★★★★★
"Our guide Joseph read the bush like a book — three leopards in one afternoon. The sundowner overlooking the Mara is something we still talk about every night."
01 · Trip overview
Five days, one of nature's rarest spectacles.
Between July and October, more than 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebra surge across the Mara River — pursued by lions, leopards, crocodiles, and a thousand cameras. This is a focused five-day trip built around one goal: putting you in the right place at the right moment.
We don't chase the crowds. We pre-position with the herds — and let the wild do its work.
River crossings
Pre-positioned at the Mara River with a cat-specialist guide who tracks herd movements 24 hours in advance.
Hot-air balloon
Optional sunrise balloon flight over the migration herds. Rising above a million animals moving below is unforgettable.
Maasai village visit
A genuine community-led experience at Olerai village — not a staged show. A portion of every trip flows back to the community.
Bush dining
Picnic lunches in the reserve and a candlelit bush dinner on night 3 under the Mara sky.
02 · Day-by-day itinerary
The journey.
B = Breakfast · L = Lunch · D = Dinner
Day
1
Rift Valley · Mara
Nairobi → Masai Mara
Early morning pickup from your Nairobi hotel. Scenic drive south-west through the Great Rift Valley — we stop at the escarpment viewpoint before descending to the Mara floor. Arrive in time for lunch at camp, then an afternoon game drive across the open plains: your first taste of the savanna. Sundowner as the Mara turns gold.
Rift Valley viewpoint
Afternoon game drive
Sundowner at camp
Camp orientation
Day
2
Mara River
Mara River — Wildebeest Crossings
Dawn departure to position at the river before the herds move. Your guide monitors crossing points in real time — when a crossing begins, you are waiting. The sight of tens of thousands of animals plunging into crocodile-filled water, driven by an ancient instinct, is something no photograph fully prepares you for. Picnic lunch in the bush. Afternoon drive for Big Five.
Dawn departure · river positioning
Wildebeest crossing tracking
Picnic lunch in the bush
Big Five afternoon drive
Day
3
Mara Triangle
Big Cats & the Mara Triangle
A dedicated big-cat day. Your guide — a specialist in feline behavior — takes you off the main tourist tracks into the quieter Mara Triangle. Leopards use the riverine forest; lion prides rest on the rocky kopjes at midday; cheetah sprint across the open plains. Optional pre-dawn balloon safari (add-on) departs this morning for a bird's-eye view of the migrating herds. Bush dinner under the stars at camp tonight.
Big-cat specialist guide
Off-track Mara Triangle
Optional balloon safari
Candlelit bush dinner
Day
4
Mara · Olerai
Maasai Community Day
Morning game drive at first light. In the afternoon, a visit to Olerai Maasai village — introduced by Mama Naserian, whose family has welcomed Kikwetu guests for over a decade. This is not a performance: you are a guest in a living community, invited to share in daily life, hear stories from elders, and understand the deep relationship between the Maasai and the land they protect. Optional guided walk with a Maasai elder. A portion of every trip is reinvested directly into the village.
First-light game drive
Olerai Maasai village
Cultural exchange with elders
Optional walk with elder
Day
5
Return
Final Game Drive → Nairobi
Final morning game drive en route to the Keekorok airstrip. Your guide uses this last hour to seek out any missed species on your wish list. Light-aircraft transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport (45 minutes, add-on) or scenic road transfer (5 hours). Arrival in Nairobi for onward connection or overnight hotel. Your safari expert handles all departure logistics.
Final dawn game drive
Light-aircraft or road transfer
Nairobi arrival & assistance
03 · What’s included
No surprises on arrival.
Every quote is fully itemised. What you see is what you pay.
Included in every package
- All national park & conservancy fees
- Private 4×4 game-viewing vehicle
- KPSGA-rated professional guide
- 4 nights accommodation (standard)
- All meals as specified (B/L/D)
- Bottled water & soft drinks in vehicle
- Maasai village visit & community donation
- All ground transfers & road transport
- Tourism levy and VAT
- 24/7 in-country support & emergency line
Not included
- International flights
- Kenya e-Visa (approx. $51)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Tips & gratuities (guidelines provided)
- Personal items & souvenirs
- Premium beverages (alcohol)
- Optional add-ons listed below
Optional add-ons
Hot-air balloon safari (highly recommended)
$480 / person
Light-aircraft transfer (Mara ↔ Nairobi)
$280 / person
Honeymoon upgrade package
$220 / couple
Private cat-specialist guide upgrade
$180 / day
Photography kit hire (Nikon Z9 + 200–600mm)
$120 / day
04 · Traveller reviews
What they took home.
Verified reviews from guests who booked this safari with Kikwetu. Read all 312 reviews on Tripadvisor →
★★★★★
"I came home with 4,000 frames I am proud of. They put me in the right place at the right light, every morning. The balloon at dawn over the herds was the single best hour of my life."
★★★★★
"Every detail handled. The Maasai village visit was respectful and real — not a show. Our kids (8 & 11) were spellbound. Already planning our return trip with Kikwetu."
05 · Frequently asked
Your questions, answered.
The Great Migration reaches the Masai Mara between July and October. River crossings — the most dramatic phase — peak in August and September. July brings the first herds; October sees them begin their return south. For the best crossing chances, book July through September. That said, the Mara is excellent for Big Five year-round — January and February offer calving season in Amboseli and far fewer visitors.
The balloon is an optional add-on at $480 per person. It departs before sunrise and lasts approximately one hour, ending with a bush breakfast served on linen in the field. We strongly recommend adding it if this is your first visit to the Mara — seeing the migration from the air is a completely different experience. It can be added at the time of booking or during the trip if weather allows.
No reputable operator can guarantee a crossing — the migration follows ancient instinct, not a schedule. What we do guarantee is best positioning: our guides monitor river scout reports and herd movements daily, and we dedicate an entire day (Day 2) to crossing tracking. Historically, guests booked July–October have a very high probability of witnessing at least one crossing. We have never had a guest miss the herds entirely during peak season.
Yes — this is one of our most popular family itineraries for children aged 6 and above. The pace is gentle and game drives are broken up with picnic lunches and stops. The Maasai village visit on Day 4 is especially engaging for children. We do not recommend the balloon safari for children under 7. Let us know your children's ages when you enquire and we will tailor the experience accordingly.
Not included: international flights to/from Nairobi, the Kenya e-Visa ($51 for most nationalities, applied online), travel insurance (required — we can recommend a provider), the optional balloon safari ($480/pp), light-aircraft transfers ($280/pp each way), gratuities for your guide and camp staff (guidelines provided in your pre-trip pack), personal items, and premium beverages. All park fees, meals, in-vehicle drinking water, ground transfers, and 24/7 support are fully included.
Absolutely — and many guests do. Popular extensions include adding 2–3 nights in Amboseli (elephants beneath Kilimanjaro) or continuing to Diani Beach on the coast for a bush-and-beach combination. We also do cross-border itineraries into Tanzania's Serengeti to follow the migration full circle. Mention your preferences when you enquire and we will design the extension at no extra planning fee.
