Kenya Migration: Guided Small Group Safari

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 - Nairobi

On arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met and transferred to your Hotel.

• Accommodation: Panafric Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Awake on your first morning in Kenya amid the hustle and bustle of its thriving capital, Nairobi. After breakfast depart Nairobi for the journey into the homelands of the Maasai. The world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, located on Kenya’s southern border with Tanzania, constitutes the northern stretch of the Serengeti and has the richest concentration of animals in Kenya. The Mara will be your home for the next four nights staying at the Mara Sarova Tented Camp. Enjoy lunch and embark on your first game drive this afternoon.

• Accommodation: Mara Sarova Tented Camp (4 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Spend today travelling through Kenya’s epic Masai Mara Game Reserve on game drives in search of Africa’s ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo) with lunch taken back in camp.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Masai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast, depart with a picnic lunch for another full day exploring the vast plans of the Masai Mara. Depending on where the migration is, you may witness some of Africa’s wildebeest and zebra herds cross the river, battling with crocodiles lying in wait, or lions and other predators that the herds attract at this time of year. To be lucky enough to see the migration crossing a river is the ultimate African game watching experience. Return to camp for dinner.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Today is another day of soaking up Kenya’s best game viewing in the Masai Mara, and, as the wildlife is unpredictable, you could be watching the river crossing or taking a game drive. Whatever you do, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is always spectacular.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, travel to Kenya’s beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its flamingos and pelicans. The park also boasts a good number of rhinos as well as leopard and lion. Lunch is taken at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge which is ideally located inside Lake Nakuru National Park, followed by an afternoon game drive before dinner. 

• Accommodation: Lion Hill Lodge (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Lake Nakuru National Park

After an early breakfast, take a safari through Lake Nakuru National Park. After lunch back at the lodge and some relaxation time, enjoy your last afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - End of Migration Safari – Superior

After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru National Park and travel back to Nairobi for lunch at Carnivore restaurant before the safari ends

• Included Meals: Breakfast

NOTE: This tour has been arranged to coincide with the annual migration, but we cannot guarantee the exact location of the animals at the time of travel. Luggage restrictions apply.

This tour commences in Nairobi, Kenya

T​ravel between 1 July - 7 August 2024

• Twin Share from $7,855 per person
• Single Traveller from $9,695 per person

T​ravel between 16 August - 11 September 2024

• Twin Share from $7,865 per person
• Single Traveller from $9,705 per person

T​ravel between 12 - 18 September 2024

• Twin Share from $7,380 per person
• Single Traveller from $8,895 per person

T​ravel between 19 September - 30 October 2024

• Twin Share from $6,750 per person
• Single Traveller from $7,795 per person

Why not extend your stay to see more of what East Africa has to offer? Feel free to ask for ideas. We can also book your flights and any additional travel requirements.

Call our Brisbane based travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat on this bucket list safari!

Panafric Hotel

Idyllically located 5 minutes’ drive from the CBD and 18 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, amidst beautifully landscaped gardens in a quiet suburb of Nairobi, Sarova Panafric offers 162 rooms in a range of superior, executive, club, studio and themed suites – all recently refurbished and decorated in a contemporary vibrant African style.

Mara Sarova Tented Camp

The Mara Sarova Tented Camp is well positioned to enjoy the unique phenomenon of the seasonal migration. The rolling plains around the camp can be teeming with wildebeest, gazelles and zebras during the migration months, as situated right in the centre of the migration path. Located inside the African bush, the Camp offers 50 standard tents, 20 club tents and 2 family tents. Each tent has permanent roofs, zip-up fronts, and electricity and en-suite facilities. The tents are simply furnished but offer a private terrace from which to view the river and relax in-between game drives. The Camp is set within beautiful grounds and river that attracts a vast amount of birdlife, and features a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. Relaxing outside your own tent listening to the orchestra of rasping cicadas, croaking tree frogs and the intermittent call of birds and monkeys is a memorable symphony.

Lion Hill Lodge

Sarova Lion Hill Lodge overlooks Lake Nakuru, offering a unique vantage point. Each of the 67 appointed chalets has a separate lounge and secluded veranda with views over the lake and the distant hills. Situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most famous soda lakes. A major feature of this park is the birdlife. A rhino sanctuary also provides the opportunity to see the greatly endangered black rhino. The lodge restaurant and bar open onto a large viewing deck with panoramic views.

Group Size: 2 - 7 passengers
Departs: Weekly small group departures on a Thursday

Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend you take out Comprehensive Travel Insurance at the time of booking your trip.

Passport & Visa: Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Kenya - which is available for single or multiple entries. This can be obtained online and you are required to present your printed e-visa upon entry. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay. You must have at least two blank pages available in your passport upon arrival. Failure to meet this requirement may result in an entry visa being refused.

Vaccinations: Please check with your GP or Travel Doctor for up-to-date information and advice regarding vaccinations for this trip. Please note a Yellow Fever vaccination is required and all travellers must carry proof that the Yellow Fever vaccine has been administered at least 10 days prior to travel. It is recommended that precautions against malaria be taken for travel to most regions in Kenya. We suggest you contact your doctor for advice on which prophylactic is recommended.

Authentic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (electronic or paper showing date and time of vaccination(s)) with final or booster dose given at least 15 days before departing is required for this trip.

Money: The Kenyan currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KSH), which is divided up into 100 cents and it is now permitted to take local currency into the country. It is recommended to carry some cash in small denominations.

US Dollar notes printed before the year 2000 will not be accepted. Barclay’s Bank in Kenya has implemented a new policy where they will no longer accept notes printed before 2000. Clients who carry US Dollar notes printed before 2000 will be compelled to accept a rate of exchange lower than normal.

Electricity & Voltage: In Kenya the general voltage is 240 and the frequency is 50 Hz. The British three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Shopping:

• There is an abundance of wonderful souvenirs and crafts to buy. Look for colourful materials, sisal bags, wood or stone carvings, unusual artwork, handcrafted jewellery, woven goods and attractive basketry are recommended. Be aware of the products you are buying, as you may have to declare these at Australian Customs on your return.
• Bargaining is expected at markets and roadside stalls, but not in shops. The locals may start off with highly inflated “tourist prices” and you will need to bargain until you feel you are paying what the product is worth.
• Cash in local currency is accepted, as well as US Dollars, while credit cards may only be accepted in larger shops.
• Do not purchase ivory, rhino horn, animal furs/hides, tortoise shell, coral, game skin, trophies or elephant hair bracelets. These items are prohibited as hunting was banned in 1976.

What to Pack?

• You will be limited to a certain weight, often between 15–20 KG. Bags also have to be soft-sided cases so that they can fit in the hold. These restrictions cannot be avoided, as there simply is not the capacity on small planes and/or road vehicles so bear this in mind when you are packing for your Kenya trip.
• The dress code is informal at all of the camps and it is advisable to bring long sleeved shirts and trousers for the evenings to minimise insect bites.
• On a wildlife safari, casual cotton clothing is the most practical. Calm neutral colours such as tan or khaki are a good idea although a bush outfit is not essential. Some form of headgear is recommended, and sunglasses are essential. A warm fleece or jacket is advisable for colder evenings and early mornings. A lightweight raincoat may be useful as some seasonal rains can occur.
• It is always a good idea to dress in layers on activities to accommodate the early morning and late afternoon change of temperature. Winter months will definitely require a warm jacket and perhaps a beanie, gloves and a scarf.
• Heavy footwear is not required, but sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or boots are recommended for nature walks, with a change of shoes (such as trainers) for the camp.
• Good laundry facilities are readily available at many hotels, game lodges and camps, and often on a complimentary service where the amount of luggage is restricted. However, on a busy itinerary it is advisable to check that your clothes
 will be ready before your departure. For your transfers between camps you may be subject to some very strict baggage restrictions.
• Make sure to leave a little extra space for the souvenirs you are bound to buy!

SAFARI CHECKLIST

• Hat for protection from the sun
• Good quality sunglasses (preferably polarised)
• Binoculars
• Torch
• Camera, charger and adaptor
• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case of dust irritation.
• Good walking shoes, trainers as well as sandals
• Socks
• Shorts/skirts
• Tracksuit
• Long trousers/slacks
• T-shirts/long-sleeved cotton shirt for cooler evenings
• Sweater/fleece/raincoat. These may be required for early morning and late afternoon game activities throughout the year.
• Lip balm
• Swimming costume
• Basic medical kit (aspirins, bandaids, Imodium, antiseptic cream etc)
• Malaria tablets AND anti-histamine cream
• Insect repellent (many lodges do supply sprays)
• Protective suntan lotion particularly for pale and sensitive skins
• Tissues or ‘wet wipes