come true for any wildlife enthusiast, and this tour delivers it in a neat, affordable and quality package.
See the Trip Advisor review for this tour.
Gallery
Itinerary
Masai Mara Migration Safari Route Map
Masai Mara Migration Safari route map. Click to enlarge.
Tour in brief
Group size: 2 - 6 participants
Areas visited: Nairobi, Mara Triangle Conservancy and the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Accommodation standards: good to high.
Expected weather conditions: generally mild, with some chance of rain.
Mammal viewing: outstanding overall.
Top mammals: Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Topi, Eland, Impala, Buffalo, Masai Giraffe, Dik-dik, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Serval, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Honey Badger, Hippopotamus, Black Rhino (rare), Elephant, Common Warthog, Springhare, Olive Baboon, Syke's Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, and a variety of Mongooses.
Birding: good overall, a wide variety of species to be seen.
Add-ons: this tour can be combined with extensions to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu or Amboseli.
Full Itinerary
Rates
2024:
6 participants USD 5 115 per person sharing
5 participants USD 5 315 per person sharing
4 participants USD 5 690 per person sharing
3 participants USD 6 300 per person sharing
2 participants USD 7 475 per person sharing
US $1 100 single supplement option.
2025: please note that, due to sudden increases in park fees and additions of community levies, the rates have gone up significantly for the 2025 season.
6 participants USD 7 095 per person sharing
5 participants USD 7 395 per person sharing
4 participants USD 7 850 per person sharing
3 participants USD 8 625 per person sharing
2 participants USD 10 060 per person sharing
US $1 100 single supplement option.
Includes:
- All accommodation or lodgings based on double occupancy
- Single occupancy available at extra cost (single supplement)
- All meals (except lunches and dinners on first and last days)
- Entrance fees to all National Parks, Provincial Reserves and other sites/attractions on the specified itinerary
- Ground transport in 4x4 photographic converted Land Cruiser
- Internal flight to and from Nairobi
- Bottled water in vehicle whilst travelling
- Personalised bird/mammal checklists and itinerary
- Specialist guide fees (professional English-speaking birding and wildlife guide)
Excludes:
- Travel and medical insurance (incl. personal equipment and repatriation)
- All airfares unless otherwise indicated
- Excess baggage charges
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- All drinks
- Optional excursions where applicable
- Tips and Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature (incl. laundry and telephone charges)
- Anything else not mentioned in “What is included”
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