When you head off on our Masai Mara Safari you will discover why it is one of the greatest and most popular wildlife parks in all of Africa. Famous for it’s incredible abundance of wildlife and big cats such as lion, leopard and cheetah. Another wildlife draw card is the annual migration of masses of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle and over 1.5 million wildebeest. The animals cross from the Serengeti through the crocodile infested Masai Mara river. The local Masai Mara tribe also have a fascinating culture and they take pride in sharing their knowledge and traditions with visitors to the area.
18 Day Masai Mara and Gorillas Explorer travelling around Kenya and Uganda allowing you to see the gorillas in the wild. Ending off with two nights game viewing in the Masai Mara Game Reserve , home to the wildebeest migration - this is a memorable African wilderness experience.
Make magical memories on this amazing Cape Town to Masai Mara tour. Venture to remote regions, relish natural wonders and immerse yourself in colourful cultures as you enjoy the adventure while traveling Africa authentically. Head off from the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town complete with mighty Table Mountain, travel towards the mystic desert landscapes of Namibia where you will uncover wildlife and historical rock art. Leave the dust to settle as you go in search of greener landscapes of the lush waterways of Botswana teeming with elephants. Next stop,Victoria Falls, as you witness the "smoke that thunders" and wet your feathers before moving onto South Luangwa National Park with an abundance of wildlife game drives. Malawi awaits, where peace and tranquility prevail as you take a breather. Discover Zanzibar and Stone Town's flavors and just before you get hooked, we'll whisk you off to the wildlife mecca of Tanzania where the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater fulfill all your game drive fantasies. Take an epic journey through forests to encounter mountain gorillas up close in Uganda and complete your adventure with the world renown Masai Mara National Reserve. It's two months packed with action and dreamy moments, truly the trip of your lifetime!
On this epic journey through ten countries over 63 unforgettable days, you will receive what you ask for. Enjoy a close encounter with animals that you usually only see in zoos or on nature documentaries. From endangered mountain gorillas and lumbering elephants to ferocious lions and tiny dik-dik antelope, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these animals. Meet people from a variety of cultures and communities along the way, such as spice growers on Zanzibar, fishermen on Lake Malawi,and San people. From Nairobi to Cape Town and the adventure that lies in between - you will be astonished at the diversity of life, culture, and natural beauty that this continent has to offer.
This Nairobi to Cape Town Overland Epic Adventure travels through Africa from Lake Victoria in Uganda to Table Mountain in Cape Town.
We visit the misty highlands in the Ugandan jungles to see a group of majestic gorillas before watching the thunderous Victoria Falls as the waters of the Zambezi thunder down. Relish the views as you look out over the vast deserts and sand dunes in the Namib.
This tour isn’t just a sample of Africa; it’s the entire buffet spread. From meeting the San bushmen in the blazing Kalahari to Big Five game drives in Etosha National Park, and floating through the Okavango in a "mokoro" canoe - we’ve got it all laid out for you. Top it off with the privilege of gazing up at the continent’s star-studded sky and now you’re really travelling Africa.
From open-top safaris in the Masai Mara, to camping in the Serengeti, and gorilla trekking in Uganda, this is a wildlife odyssey like no other. Throw in a paradise island, dramatic canyons, and intimate village tours, and you’ve found yourself in a storybook expedition that will change your life. Fifty-five days, nine countries, seven national parks, one continent. This is how you travel Africa.
This Cape Town to Kenya and Gorillas Adventure provides a broad insight into Southern and Eastern Africa’s grandest attractions.
We leave from Cape Town and head off to Mt Kilimanjaro, explore the gigantic sand dunes in ancient deserts and relax on golden beaches on the tropical island of Zanzibar. The mighty Victoria Falls is next on the list before journeying to the Chobe River, viewing the majestic Ngorongoro Crater and the infinite Serengeti plains.
Experience Southern Africa overland for 49 days from coast to coast. Your journey will begin in Cape Town before traversing desert landscapes, rolling savannas, and lush mountain landscapes. You may have the opportunity to cruise lakes and delta waterways, as well as experience massive waterfalls. Visit bustling cities and rural villages where you can interact with locals. You will have the opportunity to enjoy everything from game drives in national parks full of iconic animals to lying on pristine beaches during this grand journey.
The Nairobi to Johannesburg Overland Tour leaves from the bustling city of Nairobi and takes you to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Enjoy some of the best highlights: Murchison Falls and Silver Back gorillas in Uganda, the Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, South Luangwa National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and Bushman of the Kalahari. If you would prefer an accommodated tour, please chat to one of the consultants.
Take a 43 day in-depth journey from Zimbabwe to Kenya to discover the best of East Africa. A journey filled with vibrant landscapes, local communities and the renowned African wildlife will take you from the cascading beauty of Victoria Falls to the fragrant delights of Zanzibar's spice plantations. Explore the natural wonders and colourful cultures of this amazing region while viewing elephants in Zimbabwe, lions in the Serengeti, and tracking gorillas in Uganda.
Explore the iconic vistas of East Africa for 42 days. There is no better place than Rwanda's steamy jungle to witness rare mountain gorillas, go on a thrilling safari through lush forest and open savanna, and conclude the trip with a visit to Victoria Falls. Discover Tanzania and Malawi through cultural exchanges, relax on Zanzibar's beaches, and track the Big Five in the NgorongoroCrater and SerengetiNationalPark. This is an overland journey that combines local-guided excursions with free time for you to explore whatever it is that intrigues you.
This Nairobi to Livingstone ComfortTour provides a comprehensive insight into East Africa’s finest highlights and gives you a glimpse of what Southern Africa has to offer. We explore the rippling Masai Mara and flat plains of the Serengeti. See the monumental Ngorongoro Crater and the magnificence of Mt Kilimanjaro. Relax on the sun-kissed beaches on the tropical island of Zanzibar, view the picturesque Lake Malawi and the powerful Victoria Falls.
This Nairobi to Livingstone Overland tour provides a comprehensive insight into East Africa’s finest highlights and gives you a glimpse of what Southern Africa has to offer. We go primate trekking in Uganda and explore the rippling Masai Mara and flat plains of the Serengeti. See the monumental Ngorongoro Crater and the magnificence of Mt Kilimanjaro. Relax on the sun-kissed beaches on the tropical island of Zanzibar, view the picturesque Lake Malawi and the powerful Victoria Falls.
35 Day Victoria Fallsto Gorillas Overland Tour travels up from Southern Africa seeing all the wildlife and culture in between Zambia and Uganda. The trip gives you an opportunity to visit the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda is one of the most established combination tours that we offer. All of this in comfort.
In 2005, a visionary conservationist named Jake Grieves-Cook approached the Masai people who owned the land and offered to rent portions of it from them. In exchange, the tribe vacated the land and the area swiftly transformed back into lush grassland, allowing the wildlife to prosper. The reserve was then named in honor of the Masai tribe.
The Masai Mara collect rent for the land and many families benefit from employment at eco-friendly camps in the area. A daily limit applies to tourists and safari vehicles entering the park and as a result visitors enjoy magnificent safari experiences. In addition to game drives through the park you can also partake in walking safaris guided by a knowledgeable Masai tribesman. Cultural tours of traditional Masai villages offer a window into the traditions and lifestyle of this tribe.
The Masai Mara River is home to plenty of hippo and crocodile. In addition the birdlife in the park is spectacular with eagles, ostrich, storks, vultures and over 50 different birds of prey. Other animals in the reserve include hyena, giraffe, impala, topi, baboons, warthogs, buffalo and elephants.
The various landscapes of the reserve include sandy soil and small shrubbery in the east while the Siria Escarpment forms a remarkable plateau which acts as a border in the west. With dense grass and woodlands around the Mara River along with vast savannahs covering the majority of the park. See the best view of the reserve and it’s wildlife on a luxury hot air balloon at dawn.
Wildlife Highlights
The Masai Mara Ecosystem supports one of the largest lion populations in the world and covers an amazing 1,510 square kilometers. The reserve is home to more than 95 mammal species and approximately 570 documented bird species. Spot leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, crocodiles, hippopotamus, zebra, cheetah, hyena and gazelles.
Cultural Highlights
The reserve is rich with history on ancient civilizations and discarded arrowheads along pottery of Neolithic man were discovered here. The Masai tribe have also inhabited this region since the 17th century.
The Masai Mara are a semi-nomadic group and one of the most well-known African tribes. Despite the government’s attempt to sway them into abandoning their semi-nomadic traditions, the tribe has kept true to their ancient customs. Instead, the Masai Mara welcome visitors into their homes and give them a taste of their local culture, traditions and lifestyle.
The traditional music of the Masai Mara tribe includes beats of vocal chorus of harmonies, led by a song leader (‘olaranyani’) who sings the main melody. The woman sing lullabies and hum songs, giving praise to their sons. Often they are seen singing and dancing among themselves. A coming of age ceremony for warriors, called Eunoto, includes over ten days of singing, dancing and performance rituals. The warriors are frequently photographed as they partake in competitive jumping. During the ritual, warriors create a circle and perform precise jumps in the middle of the circle.
Another custom of the Masai is piercing and then stretching of their earlobes which are then adorned with a beaded decorations. While it is the women who adorn themselves with earrings, the men often cover their braided hair with thick ochre paste. They also wear fancy head-dresses (usually made of lion mane or eagle/ostrich feathers). The warriors have a distinctive appearance, boasting blood-red cloaks or shukas.
With such a fascinating culture and traditions, visiting the Masai Mara tribes during your trip to Kenya or Tanzania is often a highlight for many travelers.
When is the best time to go on Masai Mara Tours?
In July and August the migration crosses the Mara River after which the animals stay in the Masai Mara Park until November before heading south, back into the Serengeti.
Most people find the hot, dry weather during January and February the most pleasant in comparison to the more rainy periods of the year. This is also the best time for bird watching, as birds in huge numbers flock to the lakes.
