5 Days 4 Nights Great Wildebeest Migration – Maasai Mara (Luxury Package)

The Great Wildebeest Migration refers to the astonishing annual movement of millions of wildebeest/Gnus (over 1.5M) accompanied by large numbers of zebras and gazelles in search of pastures and water between Tanzania and Kenya.

Over 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebras, gazelles) migrate in a loop from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the greener pastures of Masai Mara in Kenya and back, following the seasonal rains.

The Mara River crossing is considered the climax of migration period. It’s an event that will take you through a range of emotions from angst, sadness, incredulity among others.

The sight of the first herds of animals milling and pacing fearfully on the banks of the river gathering courage to leap into the waters of the river hoping not to fall into the vicious jaws of the river’s crocodiles, then 1, 2, 3, 4 desperate animals not being able to resist the inviting pasture on the other side of the banks, leaping into the river, is just a sight to behold.

The Great Wildebeest Migration refers to the astonishing annual movement of millions of wildebeest/Gnus (over 1.5M) accompanied by large numbers of zebras and gazelles in search of pastures and water between Tanzania and Kenya.

Over 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebras, gazelles) migrate in a loop from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the greener pastures of Masai Mara in Kenya and back, following the seasonal rains.

The Mara River crossing is considered the climax of migration period. It’s an event that will take you through a range of emotions from angst, sadness, incredulity among others.

The sight of the first herds of animals milling and pacing fearfully on the banks of the river gathering courage to leap into the waters of the river hoping not to fall into the vicious jaws of the river’s crocodiles, then 1, 2, 3, 4 desperate animals not being able to resist the inviting pasture on the other side of the banks, leaping into the river, is just a sight to behold.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Stop At: African Heritage House, Mombasa Road, Nairobi Kenya
Our driver will meet you at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in, rest, dinner, and overnight.

Depending on the time you arrive in Nairobi and how jet-lagged you maybe, you may get an opportunity to visit the most beautiful building in Africa, the African Heritage House owned by Alan Donovan. The House is a mud brick building filled with exclusively with African tribal artefacts, artworks and many treasures from all corners of Africa. Enjoy the tranquil setting of the House with magnificent views overlooking the Nairobi National Park.

Your itinerary at the African Heritage House will entail either lunch and tour; or sundowner dinner and tour.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Day 2: Nairobi to Masai Mara

Stop At: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Rift Valley Province
Enjoy an early morning breakfast at the hotel before being driven down the Great Rift Valley escarpment on the way to Masai Mara National Reserve.

You will stop at one of the two viewing points to take in and marvel at the sights of the Rift Valley, Mount Longonot and Mount Suswa at the far off distance. The Maai Mahiu road you will use on your way down the escarpment was built in 1940s by Italian Prisoners of War (“POWs”). More than 37,000 Italian POWs were captured by the British and their African troops after the Italian defeat in Ethiopia. Some of them were made to build the Maai Mahiu Road under treacherous conditions. You will also stop by a beautiful Chapel, the Mai Mahiu Catholic Church (also known as “Travelers’ Church”) which is the smallest church in East Africa (can only seat 12 worshippers only), which was built in 1942 by the POWs who built the road as a place of worship.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Day 3 and 4: Mara Wildebeest Migration

Stop At: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Rift Valley Province
After breakfast enjoy the morning activities at the Camp. The Masai Mara has one of the largest population densities of lions in the world and is no wonder this is a home of the BBC Wildlife Channel’s Big Cat Diaries.

The Great Wildebeest Migration season is a time of abundance of game for the big cats, that is the lion, cheetah and leopard where they get to hunt and feed from the vast numbers of available prey. The big cats play a very critical role in balancing the ecosystem of Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Serengeti by help keeping the vast herds of herbivores healthy and manageable, or else they would overwhelm the fragile ecosystem by their sheer numbers.

Enjoy a full game drive with packed lunch as you enjoy phenomenal Great Wildebeest Migration. Catch action at the crossing point as the predators’ (lions, giant Nile crocodiles, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs etc.) stalk and pounce on the sluggards, the old, the infirm and the unlucky among the herbivores.

Return to the camp for sundowner followed by relaxation around a campfire.

Duration: 2 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Day 5: Return to Nairobi

Stop At: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Rift Valley Province
Following a hearty breakfast, head out for a final game drive taking in the sounds of this primeval world with the air filled with the bellows, bleats, grunts of the grazing wildebeests, roaring of a solo male lion and other distinctive sounds of Maasai Mara.

This day will provide you with one last opportunity to snap a photo of some of the sons of the black-maned great Kali or Notch, the leader of East African most formidable lion coalition

Return to the camp for check out and depart for Nairobi.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.