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Masai Mara
Wildlife Migration Safari, Masai Mara animal migration
The endless
plains of east Africa are the setting for the world's greatest
wildlife spectacle - the 1.5 million animal ungulate (wildebeest)
migration. From the vast Serengeti plains to the champagne colored
hills of Kenya's Masai Mara over 1.4 million wildebeest and 200,000
zebra and gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa's great predators,
migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles each year in search
of rain ripened grass.
There is no real beginning or end to a wildebeest's journey. Its
life is an endless pilgrimage, a constant search for food and water.
The only beginning is at the moment of birth. An estimated 400,000
wildebeest calves are born during a six week period early each year
- usually between late January and mid-March.
DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
The Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation Area is
arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. During
the months December through March the seemingly unending plains of
the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by
enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. The great herds graze on
rain ripened grass. In the calving season (late January through mid
March) the herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (
Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) attracting the
attention of predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.
APRIL, MAY
During the months April and May the depleted plains are unable to
sustain the endless herds. The migration, sweeping west and north,
moves from the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti /
Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the long grass plains and woodland
of the Serengeti's western Corridor, almost to Lake Victoria . This
period is during the long rains and is considered off season for
wildlife viewing in east Africa as roads are often impassable.
JUNE
By the end of May the wildebeest have exhausted the Western
Corridor's best pastures and the herds must move further north.
Entering the Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle breeding occurs May
through June. This is a transitional period between the rains and
the dry season.
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
By July the countless herds have amassed along the swollen Mara
River - a final barrier from the short sweet grasses of the Masai
Mara. Sometimes the crossing place they have chosen is shallow
allowing the majority of animals to pass safely. In other areas the
waters boil with drowning wildebeest and slashing crocodiles.
Between July and October the wildebeest reside in the Mara.
NOVEMBER
The arrival of the short rains call the migration southward. As
November ends the migration is making its way back to the southern
Serengeti and early in the year they once again give birth. The
circle of life is complete.
*Note - the migration is a natural event and the timing varies month
by month; year by year.
8 Days
Kenya wildlife Migration safari
Day 1 :
Arrival – Nairobi
Pick up from the airport on arrival and transfer you to Nairobi
safari club hotel for overnight stay
Day 2: Nairobi – Samburu game reserve
Pick up from your hotel at 0730 hrs.and depart for the dramatic
semi-arid scrub land of the Northern Frontier. Arrival in Samburu
will be by lunch time. After lunch embark on a game drive to sight
resident wildlife species like the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's
Zebra,
 Beisa
Oryx and the Blue-necked Somali Ostrich that are rare elsewhere in
the country. Dinner and overnight will be at the spectacular Samburu
Serena Lodge or Samburu lodge
Day 3: Samburu Game Reserve
Full Day spent exploring the park. Dinner and overnight stay at
Samburu Serena Lodge or Samburu lodge
The highlights of Samburu game reserve is the spectacular scenic
beauty, rivers and forests. It is an area where the local people
have a rich and colorful heritage. The reserves have numerous
permanent springs and a wealth of wildlife which includes leopard,
hippo, elephant, lion, reticulated giraffe, grevy’s zebra and
crocodile in the Ewaso Nyiro River. Over 365 species of birds have
been identified in the sanctuaries.
Day 4: Samburu – Lake Nakuru National park
After breakfast depart for Lake Nakuru. Arrival will be in time for
lunch at your lodge, located inside the Lake Nakuru National Park.
In the afternoon you will embark on a game drive where you will have
the opportunity to spot leopards, rhino and the famous pink
flamingos as well as a variety of other wildlife. Dinner and
overnight at Flamingo hill Camp or Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Lake Nakuru's claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo's and the
over 400 species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake
on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions
of flamingos is quite spectacular. From a distance the lake appears
ringed in pink. The Lake has also earned a reputation as an
important haven for endangered species- particularly the Rothschild
Giraffe and the black and white rhino. Lions, waterbuck, buffalo and
baboons are all residents here
Day 5: Lake Nakuru- Maasai Mara
After breakfast departs for Maasai Mara - the land of vast migrating
animals. Arrival will be in time for lunch. After lunch embark on a
game drive. Dinner and overnight at Keekorok Lodge
Day6 /7: Masai Mara migration safari
Full days spent exploring the park in search of the Big 5 with a
possibility of seeing the spectacular annual wildebeest migration
that takes place from July through to October .Optional hot air
balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost of US$ 450. Dinner
and overnight at Keekorok Lodge
The Masai Mara Game Reserve is arguably Kenya’s most popular game
sanctuary. It is the most famous and most visited game reserve in
Kenya. The film ‘Out of Africa’ was made to a great extent in this
reserve. Virtually every type of wildlife can be seen at the Mara. A
spectacle worth seeing is the annual migration of millions of
wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from Serengeti plains across the
Tanzania border and the Mara River to reach Masai Mara grazing
fields from late June. The dramatic crossing of the river and the
preying on the migrants by predators can be viewed from early July
to August. The reserve abounds with birdlife since dose to about 452
species have been recorded.
Day 8: Masai Mara -Nairobi
Morning game drives then return to the lodge for breakfast, exit the
park and drive to Nairobi to arrive by 1400 hrs where the safari
ends.
Cost per person sharing
2 people US$2190
4 people US$1860
6 people US$ 1740
Tour Price includes:-
-Transport on custom made 8 seater tour van ideal for game viewing
and photography
-Full board accommodation whilst on safari
-Accommodation in double/twin room
-1 Night hotel accommodations in Nairobi on BB
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
-All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
Complimentary return airport transfers
-Bottled water whilst on safari
-Start and end in Nairobi.
-Personalized service
Tour excludes:
-Tips
-Laundry
-Beverages/Drinks
-International flights
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature
-Any other extras not detailed in
-Hotel accommodations in Nairobi after the safari
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