6 Days Maasai Mara Wildebeest Migration safari
The Masai Mara wildebeest migration introduces you to the eighth wonder of the world. This magnificent event occurs every year, from July to October.
The wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara is so amazing that it was named one of the “8 wonders of the World” in 2007. The fact that it is the world’s largest overland migration is also celebrated.
Contrary to common opinion, there are no set dates for the Masai Mara migration because it is a continuous, cyclical event rather than a single crossing. The Masai Mara National Reserve and the Serengeti National Park are constantly being traversed by the approximately 1.8 million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes.
The herds travel more than 3000 kilometers overall each year. The Mara River crossing (between July and August) is just one part of the circular movement of the migrating flock.
The herd remains in the Mara National Reserve following the river crossings until early October. They continue their cyclical travel after crossing over to the Serengeti’s northern side, only to repeat the Mara River crossings the following year.
It is impossible to describe the drama that unfolds throughout the event, particularly at the Mara River crossing. And when you reserve our 6 Days wildebeest migration safari, you’ll get to experience all of that and more.
Itinerary
Day 1: JKIA Arrival – Maasai Mara
Landing at the JKIA airport you will be picked by Geoffrey or his driver and drive to Maasai Mara national reserve as a start of the safari. This drive takes about 5 hours through the spectacular Great Rift Valley where you will enjoy magnificent views of the escarpments comprising of rolling shrubland with predominantly wooded bush land and riverine vegetation along the streams and dry river beds.
On your arrival in the reserve you will check into your lodge, have lunch and in the afternoon and then proceed to the plains of Maasai Mara for an afternoon game drive in which you will spot many animals such as lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, cheetahs among others.
Day 2: Full day Game Drives in Mara
After breakfast at your lodge, you will leave with your packed lunch for a whole day of exploring Maasai Mara national reserve as you follow the great wildebeest migration
On this day you will do morning and afternoon game drive as you fall the columns of the wildebeest migration giving you an opportunity to see other animals apart from wildebeests, gazelles and zebras taking part in the migration. Some of the animals you will watch include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes among others.
At lunch you will have picnic lunch set amazing picnic sites at the banks of Mara River, in the evening you will head back to your lodge have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 3: Full Day in Maasai Mara
After morning breakfast at your lodge, you will checkout and with your packed lunch you will head for another expedition searching and following the great wildebeest migration.
While in the park you will spend the full day exploring and looking for the vast columns of wildebeests accompanied by zebras and gazelles.
The annual wildebeest migration in Maasai Mara national reserve is expected between July and early November and during this game drive you will have a chance to millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles crossing from Mara River from Serengeti national park to enter Maasai Mara plains.
One of the best sites to visit to watch the migration is the Mara River.
You will have lunch at one of the picnic sites and in the evening you will head back to your lodge, have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 4: Wildebeest Migration – Hot Air Balloon Experience
After breakfast, you will head to the Mara plains for another day of following the migration and this time round you will participate in a hot air balloon experience and afternoon game drive.
Hot air balloon experience offer aerial views of the plains and its many species of animals such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and among others. This experience is perfect for watching the wildebeest migration and wildlife photography.
After the experience you will have champagne breakfast and then go for a game drive.
After the game drive you will head back to your lodge, have dinner and stay overnight at your lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast you will checkout of your lodge and with en-route game drive you will exit the reserve and embark on a journey to Lake Naivasha
The lake is a freshwater lake and a great Kenya birding destination hosting over 400 bird species.
On your arrival at the lake you will have lunch and in the afternoon you will go for a boat ride on Lake Naivasha watching many animals of the lake such as giraffes, hippos, buffaloes and many birds such as flamingoes, pelicans, shoes bills among others.
Day 6: Transfer back to Nairobi
After breakfast you will checkout and embark on a journey back to Nairobi where you will be dropped off either at your lodge or at the airport for your departure flight back home.
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- All meals
- Wildlife and sightseeing as noted in the trip itinerary
- All park fees
- Ground transportation using a 4WD vehicle with the services of a good English speaking tour guide
Excluded
- International flight tickets and departure taxes
- Visa processing
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional excursions
- Excess baggage charges
- Tips and gratuities for your guides and accommodation staff
- Laundry
- Beverages other than mineral water in the vehicle and at meal times with meals
- Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, postage fees and so on