Masai Mara Migration Photo Safari

This safari has to be one of the most sought after wildlife spectacles to photograph. Thousands of animals take part in this annual migration when they move between Kenya and Tanzania in an unbelievable struggle for survival. Our Masai Mara Migration Wildlife Tour is timed during the peak of this spectacle when the huge arrive on the banks of the Mara River and cross this treacherous river.

The Masai Mara is home to an unequaled profusion and diversity of wildlife. The Reserve is named for the Masai people who inhabit the area and the Mara River that flows through the reserve. It shares a border with Tanzania’s Famed Serengeti and is in fact a continuation of this park, forming the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.The Masai Mara Reserve covers an impressive 1115 sq Km, and is a land of breathtaking vistas, endless plains, and diverse and abundant wildlife. Wildebeest are known for their famous annual long distance migrations when the rainy season ends and they go in search of food and water. The migration is influenced not only by the availability of food and water, but also the nitrogen and phosphorus (essential for lactation) content of the local grasses, and the predator activity in an area.

Your Masai Mara Migration Photo Safari begins as you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta airport, where we meet and greet all all participants of the tour. We transfer to Nairobi’s Wilson airport for your flight to the Masai Mara. A half hour drive to your base for the safari Mara Ngenche Camp. The camp based on the confluence of the Mara and Talek Rivers will give you your first glimpses of this fantastic area, and as you arrive at the camp you will be struck by the breathtaking views and the vast number of animals visible from here.

Your full-day daily game drives (if animals & migration are very active) hosted by your Professional Tusk Photo host photographer will ensure that you spend the next days capturing the best possible wildlife shots of the Wildebeest migration. Memory cards will be filled with every type of image imaginable. Action shots as the wildebeest and zebra cross a river, desperately avoiding the waiting jaws of the crocodiles, or as they leap meters down a bank, intent only on reaching their destination with food and water. Lions, leopards, cheetah, hyena, jackals, seem to lie in wait everywhere, and you will capture many action shots. During the rare quiet times, the panoramic views create a magnificent backdrop for the array of antelope, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and all the other large and small animals that inhabit the area.

As you return to the camp after sunset, the African sky glittering above, and with the sounds and smells of the bush around you, and you share your extraordinary day with your fellows, you know that life does not get much better than this.Your return home, with your heart and mind enriched by this truly unique experience, and your memory cards filled with extraordinary images for you to enjoy again and again, leaves you with the knowledge that you have been privileged to witness one of nature’s amazing miracles – the Great Migration!

The Mara Ngenche Camp

Located in a spectacular location in the  heart of the Masai Mara, lies this small, intimate, luxurious and elegant Camp.

Well hidden in the beautiful greenery of riverine forest, Ngenche Safari Camp offers panoramic views over the confluence of the Mara and Talek Rivers, overlooking a hippo pool that is always busy with these beautiful large animals with crocodiles always in close proximity.

The 10 Spacious well appointed tents are all en-suite and decorated with an amazing fusion of modern African decor with old world charm. Each tent is partially enclosed in it’s own “Boma”, has a large four poster king size bed or two queen size beds, offers wonderful view on the River and is equipped with a large bath tub and outside shower. Mara Ngenche is un-fenced and is designed to allow the exciting movement of animals through the grounds offering an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the African bush.

In addition each tent has its own private plunge pool…!

The incredible surroundings of the Masai Mara make this a spectacular photographic safari experience. Game drives are always thrilling and are guided by qualified expert local Maasai guides in open-sided 4WDs

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrive Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport and transfer to Wilson Airport for our flight to the Masai Mara. After checking in and a bite to eat we set off on our first afternoon game drive.

Day 2 to Day 6 – After an early morning wake up with coffee and light snack we head out on the plains. We have the option of staying out for the entire day depending on sightings and animal build up along the Mara River. Crossings often happen during the mid-day hours and we will therefore be ready should conditions look like the animals are building up for a crossing and the flurry of action that follows that. Our camp is very close to the main crossing areas of the Mara River and we always have the option of taking a short break if the group would like to take this option. If the photography is good we stay….!

Day 7 – After a short morning drive we head back to camp for breakfast and check-out procedures. We fly back to Wilson Airport and transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Airport – End of tour.

So what are the Safari highlights:

• Spectacular luxury camp location on the confluence of the Mara and Talek River
• Photography from private open game viewers (not pop-ups)
• Limited 4 guests per vehicle – Tusk Photo photographers only
• Unlimited game drive
• Wildebeest migration – one of the biggest natural events in the world
• Spectacular predator action with Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and more
• More than 450 bird species
• Open grass plains for spectacular wildlife and Landscape photography

Included:

• Services of Tusk Photo hosts
• All meals, teas & coffees
• Local beers and wines
• 6 nights’ accommodation
• All activities
• Flights from Wilson Airport to Masai Mara and back again.
• All transfers
• Additional 15kg per person for flight into the Mara from Wilson Airport – Total 30kg per person.
• All Park Fees

Not included:

• Visas
• Telephone calls
• Gratuities
• Purchases of a personal nature
• International flights to and from Kenya
• Laundry Service

Optional Extras:

• Balloon flights
• Extra nights at Ngenche Camp