Kenya Safari 7 Days: Masai Mara and the Great Migration

Kenya is the go-to safari destination. Not for the price — South Africa is cheaper, Tanzania more spectacular in some ways. But for the unique combination of the Masai Mara, the Great Migration and the diversity of parks in one week, Kenya remains unbeatable.

Seven days is the ideal format. The less you fly over. The more, you start repeating the same landscapes and the same animals. As long as you choose the parks carefully.

◆The Great Migration: Understanding the Phenomenon

The Great Migration is 1.5 million wildebeests, 200,000 zebras and 500,000 gazelles that move in circuits between the Tanzanian Serengeti and the Kenyan Masai Mara. This annual movement follows the rains and the fresh grasses — it is not fixed to the day, but predictable to the week.

July-October: the wildebeest are in the Masai Mara. It's the time of the river crossings (the Mara River) — hundreds of animals dive together, crocodiles wait. That's the image everyone has in mind.

November-June: the wildebeest are in the Serengeti. Kenya outside this period remains excellent (Big Five present all year round) but the river crossing does not take place.

November and March-April: rainy seasons. The parks are less crowded, prices are lower, the animals have difficulty seeing themselves in the tall vegetation.

◆7-day itinerary — Masai Mara tour

Day 1: Nairobi

Nairobi is a transit stopover. Nairobi National Park is worth half a day: 10 minutes from the city centre, you can see lions with skyscrapers in the background. The Elephant Orphanage (David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust) welcomes orphaned elephant calves every morning at 11am – one of Kenya's most moving experiences.

Day 2-5: Masai Mara

The transfer to the Mara is by flight (45 min) or by road (5 hours). The flight is recommended — the road is long and tiring, the time spent on safari is worth more.

The Masai Mara is an extension of the Tanzanian Serengeti. The savannah is open, the trees are rare, the visibility is maximum. The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo) are present all year round.

The typical program in the Mara : - Get up at 5:30 am, start game drive at 6 am (felines hunt in the morning) - Return to the camp for breakfast at 9am - Rest at noon (heat, animals in the shade) - Game drive from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (golden hour, photographer's light) - Dinner at the camp under the stars

! [Lions resting in the savannah of the Masai Mara, Kenya, at sunset] (https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1516426122078-c23e76319801?w=1200&h=600&fit=crop&auto=format)

Four days in the Mara allow you to see: - Lions (almost some, several times) - Elephants (some) - Hippos (on the banks of the Mara River, some) - Cheetahs (probable) - Leopards (possible, less predictable) - Rhinos (rare in the Mara — more common in Ol Pejeta)

Balloon over the Mara: The dawn hot air balloon ride is one of Kenya's most expensive and unforgettable experiences (around USD 500 per person). The view from 100 meters of the migration is impossible to forget.

Day 6: Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is known for its flamingos (when conditions are good, thousands line the banks) and white and black rhinos — the park is fenced and is Kenya's best sanctuary.

The transfer from the Mara takes 3 hours on the road or 45 minutes on the fly. A lodge by the lake allows you to watch flamingos at dusk from the terrace.

Day 7: Nairobi and departure

Free morning in Nairobi (Giraffe Centre, where you can feed Rothschild's giraffes from a platform) then airport transfer for the night flight to Paris (arrival in the morning D+1).

◆Choosing your safari accommodation

There are three levels:

Tented camps (200-400 USD/night): permanent tents with bed, bathroom and electricity. No camping — all the comforts of a hotel in the savannah. This is the authentic safari experience. The difference between a quality camp and a low-end camp: the position (proximity to water points), the quality of the guides, and the number of vehicles on the same game drive.

Mid-range lodges (150-250 USD/night): permanent hotels with swimming pool and restaurant. More comfortable, less immersive. Suitable for families with young children.

Luxury camps (600-1,500 USD/night): exclusive camps with 6 to 12 tents, private guide, air transfers. The ultimate experience — and the price that goes with it.

! [Herd of zebras crossing the savannah of the Masai Mara under a cloudy sky] (https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1549366021-9f761d450615?w=1200&h=600&fit=crop&auto=format)

◆Budget safari Kenya

Kenya is one of the most expensive safari destinations in Africa. Entrance fees to the Masai Mara have increased 5x in 2023 for non-residents.

Masai Mara entrance fee: USD 200 per adult per day (since 2023 — check the update before you go).

Budget 7-day all-inclusive tour (flight + accommodation + parks + guide) : - Mid-range formula: €3,500 to €5,000 per person - Classic tented camp formula: €5,000 to €8,000 per person - Luxury package: €10,000 and more

Organized tours usually include entrance fees, game drives, full board and guide. International flights (Paris-Nairobi, 8 hours) and domestic flights are often extra.