Masai Mara Migration Experience
A 7-day luxury safari following the Great Migration into Kenya's Masai Mara, with Lake Naivasha's hippos and Hell's Gate's dramatic gorges.
Duration
7 Days
Price From
$3,400 pp
Country
Kenya
Difficulty
Easy
Three nights in the Masai Mara during peak migration season
Every year between July and October, over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle pour across the Mara River from Tanzania's Serengeti into Kenya's Masai Mara — one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on Earth. This 7-day luxury safari places you in prime position to witness the thundering river crossings, heart-stopping predator attacks, and the sheer overwhelming scale of the Great Migration. The journey begins with a visit to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, where hippos wallow in the shallows and fish eagles patrol the papyrus-fringed shores. A boat safari and a walk on Crescent Island set the tone before you head west to the Masai Mara, where three full nights provide ample time to explore the reserve's legendary ecosystem. The Mara is home to one of the highest densities of big cats in Africa — lion prides command the open grasslands, cheetahs sprint across the plains in pursuit of Thomson's gazelles, and leopards drape themselves across the branches of sausage trees. Your luxury tented camp sits within a private conservancy bordering the reserve, offering exclusive night drives, bush walks, and cultural visits to Maasai villages that are not possible inside the national reserve itself. This is the ultimate migration safari — designed for travelers who demand both adventure and refinement.
What Makes This Safari Special
Three nights in the Masai Mara during peak migration season
Dramatic Mara River crossings with thousands of wildebeest
Big cat capital of Africa — lion, cheetah, and leopard encounters
Lake Naivasha boat safari with hippos and fish eagles
Private conservancy camp with exclusive night drives
Guided walk on Crescent Island — Kenya's walking wildlife sanctuary
Cultural visit to a traditional Maasai village
Optional hot air balloon safari over the Mara at dawn
Your Journey, Day by Day
7 carefully curated days across Nairobi, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the leafy suburb of Karen, named after Karen Blixen of 'Out of Africa' fame. Enjoy a welcome dinner with views of the Ngong Hills and a briefing on the adventure ahead.
Day 2
Nairobi to Lake Naivasha
Depart Nairobi and drive northwest through the Great Rift Valley, pausing at the escarpment viewpoint for panoramic photographs. Descend to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake fringed with papyrus and fever trees. Enjoy a boat safari spotting hippo pods, fish eagles, and cormorants, followed by a walking safari on Crescent Island where you roam freely among giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest.
Day 3
Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara
After breakfast, drive southwest through rolling wheat fields and Maasai pasturelands to the Masai Mara ecosystem. Check into your luxury tented camp in a private conservancy bordering the reserve. An afternoon game drive introduces you to the Mara's extraordinary wildlife — lion prides, elephant herds, giraffe towers, and the first glimpses of the migration herds.
Day 4
Masai Mara — Migration River Crossings
Today is dedicated to the migration. Your guide positions you at the Mara River crossing points where the drama unfolds: thousands of wildebeest mass on the riverbank, building courage before plunging into the crocodile-infested waters. The chaos, the dust, the thundering hooves, and the waiting predators create one of nature's most electrifying spectacles. Between crossings, track the Mara's famous big cats across the open plains.
Day 5
Masai Mara — Conservancy & Cultural Experience
Explore the private conservancy this morning, enjoying exclusive off-road driving and the chance to track wildlife without the crowds of the national reserve. Visit a traditional Maasai manyatta (village) to learn about the pastoralist culture — their relationship with wildlife, their cattle-herding traditions, and their vibrant beadwork and songs. In the evening, embark on a thrilling night drive to spot nocturnal species.
Day 6
Masai Mara — Final Safari Day
Make the most of your last full day in the Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. An optional dawn hot air balloon safari offers a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the migration herds and the Mara River winding through the landscape. Back on the ground, your guide seeks out any remaining highlights — perhaps a leopard in a sausage tree or a cheetah coalition on the hunt.
Day 7
Masai Mara to Nairobi — Departure
Enjoy a final sunrise over the Mara before breakfast and your transfer back to Nairobi. The scenic drive passes through the Great Rift Valley, arriving in Nairobi in the early afternoon. Connect with your international departure at JKIA or extend your stay with an optional city tour. Your Masai Mara migration adventure concludes with an album full of extraordinary memories.
End of itinerary — 7 days, 6 nights
What's Included
- Airport transfers in Nairobi
- All park and conservancy fees
- Full-board luxury tented camp accommodation
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and USB charging
- All game drives as per itinerary
- Boat safari at Lake Naivasha
- Crescent Island walking safari
- Night game drive in the Mara conservancy
- Maasai village cultural visit
- Drinking water and soft drinks during game drives
- Flying Doctor emergency evacuation insurance
What's Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Kenya e-Visa
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Optional hot air balloon safari ($450 pp)
- Personal expenses and laundry
- Items not mentioned in the itinerary
African DMC
Professional destination management company operating across 7 African countries with dedicated teams, contracted suppliers, and local expertise in each market.
Based in Arusha, Tanzania