The Great Migration Safari is a tour package for Australian travellers that includes an extended six-night stay inside the Masai Mara National Reserve. The itinerary focuses on providing opportunities to see the Great Migration's river crossings. This guide details the safari's inclusions, wildlife focus, and logistical planning for your journey from Australia.
What The Great Migration Tour Includes
This safari package is organised for an immersive wildlife experience by focusing all six nights in the Masai Mara. This single-location strategy avoids time lost travelling between parks and increases your chances of seeing the Great Migration. The journey includes a private 4x4 safari vehicle and a professional driver-guide, ensuring flexibility during game drives.
Full-board accommodation in the Mara River Lodge covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The package also includes airport transfers in Nairobi for your arrival and departure, creating a straightforward travel experience from start to finish.
| Inclusion Category |
Details |
| Accommodation |
6 nights in premium mid-range to upscale safari lodges or tented camps. |
| Transport |
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for game viewing. |
| Guidance |
Services of a professional, English-speaking Kenyan safari driver-guide. |
| Park Fees |
All Masai Mara National Reserve and associated conservancy entry fees. |
| Meals & Water |
Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and bottled water during game drives. |
How Do Included Fees Improve Your Safari Access?
This safari package includes all required park and conservancy fees for the Masai Mara ecosystem. Including these fees upfront simplifies planning and budgeting for Australian travellers. The Masai Mara is a mix of the national reserve and several private conservancies.
Access to these private conservancies often provides more exclusive wildlife viewing with fewer vehicles at sightings. Pre-paid fees give your guide the flexibility to follow wildlife across reserve boundaries to find the best action, such as an impending river crossing. This all-inclusive fee structure ensures superior access to wildlife movements.
Why is August the Best Time for Mara River Crossings?
August is the peak season for the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. Large wildebeest and zebra herds arrive from Tanzania's Serengeti and gather on the Mara's plains. The continuous search for fresh grass forces the herds to cross and re-cross the Mara River.
River crossings are natural and unpredictable events driven by herd instinct and predator pressure. The itinerary's extended six-night stay provides multiple full days to track the herds, which significantly increases the probability of witnessing a crossing. This duration is a key part of the safari's strategy.
Wildlife You Can Expect During an August Great Migration Tour
The Great Migration's wildebeest and zebra are the main attraction, but the high concentration of animals in August supports a wide variety of other wildlife. The abundance of prey results in frequent predator activity, making this an excellent period for big cat sightings. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards are often seen near the migrating herds.
The Mara River itself contains large pods of hippos and numerous large Nile crocodiles. Beyond the migration, game drives will also focus on finding Kenya's other species. This diverse ecosystem offers a rich wildlife viewing experience.
- The Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and the endangered Black Rhino.
- Plains Animals: Giraffe, topi, eland, impala, and Thomson's gazelle.
- Other Predators: Spotted hyenas, jackals, and occasionally wild dogs.
- Birdlife: Over 450 species, including eagles, vultures, and ostrich.
What Accommodation is Used on This Safari?
Your six nights in the Masai Mara are spent in premium mid-range to upscale accommodation. The Mara River lodge and tented camps are selected for their strategic locations, offering good access to the Mara River and the surrounding plains where the herds congregate.
Guests can expect comfortable en-suite rooms or luxury tents with proper beds and private bathrooms. The lodges provide high-quality dining and common areas with views over the savannah. This standard of accommodation ensures a comfortable stay in the wilderness.
Who Should Book This 7-Day Masai Mara Safari?
The extended time in one prime location makes this safari suitable for wildlife photographers and dedicated nature enthusiasts seeking to capture migration scenes. The single-location focus also makes this an excellent choice for first-time safari visitors from Australia who want to experience the migration without a complex travel schedule.
This safari is also a superb option for a honeymoon or anniversary trip, combining exciting wildlife viewing with the comfort of quality lodges. Families with older children interested in wildlife will find this an unforgettable educational adventure. Travellers who prefer to visit multiple parks to see a wider variety of Kenyan landscapes might favour a different itinerary.
How to Plan Your Safari Journey from Australia
Organising travel to Kenya from Australia requires planning for long-haul flights and entry requirements. Our team supports ground logistics in Kenya, while this section provides guidance on the international travel components you will need to arrange.
Navigating Flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane
The most common flight paths from Australia's east coast to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi involve one stop in the Middle East. Carriers like Qatar Airways (via Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), and Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi) offer reliable one-stop services. Total travel time is typically 20 to 26 hours. Booking international flights well in advance for August travel is recommended to secure better routes and fares.
Kenya eTA and Health Requirements for Australians
Australian citizens must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) online before travelling to Kenya. You should apply through the official Government of Kenya portal at least two weeks before your departure. It is also important to consult a travel doctor in Australia 6-8 weeks before your trip for advice on recommended vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. This professional medical advice is specific to your health needs.
Planning Around Australian School Holidays
August can overlap with winter school holidays in some Australian states. This overlap increases demand for international flights and safari accommodation. Booking your safari and flights 9 to 12 months in advance is advisable if your dates fall within a school holiday period to ensure availability.
How to Customise This Masai Mara Safari Itinerary
This 7-day itinerary is designed for a focused Great Migration experience, but our specialists can tailor the journey to your interests. You can request to book this safari as outlined, or you can work with our team to make adjustments based on your travel preferences.
Popular customisations include adding several days of relaxation at Diani Beach for a Kenya bush and beach holiday. Another option is to incorporate a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains at dawn. You can mention any special interests when you enquire, and our team can help organise a trip that fits your specific needs. [Plan your custom Kenya safari]
