Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour
Trip duration
10 days/ 9 nights
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TANZANIA, VIA ARUSHA
The Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour starts in the tourism capital of Tanzania, Arusha. This active town is located in Northern Tanzania, at the foothills of the mighty Mt. Meru.
When you land at the Kilimanjaro Airport, our concierge team will meet you and help you with a transfer to the hotel. Driving from the Kilimanjaro Airport, you may have a good view of Africa’s highest mountain – Mt. Kilimanjaro.
If you have some free hours this afternoon, you can explore local attractions such as Arusha National Park, Lake Duluti or local coffee farms.
Night in Arusha.
DAY 2 AND 3: THE NDUTU PLAINS
We shall proceed to the vast and endless Ndutu Plains in the Southern Serengeti region. The Ndutu Plains and Southern Serengeti have been made famous by the Great Wildebeest Migration. These short-grass plains are the location where White-bearded Wildebeests give birth before they embark on their long migration journey through Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve.
These vast plains extend from Southern Serengeti into the larger Ngorongoro Conservation area. They are characterized by short grass, scattered Acacia trees and few bushes. We shall also get to explore wetlands to the South, mainly focusing on the famous Lake Ndutu. This region is a major highlight on our Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour.
Mammals are always plentiful here and include African Elephant, Common Zebra, Common Warthog, White-bearded Wildebeest, Thomson’s Gazelle, Grant’s Gazelle, Maasai Giraffe, Common Genet, Spotted Hyena, African Lion, Leopard, Black-backed Jackal, Serval, Caracal, Bat-eared Fox, African Golden Wolf and Cheetah.
Exciting birds in the Ndutu Plains include Kori Bustard, Secretarybird, Superb Starling, Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Grey Crowned Crane, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo and Temminck’s Courser.
Exciting reptiles include Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama, Leopard Tortoise, Marsh Terrapin and Nile Crocodile.
Nights in Ndutu.
DAY 4, 5 AND 6: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
We shall then proceed to the mighty Serengeti National Park. This endless plain forms a wildlife haven like no other. The savannah grassland with mixed woodland and bush mosaic is the perfect recipe for African Wildlife. We shall also explore the local rivers and swamps, seeking the water-dwelling creatures of the wild. Huge rock outcrops dot the grassy plains of Serengeti and are often known as kopjes. These massive rocks form perfect resting sites for predators as they also scan the plains for potential prey.
Serengeti National Park has been made famous by the annual wildebeest migration. Here we shall enjoy many game drives as we seek to follow the local herds of White-bearded Wildebeests. Hot on their heels are multiple herbivores such as Common Zebras, Thomson’s Gazelles and Common Elands. Predators and scavengers also take advantage of the bounty and concentrate around the moving herds. This spectacle is always a great highlight on our Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour.
Mammals in Serengeti National Park include African Lion, White-bearded Wildebeest, Maasai Giraffe, African Elephant, Common Hippopotamus, Cheetah, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Serval, Black Rhino, African Buffalo, Topi, Oribi, Thomson’s Gazelle, Grant’s Gazelle, Common Warthog, Common Zebra, Black-backed Jackal, Caracal and African Wild Cat.
Common reptiles of Serengeti National Park include Nile Crocodile, Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama, Nile Monitor Lizard and Marsh Terrapin.
Common exciting birds of Serengeti include Southern Ground Hornbill, Secretarybird, Superb Starling, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, African Fish Eagle and Lesser Flamingo.
Nights in Serengeti.
DAY 7: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK TO MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Our safari will then proceed North into Kenya; for the next chapter of the Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour. We shall cruise through great and beautiful landscapes on our way to Masai Mara.
Night in Masai Mara.
DAY 8 AND 9: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
We shall spend the next days exploring the mighty Masai Mara National Reserve, a key site for our Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour.
Masai Mara National Reserve, sometimes commonly known as Maasai Mara, is definitely the top wildlife safari destination in Kenya. The name Maasai Mara comes from the local people who live here – the Maasai Tribe.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is an annual event here that is often regarded as the eighth (8th) wonder of the world. The migration journey takes the wildebeests in a circle, from the breeding grounds in Southern Serengeti round to Northern Masai Mara and back. We shall spend these days following the wildebeest herds as we enjoy great photography opportunities. The exciting river crossings are also a great attraction on the Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour. If lucky, and with some patience, you may see the Nile Crocodiles stalking the wildebeests as they cross rivers. The main rivers here include Mara River, Talek River and Sand River.
Accompanying the wildebeests are other herbivores, such as Thomson’s Gazelles, Common Zebras and Common Elands. Hot on their heels are a host of direct and indirect predators. African Lion, Cheetah and Leopard keep an eye on the moving animals. Spotted Hyenas are also very active predators, and can also scavenge when an opportunity arises. The top scavengers however, are the different species of vultures. In Masai Mara, the common species are White-backed Vulture, Ruppell’s Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture and Hooded Vulture. They are also often joined by Marabou Storks.
Other exciting mammals in Masai Mara National Reserve include Topi, Grant’s Gazelle, Steenbok, Oribi, Defassa Waterbuck, African Buffalo, Maasai Giraffe, Naivasha Dikdik, Common Impala, Common Warthog, Coke’s Hartebeest, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, African Savannah Elephant, Black Rhino, Bushbuck, Banded Mongoose, Serval, Black-backed Jackal, Bohor Reedbuck and Common Hippopotamus.
Interesting birds include Grey Crowned Crane, Kori Bustard, Common Ostrich, Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Hamerkop, Saddle-billed Stork, Southern Ground Hornbill, Bare-faced Go-away-bird and Secretarybird.
Common reptiles in Masai Mara include Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama, Nile Monitor Lizard and Nile Crocodile.
Nights in Masai Mara.
DAY 10: MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE TO NAIROBI
On this day, we shall travel back to Nairobi, cruising across the scenic Great Rift Valley.
We shall then enjoy a transfer to the airport, for our flights home. This marks the end to our lovely Masai Mara and Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari Tour.
You may also choose to join one of our safari extensions, such as the Diani Beach Holiday.
Highlight mammals and others
African Lion, White-bearded Wildebeest, Maasai Giraffe, African Elephant, Common Hippo, Cheetah, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Serval, Black Rhino, African Buffalo, Topi, Thomson’s Gazelle, Grant’s Gazelle, Common Warthog, Common Zebra, Caracal, Nile Crocodile, Nile Monitor Lizard
Highlight birds
Southern Ground Hornbill, Secretarybird, Superb Starling, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Lesser Flamingo
Habitats covered
Savannah, Highland Forest, Wetlands
Photographic opportunities
Excellent
Special moments
Big Wildebeest Herds, views of the Great Rift Valley, Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater views
Price Table:
Peak Season | High / Mid Season | Low Season | |
---|---|---|---|
1 Guest | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) |
2 Guests | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) |
3 Guests | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) |
4 Guests | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) |
5 Guests | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) |
6 Guests | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) |
Single room supplement | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) | (Please enquire) |
Services Provided / Items Included
- Full time access to a 4×4 open-roofed safari vehicle throughout your trip; with our qualified driver-guide
- Complimentary airport transfers on the stated safari starting and completion days
- Home/ hotel/ airport pick-up and drop-off during the main safari dates
- Accommodation in shared twin or double or triple or family rooms (Please note: single rooms are available at an extra single room supplement, single or solo travelers do not need to pay a single room supplement, because the price for 1 person already includes the single room supplement)
- All meals as per the safari plan
- Unlimited drinking water during the entire trip – to be provided in the vehicle
- Conservation areas, reserves, conservancies and park entry fees as per the safari plan
- Local flights where included in your safari (please check with our office to know which flights are included for your specific safari)
- AMREF Flying Doctors Tourist Cover per person (medical emergency evacuation insurance/ cover)
- All taxes
Items Not Included
- International arrival and departure flights to the safari
- Visas
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal drinks at lodges
- Items of personal pleasure e.g. laundry
- Health and travel insurance