Let's experience the greatest wildlife show and migration - Masai Mara Mid-Range

This trip is specially curated to feature among the most attractive Kenya’s parks and reserves. Starting from Amboseli National Park known for its great view of Mt. Kilimanjaro and large herds of elephants, to Nakuru National Park one of the greatest ornithological sites in the world and a great rhino sanctuary in Kenya, to the Masai Mara Game Reserve the arena to one of greatest spectacle on earth, the great migration.

The world’s greatest show‚ set on stage in the Masai Mara great migration.  The Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving some 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson's gazelles, 97,000 Topi, 18,000 elands, and 200,000 zebras. These migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by predators such as leopard, cheetah and most notably lions and hyena.

Wildebeest (also known Gnu) at the background and zebra migration in Masai Mara. Photo credit to Wikipedia contributor Key45

Let us experience it first hand as seen on National Geographic.  The adventure of the lifetime.  This happens every year between July to October, the animals will migrate from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of food and water.  However, for the animals to get to Masai Mara, they will have to cross the dangerous Mara River. That is filled with hundreds of crocodiles and fat pods of hippo waiting for them.  The dramatic contrast between life and death to be witnessed during the Great Migration. 

Wildebeests crossing the dangerous Mara river. Photo credit to James H @ flickr.com

Despite comprising only 0.01% of Africa’s total landmass, more than 40% of Africa’s larger mammals can be found here in Masai Mara.
Large numbers of migrating wildebeest, after having crossed the river Mara from Serengeti to the Mara

We will visit a Masai Mara village, the Maasai tribe is a unique tribe and well-known for its high jump dance.

High jump dance to impress the girls

Sunrise at Masai Mara

There are many national game viewing parks in Kenya that one must visit when in the country. Our itinerary covers those that are strongly recommended and well known.
Some of the big mammals found in Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara National Park, and Lake Naivasha area

Amboseli National Park provides the classic Hollywood image of Africa. It is one of the best wildlife-viewing experiences in the world with 400 species of birds including water birds, pelicans, kingfishers, crakes, hammerkops, and 47 types of raptors.

Grey Crowned Crane and Superb Starling in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Photo credit to Atul Nulkar @ flickr.com

Set in rolling savannah scenery it is dwarfed by the presence of the pink-tinged, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro which, at 5,896 meters, is the tallest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Set against this amazing and magnificent backdrop roam vast herds of elephant accompanied by the lions, buffalos, cheetahs, giraffes, baboons, gazelles, hippos, and wildebeest.  

Amboseli National Park is famous for being the best place in the world to get close to free-ranging elephants, with Mt Kilimanjaro in the background. Photo credits to amboseli.com

Discover Lake Nakuru National Park 

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s two Premium Parks, and is a bird lover’s paradise. The park has a reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. It also boasts a huge variety of animals, including leopard which is often found snoozing on the branches of the magnificent yellow-barked acacias, lion, buffalo, hippo, waterbuck, warthog, baboon, the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe only found in this park in Kenya, southern white rhinos and the rare eastern black rhino is protected and guarded here too.

Rothschild's is one of the most endangered distinct populations of giraffe, with 1671 individuals estimated in the wild in 2016. Photo credit: By The Lilac Breasted Roller from Sullivan's Island, United States @ Wikimedia Commons 


White Rhinoceros near the lake Nakuru. Photo credit to Ryan Harvey @ flickr.com

 Black Rhino at Lake Nakuru. Photo credit to Bernard DUPONT @ flickr.com

We may have a chance to be up close and near the wild animals (no predators) by walking at Crescent Island Game Park which is located on Lake Naivasha, It is one of the most beautiful parks in Kenya and is Lake Naivasha’s best kept secret. You have the opportunity to see zebras, giraffes, hippos, buffalo and a wide variety of birdlife as we walk through the park.

Some of the wild animals in Lake Naivasha

Zebras at Crescent Island. Photo credit to Son of Groucho @ flickr.com

 
Hippos at Lake Naivasha Photo credit to Николай Максимович, source https://www.panoramio.com/photo/47575131

Cormorants on Lake Naivasha. Photo credit to McKay Savage @ flickr.com 

Great Rift Valley

Mount Longonot. Photo credit to Valerius Tygart @ Wikimedia Commons

Flamingo in Lake Elmenteita Joanne Goldby @ flickr.com

We have worked with the local operators to have 2 different accommodation packages: Budget and Mid-range (semi-luxury), while we still enjoy the same places of interests.

For the budget accommodation package, the trip cost is USD1,750. For the mid-range (semi-luxury) accommodation package, the trip cost is USD2,370. Both costs exclude air ticket, cover most of the meals and activities. Refer to details in below.

This event page is for mid-range (Semi-luxury) Accommodations Package. Below are some pictures of the accommodations for your reference. It may not be exactly the same hotel (depending on when the trip is confirmed) but of the similar standard.

For pictures and RSVP of budget accommodation, pls refer to this link: https://www.threeplaygrounds.com/adventure/let-s-experience-the-greatest-wildlife-show-and-migration-masai-mara-budget/263

Mid-range (semi-luxury) accommodation:

 This 10-day mid-range package will cost us USD$2,370 per pax and we need min 10 people to make this happen. I have used USD$1 to SGD$1.31 to estimate the trip cost, I will refund the difference if Singapore dollars appreciates against US dollars during the time of bank exchange and you will have to top up the equivalent Singapore dollars if Singapore dollars depreciates.

As Air Mauritius has changed flight time, the next cheaper airline is Ethiopian Airlines. The airfare estimated between $1,200 to $1,400.

Itinerary 

(The local operators will do their best to adhere to the route, time and schedule as described below but certain amount of flexibility is necessary to build into the trip as on occasions it may be desirable or necessary to make alterations or changes to the intended itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances)

Day 1, 3 Aug 2018: Friday: SG - Nairobi

- Depart SG and arrive Nairobo

- Check into Nairobi Hotel and stay one night

- Free & easy

- Sleep early for early set off the next day

Day 2, 4 Aug 2018: Saturday: Nairobi - Amboseli

Enjoy the land of gentle giants and Kilimanjaro ~ Amboseli National Park

0700 hrs: Breakfast
0800 hrs: leave for Amboseli National Park 
1200 hrs: Reach Amboseli National Park and have lunch
1400 hrs: Afternoon game viewing drive in Amboseli National Park
1900 hrs: Dinner, overnight at Amboseli

The highlights are Mt Kilimanjaro and wildlife in Amboseli National Park

• All meals included. Drinks not included

Day 3, 5 Aug 2018: Sunday: Full day Amboseli National Park

0730 hrs: Breakfast, leave for Amboseli National Park
0900 hrs: Morning game drive in Amboseli National Park
1300 hrs: Lunch
1500 hrs: Afternoon game drive in Amboseli National Park
1900 hrs: Dinner, overnight at Amboseli

• All meals included. Drinks not included

Day 4, 6 Aug 2018: Monday: Amboseli-Lake Nakuru

Discover Lake Nakuru National Park 

0730 hrs: Breakfast, leave for Lake Nakuru National Park
1300 hrs: Lunch
1500 hrs: Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
1900 hrs: Dinner, overnight at Lake Nakuru 

• All meals included. Drinks not included

Day 5, 7 Aug 2018: Tuesday: Lake Nakuru - The Great Masai Mara National Reserve 

This is the day to drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth', the annual migration of over one million wildebeest.

0700 hrs: Breakfast
0800 hrs: Leave for Masai Mara
1300 hrs: Lunch
1500 hrs: Afternoon Game Drive
1900 hrs: Dinner and overnight at Masai Mara. Optional night game drive @ USD150 per pax

• All meals included. Drinks not included

Day 6, 8 Aug 2018: Wednesday: Full day discovering the great game of Masai Mara National Reserve

0700 hrs: Breakfast

0800 hrs: Morning game drive in Masai Mara and visit Masai Village

1300 hrs: Lunch

1500 hrs: Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara

1900 hrs: Dinner and overnight at Masai Mara

The highlights are the countless wildebeest, zebras, and the wildlife such as big 5 and Mara river crossing and Masai Village

• All meals included. Drinks not included

Day 7, 9 Aug 2018: Thursday: Masai Mara-Lake Naivasha

0700 hrs: Breakfast

0800 hrs: Morning game drive in Masai Mara

1200 hrs: Lunch

1300 hrs: Leave for Lake Naivasha

1600 hrs: Enjoy sunset boat ride and walk Crescent Island

1900 hrs: Dinner and stay overnight at Naivasha

• All meals included. Drinks not included

Day 8, 10 Aug 2018: Friday: Lake Naivasha - Nairobi

Drive to Nairobi enjoying sightseeing along Great Rift Valley

After breakfast, we are set to heading back to Nairobi via Great Rift Valley. The journey will pass by the dormant volcano and Mount Longonot. We will also take a walk in lakes Elementeita to watch pink flamingo safari. Keep an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle and head up the escarpment. We will arrive in Kenya's bustling capital city Nairobi in the early afternoon. Free and easy the rest of the day. Stay overnight in Nairobi.

• Only breakfast. Drinks not included

Day 9, 11 Aug 2018: Saturday: Nairobi - Singapore

After breakfast, Free & Easy time

After lunch, heading to Nairobi Jomo International Airport

• Only breakfast.

Day 10, 12 Aug 2018: Sunday Home Sweet Home

Things to bring:
1) Head Lamp
2) Outdoor Attire (long pant recommended) 
3) Shoes recommended for walking trekking Shoe. NO Slipper 
4) Clothes for changing

5) Warm clothing when the weather is cold especially in the night
6) Insect Repellent
7) Room slippers
8) Binoculars
9) Personal Toiletries

10) Personal medication (if necessary)

11) Neck rest for long journey ride

12) Sleeping bag lining

13) Yellow fever vaccination papers

Includes:

• All land transfer including transfer to and from Nairobi airport
• Entrance fees to national parks
• Game drives as mentioned in itinerary
• Professional driver/guide
• Visit Masai Mara village
• Sunset boat ride at Lake Naivsaha
• Crescent Island Walk at Lake Naivasha
• 8 nights accommodation (2 pax per room)
• 8 x breakfast, 6 x lunches, 6 x dinners (drinking water not included)

Excludes:

• Airfare
• Meals not mentioned above
• Transport for free and easy day
• Optional Night game view drive (USD$150 per pax)
• Visas
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Yellow fever jab (at least one month prior to departure date)
• Insurance (strongly recommended to buy)
• Drinking water at all meals (about USD$1 per one litre bottle)

Important notes:

• We aren’t visiting zoos nor bird parks, as such there is no guarantee that wildlife will appear as in the past during our trip duration
• We have picked the usual and the best animals migration seasons and therefore we stand a very high chance of witnessing one of the world’s most spectacular sight.
• Please read through the following terms of participation before RSVP:

http://threeplaygrounds.com/pages/champion-terms-of-participation

DISCLAIMER: Your safety and well-being during the trip are your sole responsibility. By RSVP for this event, you have confirmed that you have read, acknowledged, agreed and accepted the terms and conditions of participating this trip.