Compare Kenya Safari & Zanzibar Beach by Audley Travel vs Wildebeest Migration Safari Masai Mara by Explorer Kenya Safaris
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 13 days | 4 days |
Price From | $ 7,950 | $ 1,449 |
Price Per Day | $ 612 | $ 362 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A |
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 2 Dinners |
Description |
With its white sands and turquoise waters, the Zanzibar Archipelago is an ideal place to unwind following a safari in Tanzania. You can spend your days snorkeling and diving among coral reefs, sailing on a traditional dhow and absorbing the Swahili culture. Our specialists, having visited Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island and the Mafia Islands many times, can help you plan a vacation to Zanzibar that takes in the archipelago’s highlights. There’s more to this string of islands than basking on palm-fringed beaches. Once a hub for spice traders, history here goes back 2,000 years. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Stone Town, the Zanzibari capital, where you can wander winding alleys leading to spice markets and see piles of cinnamon and nutmeg lying in the sun. Exploring the green interior of Pemba Island, you might come across farmers tending their crops. And, on the Mafia Islands, watch as fishermen make and mend their nets in tiny coastal villages. |
The seventh greatest wonder in the world.” It is now officially known throughout the world. Many have come back time and again. They have witnessed this mass movement of wild animals roaming free through the unspoiled and savage wilderness. The air fills with the click-click of the cameras. You have not seen something like this before. Africa is changing at a quick pace, and human encroachment into the wildlife reserves has continued to erase the traditional migration routes. In association with the development and changes in the way of life, the image of wildlife roaming free is slowly getting deleted. Fortunately, Masai Mara National reserve holds on to its charisma of open, limitless land. It is one of the places in Africa that still prides on wildlife concentration. Masai Mara is located in the southwestern of Kenya, 290 kilometers from Nairobi. The abundance of wildlife and the remoteness of the reserve implants memories that no money can buy. Migration is a recent phenomenon (the ’60s and ’70s was the biggest boom) with about 250,000 Individuals. Gradually, with time the number has risen to the current population of over 3,000,000 Individuals. Add to it an estimated 1,500,000 Zebras, and the result is one of the most magnificent scenes in the world. The massive display attracts hundreds of big cats as the populations provide abundant prey. The giant African crocodiles lie in wait, patiently, as the big herds come to cross the river or to drink. It is the Masai community who are not so pleased with the whole phenomenon. The wildebeests compete with their vast herds of Boran cattle for the grasslands. To them, it is a big calamity especially because the wildebeests transmit diseases to their flocks and poison the waters with their fetal sacs. This world-famous migration is a circle of life which, in simple terms, means that there isn’t a start or an end. Only where the herds are located at a particular time. The significant determinant is the availability of pastures. The plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Serengeti are a favored spot as grass abounds and the wildebeest find a safe place to graze. It is also here that over 500,000 new calves are born and the nearby waiting Jackals or Hyenas take many. Newborns have little time to strengthen their legs. As soon after birth, the “pilgrim” continues. By April, the rains are over in southern Serengeti, and the plains have dried up. The vast herds then gather and face the long march northwards and westwards. The natural lawnmowers abandon the exhausted grasslands of southern Serengeti to head for the already tall grass of the Western corridor, near the shores of Lake Victoria. The pioneers of the migration movement are the majestic herds of zebras. They prefer the long stems of the coarse grass. This way, they leave behind shorter grass which is favored by the wildebeests. In late June to July, the mass starts pouring into the Kenya Masai Mara reserve where fresh, tender and mineral-rich grass is already waiting. Here they meet the resident Mara populations which add up to about 150,000. Also commonly referred to as the Loita plains herds, they spend most of the season northeast of the Mara. When it gets dry, they pour into the interior of the Mara in search of greener pastures. The migrating herds spend roughly 3 to 31/2 months in the Mara crossing through Sand River, which is a tributary of the Mara along the boundary of Kenya and Tanzania. They trek westwards and cross the Mara river and sometimes the Talek river. Usually, around this time heavy rains on the Mau Escarpment (origin of Mara River) fill the Mara river to the brim. This is a good time to watch the trunk-looking Crocodiles, while they await the forthcoming feast. Finally, the gnus (wildebeests) venture into the river. This gregarious coordinated behavior of the herds usually teamed with zebras, creates an incredible scene. Just what the cameras have been waiting for. They wander along the river looking for a convenient crossing point. This is a moment filled with tension for both the gnus(wildebeests) and the audience. The survey for a less steep and with no obvious danger. Finally, one takes courage and plunges into the river, and magically the rest falls onto the footsteps and in one organized line crosses the river. In addition to the crocodiles, accidents also occur. The river’s current can be too strong for some especially the young ones. Or simply getting stuck between the rocks in the river and breaking limbs, a direct ticket to the jaws of the giant crocodiles. Finally, the crossing is done, and the trek to their unknown (or known)destiny continues. Maasai Mara Serengeti wildebeest migration safari in the month of October, they are already heading to Serengeti where the rains have treated the southern grasslands to a lush, green carpet of rich grass. Once again, they are heading to the southern plains, where a new generation will be born to start the cycle of life all over again. |
Day 1 Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Nairobi , Nanyuki , Ol Pejeta Conservancy
On arrival in Nairobi you will be met and transferred to Wilson Aerodrome in time for your light aircraft flight up to Nanyuki. Here you will be met by your guide and driven back to your camp in time for lunch. You will have a chance to settle in before heading out on an afternoon game drive in the excellent Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Keep an eye out for reticulated giraffe, grevy's zebra and gerenuk antelope along with the rhino that the reserve is famous for.
Day 2 Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Spend today on safari from the beautiful Kicheche Laikipia Camp where you can enjoy game drives as well as night drives and walks. All the tents overlook a large waterhole so excellent sightings are common even from the camp.
Day 3 Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Another day to spend exploring the wilderness of the Laikipia Plateau on guided excursions from the camp. Choose from walking, game-drives, night drives and visits to the chimpanzee and rhino sanctuaries nearby.
Day 4 Masai Mara National Reserve
Ol Pejeta Conservancy , Nanyuki , Masai Mara National Reserve
Today you will be transferred to the airstrip at Nanyuki in time for your light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Kicheche Mara Camp for the next four nights, enjoying some fabulous game viewing en route. Once you have settled in and enjoyed some lunch there is a bit of time to relax before you go on a late afternoon game-drive, exploring this wildlife-rich area.
Day 5 Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
On safari in the Mara. You can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives from your camp as well as short walking safaris, night game drives and sundowners out in the bush. As the camp is situated in a private conservancy within the Mara the number of camps and vehicles here is strictly limited giving you by far the best safari experience away from the busier areas of the park.
Day 6 Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara is big cat country so keep your eyes peeled for lion, cheetah and of course the very elusive leopard. You will be able to enjoy walks with local Maasai guides on the open plains.
Day 7 Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
Your final full day on safari from Kicheche Naboisho Camp, which you can spend exploring this beautiful reserve. The Masai Mara has some of the best populations of wildlife in Africa, so make the most of your time here.
Day 8 Zanzibar Island
Masai Mara National Reserve , Nairobi , Zanzibar Airport , Zanzibar Island
This morning there should be time for one last game drive before you return to Nairobi by a light aircraft. On arrival in Nairobi you will be greeted at the domestic airport and transferred across to the international airport, stopping for a leisurely lunch at a restaurant en route (lunch is payable locally). You will then check in for your early evening flight on to Zanzibar. On arrival you will be met by a driver and private vehicle who will transfer you across the island to the beautiful palm-fringed east coast where you can relax after your safari and enjoy the activities on offer.
Day 9 Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island
At leisure at Pongwe Beach Hotel - you can spend the day relaxing and unwinding here on the beautiful stretch of beach, or read a book under the shade of a palm tree by the pool. If you're feeling more active, you can easily arrange diving or snorkelling along with other excursions to explore the island through the reception.
Day 10 Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island
One of my favourite things to do in Zanzibar is to visit one of the small-scale spice farms on the island - you get a really hands-on experience tasting and smelling the spices for which the island is famous.
Day 11 Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Butterfly Centre, Zanzibar Island
Another area to explore on Zanzibar is the enchanting Jozani Forest where you can see the rare red Kirk's colobus monkeys. These monkeys are endemic to the island and are really entertaining to watch leap and play in the trees!
Day 12 Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island
For something completely different to the beach, you could head into Stone Town one day for a day trip - the town is located on the west coast and is a busy and bustling town. You can hire a guide to help you explore the narrow alleyways and cobbled streets, learning about the town's fascinating past with a rich and dramatic history as a centre of colonial exploration and of the East African slave-trade. It's also a great opportunity to pick up any souvenirs.
Day 13 Return home
Zanzibar Island
You will be transferred to the airport today for your onward flights.
Day 1: Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
Distance: 275 kms (5 hrs) Morning drive into the Masai Mara with its amazing migration, concentration of wildlife and outstanding scenery. Lunch. Afternoon game drive. Overnight at MARA SERENA LODGE
Day 2: Maasai Mara Game Reserve Full Day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning and afternoon game drives in the finest game sanctuary in Kenya, noted for its wildebeest migration, lions and other wildlife. MARA SERENA LODGE.
Day 3: Maasai Mara Game Reserve Full Day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day in Maasai Mara with a morning and afternoon game drive. All meals and overnight at MARA SERENA LODGE
Day 4: Masai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Have an early morning game drive, breakfast then depart for Nairobi arriving in the late afternoon where your safari ends.