Wonder of the World-Maasai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safari Itinerary

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The Kenya wildebeest migration is arguably the most facilitating event in the world. The circular movement of millions of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, and other grazers annually between Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve.

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.

If you want to experience this wildebeest migration wonder of the world, we advise you to visit Kenya from July to late September, as this is when the animals will be at the Masai Mara.

You are probably also wondering how much it cost to book wildebeest migration safari packages. Cost is influenced by several factors, such as your duration of stay and type of accommodation. This review will give you a proper breakdown to help you as you plan.

Most importantly, you must be wondering how a migration safari works, what happens while you are at the Maasai 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 Maasai 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 3days Kenya animal migration safari packages and itinerary.

Our 3 Days Detailed Great Migration in Kenya Safari Experience Itinerary

Day 1: Pick Up from Nairobi, Transfer to Masai Mara, & Evening Game Drive

As we usually do with Maasai Mara road trips, 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 road trip by 6 am.

This is so that we can arrive at the Maasai 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 – Maasai 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, 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 at Masai Mara National Reserve – Experience Migration

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 await us tomorrow.

Kenya Wildebeest Migration - Aj Kenya Safaris

Day 3: Optional Morning Game Drive, Visit a Maasai Village, and Transfer to Nairobi

As is the norm on our last day at Maasai Mara, we pack up and check out our rooms after breakfast. We will have one final game drive (IF STAYING INSIDE THE RESERVE) on this last day as we head back out of the park. 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 tradition 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 your Nairobi hotel or take you to the next destination.

Items Included in the Kenya Wildebeest Migration Packages Price

  • Pick up from JKIA on day 1
  • Services of a professional safari guide
  • Bottled mineral drinking water during the safari
  • Exclusive use of a 4×4 safari land cruiser
  • All park fees and government taxes
  • Full-board accommodation at Mara on sharing basis
  • Game drives at Mara 1
  • Full-day game drive at  2
  • Game drive at day 3 and Visit a Maasai village
  • Transfer to Nairobi (JKIA) on day 3

Items Excluded from the Masai Mara Migration Packages Price

  • A hot air balloon safari– USD 500 Per Person
  • Tips to the guide
  • Local and internal flights
  • Laundry services
  • Visas
  • Money transfer fee

Wildebeest Migration Safari Packages Price Per Person Sharing – 2024

Masai Mara Hotel/Camp/Lodge Price Per Person Sharing
Crocodile Camp USD 1500
Basecamp Adventure USD 1580
Mtito Safari Camp USD 1,800
Sentrim Masai Mara USD 1820
Masai Mara Sopa Lodge USD 1990
Mara Maisha Camp USD 1990
Keekorok Lodge USD 2000
Ashnil Mara USD 2100
Mara Serena Safari Lodge USD 2200
Sarova Mara Game Lodge USD 2400
Mara Crossing Camp USD 2459
Intrepids Tented Camp USD 3150
Ilkeliani Mara USD 3150
Entim Mara USD 3300
Mara Explorer Camp USD 3500
Tipilikwani Camp USD 3560
Mara Ngenche Safari Camp USD 3555

*The price is based on 2 adults sharing a safari vehicle and a double room.

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