East Africa Safari Tours

In general, the great migration crossing is always awaited during the months of July to October as it’s when the best sightings are seen as they jump and cross these Crocodile-infested Mara – Serengeti Rivers. You can easily book some of our best Masai Mara migration packages, or Serengeti migration safaris, well-curated to ensure you enjoy the migration crossings to the fullest.

Therefore mark your calendar as from July – October when the wildebeest are always crossing the Mara River into Kenya. This is when to book wildebeest migration safari packages. The herds are sometimes crossing the Mara River from one side of the Masai Mara to the other (all in Kenya).

The best time for an East Africa safari holiday occurs during the dry seasons from June to October and January to February. These months are in line with the Great Migration River crossings in Masai Mara Park and Serengeti where over two million wildebeest move between Tanzania and Kenya.

The accommodations available during East African trips runs from basic tented camps to high-end safari lodges. The Masai Mara features luxury properties of two types, the tented safari camps and safari lodges. In the Serengeti the same applies, providing a comfortable stay during your African journey.

East Africa’s parks and reserves host the complete “Big Five” safari animals along with a rich variety of other wildlife. The Serengeti supports more than 3000 lions and Amboseli’s plains are known for significant elephant populations. The Mara River attracts hippos and crocodiles while Lake Nakuru draws over 450 bird species.

Standard East African safari packages cover park fees ($100-200 USD daily) accommodation meals professional guides 4×4 game drives and inter-destination transfers. Extra activities such as balloon rides ($450-599 USD) or Maasai village visits ($20-30 USD) cost extra.

Safari vehicles accommodate 4-7 passengers ensuring window seats and clear views for everyone. Higher-end tours often provide more space per person while budget options may fill vehicles to capacity. Having just 6 people in the vehicle offers plenty of space for viewing and wildlife photography safaris – everyone has great access to windows and the roof hatch.”

For you to witness a migration river crossing in Masai Mara, the best time to visit is from late July to early August and minimal parts of October when the herds arrive from the Serengeti and cross the Mara River. Keep in mind that at times the herds may not show at certain crossing points therefore adding flexibility and patience on your migration safari really helps.

So how much is a migration river crossing safari? On average, the price of the great migration safari costs around $700 to $1,200 per person per day, offering an unforgettable and exclusive experience. You’ll stay in top safari lodges that offer premier game-viewing opportunities, and enjoy fine amenities, spacious rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and exceptional dining experiences. With additional activities hot air balloon safaris, guided safari walks, horse riding, game drives, spa treatments, swimming pools and infinity pools at your disposal. There is also child-friendly activities and programmes for those going on a safari with kids. Therefore, “don’t be surprised to see wildebeest migration safari adventures in Africa costing around US$1,000 a night.

As for the vehicles to be used on a great migration safari holiday, all of migration tours use the best-quality safari jeeps. Expect both the 4×4 land cruiser with open rooftop and open sided 4×4 safari jeeps are available. The vehicles are built to withstand the bush terrain offering a fairly smooth ride over even the bumpiest roads. Both cruisers have raised seats ensuring every traveler has a 360 degrees view of the animals no matter which side of the vehicle they are on. Additionally, the windows are large providing some up-close encounters with curious Big Cats! Most of the vehicles will have cool boxes filled with water, power sockets for charging camera batteries and camera support bases for those going on Africa photo safari tours.

The professionality of the driver and guide is as important as the quality of the vehicle. On a luxury safari, are expect highly trained driver and guides who have outstanding wildlife knowledge. Expect them to always switch off the vehicle engine when you want to see an animal or stay much longer on a sighting. They will always try and position the vehicle so that you have the best viewing angle of the wildlife. Expect short briefs even during an animal sighting where you will see them turn and face you when they talk. Keep in mind our luxury fly-in safaris are also available if you wish to explore this option. Ready to start planning your trip? Discover some of the best wildebeest migration tours & safaris that put you right in the middle of the action.

While the normal safari clothes and equipment’s apply, let’s see some few extra additions from our list below – which might be just what you need to experience the wildebeest crossings in the best way possible.

Kindly make sure you have the necessary travel documents to ensure a smooth journey to your Great Migration adventure.

Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from Africa. Also, ensure you have at least two blank pages for visas and stamps.

Visa: Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to enter countries like Kenya or Tanzania, where the Great Migration can be witnessed. U.S. and European citizens need to apply for an e-visa for holidays in Tanzania. While Kenya offers visa-free entry, all foreign visitors – U.S. and European visitors are required to fill an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) 72 hours prior to their travel. It is best to arrange this before departure to avoid any potential delays at the airport.

Your Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellations, and baggage loss or theft is highly recommended. Make sure it includes coverage for any safari activities you plan to participate in.

Vaccination Certificates: Depending on the current health guidelines and requirements, you might need to show proof of certain vaccinations, such as Yellow Fever. Check if the countries you are visiting have any specific health requirements.

Flight Return Ticket: Some countries might require you to show proof of a return ticket or an onward journey to grant entry.

Itinerary Details and Accommodation Confirmations: Having a copy of your travel itinerary and confirmed hotel reservations can be helpful at the immigration desk.

Emergency Contacts and Important Addresses: Carry a list of emergency contacts, including your country’s embassy or consulate in the countries you will visit, as well as the addresses and contact details of your accommodations.

No, it’s not only wildebeest that migrate; they migrate together with thousands of zebras, topi’s, eland and gazelles forming one mega herd; – in their circular movement across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in search of food and water.

Remember, the wildebeests will be jumping and crossing over back and forth through the Mara River (this is prime river crossing territory) – it is not just a once mass movement crossing, but more a chaotic gathering which mean river crossings happen on a daily basis, from late July all the way through until late October, and tens of thousands of herds will die in the attempt. You can still expect to witness river crossings in September in Masai Mara.

Big cat activities can be seen in Masai Mara Reserve, and Mara conservancies with the herds breaking up into smaller groups. As the month moves closer to the end, the Migration in September is slowly coming at stop as the wildebeest’s starts moving to South from both Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara.

The best time to see the Great Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara is from July to October. The months that are most frequently mentioned as the best time of year to visit the Great Migration, July to October, are also the busiest months in the Masai Mara. It is safe to say that you won’t have the herds to yourself during these months. You can expect more safari travelers within the Masai Mara National Reserve proper and may have to queue up during safari game drives.