MAASAI MARA WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI
SEE BELOW FOR OUR 2012 DATES!!!
Wildebeest stream across the Mara River.
“THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH”
“THE WORLD CUP OF WILDLIFE!”
Daryl & Sharna Balfour invite you to join them on their exclusive wildebeest migration safaris in Kenya’s acclaimed Maasai Mara National Reserve. Past guests have described these safaris as “the world cup of wildlife” and we pride ourselves on offering what we believe to be “the original and best wildebeest migration safaris currently available.” As in past years, we will set up an exclusive private tented camp, accommodating a maximum of 12 guests. Acclaimed South African wildlife photographers and authors Daryl & Sharna Balfour will be on hand to offer insights into this wildlife spectacle as well as specialist advice about how to take better photos of your safari-in-a-lifetime as well as critiques of your work, while our resident naturalist guides, Pierre Burton and Phil West are among the best in East Africa and will ensure that your safari is both memorable and informative. The annual wildebeest migration, one of the natural wonders of the world, has been termed “the greatest show on earth” and it is truly something that is impossible to describe or even adequately film or photograph.
“Nothing I have seen, whether on television, the printed page or even Imax movies, prepared me for the reality of the migration. I don’t think the human brain can comprehend such vastness and scale; our minds are not used to seeing a million of anything, let alone wild animals.” Peter Finlayson, past guest.
An exclusive “mobile” private tented camp offering top quality catering from our four experienced and qualified chefs, with seven tents accommodating a maximum of 12 guests, will be erected solely for the use of these safaris, at a secluded and private location in one of the best game viewing areas of the Maasai Mara. The camp will feature spacious walk-in safari tents with a choice of large queen-sized beds or comfy twins, each with private en-suite ablution facilities featuring a fully enclosed dressing room with washbasin and clothing racks, private HOT bucket showers in a fully enclosed attached cubicle and a flush toilet for each tent, while meals will be taken under the stars or in a large, airy mess tent at truly spectacular linen-covered candle-lit tables set with fine china and stemware
“THE WORLD CUP OF WILDLIFE!”
Daryl & Sharna Balfour invite you to join them on their exclusive wildebeest migration safaris in Kenya’s acclaimed Maasai Mara National Reserve. Past guests have described these safaris as “the world cup of wildlife” and we pride ourselves on offering what we believe to be “the original and best wildebeest migration safaris currently available.” As in past years, we will set up an exclusive private tented camp, accommodating a maximum of 12 guests. Acclaimed South African wildlife photographers and authors Daryl & Sharna Balfour will be on hand to offer insights into this wildlife spectacle as well as specialist advice about how to take better photos of your safari-in-a-lifetime as well as critiques of your work, while our resident naturalist guides, Pierre Burton and Phil West are among the best in East Africa and will ensure that your safari is both memorable and informative. The annual wildebeest migration, one of the natural wonders of the world, has been termed “the greatest show on earth” and it is truly something that is impossible to describe or even adequately film or photograph.
“Nothing I have seen, whether on television, the printed page or even Imax movies, prepared me for the reality of the migration. I don’t think the human brain can comprehend such vastness and scale; our minds are not used to seeing a million of anything, let alone wild animals.” Peter Finlayson, past guest.
An exclusive “mobile” private tented camp offering top quality catering from our four experienced and qualified chefs, with seven tents accommodating a maximum of 12 guests, will be erected solely for the use of these safaris, at a secluded and private location in one of the best game viewing areas of the Maasai Mara. The camp will feature spacious walk-in safari tents with a choice of large queen-sized beds or comfy twins, each with private en-suite ablution facilities featuring a fully enclosed dressing room with washbasin and clothing racks, private HOT bucket showers in a fully enclosed attached cubicle and a flush toilet for each tent, while meals will be taken under the stars or in a large, airy mess tent at truly spectacular linen-covered candle-lit tables set with fine china and stemware
Traditional tented safari camp
We have endeavored to recreate the atmosphere of the original mobile safari camps of a bye-gone era with our camp, and this is the way Capt William Cornwallis Harris, Ernest Hemingway, Sir Randolph Churchill (Winston’s dad), Teddy Roosevelt and Robert Ruark experienced and wrote about Africa, with a few more modern trimmings, of course (see our camp album HERE) and is the best way to avoid the over-crowded mass-market tourism of the bigger commercial lodges and safari hotels. We place a premium on the wildlife experience, with our guides being among the best in the industry not only in finding and locating the game, but also being informative about the country, its people and its wildlife. The guides are all thoroughly versed at ensuring you will have the best position and angle to optimize your photography, and will offer advice and assistance whenever required.
Your eventful and full days will be spent exploring this, the northernmost limits of the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem, seeking the area’s abundant wildlife - including the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra that by this time of year should be massing and fattening prior to their return to the Serengeti in the south. We have timed these safaris hopefully to coincide with the best possibilities of seeing the spectacular river crossings, when tens of thousands of wildebeest & zebra pour across the crocodile-infested Mara River. We have a great record over the years of showing our guests these crossings, often with spectacular crocodile action too! But like anything in the world of animals, nothing can be guaranteed - though our guides will do their utmost to ensure you an experience of a lifetime.
Our daily schedule, which we adjust and fine-tune according to the likes and needs of safari participants, usually involves a pre-dawn wake-up call followed by tea, coffee and a light breakfast in the Mess before we head-out in search of the day’s offerings. Each vehicle is equipped with a ‘tea & coffee basket’ along with freshly baked cookies, cinnamon buns or even egg & bacon jaffles (closed toasted sandwiches) for a mid-morning stop out in the wilds. We return to camp around 11.30am for a slap-up brunch, after which most safari-goers enjoy a well-earned shower and siesta. Afternoon tea is served around 4pm followed by the afternoon drive. Sundowners are often enjoyed in the field, (if we have the time with all the wildlife viewing!) after which we return to camp for pre-dinner drinks at the fireside followed by a three-course dinner. Some days we may modify this schedule and take a picnic lunch with us, staying out all day as we explore further afield. The animals and the wilderness dictate our schedule – we place more emphasis on the wildlife experience than we do on camp timetables, and our chefs and camp staff are totally adaptable to this.
Our daily schedule, which we adjust and fine-tune according to the likes and needs of safari participants, usually involves a pre-dawn wake-up call followed by tea, coffee and a light breakfast in the Mess before we head-out in search of the day’s offerings. Each vehicle is equipped with a ‘tea & coffee basket’ along with freshly baked cookies, cinnamon buns or even egg & bacon jaffles (closed toasted sandwiches) for a mid-morning stop out in the wilds. We return to camp around 11.30am for a slap-up brunch, after which most safari-goers enjoy a well-earned shower and siesta. Afternoon tea is served around 4pm followed by the afternoon drive. Sundowners are often enjoyed in the field, (if we have the time with all the wildlife viewing!) after which we return to camp for pre-dinner drinks at the fireside followed by a three-course dinner. Some days we may modify this schedule and take a picnic lunch with us, staying out all day as we explore further afield. The animals and the wilderness dictate our schedule – we place more emphasis on the wildlife experience than we do on camp timetables, and our chefs and camp staff are totally adaptable to this.
Big cats galore too...
The Mara has great cheetah viewing.
The Maasai Mara is renowned for its predators – lions, leopards and cheetah are there in abundance - all attracted by the large numbers of herbivores, and is regarded as one of the best wildlife viewing destinations in Africa by Daryl & Sharna Balfour, as well as by many other top wildlife photographers and film makers. The Mara is specifically featured in the BBC’s acclaimed documentary series Big Cat Diary and Big Cat Live and we are likely to see many of the lions, leopard and cheetah that have become the stars of this TV series, as well as the stars of the film crew itself!
Birding in the area is also excellent, and first-time visitors to the area are sure to see a number of “lifers”.
Transport will be in comfortable customised Toyota 4x4 safari vehicles equipped with cooler bags with cold drinks and water, with a maximum of four guests to a vehicle (as opposed to the East African safari norm of six –eight, or even nine). Each person will have their own open window as well as a large open roof hatch overhead. Ample large, sturdy beanbags are provided for the use of photographers in all vehicles, and we assure everyone of opportunities to capture award winning images!
Following numerous requests in recent years we have extended our departures to seven nights as opposed to the usual six. This allows for six full days in the Mara. Many of our guests opt to stay two weeks with us – please enquire if you are interested in this option. We can also arrange safaris to other destinations in East Africa before or after your safari...perhaps a gorilla trek in Rwanda, or a visit to Lamu or Zanzibar Islands.
Birding in the area is also excellent, and first-time visitors to the area are sure to see a number of “lifers”.
Transport will be in comfortable customised Toyota 4x4 safari vehicles equipped with cooler bags with cold drinks and water, with a maximum of four guests to a vehicle (as opposed to the East African safari norm of six –eight, or even nine). Each person will have their own open window as well as a large open roof hatch overhead. Ample large, sturdy beanbags are provided for the use of photographers in all vehicles, and we assure everyone of opportunities to capture award winning images!
Following numerous requests in recent years we have extended our departures to seven nights as opposed to the usual six. This allows for six full days in the Mara. Many of our guests opt to stay two weeks with us – please enquire if you are interested in this option. We can also arrange safaris to other destinations in East Africa before or after your safari...perhaps a gorilla trek in Rwanda, or a visit to Lamu or Zanzibar Islands.
All safaris begin and end in Nairobi on
the safari dates specified below. You should make your own flight or
other arrangements to be in Nairobi on the day or day before your safari
begins. SAA and Kenya Airways offer daily flights to Nairobi from
Johannesburg. Delta Airlines are introducing direct flights from New
York to Nairobi sometime in the future, while BA, Kenya Airways, Virgin,
Swiss, Air France and KLM also offer direct flights from the UK and
Europe. Emirates connect with many destinations via Dubai while Air
India flies direct to Nairobi from India. We use a private charter flight in
a 12-seater Cessna Caravan C208 direct from the domestic Wilson Airport
to the Maasai Mara at 14h00 on the day your safari begins, and
returning to Wilson Airport at the end of your safari, arriving about
12h00 well in time for outgoing international connections.
Many international flights to Nairobi arrive in the early morning, allowing guests to transfer from the international JKIA airport to Wilson Airport on the same day. For those flights arriving the evening before we can offer suggestions of places to stay in the city, either in hotels, guest houses or B&Bs. Should you require hotel accommodation and transfers in Nairobi either before or after your safari, we will be happy to make these on your behalf.
The cost of the safari excludes airfares to Nairobi, allowing you to make your own personal flight arrangements, utilise frequent flyer air miles, arrive from various destinations, etc.
Many international flights to Nairobi arrive in the early morning, allowing guests to transfer from the international JKIA airport to Wilson Airport on the same day. For those flights arriving the evening before we can offer suggestions of places to stay in the city, either in hotels, guest houses or B&Bs. Should you require hotel accommodation and transfers in Nairobi either before or after your safari, we will be happy to make these on your behalf.
The cost of the safari excludes airfares to Nairobi, allowing you to make your own personal flight arrangements, utilise frequent flyer air miles, arrive from various destinations, etc.
Safari dates & costs
A leopard takes a leap of faith.
CONTACT US NOW for these 2012 dates:
The cost of the safari includes a private charter flight by 12-seater Cessna Caravan upon arrival in Nairobi on the start day of your safari, to the Maasai Mara, full board in camp, all drinks including beer, fine South African wine, spirits and sodas, Park fees, services of the camp staff (including complimentary daily laundry), and the assistance & guiding of world-renowned wildlife photographers and photo-journalists Daryl & Sharna Balfour. Our other guides, Pierre Burton and Phil West, are among the leading naturalist-guides of East Africa and are indeed involved in the training of other up-and-coming guides in Kenya.
The fully inclusive cost of the seven night safari is US$6290per person sharing. A single supplement of US$1950 may be payable. Please note that due to currency fluctuations and other possible increases and surcharges beyond our control the tour price remains subject to change. A $2000 non-refundable deposit will be payable to confirm a booking. Full payment is required 100 days prior to commencement of the safari. We urge you to take out travel insurance to cover you in case of cancellation as once we have received final payment it is difficult to find replacements at short notice, and we cannot make refunds. The price does not include the airfare from your home to Nairobi, visas, airport departure taxes, curio purchases, gratuities for guides and camp staff or other personal expenses.
THIS IS OUR MOST POPULAR SAFARI EVERY YEAR AND USUALLY BOOKS OUT A YEAR IN ADVANCE - ENQUIRE NOW FOR 2012
Daryl & Sharna Balfour have been among Africa’s leading wildlife photographers and authors for the past 25 years. They have published more than a dozen best-selling coffee-table books including: Simply Safari; African Elephants – A Celebration of Majesty; Chobe – Africa’s Untamed Wilderness; This is Botswana; ETOSHA; and Rhino – The Story of the Rhinoceros. Their work is represented worldwide by several of the world’s leading image libraries, and they have been published in magazines such as National Geographic, Audubon, BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic, GEO, Stern! and numerous others.
- August 17-24 (SOLD OUT);
- August 26 – Sept 2 ;
- Sept 3-10 ( Wine Appreciation & Wildebeest Week with winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson);
- Sept 12-19 ( Wine Appreciation & Wildebeest Week with winemaker Peter Finlayson Snr)
- Sept 21-28 (Reserved)
The cost of the safari includes a private charter flight by 12-seater Cessna Caravan upon arrival in Nairobi on the start day of your safari, to the Maasai Mara, full board in camp, all drinks including beer, fine South African wine, spirits and sodas, Park fees, services of the camp staff (including complimentary daily laundry), and the assistance & guiding of world-renowned wildlife photographers and photo-journalists Daryl & Sharna Balfour. Our other guides, Pierre Burton and Phil West, are among the leading naturalist-guides of East Africa and are indeed involved in the training of other up-and-coming guides in Kenya.
The fully inclusive cost of the seven night safari is US$6290per person sharing. A single supplement of US$1950 may be payable. Please note that due to currency fluctuations and other possible increases and surcharges beyond our control the tour price remains subject to change. A $2000 non-refundable deposit will be payable to confirm a booking. Full payment is required 100 days prior to commencement of the safari. We urge you to take out travel insurance to cover you in case of cancellation as once we have received final payment it is difficult to find replacements at short notice, and we cannot make refunds. The price does not include the airfare from your home to Nairobi, visas, airport departure taxes, curio purchases, gratuities for guides and camp staff or other personal expenses.
THIS IS OUR MOST POPULAR SAFARI EVERY YEAR AND USUALLY BOOKS OUT A YEAR IN ADVANCE - ENQUIRE NOW FOR 2012
Daryl & Sharna Balfour have been among Africa’s leading wildlife photographers and authors for the past 25 years. They have published more than a dozen best-selling coffee-table books including: Simply Safari; African Elephants – A Celebration of Majesty; Chobe – Africa’s Untamed Wilderness; This is Botswana; ETOSHA; and Rhino – The Story of the Rhinoceros. Their work is represented worldwide by several of the world’s leading image libraries, and they have been published in magazines such as National Geographic, Audubon, BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic, GEO, Stern! and numerous others.
