Mount Kenya’s snow-capped peaks seem oblivious to the dry grasslands beneath, and Samburu’s desolate, semi-desert scrublands reveal a very different side to this fertile country. The migratory pink flamingos, which lend Lake Nakuru its blush, number close to a million and are an unforgettable sight in the shallows.
This East African country is famous for one of nature’s most spectacular, majestic phenomena, the annual migration of more than a million wildebeest (gnu). Countless wildlife documentaries have captured the spectacle of thundering hooves as they move from the Serengeti in the south to the Masai Mara, in search of fresh grasslands between July and October each year.
HIGLIGHTS • Enjoy a safari in the Masai Mara and other fantastic game reserves such as the Samburu, Shaba and Amboseli (with its magnificent view of Kilimanjaro) • See huge flocks of flamingos at the edge of Lake Nakuru • Experience the annual migration of wildebeest between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. This takes place during August and September and is one of the most spectacular sights in Africa • Combine a beach holiday in Mombasa with a bush safari in Tsavo – our convenient shuttle service operates between these two areas
CLIMATE There are two wet seasons known as long and short rains. The long rains (heavy downpours with storms) run from late March until June, and the short rains (less severe) from November to January.
HOW TO GET THERE The best way for clients to access Kenya is to fly into Nairobi or Mombasa
THE MIGRATION In May or early June over 3 million wildebeest and zebra come to the Serengeti Plains in search of water and fresh grass. From July to October the countless herds congregate along the swollen Mara River, the final barrier cutting them off from the sweet green grass of the Masai Mara.
In November, with the arrival of the short rains, the herds begin their migration to the southern Serengeti. This migration follows the long rains and is therefore seasonal, dependent on weather conditions.
Remember: The migration is controlled by nature and weather patterns, so timings can vary month by month and year by year.
