Masai Mara Great Migration Safari: July to October

Admire the herd's stunning patchwork quilt from above on a hot air balloon safari at sunrise.

What to expect on this itinerary

From July to October, the great wildebeest migration is in the Masai Mara as the rumbling herds dramatically crossing the Mara River to feast on the fresh grasslands. Over a million mammals arrive, and this safari provides the best seats in the theater. Stay at three exceptional camps and spend eight days on big game safari to surround yourself with all the charms of nature's greatest show. Exhilarating and enchanting, this is one of Africa's ultimate experiences.

Countries Visited

Kenya

Places Visited

Nairobi, Masai Mara, Masai Mara National Reserve, Mara Naibosho Private Conservancy

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Nairobi – Easy Introductions

Kenya is far away for almost all visitors. Especially when coming from the States, the flights and time difference mean the body may take a couple of days to adjust. Rather than immediately head out for safari, two nights in the lush suburbs of Nairobi offer a relaxed introduction to the country and its rhythm. Endangered Rothschild's giraffe roam freely through the gardens of Giraffe Manor and often poke their heads through open bedroom windows. They are the elegant and personal sight that accompanies your first night in Kenya. You will be greeted at the airport and privately transferred to Giraffe Manor, where the giant silhouettes provide your entertainment over a gourmet dinner.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Dinner
Day 2

Nairobi – Giraffe Over Breakfast and Karen Blixen's Legacy

Day 3

Masai Mara National Reserve – A Camp in the Mara Triangle

Day 4

Masai Mara National Reserve – Watching the Fabled Wildebeest River Crossings

Day 5

Masai Mara National Reserve – Admiring the Migration From a Hot Air Balloon

Day 6 - 7

Masai Mara National Reserve – Surrounded by the Herds in Central Mara

Day 8 - 10

Mara Naibosho Conservancy – Very Private Safari Experience

Day 11

Mara Naibosho Conservancy to Nairobi – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Surround yourself with all the wonder of the great wildebeest migration with consecutive days of big game safari in the Masai Mara
  • Admire the stunning patchwork of herds from above with a sunrise hot air balloon safari
  • Stay in a luxury camp that overlooks the Mara River and seek out the dramatic wildebeest river crossings, where thousands stampede across crocodile-infested waters
  • Savor the intimacy of a small luxury tented camp in the Central Mara surrounded by over a million mammals
  • Enjoy days spent in the private Mara Naibosho Conservancy with a chance to fully escape other tourists and find a personal piece of the great wildebeest migration
  • Take twice-daily game drives and enjoy all the charms of the migration, from galloping herds to cheetah cubs and roaming hyenas
  • Continually discover predatory safari scenes, an astonishing number of big cats feasting on the wildebeest bounty
  • Take a game walk with a Masai warrior and enjoy a nighttime game drive in the Mara Naibosho Conservancy
  • Fly in and out of the Masai Mara for a sublime aerial over the wilderness
  • Start the safari with two nights in Nairobi with a stay in a luxurious manor house where giraffe poke their heads through the window

Starting Price

$17,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 235 reviews

Judy E.
Kenya, Tanzania Tour Review: Wildlife, Plane Rides, 2 Weeks

We received excellent communication from Zicasso's travel agents. They were very prompt and proactive. The itinerary was prepared to meet our requests and matched our interests. Comprehensive planning and preparation for the trip were provided and all logistics were taken care of.

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Rick S.
Kenya Travel Review: Safaris, Cuisine, 10 Nights

My family of six, ages 12 to 72, visited Kenya for an extraordinary 10-day trip in June 2025. Zicasso put us in touch with our travel company, which provided an itinerary and quote after interviewing us. We live in Indiana, and it was easy to conduct business with them via the internet and phone. Every one of us had a wonderful time.

We stayed at three locations in luxury tented camps. The accommodations were great and we enjoyed the friendly staff and managers. The meals at all three camps were creative and delicious. All the transfers were professionally done and on time.

We did not expect to see so many animals and get so close. What really made the trip great were the outstanding guides. They were tremendous in knowledge and service. I highly recommend using our travel company and considering the camps we stayed at.

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Gayle S.
Kenya Vacation Review: Maasai Mara, Local Cuisine, Culture, Wildlife, Nature, 10 Nights

Zicasso's travel agent arranged our trip. She did a wonderful job listening to our wants and needs, and created a magical itinerary.

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Daniel P.
Kenya Tour Review: Nairobi, Safari, Culture, Scenery, 10 Days

Our recent journey to Kenya was flawlessly planned and executed from the moment we arrived in Nairobi to the day of our departure. Every aspect of the itinerary ran smoothly, reflecting a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.

We were consistently pampered and cared for with genuine warmth and hospitality. The natural beauty of the Kenyan landscape is breathtaking, surpassed only by the graciousness and kindness of its people.

Highlights of our trip included the unforgettable safari experiences, the exceptional quality of the camp accommodations, and meaningful visits to local villages. Each moment offered a sense of wonder and cultural connection.

The memories we have made—from the landscapes to the people—will remain with us for a lifetime. We are deeply grateful for the care and excellence that made this trip truly extraordinary.

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Deirdre N.
Kenya Travel Review: Mombasa, Wildlife, Nature, 13 Days

We had a very good travel experience with Zicasso's tour company. Our travel agent was organized and responsive to our requests before the trip, and he stayed in communication with us throughout the trip. We traveled as a couple and were delighted with the intimate and comfortable safari camp and the luxurious city and Diani Beach accommodations. Our guides in the cities and in the Maasai Mara National Reserve were knowledgeable and helpful. Overall, it was a great experience.

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John G.
Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania Vacation Review: Great Migration, 12 Nights

We can't speak highly enough about using Zicasso's travel specialist and her company. They put together a complicated package covering three completely separate areas and were able to connect us with local guides in each place. The guides they worked with were all fabulous, as were the locations we stayed at.

At one point, the airline that was handling our trip out changed the flight due to local conditions. I learned of this first through our specialist, who was immediately on the situation and kept us apprised of the change. The company provided us with an online portal that covered every part of our trip. It was constantly updated and we always knew who the next contact was in the new area.

Throughout the process, we had constant questions and changes. Our travel company was very pleasant and accommodating of our concerns. Their work was in the middle of a larger trip. Even though they were not handling the stops before and after their portion, they were more than happy to help out with those portions and added that information to our itinerary at no cost.

In a word, they were fabulous. If you want more detail on their work and my unqualified recommendation of them, please reach out and I'm happy to provide you with more information.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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