Masai Mara like Serengeti National Park to most travelers is a luxury safari destination and during the peak season for migration, rates extremely rise up. With the Great Migration being the main highlight of any Kenya safari, one may wonder if he or she can visit the Masai Mara National Reserve on budget. Interestingly, it is absolutely possible to go watch the Great Migration in the Masai Mara on budget.
Each year over 1.5 million wildebeest accompanied by over 200,000 zebras and gazelles move in a huge loop across the Masai Mara National Reserve plains in Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The Great Migration is considered to be one of 7 wonders of the Natural World, a remarkable spectacle of antelope on the move, pursued by predators, especially lions and crocodiles.
The Great Migration is amazingly one of the world’s most powerful spectacles and a must-watch by every nature enthusiasts on Kenya safari. The migration occurs in circular form and the animals move back and forth between the Maasai-Serengeti ecosystems. They continuously cross the Mara River looking for better grazing areas.
BUDGET KENYA MIGRATION SAFARIS
While the Great Migration is every traveler’s bucket list experience on Kenya tour, not all can afford to get there. Maasai Mara is high-end destination, especially during peak months of the wildebeest migration. But incredibly, there is a chance to travel on budget and watch the wildebeest migration.
We have the best budget options for you not only for migration safaris in Kenya but also in Tanzania. Our safaris are flexible offering nature enthusiasts a lifetime opportunity to realize their dream at an affordable rate. Our safaris come with variety of camping options and you enjoy your stay comfortable, go on game drives, watch the Great Migration and explore in depth the best of the Masai Mara without hurting your wallet.
How to plan a budget kenya migration safaris
Best time to visit
Wildebeest migration occurs each year where millions of wildebeest move from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara. Timing is key when planning for your budget Kenya migration safari to Masai Mara. The migration movement is often determined by rains and this is an unpredictable factor. Each year, there are 2 important seasons to consider – the birthing/calving period and predator/dry season.
The birthing period runs from January, February, to March. This is the period when Maasai Mara records heaviest amount of rainfall and most wildebeest start giving birth during such months. Visiting Kenya’s Masai Mara during these months is a great opportunity to watch thousands of wildebeest give birth and it is during such period when over 200,000 calves can be produced.
From January to March, the area can be greenish and there is abundant forage for wildlife to depend on. But on the other hand, sighting animals can be challenging considering the dense vegetation growth rate. Besides, it is during such period when Maasai Mara records low turn up of travelers also a perfect time for budget visitors to travel. Considering the low visitor turn up, you can enjoy not only accommodation discount offers but also from tour operators.
The peak season for the migration
Around June and July, large herds of wildebeest begin their journey from the Grumeti River in Serengeti heading to the northern side to the Maasai Mara. From August to September, they cross the Mara River and this is the beginning of the popular river crossing with most of them dying as they are preyed by crocodiles.
Again around October, huge herds of wildebeest and other grazers begin returning from Maasai Mara southwards to the Serengeti. It should be noted that the rain patterns do differ but the most ideal time in general is towards the end of August and September, especially if your focus is to watch the big Mara river crossing.
In addition, visiting during peak migration seasons is of great advantage as you can be in position to see many other wildlife even close to the camps. To be on better side, we recommend that you start planning your safari in advance. Contact your trusted tour operator on the ground with the right knowledge not only on the accommodation but also about the best time to visit Maasai Mara on budget for your migration experience.
Where to stay
When you think of budget Kenya migration safaris, first, think about where you will stay. Accommodation is one incredible factor not to be left out when planning any trip -luxury or budget. Your focus being budget migration safari, we recommend booking budget safari camps/lodges in and around Masai Mara. The popular budget lodges/camps to book for your stay: Oseki Maasai Mara Camp, Talek Bush Camp, Mara Frontier Hotel, Mara Sunset Camp, Maji Moto Eco Camp and Mara Chui Resort.
Length of your Safari
If you are on a tight budget, our recommendation is go for 3 days/4 days. Even on a 3 Days Masai Mara safari, you can be in position to enjoy the Great Migration experience. Book in advance your trip with local expert on ground before the actual visit to Kenya.
Start planning in advance
Any successful trip is achievable if you plan and book it early enough. The advantage about early planning is that you have room to put everything together and we recommend that you start the planning from 8 to 12 months prior to actual tour in Maasai Mara Reserve. Besides exploring Maasai Mara, visitors can as well visit the Serengeti to enjoy experiences from all the 2 major wildebeest migration safari destinations.
Choose the right accommodation with easier access to the Mara River for you to enjoy the best of the crossing experience. Hire a full time 4×4 safari vehicle with pop up roof that guarantees exceptional view of not wildebeest but also other animals.
Pack well – choosing what to carry on your African safari in general can be challenging. Like other safaris, you must consider essentials on your Great Migration safari: the cameras plus other photography gear, insect repellents, safari shoes, safari hat, medication as recommended by the doctor, safari shirts (long sleeved), trousers, pair of binoculars, travel adaptors, personal toiletries, sunscreen, first aid kit, hand sanitizers, memory cards, daypack, pair of socks, and others.
Other activities to do in Masai Mara besides the Great Migration
Game drives
Masai Mara National Reserve is most popular for its outstanding guided game drives, offering a great opportunity to nature enthusiasts to see abundant wildlife. A game drive in this reserve allows you to search for the big 5 game plus other mammals; elephants, cape buffaloes, zebras, jackals, gazelles, leopards, lions, topis, cheetahs, giraffes, and bird species.
Bird watching
Over 470 species of birds live in Masai Mara Reserve and makes it a true birder’s paradise. These include 47 bird species of prey and several savanna species. The reserve’s birds to look for include the white storks, ostriches, turkey-sized ground hornbills, secretary bird, black headed herons, yellow-billed storks, crowned cranes, Kori bustards, sacred ibis, great white egrets, rufous bellied herons, Madagascar squacco herons, bateleur, pygmy kingfishers, martial eagles, ross’s turacos, saddle billed storks, crowned lapwings, striped kingfishers, giant kingfishers, silver bird, rufous necked wryneck, southern ground hornbills,
Nyanza swift, lappet faced vultures, greater honey guide, spur winged goose, African fish eagle, Pel’s fishing owl, Aberdare cisticolas, Schawlow’s turacos, Tara river cisticolas, emerald spotted wood doves, laughing doves, marsh owl, lazy cisticolas, red throated tit, Denham’s bustards, Ayres’s hawk eagle, African wood owl, African finfoot, purple grenadiers, rosy-throated long claws, Hildebrandt’s starling, cinnamon-breasted bunting.
Swahili sparrow, woolly necked stork, Usambiro barbet, yellow mantled widowbird, tiny pygmy kingfishers, knob-billed ducks, whistling ducks, Eurasian teal, African black ducks, blue quail, helmeted guinea fowl, lesser and greater flamingos, red winged francolins and more.
Hot air Balloon excursions
No better way to experience ultimate romance with your dear one like spending a vacation in Masai Mara. With plenty of experiences awaiting you, a balloon tour should be a must-do for any honeymooner visiting Masai Mara this coming holiday season. The hot air balloon safaris take you through unforgettable aerial view of the big game and other wildlife, the spectacular Masai Mara landscape.
Masai Mara also offers excellent camping experiences. Camping stands out as the best way for you to draw yourself close to nature. Enjoy the whispers of the wild while at your tented camp and scenic surrounding.
Cultural visit -located in Narok County, Maasai Mara National Reserve is surrounded by the Masai village/community. A cultural tour to the Masai village is beyond exploring the Maasai unique cultures and traditions. Your experience includes great entertainment from local residents.
Maasai Mara National Reserve spans up to 1510sq.km and protects abundant animal species including all the big five game, and over 470 species of birds. It is one of the safest reserves to explore on Kenya safari.
