4 Nights | 7 Game Drives | Start & End: Nairobi
We can also customise this trip based on your exact dates, requirements and budget.
There are few wildlife spectacles on Earth that compare to the Great Migration.
Every year, more than two million Wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of Zebras and Gazelles, move across the vast plains of East Africa in an endless search for fresh grazing. Their journey eventually brings them to the legendary Masai Mara, where one of nature's greatest dramas unfolds.
The river crossings have become the stuff of wildlife legend. Nervous herds gather along the steep banks before suddenly plunging into crocodile-filled waters, driven forward by instinct and the relentless pressure of thousands of animals behind them. On the opposite bank, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs and Hyenas wait patiently, knowing that opportunity is never far away during migration season.
Yet the Masai Mara is far more than a stage for dramatic river crossings.
Its endless golden plains, scattered acacia trees and gently rolling hills support one of the richest concentrations of wildlife anywhere in Africa. Lions patrol open grasslands, Cheetahs scan termite mounds for unsuspecting prey, Leopards rest beneath sausage trees and vast herds of elephants wander peacefully across the savannah. Every game drive feels alive with possibility because the Mara never depends upon a single species to create unforgettable moments.
At Beyond Wild, we believe that exceptional safaris begin with exceptional guides. Every one of our departures is led by some of the finest local Maasai guides in the Mara. Having grown up on these plains, their understanding of animal behaviour, predator territories and the constantly changing movements of the migration is simply extraordinary. Their instinct, patience and deep respect for wildlife frequently place our guests in the right location at exactly the right moment.
Equally important is where you stay.
We carefully select camps located in the very best wildlife areas of the Masai Mara ecosystem, allowing you to spend more time enjoying game drives and less time travelling to the action. When wildlife is active before sunrise or during the final golden hour of the day, being in the right location makes all the difference.
Across four unforgettable nights and eight expertly planned game drives, you will experience one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations at its very best. Whether you witness a dramatic river crossing, a pride of lions on the hunt or simply watch thousands of wildebeest disappearing into the horizon, this is Africa at its most spectacular.
This is a fixed-date group departure: the dates, your lodge, two safaris a day and your instructor are all set — ideal for solo travellers and small groups who want a great trip without the planning. Between drives there's time to rest, review photos, and swap notes over chai with your naturalist.
Your adventure begins in Nairobi before setting out on the scenic drive towards the world-renowned Masai Mara.
The journey descends through the dramatic Great Rift Valley before crossing the rolling highlands of Kenya and eventually reaching the endless savannahs that have made the Mara famous.
After checking into your safari camp and enjoying lunch, head out on your first afternoon game drive.
The excitement begins immediately. During migration season, enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra dominate the landscape, while predators remain close behind. Every drive offers the possibility of witnessing one of nature's greatest spectacles.
Return to camp after sunset for dinner and overnight stay
Set out before sunrise as the Mara begins to brighten around you. During migration season, the open plains can be covered by immense herds of Wildebeest and Zebra, while predators remain close to this abundance of prey.
Our Maasai guide will assess the latest movement before deciding where to spend the morning. We may head towards the Mara River to look for gathering herds, or follow signs of Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards or Hyenas elsewhere in the reserve.
Return to camp between drives for lunch and a relaxed break, or choose to remain in the reserve with a picnic lunch if wildlife activity is particularly strong. The afternoon brings another opportunity to follow the migration as the light softens.
Another early start takes us into the Mara in search of the day's most compelling wildlife activity. If Wildebeest are gathering near a river crossing point, patience becomes essential as herds may spend long periods moving along the banks before committing to the water.
There is no fixed formula for the day. Should migration activity shift, we may instead track a Lion pride, search the open grasslands for Cheetahs or explore areas where Leopards are known to move through the riverine vegetation.
After the morning's exploration, return to camp for time to rest, or continue with a full-day safari and picnic lunch. As afternoon temperatures ease, the plains become active again and the search continues
Spend your final full day following the rhythms of the migration. Depart early, when the grasslands are cool and the first sunlight begins to illuminate the enormous herds spread across the Mara.
The day's route will depend entirely on where wildlife is moving. We may revisit a productive river section, wait with a gathering herd or concentrate on predators taking advantage of the seasonal concentration of prey. Every hour in the reserve offers a different possibility.
Choose between returning to camp between morning and afternoon drives or carrying a picnic lunch for a longer day in the wilderness. As the evening light settles over the savannah, enjoy one final immersion in the extraordinary spectacle of the Great Migration.
After a leisurely breakfast, we do a short en route safari before driving to the gate.
After check-out, begin the drive back to Nairobi, bringing to a close an unforgettable journey through one of Africa's greatest wildlife landscapes.
Note: We can arrange bush flights Nairobi - Mara - Nairobi at extra actual cost for those who require the same.
Everything's set: the dates, your lodge, two safaris a day and your instructor. Per-person pricing is above — tell us you're interested and we'll take it from there.
Fixed dates, fixed price, expert-led. Tell us you are interested and we will take it from there.
| Cancelled this far ahead | You get back |
|---|---|
| 180 days or more | 100% refund |
| 120 to 179 days | 80% refund |
| 90 to 119 days | 60% refund |
| 60 to 89 days | 30% refund |
| Less than 60 days or No Show | No refund |
African safaris require advance payments towards accommodation, park fees and logistics. As a result, cancellation policies differ from those applicable to domestic tours.
These terms apply to this trip.
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