Trip 21 - Kenya for the Great Migration 15-29th September 2024

A two week trip to, hopefully, see The Great Migration, one of the great spectacles of the world and one of the seven wonders of the natural world and visible from space. It is the largest overland migration in the world, with wildebeest, antelope and zebra travelling nearly 1000km in a clockwise direction from the Serengeti in Tanzania, through the Masai Mara in Kenya and back to the Serengeti plains in search of water and green grass following the seasons. When the rains come, the animals follow and, normally, they are starting the return journey (the one to two o clock position on a clock face) during September, just as we are there. It's a dangerous and deadly migration as predators like cheetah, lion and hyena are abundant and gather at river crossings along with crocodiles, waiting for their prey to attempt the crossing. Although it can be very grizzly, it's a spectacular movement of animals and one we hope we'll witness.

We're going with Brian's daughter Fiona and husband James, who have never done an adventure tour before, so we're hoping it will open their eyes to what the world has to offer outside the fully inclusive hotel and beach holidays they are used to. Whilst in the Masai Mara we will be taking an early morning hot air balloon flight in the hope of seeing their journey from above, something Fiona and James have agreed to despite their fear of heights! It could be interesting!

As well as the Masai Mara we'll be visiting areas such as Lake Nakuru, Amboseli which overlooks Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, providing a fabulous backdrop (if it's not cloudy!), Ziwani, Taita and Tsavo National Parks to get an all round experience. We finish on the coast at Diani Sea Resort for a three day 'all inclusive' finale in a nod to Fiona and James' usual holidays.

We've got a full, varied programme staying in luxury hotel as well as de-luxe tents with en-suite in the jungle, so it should be amazing!

We're not taking a lap-top on the trip so there will be no blog entries during the trip, but we'll write on when we get back and post a link to it below.

Here's our programme:

14th September - drive to a hotel near Heathrow for our early flight the next day

15th September - Fly to Nairobi, get collected at the airport and transferred to the Eka Hotel for the evening

16th September - Drive to Nakuru National Park for game drives and a night at the Lake Nakuru Safari Lodge

17th September - Drive to  Masai Mara and stay at Enkorok Mara Camp for two nights

18th September - Early morning balloon safari ride, bush champagne breakfast and games drives for the day

19th September - Drive to Lake Naivasha for a boat tour. Stay at Lake Naivasha Country Club

20th September - Drive to Amboseli National Park for evening guided walk with with a Masai guide. Stay for two nights at Amboseli Sentrim Camp

21st September - Full day of game drives

22nd September - Drive to Ziwani Wildlife Sanctuary for afternoon walk and night game drives. Stay at Ziwani Tented Camp

23rd September - Drive to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary for afternoon game drives. Stay at Saltlick Safari Lodge

24th September - Drive to Tsavo East National Park for afternoon game drives. Stay at Ashnil Aruba Lodge

25th September - Game drives en route to the coast. Stay for three nights at Diani Sea Resort, all inclusive

28th September - Transfer to Mombasa Airport for flight to Nairobi and connecting flight back to UK

29th September - Arrive Heathrow and drive home

And here a map:

Here's a link to the blog entry:

14th to 17th September 2024: Click here