Elephant and calf grazing in long grass in the Maasai Mara, with another elephant on the horizon

Sample journey · Kenya · 8 days

The Mara in migration season.

Eight days in two conservancies on the edge of the Maasai Mara, timed for the months when the wildebeest migration usually reaches Kenya.

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Photo: Shafiq Jagani, Maasai Mara Scroll

The idea

The idea

Two camps in two conservancies, with long enough in each to settle in. The conservancies keep vehicle numbers low, and both offer guided walks, which the national reserve does not allow. This is one way we might shape a week in the Mara.

Choose between two camps in the Naboisho Conservancy. Two complete combinations, with approximate prices, are shown further down the page. Every route, camp and flight is planned around you, and is confirmed only when your proposal is final and your deposit has arrived.

Length8 days, 7 nights
RouteNairobi, Mara North Conservancy, Mara Naboisho Conservancy
PaceThree nights, then four, with one move
Getting aroundLight aircraft, and a transfer between camps
Best timeJuly to October
SuitsCouples, photographers, families (Naboisho from age 5)

Day by day

Two stops, eight days.

01 · Mara North Conservancy · 3 nights

The Mara’s northern edge.

  1. Day 1

    To the Mara.

    A scheduled light aircraft from Wilson Airport to Mara North airstrip, about 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes depending on stops, then about 30 minutes by road to Kicheche Mara North. An afternoon game drive.

  2. Day 2

    With Kicheche’s guides.

    Game drives with Kicheche’s own guides across about 73,000 acres of unfenced conservancy bordering the national reserve, and a guided bush walk.

  3. Day 3

    Your choice.

    A visit to the Mara Elephant Project, a night of wild camping, or another full day on the plains. A balloon safari can be added as an optional extra.

StayKicheche Mara North

  • Aerial view of Kicheche Mara North tents among trees beside a winding stream, with hills on the horizonPhoto: Kicheche Safari Camps
  • Twin beds with red cushions, a daybed and a writing desk inside a tent at Kicheche Mara NorthPhoto: Kicheche Safari Camps
  • Tent interior with a bed and dining table, opening onto a deck facing green plains at Kicheche Mara NorthPhoto: Kicheche Safari Camps
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Where to stay

The one camp we suggest in this conservancy, for all three nights.

Aerial view of Kicheche Mara North tents among trees beside a winding stream, with hills on the horizonPhoto: Kicheche Safari Camps
Mara North Conservancy

Kicheche Mara North

Fly to Mara North airstrip

Why choose itNine tents and a two-bedroom family suite above a stream, run on solar power. Kicheche’s own guides drive the unfenced conservancy beside the national reserve, and bush walks and a night of wild camping are part of the stay.

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02 · Mara Naboisho Conservancy · 4 nights

On foot and after dark.

  1. Day 4

    Across the Mara.

    A transfer to your camp in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, then an afternoon on the plains.

  2. Day 5

    By day and night.

    Game drives with your camp’s guides. Because this is a conservancy, guided walks and night drives are possible too.

  3. Day 6

    Out on the plains.

    At Naboisho Camp, from June to March, guests staying three nights or more can spend a night fly camping on the plains, for ages 12 and over. At Mara Nyika Camp, a Maasai dance lesson or tree planting with the community.

  4. Day 7

    Your choice.

    Another full day: photographic drives with your guide, or a slower day in camp.

  5. Day 8

    Home.

    A last morning drive, then about 45 minutes by road to Mara Ol Seki airstrip and a light aircraft to Wilson Airport, timed for your onward flight.

StayNaboisho Camp or Mara Nyika Camp

  • Aerial view of Naboisho Camp tents scattered among trees on green plains in the Mara Naboisho ConservancyPhoto: Asilia Africa
  • Tent at Naboisho Camp with a large bed and glass doors to a deck looking over open grasslandPhoto: Asilia Africa
  • Three giraffes on rocky grassland with the tents of Mara Nyika Camp behind them in the Naboisho ConservancyPhoto: Great Plains Conservation
  • Tent flaps open onto a bed with white linen, carved bench and lamps under netting at Mara Nyika CampPhoto: Great Plains Conservation
  • Tent bedroom with open doors onto a deck looking over bush and plains at Naboisho CampPhoto: Asilia Africa
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Where to stay · one of two

Choose one camp for all four nights.

Aerial view of Naboisho Camp tents scattered among trees on green plains in the Mara Naboisho ConservancyPhoto: Asilia AfricaOption 1
Mara Naboisho Conservancy

Naboisho Camp

Fly to Mara Ol Seki airstrip

Why choose itRun by Asilia Africa and open all year, with nine tents, two of them family suites, for children aged 5 and over. Walks and night drives are part of the stay, and from June to March guests staying three nights or more can fly camp on the plains.

View the camp
Three giraffes on rocky grassland with the tents of Mara Nyika Camp behind them in the Naboisho ConservancyPhoto: Great Plains ConservationOption 2
Mara Naboisho Conservancy

Mara Nyika Camp

Fly to Mara Ol Seki airstrip

Why choose itFour raised suites and a two-bedroom family tent beside a small river, run by Great Plains Conservation. Never more than four guests to a vehicle, with a library, a wine cellar and cameras to borrow.

View the camp

Inspired? Let’s begin crafting a journey specifically around you.

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Pricing guide

Two ways to take this journey.

The price depends on the camps you choose. Both combinations begin at Kicheche Mara North; the second ends at Mara Nyika Camp, which has only four suites and a family tent. Both prices are approximate.

Approximate all-inclusive, high season prices per person for the whole journey, including everything listed under What is included. We prepare an exact quote when your proposal is finalised, based on your dates, the stays you choose and the size of your group.

When to go

Timing this journey.

High seasonSource: Kenya Wildlife Service
Long rainsSource: Kenya Wildlife Service
Migration on the Kenyan side, typicallyNever certain; it moves with the rains

The Kenya Wildlife Service says the wildebeest migration typically reaches the Kenyan side of the Mara between July and October, and calls July to March the high season. Wildlife stays in the Naboisho Conservancy all year, so a journey like this also works in other months.

The migration moves with the rains, so its timing is never certain.

Good to know

Before you decide.

Soft bags, 15 kg.

Safarilink and AirKenya allow 15 kg per person, hand luggage included, in soft bags.

Flight times move.

Light aircraft stop at several airstrips on the way, so times can shift by up to 40 to 45 minutes.

Ages differ by camp.

Naboisho Camp welcomes children from 5, with walks and fly camping for 12 and over, and Mara Nyika Camp has a two-bedroom family tent. At Kicheche, families with children under 7 book a private vehicle.

Wildlife is wild.

The migration moves with the rains and its timing changes each year, so no crossing or sighting can be promised.

Nothing is fixed until confirmed.

Flights, rooms and activities depend on availability when you book, and are held only once your proposal is final.

Shaped around you.

The length, the camps and the nights in each can all change, and the coast can be added at the end.

Additional details

What is included.

Included

  • All transport within Kenya, including light aircraft flights
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Game drives
  • Park and conservancy fees

Not included

  • Long-haul flights
  • Beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Optional activities such as balloon safaris

Booking terms are on How we plan: a 30% deposit to confirm, with the balance due 60 days before departure.

Dirt vehicle tracks through Maasai Mara grassland, with topi and impala grazing among the bushes

Africa, Private & Personal

Would a journey like this suit you?

Tell us who is travelling and when, and we will shape it around you.

Begin a conversation Message us on WhatsApp
Email
enquiries@etanasafaris.com
Phone & WhatsApp
+254 795 887765
Office
The Piano Building, Brookside Drive, Nairobi
Your enquiry is answered personally by the family.
Photo: Shafiq Jagani, Maasai Mara
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