Maasai, Kenya

Wilderbeast migration crossing Mara River

Dear Friends and Fellow Travellers,

Many conversations about travel to East Africa begin with the understanding that the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara are one giant land mass separated by an imaginary line between Kenya and Tanzania. The, much larger, swath of the Serengeti lies in Tanzania whilst the teeming Maasai Mara lies in Kenya. The "migration" to most people is the broiling river crossings by hundreds of thousands of wildebeest as they travel north into the Maasai Mara from the Serengeti and back again. Famously folks gather on the banks of the rivers to witness natures show as crocodiles lay in wait and wildebeest meet their end.

The migration is in fact a year-round phenomenon as herds (and predators), follow the sweet grasslands produced by the rain. Think of it as a continuous oval shaped circuit that begins with calving season in the southern Serengeti to the turnaround in the Maasai Mara six months later as herds head south again.

Amboseli elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background

Baobab tree at sunset in Tarangire

Laikipia Plateau Black Rhinos

Kenya's Gems

Kenya has always been close to our hearts for the variety of experiences it offers. In northern Kenya, home to the Samburu people, the landscape is harsh and rugged - terrain suited to unique wildlife and ancient cultural traditions. Sacred mountains and verdant riverbeds where elephants gather at isolated pools. The more gentle Laikipia Plateau is dotted with wildlife enclaves where endangered species are nurtured and protected in world-renowed conservation efforts. Amboseli, with it's magical backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, is home to the "giant tuskers". Majestic elephant with tusks that sweep the ground. And then there is the Maasai Mara and the conservancies around it's permeter. Heaving with wildlife in seemingly endless grasslands.

Tanzania Beyond the Migration

Yes, the Great Migration is spectacular (and we'll happily time your trip perfectly to witness a river crossing), but Tanzania offers so much more. Tarangire National Park's ancient baobabs and large elephant herds is easily accessible from Arusha and within striking distance of Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater holds an incredible density and variety of wildlife and lodges; and for the truly adventurous, consider the southern parks of Ruaha and Katavi, which see fewer visitors in a year than the Serengeti does in a day. The Mahale Mountains and it’s resident chimpanzees are reached by a magical journey culminating with a dhow trip on Lake Victoria to Mahale Camp. And of course the Serengeti – endless grasslands dotted with granite outcrops, tumbling rivers and wildlife of every description in abundance.

Rwanda Mountain Gorillas

Within the tri-fecta of East Africa Rwanda offers easy access from Kenya or Tanzania to the Mountain Gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park. Kigali is a one and half hour flight from Nairobi and a two hour charter flight from the eastern Serengeti airstrips. For those who have time, Rwanda and an encounter with the gorillas, can easily be added to a safari in either Kenya or Tanzania.

Beaches of the Swahili Coast and Zanzibar

After days of dusty game drives, there's nothing better than sinking your toes into the powder-white sands of Zanzibar or Kenya's Swahili coast. Gone are the early morning game drives, colors shift from savanna gold to ocean blue, and you have time to process all you've experienced. Lazy days of white sand beaches, sunset dhow trips and piles of fresh seafood over long, late dinners. The perfect finish to an East African adventure.

Properties We Love

Planning a Safari – think ahead!

For those considering an East African safari, timing is crucial. The migration reaches its peak in July and August, but we often recommend shoulder seasons for better value and fewer visitors. Many of our favorite properties are small and book well in advance, so early planning is essential.

Just Visited: Iceland's Northern Lights

In February I slipped away (just a 4h45 min flight from Toronto) to Iceland. My mission was the Aurora Borealis – those famous “northern lights” so frequently spectacular in Iceland. A week of exploring volcanic landscapes by super-jeep (the biggest tires in the world), rejuvenating in geothermal hot springs and lagoons I did get the light show promised. Truthfully the best time to go for the Northern Lights is not February even though the long nights give a longer window – so I got lucky. But Iceland is so special with vast almost lunar landscapes, hot steaming black lava fields, volcanoes, ice tunnels and nightlife in Reykjavik that makes Ibiza look tame.

Where to Next?

We are off to Argentina and Chile for 2 weeks in early April to see properties old and new and to do some hiking in Patagonia. We will also visit Buenos Aires, the Perito Moreno glacier and the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile.

Kenya

Rwanda

Tanzania & Zanzibar

Kenya & Zanzibar

Kenya

Testimonials

Not sure what to say except that it was absolutely AMAZING! All of the places we stayed exceeded expectations – we saw tons of elephants, zebras, warthogs, hippos, monkeys, baboons, giraffes (and actually saw Omo – one of the rarest giraffes in the world) and of course wildebeest. The Serengeti river crossings were phenomenal - both exhilarating and disturbing. Zanzibar was the perfect finish to completely relax before going home. Saying it was the trip of a lifetime seems like too much of a cliché, but it absolutely fits.
K.F. – Toronto – Tanzania & Zanzibar

Muriel we have arrived at Ol Lentille. It is beyond fabulous. It was such a wonderful choice - and now the adventure continues with Cottars. Our tent here a great contrast to our eagle's nest at Ol Lentille. Nothing matches that bush bath, just the best after a long dusty day of hot air ballooning and 8 hours of driving and safari. You did an amazing job at picking our places, we were thrilled with all of them, and the service was unbelievable everywhere.
S.L & S.C – Collingwood – Kenya & Zanzibar

Wonderful trip. Everywhere we stayed was super. The kids had an incredible cultural and wildlife experience. Thank you so much for the time with Georgiana the professional photographer. You can use Linda and I for recommendations anytime.
R.R. – San Jose, Kenya

We had a wonderful time. The trip far exceeded our expectations in almost every way. We loved the variety of places and length of stay everywhere was ideal. Hot air balloon ride - phenomenal. Cultural aspects amazing. Diani was amazing - why don't more Americans go to the coast? And Amsterdam was the perfect stopover. Thank you for everything.
S.L & A.G. & Family – Seattle - Kenya

We had the time of our life! The most wonderful trip and we thank you for your excellent advice and planning. Tim said many times, I will trust Muriel with all of our future adventures. We felt we were in very capable hands so again thank you and we will catch up in a few days!
N.S & T.S – Toronto - South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda

Thank you for being a part of our travel community. Please do reach out for future adventures.

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Best regards from all of us at Askari Travel,

Muriel

East Africa: Where Magic Happens (and Why You Need to Go)