Wings Over the Mara

 4 Days Exclusive Flying Package to Maasai Mara

(Flying Maasai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safari)

Trip Highlights: This is an exciting 3 days flying safari which takes you to explore the famous Mara to spot the big five, migration of millions of wildebeest, numerous bird life and other plains game such as giraffe, warthog, impala, and others. The flight from Nairobi takes you over the Great Rift where you will have a spectacular view of the only earth feature that can be seen while in space. The four days are spent exploring this exotic wilderness paradise that is scene of the Great Migration of the Wildebeest - the most spectacular occurrence in the animal kingdom.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival- Nairobi
Upon your arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will immediately be met and received by our Tour Manager who will then brief you on your Safari. He shall then transfer you to your Nairobi hotel where you will freshen up, have lunch and set off for an excursion around Nairobi city in the afternoon till evening.

Nairobi National Park is a unique wildlife sanctuary which is just a few kilometers from Nairobi's bustling city center, with Nairobi boasting of having the only wildlife sanctuary to be found in the city precincts in the world. Despite its proximity over 50 species of mammals can be found there, including four of the Big Five with elephant species not being represented. The tour also includes a visit to the animal orphanage at the park gate. The tour returns to the city center by sundown.

Dinner and Overnight Stay at the Nairobi Serena Hotel or similar.

Day 2: Nairobi - Mara
Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi for a transfer to the Wilson airport for your flight to Masai Mara. Arrive at Masai Mara after one hour where you will be picked up by the driver from the airstrip, transferred to the lodge as you have a short en-route game drive.

In November 2006, the Masai Mara was named as the eighth wonder of the world because of what experts termed as "the uniqueness of the area and the preservation it provides to so many species living in harmony." It is understandable because this annual migration is the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth. The Masai Mara National Reserve is 270 km from Nairobi, a five hour drive or 45 min by air. For a full package of scenery, game and the ultimate bush experience, the Mara is the place to be. The National Reserve was the shooting location for the film Out of Africa and rema0.ins the location for the British Broadcasting Corporation's big cat wildlife series. The resting place of the big five, the reserve's major attraction is the great wildebeests and zebras migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Mara. This annual event happens between July and September and is the greatest show on earth. These animals cross over to Kenya through the Mara River. You are bound to see the pretentious crocodiles lazing away under the water only to dramatically break out of their sleep and snap up the migrating wildebeests and zebra.

Dinner and overnight at Sarova Mara Camp or similar.

Day 3: Masai Mara
Early in the morning before breakfast depart for the morning game drive which runs until noon. In the afternoon you can opt to go for the game or visit the Masai villages.

The Masai are so significant due to their culture. Starting from their dress code, the color red is so significant in that they scare away wild animals as they co-exist with them. They believe that God, Enkai, gave them cattle, therefore they believe that all the cattle belongs to them. That's the reason why they have been known due to their cattle rustling. Although the Maasai are known for their nomadic life and cattle keeping, they is a group of agricultural Maasai, known as IL Loikop, are look down upon by the cattle keeping group, the Wakwavi since they believe they are the true Masai created to keep cattle. A Masai Homestead (enkang popularly known as the Manyattas) is made from cow dung and wooden sticks from the leleshwa plant. Women are the ones responsible for putting up these magnificent homes. However, a homestead contains several Masai houses which are surrounded by a fence made also by branches of the leleshwa plant where the herds of goats and cows are confined in during the night hours. There are other Manyattas made far away in the wilderness during their Morans as they prepare their headset, the motonyik, before they return home.

Lunch, Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar.

Day 4: Maasai Mara
A full day spent game viewing across the rich tree stubbed grasslands and rolling hills. The Masai Mara is renowned for its great herds of plain game, black manned lion, leopard and cheetah and every type of wildlife in Kenya.

The wildebeests are the most dominant inhabitants of the Masai Mara. Their numbers are estimated in the millions. The great migration starts in July each year when well over one million wildebeest along with large numbers of Thompson's gazelles, zebra and other herbivores migrate from the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to fresh pastures in the north and then back south again in October.

OR

Optional Balloon Flight
Take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon provided at an extra cost. The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild! If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge or similar.

Day 5: Mara-Nairobi
Pre-breakfast game drive. After breakfast proceed to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi. Arriving in Nairobi at 12.00 p.m or 5.00p.m . Transfer to the airport for departure to your next destination.

Package Includes:

• Transport based on a safari minibus with pop up roof for game viewing
• Park entry fees
• Return flights to Nairobi
• Return airstrip transfer to and from lodge
• Accommodation and all meals
• Service of an English-speaking driver guide
• Game drives as per the Itinerary
• Government, Airport taxes

Package Excludes:

• Hot air Balloon flight in Masai Mara (Price is subject to confirmation at the time of booking.)
• Tips to driver guides and porter.
• Extras at the lodges - tips, drinks, telephone, laundry etc
• Items of personal expenses