The magic of seeing The Great Migration unfold in Kenya is an experience that never ceases to amaze. This is one of mother earth’s once-in-a-lifetime natural spectacles that will live with you forever. Known for its dazzling light, never-ending horizons and animals as far as the eye can see, the Masai Mara is not only known as one of the world’s most famous national parks but also for the millions of wildebeest and zebras that migrate through it every year in a race for life and water.
Governors’ Camp
Nestled in the forest along the winding Mara River, Governors’ Camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, is one of the finest locales to experience the Migration.
The entire camp is under canvas, with all 37 classic safari-style tents enjoying either uninterrupted views of the river, or sweeping views of the vast plains; all tents are spacious and en suite (with showers), all with private verandahs. Created in 1972, and refined and improved over the years, emphasis is placed on comfort and service, complimented by excellent food.
Governors’ Camp Masai Mara is not the most luxurious in the Governors’ Camps portfolio, but due to it’s ideal situation just north of several crossing points on the Mara River, and adjacent to the well-known Paradise Plains, the Camp presents an unmatched migration experience and remains a firm favourite.
Located on the river and adjacent to the famous Paradise Plains, Governor’s Camp is perfectly placed to observe one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Set high atop a bushy hill, with extended views across the plains to the Mara River, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, is located at the very heart of the Mara Triangle, in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
A slightly larger lodge, boasting 74 rooms, including five Family Rooms and one Suite, the lodge blends international sophistication with raw African beauty. With uninterrupted vistas, each room is accommodated in it’s own stand-alone unit, and includes a spacious seating area and private balcony.
Amenities at the lodge include central bar and dining areas, swimming pool and sundeck, spa and gym, gift shop and business centre. Newly graded as a 5-star lodge, ideally positioned with a bird’s eye view of it’s surroundings, Mara Serena Safari Lodge stands centre-stage to one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth.
In the heart of the Mara Triangle with sweeping views across the plains as far as the eye can see, Mara Serena Safari Lodge is a good family friendly base for the Great Migration
Sanctuary Olonana
Positioned on a private stretch of the Mara River in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park, this small boutique luxury camp, was built along sustainable lines, earning it a Gold Award from Ecotourism Kenya.
Featuring 14 tastefully appointed tented pavilions, all are spacious and boast two four-poster beds each, as well as en suite bathroom; all tents have a private verandah from which to enjoy rapturous views of the adjacent river and the resident hippos.
A mere 45-minute flight from Nairobi, Sanctuary Olonana is ideally positioned for abundant year-round game-viewing, however at the time of the Great Migration, the lodge comes into it’s own, offering especially outstanding opportunities for observation of the throngs of wildebeest.
One of the top ecotourism destinations in Kenya, Sanctuary Olonana looks out over the plains across which thousands of wildebeest migrate each year
Porini Lion Camp
Bordering the Masai Mara Game Reserve is the exclusive and expansive 13 355 hectare Olare Motorogi Conservancy; it is here you will find Porini Lion Camp.
Sitting along the banks of the seasonal Ntiakatiak River, Porini Lion Camp consists of ten spaciously indulgent guest tents, accommodating a total of just 20 guests. The tents are all en suite with flushing loos and hot showers, each tent with private verandah for secluded rest and relaxation. Meals prepared by the camp chef is excellent.
Porini Lion Camp offers a luxury-yet-authentic, bush experience, from which to view not only the Big Cats for which the Mara and this particular camp is famous but also for excellent viewing of the Great Wildebeest Migration. At the time of the Migration, the big predators are particularly active, and sightings particularly spectacular.
For those interested in seeing some of the more significant Mara River crossing points of the wildebeest, these are easily accessible from here.
Porini Lion Camp is known for its open plains which is good for walking safaris
Porini Mara Camp
Porini Mara Camp sits in the community-owned wildlife conservancy of Ol Kinyei in the Serengeti-Mara eco-system, and also directly in the migration course of the wildebeest from the Loita plains to the Mara Reserve.
The camp is small and accommodates a maximum of just twelve guests at any one time in six tents. Room densities in Ol Kinyei are purposefully restricted, making the reserve particularly exclusive.
Tents, resting in the shade of Yellow-barked Acacia trees, are spacious, each with flush loo and safari shower, and give guests a feeling of real camping, but with all the home comforts required of discerning travellers. Home-baked breads, fresh salads and high-quality meals prepared in-camp are the order of the day.
Porini Mara Camp lies 250kms from Nairobi, which is a four-hour journey by road, or can be accessed via the Siana Airstrip just 16kms away from the lodge, or via it’s own private airstrip.
Small and intimate, with just six tents, Porini Mara Camp lies directly in the path of the migration
Mara Intrepids
An easy drive from the Mara River, where the wildebeest annually make their hazardous crossing, lies Mara Intrepids.
Ideally located in the middle of the four main game viewing areas of the Maasai Mara Reserve, Mara Intrepids offers world-class wildlife viewing all year round, not only of the Migration. Spread over a large riverside location, all 30 luxury tents enjoy en-suite bathrooms with flushing toilets and hot showers, secluded verandahs, and other modern amenities. Tents are furnished in a classic style with large four-poster beds, décor personifies authentic African safaris.
Lying 298kms from Nairobi, the lodge can be reached by 6-hour road trip from the capital, or by utilising one of the frequent daily flights landing at the Ol Kiombo airstrip close by.
Mara Intrepids may not be quite as sumptuous as a number of other lodges in the area, but is very comfortable and enjoys great positioning.
Mara Intrepids offers incredible riverside frontage and is ideally located to be close to the action as it lies in the centre of the four main game viewing sites in the Masai Mara Reserve
Sala’s Camp
Sala’s Camp has the distinctive privilege of being the first camp to receive the migrating wildebeest when they arrive from the Serengeti to the Mara. In addition to the Migration, Sala’s Camp also enjoys wonderful year-round sightings of Africa’s renowned Big Five.
The camp combines tradition with comfort, in understated intimate luxury. Up to 16 guests can be accommodated in seven lavish tents, each tent elegant and comfortable, enjoying en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. One of the tents is a honeymoon tent.
The Great Wildebeest Migration epitomises wild Africa, for many visitors witnessing the cyclic drama of life unfolding on the Savannahs of the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, it is the ultimate dream safari vacation. Browse through our migration safari options or speak to one of our consultants about a tour tailored just for you.
The ultimate dream safari location, Sala’s Camp has the advantage of being the first camp to receive the migrating wildebeests as they move across from the Serengeti into the Mara