The enormity of the wildebeest migration is stunning and stretches as far as the eye can see. Their thirst is evident, with tongues hanging out in the heat. They trudge along in exhaustion with stressed grunts and snorts, and many calves lag behind until their mothers nudge them along.
They migrate by ancient memories towards the rain, the river, and green grass. Cumulous clouds billow to great heights in the distance and turn from woolly gray to black. A sudden crack of thunder stampedes the herd, and lightning strikes every few seconds, igniting a grass fire that moves south. The further the fire recedes, the calmer the herd becomes. The wildebeests make their way towards the river and rain as the predators silently move in.
Are you prepared for the circle of life?
Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, crocodiles, and other predatory species stalk the “great wildebeest migration,” a big loop each year between the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The strongest survive.
Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi (NBO) and be met by one of our owner guides. They’ll handle your luggage and escort you to the House of Waine, your Nairobi luxury boutique hotel in Karen.
Catch up on sleep from long international flights, and luxuriate in a 1-hour massage per person to unwind.
A morning chartered flight is to Maasai Mara’s Elewana Sand River, your luxury safari camp within the park. You’ll be met at the airstrip, and once settled in, plan on a game drive with sundowners before dinner.
Experience the great migration with the accompanying predators.
Because this is a vast Reserve, there’s a lot of ground to cover, including the Mara River ecosystem. Dead wildebeests float by, and crocodiles eat those that didn’t make it across.
A special bush breakfast is prepared by the Chef and his team.
Afterward, photograph predators as they stalk the migration and explore hippo pools with the accompanying crocodiles.
And, of course, sundowners with spectacular sunset photos during your evening game drive. Lions wake in the fading light from a day-long nap, looking for a place to drink and their next meal. You want to be there when this happens.
An early morning balloon safari with Balloon Safaris Ltd. includes champagne and a made-to-order hot breakfast by their Chef in the savannah. If you spot some cool wildlife action from the air, let us know once we pick you up, and we’ll head that way.
Your game drive explores Mara’s bush country and many wildlife surprises.
Photo tip: If you want your photos to stand out from the crowd, try something different. Photographing at sunrise and sunset gives you that something different.
After the day’s game drive, we’ll stop at a Maasai manyatta (village) to watch the moran warrior’s traditional jumping dance called adumu, which means jumping in a competitive dance. The higher the jump, the stronger the moran is perceived to be. Thus, he gains more respect, admiration, and attention from the women.
Your next camp is at Mara Ngenche Safari Camp, located in a spectacular area within the heart of the Mara. It is small, intimate, luxurious, and hidden in the riverine forest. Ngenche is on high ground and offers extraordinary views of the confluence of the Mara and Talek Rivers as they merge into one.
Dine overlooking a busy hippo pool as wildlife is drawn to the life-giving waters. Each luxury tent has a river view and private plunge pool.
A bush breakfast is at the river, followed by a luxurious Swedish massage per person in a beautiful location in camp.
Spend the day on game drives or set up your tripod overlooking the rivers. The safari is on your schedule.
A game drive along the Kenya-Tanzania border offers extraordinary wildebeest photo opportunities. Because there are so many, it is not uncommon to see predators on the hunt, and make a kill.
The temperature drops as the sun sets. Treasure a hot bath to eliminate the safari dust and relax with a view and a cold drink.
Since this is your last night, the camp’s 5-star Chef prepares a memorable bush dinner as you relax by the campfire with sundowners, overlooking the confluence of the Talek and Mara Rivers.
The Mara ecosystem is home to hundreds of exotic birds, including rare birds of prey, like the secretary bird, which is considered a long-legged eagle. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to Olkiombo airstrip for a chartered flight back to Nairobi.
Captain Ryan added 2 hours to your flight as he has an extraordinary air safari planned on your way out of Kenya. He’ll fly along the Mara and Sand Rivers, over Nguruman Hill’s dramatic forests, and fly low when dropping off the escarpment’s edge and down into the Great Rift Valley. The scenic flight continues along the Kenya-Tanzania border, over a surprise location, and finishes with a low flight over Lake Magadi and then climbs out to Nairobi. The 2-hour flight will yield remarkable photos of the hills, the Rift, and its lakes.
“Exclusive use” of the bush plane or a helicopter is available upon request, allowing you to fly daily within the itinerary’s locations.
Please Note: Mara Ngenche is closed annually from 1 April to 30 June. If your safari lodge or camp is sold out, we use a comparable property in location, price, and services. Alternate dates are helpful.
