Wildebeest Migration Safaris 2013 in Masai Mara and Serengeti National Parks

An Introductions of Masai Mara And Serengeti Ecosystems

Undeterred Perilous Crossing the crocodile infested rivers.  Many wildebeest loose their lives

The Wildebeest migration takes place in an extremely rich contiguous and self sustaining Masai Mara Serengeti Ecosystem.  The self sustainability has earned it label of the only "true ecosystem" on earth.  The Masai (Maasai) Mara magic is attributed to its panorama.  From the vantage of rounded hills, the large expanses grassy plains teaming with herds of animals resemble a canvas painting. The overwhelming population and the rich species presentation is mesmerizing.  "The Masai (Maasai) Mara ecosystem has one of the richest assemblages of wildlife in the world and supports about 237 herbivores per km² , making it one of the most productive natural terrestrial ecosystems"  On other hand Serengeti National Park is the best place to see predators in actions. The predator population is over 10,000 individuals. 8000 0f these are spotted hyenas and 3000 lions whose males famed for their black manes. 

The Wildebeest Migration in Maasai (Masai) Mara /Serengeti wildebeest migration is not about wildebeests migrating per se but rather its influence on the movement patterns of the other animals including human beings.  The migration comprise of the never ending milling of over 2.5 million wild animals composed of a about 1.7 million wildebeests, and 800,000 common Zebras and gazelle, followed closely by their predators-lions, hyenas, leopards, jackals.   Hovering in the skies are thousands of vultures, the super predators. Patient in nature, they survey the migrating herds descending on the dead carcasses reducing them to skeletons in a matter of seconds.  The hazardous crossing of crocodile invested Mara and Grumeti rivers is magical wonder of nature attracting thousands of human beings.  This survival of the fittest spectacle has been described at the "seventh wonder of the modern world".  Strategic sighting of the migrating herds tend to influence the setting up of tourism facilities. The best time to witness migration in Masai Mara National Park Kenya, is between July to September.

Mara Explorer Wildebeest Migration Safari Masai Mara National Park 8 days

Day1 Arrival Nairobi and overnight/ 

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta airport in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Overnight Nairobi Serena/ Panari Hotel BB.

Day 02/  Fly Nairobi-Masai Mara
Before breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Wilson to catch your flight to Maasai Mara.   On arrival, your private driver guide will meet you and drive you to the lodge.  Have a game drive en-route to the lodge. Keekorok Lodge is located in the Sekanani area of Mara Reserve.  Have an evening game drive.   Overnight Keekorok Lodge FB.

Flights From Nairobi to Masai Mara are operated from Wilson Airport

Game drives

As you have a private car all for your own use, you go for game drives anytime you desire.

Keekorok Lodge

The lodge build in 1962 has en-suite rooms with private balconies facing the park.  A 300m covered walkway connects the lodge to the sun-downer bar. Traditional dances available in the evenings.  Electricity is available for 24 hours in 220-240V. The lodge has internet connection, gift shop and a swimming pool. Lunch boxes available for guests taking full day game drives. Dress code is informal.  The lodge is highly rated in http://www.tripadvisor.com 

Maasai Mara:

Masai Mara and Serengeti form a contiguous ecosystem, the playground of the annual wildebeest migration, the greatest and most spectacular mammal migration on earth. Supporting over 273 herbivores per square kilometer, the Mara boasts of one of the richest assemblage of wildlife in the world. Besides herbivores, the Mara has a large representative of predators-lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards. There are no dull moments in Masai Mara.  Nature is always at play. Days are eventful and scenes keep on changing as nature wonderfully unfolds before your eyes.  It is a one in a lifetime too many. At one station it’s a lionesses hunting-the stealth stalking, the adrenalin chase, and the eventual capture or disappearance of the prey. In the far corner is a pair of ostriches walking the plains oblivious of the happenings around.  And in the same breath you notice a pair of cheetahs perched on a rock surveying the plains.  Bird watching is superb with 450 species recorded.  The Marsh lions featured in BBC Big Cats Diary series are found in the Musiara Swamp, in the Musiara sector of the park.  The best time to visit Masai Mara is of course during the annual wildebeest migration Jul-September. 

Day03-Day4  2012 Masai Mara
Days spent in Masai Mara with morning, mid morning and afternoon game drives. Early morning game drives provide the best chance to witness predators hunting. In the mid morning, the scene changes as the often disturbed plain game settle to feed. Feeding times are venerable and animals take caution by maintaining a all round sentry-feeding individuals facing outwards from the centre.  In the afternoons most of the animals will take a siesta under the shade.  Of course all herds will leave several individuals standing to scout for approaching predators.  Occasionary a lone  gazelle will be giving birth at high noon when it is too hot for predators to bother.

All meals and overnight Mara Keekorok Lodge FB

Day05/    2012 Masai Mara Serena
Breakfast at Keekorok lodge (Sekenani sector) and game drive westwards across the Mara River to the Mara Triangle. The Mara Triangle (520Km sq) was the original reserve before addition of the other sectors (Sekanani and Musiara) in 1992.  Reach Mara Serena in the mid morning, check in, have lunch and proceed for the game drive within the Mara Triangle area.  Return to the lodge for dinner.

Mara Serena Lodge

Located in the Mara Triangle sector, the lodge architectural design in the style of Masai Manyatta blends well with the local surrounding.  The lodge is perched on a hill affording guests panoramic views of the surrounding reserve.  Each room is luxuriously furnished with spacious sitting area and private balconies.  Sundowners and bush dinners can be organized at extra cost. The lodge has a swimming pool with a sundeck, 24 Hrs in-call doctor, gift shop, central dinning and bar, Dstv in public areas(not in guest rooms), Wifi internet. The Mara Serena is highly rated in http://www.tripadvisor.com 

Day6/      2012 Marsh Lions of Musiara

Breakfast and take pick your picnic lunch boxes.  Drive to Musiara sector (256Km Sq), the haunting ground the Marsh lions made famous by the BBC Big Cats Series.  Masai Mara supports one of the highest densities of lions in the world.  Drive around the marshes in search of the formidable beasts and other occupants. Lions are most active at night.  Their roar can be herd 8km away and an adult can consume 30kgs of meet in a single sitting.   Other predators you come across include cheetah, leopard, and hyena. Hyenas are reputed to have the strongest jaw in the wild Notice the migration crossing corridors with crocodile.  Return to the lodge for dinner.

Days7/8    2012

Days spent in Masai Mara.  One afternoon visit Maasai manyattas.  The other afternoon we can organize a sundowner or bush dinner at extra cost. Otherwise game drives are available in the morning, afternoons and evenings.   All meals at Mara Serena Lodge.

Day09/   2012
Early morning game drive and return to your lodge for breakfast. Transfer to the airstrip to catch your flight to Wilson.  On arrival at the Wilson, transfer Jomo Kenyatta Airport to catch your flight to Kigali. Overnight Laico Umubano/ Kigali Serena HB.

Balloon Safaris  2012

These depart everyday at 06:00 and take approximately one hour.  They are available at extra cost of USD 475 pp (Subject to confirmation of price)

End of Safari

Price person person for 2 pax

USD 3680.00 PPx2=7360.00  Valid between January and May.  Other periods please ask for the price