Maasai Mara
Eight days built entirely around the wildebeest migration, with four nights in the Maasai Mara, a private conservancy stay and a dawn balloon flight over the plains.
This is the itinerary we recommend to anyone whose priority is the Great Migration. It gives you seven nights in Kenya and four of them in the Maasai Mara, which is the minimum we would ever suggest for a realistic chance of seeing a river crossing.
We split the Mara stay deliberately: three nights in a camp with access to the main crossing points on the Mara River, followed by two nights in a private conservancy where there are no day visitors and off-road driving is permitted. The reserve gives you the drama; the conservancy gives you the freedom to follow a leopard for an hour without another vehicle arriving.
The trip opens with a night in Nairobi to recover from the overnight flight, and closes with a day room in the city before your evening departure. A hot air balloon flight over the Mara is included on your final full morning.
Highlights
Day by day
Day 1
Met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to a boutique hotel in the leafy suburb of Karen. The afternoon is free to rest, with an optional visit to the Giraffe Centre or the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage.
Overnight · Hemingways Nairobi or similar
Day 2
A short morning flight from Wilson Airport to the Mara, with the Rift Valley and the Ngong Hills sliding beneath you. Met at the airstrip by your guide for the first game drive en route to camp, arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon drive and sundowners on the plains.
Overnight · Reserve-side luxury tented camp
Day 3
A full day working the river line. Your guide will read the herds, the gathering, the hesitation on the bank, and position you for the best chance of a crossing. Picnic lunch in the bush between drives.
Overnight · Reserve-side luxury tented camp
Day 4
An early start for the golden hour, when lion and cheetah are most active. The Mara holds one of the densest lion populations in Africa and your guide will know where the prides are currently ranging. Afternoon drive towards the Musiara and Ol Kiombo areas.
Overnight · Reserve-side luxury tented camp
Day 5
A slow game drive across to the conservancy, where visitor numbers are capped and off-road driving is permitted. Afternoon walking safari with a Maasai tracker, followed by a night drive with a spotlight, an experience the national reserve does not allow.
Overnight · Private conservancy camp
Day 6
An early lift-off before sunrise, drifting silently over the plains for around an hour with wildlife below. Landing is followed by a full champagne bush breakfast served under an acacia tree. The afternoon is at leisure, with an optional second game drive.
Overnight · Private conservancy camp
Day 7
One last dawn drive in the conservancy, then brunch at camp before your flight back to Nairobi. A day room is held in the city for freshening up before your evening international departure.
Overnight · Day room in Nairobi
Day 8
Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your overnight flight home.
Enquire
Send us your dates and party details and we will confirm availability, suggest the best camps for your season, and return an itemised quotation.
Prefer to talk it through? +44 20 3000 0000
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Maasai Mara › Luxury Tented Camps › Big Five Safaris
Maasai Mara
5 days
Five days and four nights in a single exceptional camp in the Maasai Mara, with a private guide, private vehicle and no moving between lodges.
From
£3,450pp
