This fly-in migration safari in Kenya and Tanzania takes you to two iconic safari areas in East Africa. Depending on the time of year, you may have the opportunity to witness the migration in one or both locations, especially during a famous river crossing. Driving between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti can be long and exhausting, leaving little time for actual wildlife viewing. To maximize your safari experience, flying is the best option.
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi and Fly to Masai Mara National Reserve
Upon your arrival in Kenya, a friendly representative will greet you and assist you through immigration, customs, and baggage collection. They will accompany you until you meet your driver in the arrivals area. You will then be transferred to the domestic airport for a light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. Once you arrive, a representative will greet you and take you to your safari camp, where you will stay for three nights. Your accommodation is Basecamp Masai Mara, a simple camp on the Talek River surrounded by forest. Keep an eye out for the diverse birdlife and playful monkeys. The safaris from this camp venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve, which can be busy but offers fantastic wildlife viewing.
Days 2-3: On Safari in the Masai Mara
You will have the next two full days to enjoy two game drives daily across the plains of the Masai Mara, where you will encounter abundant African wildlife. This iconic reserve provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and you are likely to see zebras, impalas, gazelles, wildebeests, buffalo, rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and leopards. From August to November, there’s a chance to witness the Great Migration, although herd movements vary yearly, making their locations challenging to predict. Our travel specialists have the experience needed to position you in the best spots for viewing.
In addition to game drives, various activities are available during your stay in the Masai Mara. These include cultural visits to Maasai villages and markets, guided bush walks, or early morning hot air balloon flights over the stunning plains and forests (available at an extra cost).
Day 4: Fly to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight across the border to Tanzania and into the Serengeti. Some operators may suggest driving this leg of the journey; however, this would result in a long day that consumes your time on the road with little to no opportunities for wildlife viewing. A flight is the optimal way to maximize your limited time on safari.
For the next two nights, you will stay at Lemala Kuria Hills, a tented lodge in northern Serengeti. This region is less visited than other areas of the Serengeti, offering fantastic wildlife year-round, including the potential to see the Great Migration between July and September and possibly again in November.
Day 5: On Safari in the Northern Serengeti
The Serengeti provides some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa, and you will enjoy two shared game drives each day from Lemala Kuria Hills. Over two million wildebeest and zebras yearly migrate north from Serengeti National Park to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. These herds must navigate the perilous Mara River, which runs through the Masai Mara on the Kenyan and the Serengeti on the Tanzanian sides. They face treacherous currents and dangerous predators as they cross in search of greener pastures. With crocodiles lurking in the muddy waters and lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas watching from the riverbanks, this is a particularly hazardous time for wildebeests and zebras.
Day 6: Departure
On your final day, you can enjoy a morning game drive before returning to Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport. We can also arrange extensions to your trip, such as additional safari destinations in Tanzania or flights to some of Tanzania’s stunning coastal locations.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)