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SPECIAL OFFER

Discount on Peak Season Departures

August through to October are regarded as amongst the most popular months to travel to East Africa due to the opportunity to witness the Great Migration in both Kenya and Tanzania. This year, SkySafari offers customers an added incentive to visit with a 10% discount on select departures over both months.

Departure dates are as follows:

This offer is available on bookings with a minimum of two guests, only valid for new reservations and not combinable with any other offer. Subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.

Above & Beyond News

New Flights from Europe to Kilimanjaro

Air France is expanding its long-haul network with a new route to East Africa. Starting from 18 November 2024, the airline will operate flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania as an extension of its Zanzibar service.

The route will run three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays using the Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This new route replaces the Paris-Zanzibar-Dar Es Salam route.

The flight schedule will run as follows:

• AF 874 PAR (Paris GDG) – JRO (Kilimanjaro) 10.10 – 23.55
• AF 874 JRO (Kilimanjaro) – PAR (Paris GDG) 01.25 – 08.50

Sand River Masai Mara Ready for the Great Migration

Following the floods in April, the camp is now fully operational and looking forward to welcoming guests to experience all the wonderful facilities. All guest tents are back to their opulent best and the communal spaces, including the gift shop and swimming pool, are in full service.

The dining experience continues to offer guests a delicious array of fresh produce with local and international influence and highly memorable bush breakfasts and sundowners. Recent weeks have witnessed abundant sightings of a myriad of wildlife, with many newborns adding to the enchantment of the landscape, hinting at the impending spectacle of the migration.

As many are aware, the Masai Mara was impacted by heavier-than-usual rainfall during the recent green season which led to flooding and a temporary closure of the camp.

Flying Into the Great Migration

The Optimum Location of the Properties on a SkySafari allows guests to Experience the Great Migration to the full

Whether you book on a Kenya or Tanzania SkySafari over the Migration Season you are guaranteed to be in a prime situation to witness this phenomenal natural spectacular.

Guests at Serengeti Migration Camp can expect to see the migration at close quarters, as the camp is very strategically located meaning that the migration passes right by the property as the wildebeest head north and again when they are heading south. Guests can also witness the migration in the north as the camp is only a drive away from the river crossing at the Mara, enabling great sightings for many months.

A stay at Serengeti Migration Camp offers guests a wildlife experience in surround sound due to the proximity of a nearby watering hole where resident hippos wallow and bark away to the chorus of a plethora of surrounding wildlife. Great Migration guests can also enjoy activities such as walking safaris and balloon safaris during their stay.

For guests visiting from January through to June there is also the opportunity to witness the migration from Serengeti Pioneer Camp. April and May, in particular present an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent spectacle of herds passing through the area where the camp is located.

Sand River Masai Mara is located on the banks of the river from which it takes its name. This allows guests front-row seats to the Migration from the comfort of the luxurious camp. Whilst river action is not guaranteed, there is a likely chance of witnessing wildlife from the luxurious setting whilst enjoying the many facilities the camp has to offer.

Fly-In Chat

Serengeti Migration Camp’s Senior Guide, John Kitia Shares Insights on the Great Migration

John Kitia, our seasoned Senior Guide at Serengeti Migration Camp, has spent 17 incredible years exploring every corner of the Serengeti, from north to south, east to west. Here, he shares his insights and experiences about the awe-inspiring Great Migration.

⁠What’s a typical day like for you when you’re out on a safari during the Great Migration?

A typical day during the Great Migration is dynamic and exhilarating. The wildebeest migration involves three main phases: calving, mating and the dramatic river crossings. Calving happens in the southern Serengeti from mid-February to mid-March, where around 500,000 babies are born within just three weeks. Following this, the herds move westwards, where the mating season takes place. Finally, the migration reaches its peak with the perilous river crossings in the north, where wildebeest brave the Mara River from July to October, entering the Serengeti National Park.

What’s the most unforgettable thing you’ve seen during the Great Migration, and what made it so special?

The most unforgettable sight for me was in 2008 when more than 300,000 wildebeest perished in a single river crossing due to unexpected flooding. Witnessing such a massive natural event was both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring, showcasing the power of Mother Nature and the cycle of life.

What special skills or knowledge do you think are important for guiding safaris during the Great Migration?

Guiding during the Great Migration requires a deep understanding of animal behaviour and timing. It’s crucial to respect nature and avoid interfering, especially during sensitive periods like calving in February and March, or the mating season. For instance, males become very aggressive during mating, and any disturbance can lead to dangerous situations. A guide must respect these natural processes to ensure the safety and integrity of the wildlife.

⁠What are some common myths guests have about the Great Migration, and how do you dispel them?

Many guests come with the expectation of seeing dramatic river crossings and predator-prey interactions such as crocodiles catching wildebeest. While these moments are part of the migration, they are also part of nature’s harsh realities. I explain that these events are natural and necessary for the ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting the cycle of life.

How do you prepare for the changes in animal behaviour and movement during the different stages of the migration?

Preparation involves staying informed about seasonal changes and animal behaviour. For instance, during calving, mothers are extremely protective and skittish, perceiving any approach as a potential threat. During the mating season, males’ heightened aggression means we must keep a safe distance. When river crossings occur, it’s important to anticipate potential dangers like crocodiles and ensure we don’t disrupt the natural flow of the herd.

Have you any tips for someone planning their first safari to see the Great Migration?

I would recommend timing your visit based on what you wish to see, as this is key. For calving, visit in January to March in the southern Serengeti. From March to July, the herds move towards the Grumeti River, offering a different migration spectacle. For the dramatic river crossings at the Mara River, plan your visit from July to October. Each phase offers unique and breathtaking experiences, from witnessing new life to observing mother nature’s incredible power during the crossings. 

Sky Unveiled

SkySafari Shares Seven Top Facts about the Great Migration

The Great Migration is not only one of nature’s most breathtaking events but it’s also a complex and intriguing journey. While the dramatic river crossings and the relentless pursuit of predators have been well-documented by photographers and videographers, there are numerous fascinating and lesser-known aspects which SkySafari guests can appreciate during their safari adventure.

Did you know:

• Zebras and wildebeest form a unique symbiotic relationship during the migration with zebras leading the way, using their memory and eyesight to find water, while wildebeest, with their keen hearing and smell, detect predators. This teamwork helps boost survival chances for both species.
• The migration is precisely timed with the rainy season. Wildebeest give birth to around 500,000 calves within a two to three-week period in February, ensuring the young can keep up with the herd and overwhelm predators to boost newborn survival.
• The river crossings are perilous, not just due to currents, but also because they turn into feeding frenzies for crocodiles who wait months for the opportunity to catch their prey.
  While the migration is driven by rain and grass growth, studies have suggested that wildebeest have a natural magnetic compass. This helps them move in a directed way, especially when weather patterns are unpredictable.
• The migration helps shape the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Wildebeest grazing helps maintain the savannah by promoting biodiversity and their movements aerate the soil, aiding new grass growth and benefiting countless other species.
• The Great Migration is one of the longest and largest overland migrations, covering approximately 1,200 miles each year.
• Calves born during the migration are incredibly resilient. Within minutes of birth, they can stand and run, crucial for keeping up with the herd and evading predators.