Overview
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.
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.
Package Highlights
Your Journey, Day by Day
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.
Overnight: Hemingways NairobiMeals: DinnerPrivate airport meet-and-greet and transferHotel check-in in the Karen districtWelcome cocktail and safari briefingOptional stroll through the hotel gardensDay 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.
Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa ResortMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerScenic drive through the Great Rift ValleyRift Valley escarpment viewpoint stopAfternoon boat safari on Lake NaivashaHippo and bird watching from the boatWalking safari on Crescent IslandDay 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.
Overnight: Mara Intrepids Luxury Tented CampMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerMorning departure from Lake NaivashaDrive through Maasai country to the MaraLuxury tented camp check-in and orientationAfternoon game drive in the Mara conservancyFirst migration herd sightingDay 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.
Overnight: Mara Intrepids Luxury Tented CampMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerFull-day migration tracking and river crossing vigilMara River crossing observation — wildebeest and zebraCrocodile and predator interaction viewingBig cat tracking across the Mara plainsBush picnic lunch overlooking the migrationDay 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.
Overnight: Mara Intrepids Luxury Tented CampMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerMorning game drive in the private conservancyOff-road tracking for rare speciesMaasai village cultural visitAfternoon at leisure or optional bush walkNight game drive — bush babies, aardvarks, leopardsDay 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.
Overnight: Mara Intrepids Luxury Tented CampMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerOptional dawn hot air balloon safari with champagne breakfastMorning game drive — final big cat encountersMidday relaxation at camp poolAfternoon farewell game driveSundowner cocktails on the Mara plainsDay 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.
Overnight: Day room at Hemingways Nairobi (if needed)Meals: Breakfast, LunchSunrise over the Masai MaraBreakfast and camp farewellsScenic drive back to Nairobi via the Rift ValleyOptional Karen Blixen Museum visit en routeDrop-off at JKIA or Nairobi hotel
What's Included
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
Not Included
- 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
Where to Stay
TENTED_CAMPMara River Tented Camp
Masai Mara National Reserve
An exclusive tented camp on the banks of the Mara River, positioned for front-row seats to the Great Migration river crossings.
from $600 / night
LUXURY_LODGEAmboseli Kilimanjaro Lodge
Amboseli National Park
A lodge with iconic Kilimanjaro views and direct access to Amboseli's legendary elephant herds.
from $350 / night
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