8 Days Wildebeest Migration in Kenya

8 Days Wildebeest Migration in Kenya

Between July and October, over 1.5 million wildebeest and vast herds of zebra and gazelle make the journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti into Kenya’s Masai Mara, and this 8 Days Wildebeest Migration in Kenya  safari is built to give you the maximum possible time inside the reserve while it happens — four full days dedicated to following the migration, plus a stop at Lake Nakuru along the way.

In the open plains of the Masai Mara, columns of migrating wildlife stretch to the horizon, drawing predators including lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. The Mara River crossing is the trip’s central event: watching wildebeest plunge into the current, facing down crocodiles and the pull of the water, is one of the most dramatic wildlife sightings anywhere in Africa, and four days in the reserve gives you a genuinely strong chance of witnessing it.

This itinerary suits travelers who want to build their entire trip around migration season, rather than fitting it in as one stop on a broader circuit, along with a worthwhile detour to Lake Nakuru’s rhino sanctuary and flamingo-lined shore.

Quick Facts

Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
• Day 2: Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park, afternoon game drive
• Day 3: Morning game drive, transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
• Days 4-7: Follow the Great Migration in the Masai Mara
• Day 8: Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative, briefed on the days ahead, and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi for an evening of rest, recovering from jet lag.

Accommodation: Best Western Hotel, Nairobi

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park, Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Nairobi for Lake Nakuru National Park with a scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley, taking in views of the escarpments and farmland along the way. On arrival, settle in at your lodge and rest before lunch.

In the afternoon, head out for a game drive in the park, renowned for its large flamingo population along the lakeshore, along with black and white rhino and Rothschild giraffe. Watch for lions, giraffes, hippos, leopards, and bird species including marabou storks, African fish eagles, and pelicans. As the sun sets, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Morning Game Drive, Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and depart for the Masai Mara with an en-route game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, a chance to spot anything you missed the previous day, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hippos.

Arrive in the Masai Mara in the afternoon, check in at your lodge for lunch, and take a short rest. Later in the day, head out for a game drive across the reserve’s savannah plains, keeping an eye out for predators such as cheetahs, hyenas, and lions that follow the migration closely. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Luxury Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Zebra Plains Mara Luxury Camp

Days 4-7: Follow the Great Migration in the Masai Mara

For four days, explore the savannah plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve following the Great Wildebeest Migration, with the chance to witness the dramatic Mara River crossing.

Start each day with an early rise and breakfast before heading into the reserve for a day of game driving centered on this remarkable spectacle. Watch as the herds brave the river’s current, facing off with strong currents and Nile crocodiles, in scenes of sheer scale and drama.

Beyond the migration, you will encounter prides of lions, leopards resting in tree branches, elephant herds grazing the plains, and cheetahs stalking prey. Lunch is taken at a picnic site along the Mara River or under an acacia tree. As the sun sets each evening, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Luxury Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Departure

After a delicious breakfast, depart the Masai Mara for Nairobi, where you will be dropped at your hotel or the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.

End of Safari