8 days
Overview
The Maasai Mara Wilderness Safari is the definitive Kenyan safari experience, placing you at the heart of the most celebrated wildlife reserve in Africa for four consecutive nights of uninterrupted game viewing. The Maasai Mara National Reserve covers 1,510 square kilometres of open grassland and riverine forest along the Mara River, forming the northern sector of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem that stretches across the Tanzania Kenya border. This is the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration, the largest overland movement of animals on earth, where over two million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson gazelle follow the seasonal rains in a circular journey between Tanzania and Kenya. The Mara River crossings between July and October are among the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on the planet, with crocodiles lying in ambush as enormous herds of wildebeest throw themselves into the churning brown water. Beyond the Migration, the Maasai Mara maintains year round populations of all five of the Big Five. Lion prides roam the open plains in exceptional numbers, cheetah are regularly seen on elevated termite mounds scanning for prey, and leopard drape themselves in the branches of fig trees along the Mara and Talek rivers. The park consistently delivers some of the finest predator sightings in Africa. This safari includes four game drives across the full extent of the reserve, including the exclusive Mara North Conservancy where vehicle density is controlled and off road driving is permitted for even closer wildlife encounters.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Nairobi to Maasai Mara
Your Kenya safari begins at Wilson Airport in Nairobi where you will board a scheduled light aircraft flight to the Maasai Mara. The scenic flight takes approximately 45 minutes and offers aerial views of the Rift Valley escarpment and the rolling Mara landscape below. On arrival at the Mara airstrip your dedicated professional guide and safari vehicle will be waiting to transfer you directly into the reserve for your first afternoon game drive. The grasslands of the Mara are immediately alive with wildlife and it is common to encounter lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest and elephant within the first hour on the ground. After a spectacular sunset over the plains you will be transferred to your luxury tented camp where a three course dinner and welcome briefing await.
Scheduled light aircraft from Nairobi Wilson Airport, afternoon game drive in the Maasai Mara, sundowner drinks on the open plains, welcome dinner at camp
Day 2
Full Day Game Drive in the Maasai Mara
An early morning departure before sunrise allows you to be on the plains at first light when predators are most active and the golden light is at its most extraordinary for photography. Your guide will follow the movements of resident lion prides, cheetah families and any leopard sightings reported in the reserve, and the full day format with a packed bush breakfast allows you to remain in productive areas without returning to camp at midday. The afternoon drive continues into the golden hour, with herds of elephant and buffalo gathering at the river crossings and hippos emerging from the water at dusk. During the Great Wildebeest Migration season from July to October, your guide will position you at the most active river crossing points in anticipation of the dramatic wildebeest crossings that define the Mara experience.
Full day game drive, bush breakfast in the wild, wildebeest river crossing viewing in season, big cat tracking, sunset game drive
Day 3
Maasai Mara and Mara North Conservancy
Today your safari extends into the Mara North Conservancy, a privately managed wildlife area bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve to the north. The conservancy operates strict vehicle limits, meaning you will rarely encounter more than one or two other vehicles at any wildlife sighting, creating an exclusive and intimate atmosphere that contrasts with the busier sections of the main reserve. Off road driving is permitted in the conservancy, allowing your guide to position the vehicle within metres of resting lions or stalking cheetah without disturbing the animals. The afternoon offers an optional guided Maasai cultural village visit to the adjacent bomas where community members share traditional dances, beadwork craftsmanship and the way of life that has coexisted with wildlife on these plains for centuries.
Morning game drive in Mara North Conservancy, off road wildlife encounters, afternoon Maasai cultural village visit, traditional boma experience, evening sundowner
Day 4
Maasai Mara Morning Drive and Mara River
Your fourth morning in the Maasai Mara is dedicated to the iconic Mara River corridor where the drama of the wildebeest crossings plays out against a backdrop of enormous crocodiles and waiting hippo pools. Even outside of the peak Migration months the river corridor is one of the most productive areas of the entire ecosystem, with leopard frequently spotted in the riverine forest, fish eagle perched above the rushing water and enormous Nile crocodiles basking on the banks. The afternoon offers an optional hot air balloon safari, one of the most spectacular experiences in all of Africa, drifting silently over the plains at dawn before landing for a champagne breakfast in the bush.
Morning Mara River game drive, crocodile and hippo viewing, leopard tracking in riverine forest, optional hot air balloon safari, champagne bush breakfast
Day 5
Maasai Mara to Nairobi
A final early morning game drive allows one last encounter with the resident wildlife before transferring to the Mara airstrip for your light aircraft flight back to Nairobi. Your guide will use this final drive to revisit any areas or species from your wish list that deserve one more attempt. On arrival in Nairobi at Wilson Airport you will be transferred by road to your onward destination, hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departing international flight.
Final early morning game drive, transfer to Mara airstrip, scheduled light aircraft flight to Nairobi, private road transfer to hotel or airport
What's Included
Included
- Return airport transfers in a private safari vehicle
- All game drives in a customised 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop up roof
- Full board accommodation throughout (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional English speaking Kenya Wildlife Service certified safari guide
- All national park and conservation area entry fees
- Bottled mineral water throughout the safari
- Flight between destinations where indicated in the itinerary
- Complimentary airport meet and greet service
- All government taxes and levies
Not Included
- International flights to and from Nairobi
- Visa fees (available on arrival for most nationalities at USD 51 per adult)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Optional hot air balloon safari at the Maasai Mara (USD 480 per adult)
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages beyond water
- Personal shopping and laundry
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Any activities not specified in the itinerary
- Single supplement surcharge where applicable
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8 days