Special Notes
Scientists cannot precisely tell how the wildebeests know when to migrate or how they know the way. One plausible explanation is that they follow the rain’s scent, which is fascinating.
The great wildebeest migration takes place in Kenya between July and October. At this time, thousands of wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, and eland will have circled back from Serengeti Game Reserve, arriving at the Mara River in July.
However, there is no set date when the migration begins and ends, as the animals have intrinsic knowledge of when to move to the Masai Mara and when to go back to the Serengeti.
Most importantly, you must be wondering how a migration safari works, what happens while you are at the Masai Mara, and how it feels to watch hundreds of wildebeest cross a crocodile-infested river.
As luck would have it, we had the privilege of witnessing the Masai Mara migration, and we are happy to share our first-hand account of the most fantastic show on earth with you. We have done that with our 3-days or 4-days Kenya animal migration safari packages and itinerary.
Detailed Day Wise Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara & Evening Game Drive
As we usually do with the journeys to Masai Mara, we leave Nairobi bright and early. Most of our clients arrive in Nairobi by 4 am. We pick them up from the airport and start the the journey by 6 am.
This is so that we can arrive at theMasai Mara in time for lunch and an early evening game drive. We take the Southern bypass out of Nairobi and join the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
Our traditional first stop of the journey is the Great Rift Valley View Point, about an hour from Nairobi. This is a mesmerizing spot where you can see the vast expanse of the Great Rift Valley stretching as far as your eyes can see.
There are plenty of curio shops where you can start picking up souvenirs for your family. After taking the obligatory first photos of the trip, we return to the road. Our next stop will be Narok town.
We arrive at Narok town a couple of hours, about 3-hrs later. Some of the guys take the chance to stretch their legs, others visit the bathroom, and others do final shopping. From here, it takes about 2-hrs to get to the most sought-after game reserve in the world – Masai Mara
We can all feel the excitement building up as we near the gates, as this is the best time to visit the reserve. After completing payments (since we stay inside the park), we head to our home for the next three or four days.
We are welcomed warmly with a glass of cold mango juice or other drinks and check-in. Usually, when we bring guests, we allow them to relax and rejuvenate for the rest of the afternoon before going on an evening game drive.
Evening game drives offer great chances to witness a hunt as the predators look for dinner. You can tell that the next few days will be amazing!
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive
On the second day, we rise early and meet at breakfast. After the long journey yesterday, we all slept soundly, with the sounds of different wild animals echoing in the distance. The buffet is delicious, but we don’t linger.
The migration is in full force, and we don’t want to miss a second more. Because of this, today we are taking packed lunch, graciously prepared for us by the hotel. This means we will be gone all day without returning for lunch.
We pack up our gear and head to the Mara River, where all the action is. On our way, we encounter hundreds of wildebeest that have already made the lucky cross, gazelles, zebras, antelopes, and numerous other species.
As we approach the Mara River, we can hear the buzz, sounds, and excitement from a distance. The animals make a loud splashing sound as they jump into the uncertain waters. There is safety in numbers here, and the wildebeest cross in their hundreds.
We take our position near other tour vans and set up equipment on our van’s open roof. We quickly get enthralled by the action taking place down below.
As the animals come down the steep slopes of the elevated banks, some slip and fall their heads first into the water. Thousands more wait by the banks, and one by one, they jump in.
The steep climb out of the water is tough for some who will soon launch for a pride of lions waiting patiently. We suddenly notice some action in the middle of the river. A zebra has fallen prey to three large crocodiles, and it will not win this battle no matter what it does.
We get engrossed in the action and lose track of time. The rumbling in our tummies reminds us that it is lunchtime. We head off to a popular picnic spot near the Mara River, where we enjoy chicken sandwiches and cold juice and marvel at what we just witnessed.
We will have a lot of fun going through all the photos. As the afternoon turns into dusk, we head back to the hotel, exhausted but enthralled. I look forward to a warm bath and a cold beer. New adventures awaits us tomorrow.
Day 3: Full-Day Migration Safari – ( Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari )
Day three is usually more of the day two, but with a morning twist – a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara. Only a safari in a helicopter can rival a hot air balloon experience over Masai Mara.
You can opt to start your day with this 1-2-hr ride over the dotted Mara, which ends with a champagne breakfast right in the jungle. The operation begins at around 5 am, with the morning pick up from the accommodation. It ends at approximately 9.30 am. Time to continue with game drives.
Today, we take some time away from the Mara River to explore the rest of the park. Numerous herds of animals have made it across, and the park is buzzing with action.
Everywhere we look, the open green plains are filled with both predators and prey. We encounter a herd of elephants by some acacia trees and a lone leopard up a tree. The day is also a success, and we return to the camp at dusk.
Day 4: (Opt Morning Game Drive or Visit a Maasai Village) Transfer to Nairobi
As is the norm on our last day at Masai Mara, we pack up and check out our rooms after breakfast. We will have one final game drive on this last day as we head out of the reserve. This is a great chance to see anything we might have missed during our stay.
In our case, we head straight back to the Mara River to catch some action as we depart. There is much to see, and soon it is 9 am, and we reluctantly drive out of the park for a Maasai village.
We have made friends in the village over the years, and we usually head there to see how they are faring. As usual, Kilusu, the head of the village, entertains us with stories in broken Swahili and English and soon has us laughing our hearts off.
We always arrange for our clients to visit a Masai Village and interact with this unique Kenyan tribe during our planned Masai Mara safari visits. The Maasais, to date, stubbornly cling to their traditions in the face of modernity.
The women still make manyattas (traditional houses) from a mixture of soil and cow dung, and the primary responsibility of little boys is to herd cattle and goats. Maasai morans (warriors) dress up and entertain our guests with singing and dancing. The famous Masai jump is particularly fascinating for most guests who like to try it.
This is usually a great chance to buy authentic jewelry made from beads and other traditional materials. After, the long 5-hr drive to Nairobi begins. We sometimes encounter some traffic occasioned by ongoing road construction on the highway, but we make it to Nairobi, tired but safe and sound.
On a typical trip with guests, we would drive you back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport if you were heading back to your country. If you are visiting other areas in Kenya, we transfer you back to airport or Nairobi hotel.
