Daily Tour
8 Days
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Masai Mara is known to have excellent wildlife viewing all year round. However for those looking for an opportunity to watch as the great wildebeest migration unfolds the best time to visit the Mara is from July to October. See below what to expect from one season to the other.
LION SEASON : From January to March
The lion season falls when most big plain game wildlife like the wildebeest, zebras are giving birth to their young ones. A few weeks at the start of the year, Maasai Mara is dotted with young ones tagging along after their mothers. Along with the overwhelming numbers of newborn calves come the predators.
GREEN SEASON : From April to June
Early spring, usually referred to as the Green Season, is a particularly magnificent period to visit the Mara. These are the months that typically receive the largest amounts of rainfall. The savannah becomes clear, free of dust and haze making Africa’s stunning landscapes look at their absolute best. The synchronized birth of hundreds of young antelopes, impalas, kudus and waterbucks.
MIGRATION SEASON : From July to September
The Great Wildebeest Migration rightfully deserves its standing as one of the natural world’s most astonishing spectacles. Comprising more than 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, the Great Migration constitutes the last surviving multi-species migration on the planet. From the end of June onwards, millions of freshly arrived brown and black dots scatter the great plains of the Mara, making this Natural Wonder of the World even more wondrous. Experiencing the Great Migration with Basecamp adds another layer to witnessing this Natural Wonder of the World. A Safari with our Maasai Guides is a life-changing experience that will provide you with a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the intricate details of the Maasai Mara ecosystem. No one knows the Mara like the Maasai: they are the true nature specialists.
WILDLIFE SEASON : From October to November
From mid-October to December, the herds pick up the pace as the short rains lure them southwards. The grass on the Mara plains are short due to the constant grazing by the large herds of zebra and wildebeest. As the rains decrease and the grass begins to dry up, the wildebeest head south in search of greener pasture. After passing through Naboisho Conservancy the Northern Migration arrives in the
FESTIVE SEASON : December
From December to beginning of January. Rather than being whitened by snow, the Maasai Mara plains are covered with rich wildlife species. More than any other time of the year, Christmas is a time for celebration, for reflection, for family, and for friendship.
Transfer you from Nairobi / Mombasa hotel to Moshi Overnight at Moshi Hotel. Meet your Guide for Briefing before we start trekking Mount Kilimanjaro early in morning the following day. You can start your trek any day of the year!
5500ft to 9000ft 7 km, 4-5 hours Montane Forest After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rain forest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rain forest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
9000ft to 12,100ft 11 km, 6-8 hours Heath and Moorland After about 15 minutes, you will leave the glades of the rain forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant senecio and lobelias. You may start to feel the affects of the altitude.
12,100ft Heath and MoorlandThis day is considered optional since it starts and ends at Horombo Hut but we consider it an important acclimatization day that will increase your chance of reaching the summit. You can choose to do this route as a 5 day trip however. During this day, you can rest at the camp or have a day trek to Zebra Rocks (4200m) and Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4300m), returning to Horombo Hut for overnight.
12,100ft to 15,400ft 10 km, 6-8 hours Alpine Desert Ascending to Kibo, pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper higher moorland but then disappears into "moonscape". Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb at Kibo Hut.
15,400ft to19,300ft(and down to 12,100ft) 4km up / 14km down 10-15hours Alpine Desert Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's point located on the crater rim at 18640 ft / 5861 m (4-5 hours). Continuing, you now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa: 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). Unbelievable views at every turn. Get your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to Horombo encampment for dinner and overnight (3-4 hours). The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. "Pole, pole" and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
12,100ft to 5500ft 18km, 5-7 hours After breakfast, A steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m / 6004 ft). At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It’s time for celebration!
Depart after breakfast and transferred back to Nairobi /Mombasa HOTEL.
| Destination | Mombasa |
| Departure | Yes Required |
| Departure Time | 6.00AM |
| Arrival | |
| Included |
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| Excluded |
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