MIGRATION MIRACLE

Experience the Serengeti wildebeest migration like never before. Get ready for an exhilarating journey through the vast plains, accompanied by herds of zebra and other majestic wildlife.

Witness this annual spectacle of nature as the wildebeest migrate in search of fresh grazing and better-quality water. With the precise timing of their movement dependent on rainfall patterns, every moment is filled with anticipation. Join us on an extraordinary adventure and discover the true essence of Africa.

Lemala Nanyukie is located in the central Serengeti, just outside of the busy Seronera area. The region is well-known for its abundance of big cats and hosts the annual wildebeest migration between November and January.

Aside from the site itself (which is arguably one of the most spectacular in the region), our unique curved roof design pays homage to the overall aesthetic of the timeless acacia tree. This design-build project is the epitome of Serengeti magic.

Nestled among rocky outcrops of the Serengeti's grassy savannah, shaded by ancient acacia trees. Lemala Nanyukie is elegantly furnished with hardwood, luxurious upholstery, and lavish chandeliers. It is beautifully constructed with a fine balance of contemporary and traditional.

ACTIVITIES

• Be wowed by the area's high density of game viewing on 4x4 drives and nature walks led by expert guides.
• Balloon Safaris are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Float in a hot air balloon over the famous Serengeti, with its breath-taking scenery and incredible wildlife...
• Walking safaris are also available at Lemala Nanyukie, either directly from camp or after a short drive to a suitable starting point. The walk takes at least 2.5 to 4 hours but can take all day if guests want to go on a longer walk. This is an optional activity that must be pre-booked because an armed ranger must accompany the team on the hike.

*Please see your safari itinerary for transfer logistics

Serengeti National Park  is located in Northern Tanzania and covers an area of about 14.670 km². The park was founded in 1920 and became a National Park in 1951. The Park is especially famous for it's immense Wildebeest and Zebra herds, but it is not without reason that it is also known as the best place for observation wildlife in general.

The Serengeti is one of the 10 natural travel wonders of the world.

The Serengeti migration is as remarkable as it is impressive. This migration takes place twice a year within Kenya and Tanzania and is considered one of the greatest migrations of wildlife on the planet. Its ecosystem is spread across 60,000 square kms and is home to the largest diverse concentration of wildlife and famous for infamous for the migration of nearly two million Wildebeests, Zebras, and Antelopes. The Migration is as old as human history. Fossils that were found in the Olduvai canyon, prove that Wildebeests have already been using the planes of the Serengeti for their migration over a million years ago. Already at to those times, they were following the rains through the Serengeti.

THE GREAT MIGRATION

The great Serengeti wildebeest migration is the movement of vast numbers of the Serengeti's wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra, and smaller numbers of Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle, eland and impala. These move in an annual pattern which is fairly predictable. They migrate throughout the year, constantly seeking fresh grazing land, it's now thought, better quality water.The precise timing of the Serengeti wildebeest migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year – here we explain how the broad pattern works.

The action takes place across 150,000 square miles of woodlands, hills and open plains, a wilderness that includes not only the Serengeti  Nattional Park  and Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve but also the dispersal areas beyond.

The key players in this 1,200-mile odyssey are the wildebeest – 1.5 million of them – accompanied by 200,000 zebras, 350,000 Thompson's' impala and Grant's gazelles. For them, every year is an endless journey, chasing the rains in a race for life.

• The yearly cycle begins in the south of the park, where half a million calves are born between January and March.
• When the rains end in May the land dries fast and the grazing animals must move on, heading for their dry season refuge in the Masai Mara. Some take Route One – north across the Seronera Valley and others swing through the Western Corridor, but for all of them the journey is beset with danger
• With the beginning of the short rains in late October the migration makes its way back into the Serengeti, so this a good time to be anywhere in the north of the park.
• By December, having emerged from the northern woodlands, the herds return past Seronera to mass on their calving grounds again and the circle is complete. But as soon as the rains return the wildebeest head back to the Serengeti, drawn towards their calving grounds in the park’s deep south.

The journey is riddled with danger: for a start there are the famous Serengeti lions – about 3,000 at the last count – to which can be added leopards and cheetahs, hungry hyena clans and monster crocodiles. The river crossing is most likely one on the most dramatic events in the Serengeti!

THE CENTRAL SERENGETI
This area is the vibrant, beating heart of the Serengeti. The Central Serengeti sees high volumes of visitors due to the large amounts of resident wildlife. This gives travelers a high chance of seeing wildlife in the least amount of time. The central Serengeti is the quintessential image of a Serengeti safari; stretches of savanna grassland dotted with acacia and baobab trees. The Seronera River Valley is beautiful and the year-round water supply keeps the area rich in predator and prey. The Central Serengeti is a year-round destination thanks to the resident wildlife and reaches its peak in the dry season from June to November.

WESTERN CORRIDOR and GRUMETI
The Western Corridor is a remote section of the Serengeti which stretches to Lake Victoria. This area is well known for the Grumeti River which is the scene of treacherous river crossings that form part of the Great Migration. Thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle make their way across the crocodile infested waters en-route to the lush plains of the Masai Mara in Kenya. The best time to witness these crossings is from late May to mid-July.

NORTHERN SERENGETI
The Northern Serengeti is a quiet area of the Serengeti thanks to its remote and secluded location. Expect far fewer crowds here as it requires long travel times to get to the northern area. The trip is worth it as the Northern Serengeti’s landscapes are varied and beautiful and it is home to exciting wildlife. It is also where travelers can watch the dramatic Mara River crossings. Herds that are thousands strong make the dangerous crossing, attempting to avoid the crocodiles as they do so. The best time to visit with a high chance of seeing the river crossings is from July to September.

SOUTHERN SERENGETI
Serengeti translates loosely to “endless plains” in the local Masai language. It could be argued that the seemingly never ending, short grass plains of the Southern Serengeti were the inspiration for the name. This seasonal safari destination is the most accessible area of the Serengeti and stretches from the Central Serengeti and the Seronera to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Lake Ndutu region is dotted with alkaline lakes home to flocks of pink flamingos. This area is great for game viewing during the Great Migration from December to March. Most excitingly, the lush plains are the perfect destination and backdrop for the calving season during February when about half a million calves are born over a 2-3-week period and join the ranks of the huge herds.

EASTERN SERENGETI
The Eastern Serengeti is definitely ‘off the beaten path’ and is one of the most starkly beautiful sections of the Serengeti. Made up of grass plains, rivers and rocky outcrops, this area does not see many tourists but is an exciting safari destination. It is home to all three species of big cat (leopard, lion and cheetah) with a noticeably high concentration of cheetah. The wildlife viewing in the eastern Serengeti is at its best during the dry season and reaches its pinnacle in November when the Great Migration passes through.

Named "Mara Naboisho," which means 'coming together' in Maasai, this is the second largest conservancy in Masai Mara.The conservancy's scenic undulating hills, acacia woodlands along riverbanks, and expansive grasslands provide a habitat for groups of elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, and numerous lions.Naboisho Conservancy offers a unique and private safari experience.

The conservancy was established not only to conserve the environment and wildlife, but also to protect and empower the local Masai community. The conservancy is formed from parcels of land owned by over 500 Maasai landowner families.  Conservancy fees are directed back to these landowners, providing them with a sustainable livelihood in return for setting aside their land as a wildlife reserve. By visiting the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, you will be playing a part in protecting the cultural heritage of the local Masai and improving their access to vital services. When you stay at Naboisho, a large part of the conservancy fee is channeled back into the community, making the project more sustainable. This is a ground-breaking project of tourism benefiting conservation and community. With its high concentration of wildlife, and generous personal space and freedom on offer, visitors enjoy exceptional wildlife encounters.

The Initial research indicates that Mara Naboisho Conservancy has one of the highest densities of lions in Africa. One of the major prides, comprised of 22 lions, makes its home near Encounter Mara. The conservancy also has impressive numbers of elephant, giraffe, and other plains animals, in addition to hosting endangered species like Cheetahs and some of the rarest animals in Kenya, such as Wild Dog which have been sighted recently in the conservancy.Other rare species such as Aardvark, Caracal, Serval cat, Aardwolf, and Ratel are occasionally found. Naboisho is a bird watcher’s paradise with several bird species rarely seen elsewhere in the Mara such as White-Headed Buffalo-Weavers, Northern White-Crowned Shrike, Pigmy Falcon, Von Der Deckens Hornbills, Bush Pipits.

While the charm of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is its exclusivity, the philosophy of the conservancy is refreshingly inclusive. The Mara Naboisho Conservancy also limits the number of tourists who may enter the area, thereby reducing the crowds of vehicles. Guests often find themselves the only vehicle around, giving spectacular, unspoiled views of exciting wildlife.

*Morning transfer to local airstrip for your scheduled chartered flight into the heart of Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Airstrip meet & greet with road transfer to camp. Arrive for lunch, enjoy an afternoon siesta and get ready for the afternoon game viewing!

*See your safari itinerary for transfer logistics

The luxury eco-camp tucked away in a shady forest of orange-leaf croton and Euclea trees on the edge of a vast open plain in the recently created Mara Naboisho, a part of Kenya’s famous Masai Mara and home to the great wildebeest and zebra migration.

The design of the camp consists of a central lounge tent with a view over a salt-lick, and an outdoor relaxation are. Each of the camp’s 12 spacious tents features its own private veranda with a view over the surrounding savannah. Tents are constructed from canvas and natural materials and furnished with handmade furniture. Tucked into the edge of the forest, the tents are side-facing, which allows for a larger veranda as well as a “bathroom with a view.

Tent accommodation includes: Large bathroom with hot shower and flush toilet; King-size twin bed, dresser with full length mirror; private veranda with sitting area, lounger, and hammock; nightly turn down service, including a hot water bottle tucked under sheets; high quality, eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner and soaps; optional morning wake- up call with fresh coffee or tea and a selection of breakfast pastries. With a generous spacing between tents, guests have an entirely private space for personal relaxation. The tents boast simple and elegant décor, soaking in the beauty of the surrounding bush – pure luxury in the wild.

ACTIVITIES
Game drives are taken in Encounter Mara’s 4×4 open-air safari vehicles and led by expert Maasai guides and spotters. Game walks on the wildlife-studded open plains with the Maasai guides are another memorable activity, unique to conservancy areas. Some of the most prominent species of birds such as the Common Ostrich, Ground Hornbill, and Secretary Bird will be sure to catch your eye as they strut across the grasslands.

*Morning transfer to local airstrip for your scheduled chartered flight into the heart of Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Airstrip meet & greet with road transfer to camp. Arrive for lunch, enjoy an afternoon siesta and get ready for the afternoon game viewing! *Please see you safari itinerary for transfer logistics

.