Great Migration &
Big Five
Embark on an extraordinary private safari that brings you front-row access to the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth—the Great Migration—and up-close encounters with Africa’s iconic Big Five. Designed exclusively for you, this customizable expedition takes you deep into Kenya’s and Tanzania’s most renowned wildlife reserves, combining world-class game viewing with luxurious private camps and expert-guided safaris. Whether you dream of witnessing wildebeests braving the crocodile-infested Mara River or photographing black rhinos in the shadow of Mount Kenya, this journey ensures an unforgettable experience tailored to your interests and schedule.
Along the way, immerse yourself in authentic cultural encounters with the Maasai and Samburu people and enjoy personalized service that only a fully private expedition can offer. With flexible travel dates, the finest lodges, and seamless logistics handled by New Paths Expeditions, this safari offers the perfect balance of wildlife, luxury, and cultural discovery.
Highlights of Your Great Migration & Big Five Expedition:
Exclusive Stay at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages: Start your journey in Nairobi, surrounded by historic gardens and colonial charm.
Explore Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Visit East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary and see rescued chimpanzees in a pioneering conservation area.
Adventure in Samburu National Reserve: Spot rare species like Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx, and experience the vibrant Samburu culture.
Complete Exploration of Samburu: Enjoy two full days of game drives in a unique ecosystem, home to over 450 bird species and ancient traditions.
Witness the Great Migration in Masai Mara: Experience the world’s greatest wildlife movement and encounter Africa’s Big Five in Kenya’s most famous reserve.
Stay at Iconic Little Governors’ Camp: Enjoy luxury tented accommodations with wildlife at your doorstep, set around a busy watering hole.
Private Game Drives with Expert Guides: Track predators and observe wildlife on customized safaris with professional New Paths Expeditions driver-guides.
Authentic Cultural Encounters: Meet the Samburu and Maasai people and gain insight into their timeless traditions and pastoral way of life.
“Experience the Great Migration and the Big Five on a Kenyan safari. Small groups, expert guides, and top-notch accommodations promise an unforgettable adventure!”
– Rebecca P.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!
Itinerary in Brief
This is a detailed Great Migration expedition itinerary crafted for previous New Paths Expeditions travelers. To prepare the ideal experience for you, please get in touch with our destination specialist.
Arrive in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, where a New Paths Expeditions representative will welcome you at the airport. After a seamless immigration and customs process, receive a short safari briefing before transferring to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, preparing for the incredible wildlife encounters ahead.
Overnight at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages (Meals Aloft).
Nairobi to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After breakfast, depart Nairobi and travel to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive in this exceptional wildlife haven, home to the largest population of black rhinos in East Africa and two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos.
Ol Pejeta is a leading wildlife conservancy, set at the foothills of Mount Kenya. Once a cattle ranch, today it protects rescued chimpanzees and offers close encounters with Africa’s legendary Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—along with giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and more. Optional activities include horseback safaris, guided nature walks, and nighttime game drives.
Overnight at Ol Pejeta Sanctuary Tambarare (B, L, D).
Day 3
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Today, enjoy a full day exploring the rich landscapes and abundant wildlife of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s premier Big Five safari destinations. The reserve’s diverse habitats—open grasslands, acacia forests, thorn scrub, swamps, and marshlands—support excellent wildlife viewing year-round.
Spend time photographing the stunning scenery, while spotting a variety of animals and birds. During the rainy season, the plains burst into vivid green, attracting hundreds of bird species and smaller creatures. Keep your camera ready for unforgettable sightings.
Overnight at Ol Pejeta Sanctuary Tambarare (B, L, D).
Day 4
Ol Pejeta to Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast, depart Ol Pejeta Conservancy and journey north to the remarkable Samburu National Reserve, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive in this remote and scenic wilderness, famous for its dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity.
Situated along the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River, Samburu’s habitat of steep hills, rolling plains, and riverine forests supports unique species such as the reticulated giraffe, long-necked gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx—collectively known as the Samburu Special Five. With over 900 elephants, abundant predators, and more than 450 bird species, wildlife viewing is outstanding.
Experience the rich traditions of the Samburu people, whose ancient culture remains vibrant. Observe their skilled cattle herding and enjoy traditional dances that have been performed for generations.
Overnight at Elephant Bedroom Camp (B, L, D)
Day 5 & 6
Complete Exploration of Samburu National
Reserve
Spend two full days immersed in the wild beauty of Samburu National Reserve, one of Kenya’s most unique and lesser-visited safari destinations. Each day begins with an early morning game drive, venturing deep into the reserve in search of its extraordinary wildlife.
Track iconic species such as the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, long-necked gerenuk, and Somali ostrich, as well as large herds of elephants and elusive predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Bird enthusiasts will delight in spotting some of the 450+ recorded bird species.
After lunch and some time to relax at camp, head out again for afternoon game drives. As the sun sets over the rugged hills and winding rivers of Samburu, enjoy spectacular wildlife encounters and unforgettable landscapes.
Overnight at Elephant Bedroom Camp (B, L, D)
Day 7
Samburu National Reserve to Masai Mara National
Reserve
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most iconic safari destination. Upon arrival, the New Paths Expeditions driver-guides will meet you at the airstrip and take you on a scenic game drive en route to your camp.
Settle into Little Governor’s Camp, where you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing drink and a briefing about your upcoming safari experiences. After lunch and some relaxation, you may opt to join your first afternoon game drive across the Mara’s legendary plains.
The Masai Mara is home to Africa’s famed Big Five, including elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes, along with crocodiles and hippos in the Mara River. Birdlife is spectacular here too, with over 450 recorded species. Between July and September, the reserve becomes the stage for the Great Migration, where 1.7 million wildebeest cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti in search of fresh grazing.
Overnight at Little Governor’s Camp (B, L, D)
Day 8 & 9
Masai Mara
Spend two unforgettable days exploring the vast plains of the Masai Mara National Reserve, Africa’s most renowned wildlife park. Each day includes morning and afternoon game drives in search of iconic wildlife, with a special focus on witnessing the dramatic Great Migration, where over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
The Masai Mara offers classic African landscapes of golden grasslands dotted with acacia trees, where lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, and rhinos roam. Your expert guides will lead you in first-class safari vehicles, maximizing your chances to encounter the Big Five and observe predator-prey interactions.
For guests seeking added adventure, optional horseback safaris are available, providing a unique perspective on the Mara’s wildlife and scenery.
Overnight at Little Governor’s Camp (B, L, D)
Day 10
Masai Mara – Fly Back Home
After breakfast at Little Governor’s Camp, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival at Wilson Airport, a New Paths Expeditions representative will meet you and provide seamless assistance with your connection to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international departure.
We recommend booking flights departing Nairobi at 5 PM or later, allowing ample time for transfers and check-in procedures.
Lodgings
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages
The cottages sit within one of Kenya’s oldest formal gardens, surrounded by jacaranda, candelabra, cactus, and bottlebrush trees. With over 200 blooming flower species, the area attracts a rich variety of birds.
Inspired by the historic Swedo House, the cottages blend heritage with elegance, featuring high-beamed ceilings, fireplaces, and wood or mazeras stone floors. Each includes a mini-bar, satellite TV, internet, and a spacious bathroom with a shower and bathtub. Three cottages offer two private suites with separate dressing rooms.
Sanctuary Tambarare
Nestled amongst fever trees in the shadow of Mount Kenya, Sanctuary Tambarare delivers the perfect balance of adventure and serenity.
Sanctuary Tambarare looks out across the grassy plateau of the award-winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy, 90,000 acres of unspoiled African landscape, where the Big Five roam, including the last two northern white rhinos on earth.
Elephant Bedroom Camp
Perched along the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve, this exclusive camp features 12 luxury tents blending rustic African style with modern comforts like hot water, electricity, and herbal bath products.
The lounge and dining areas offer a warm safari ambiance with vibrant colors and original artwork. Guests often spot elephants, lions, and leopards roaming the stunning backdrop of rugged hills.
Little Governors Camp
With 17 luxury en-suite tents around a busy watering hole, the award-winning Little Governors offers an intimate safari. A boat ride across the Mara River and guided jungle walk lead to the camp, ensuring a peaceful, vehicle-free environment.
Each tent has a wooden deck and verandah for watching wildlife. Elephants often wander through, sometimes requiring guests to step aside.
When to go
The best time to experience The Great Migration & Big Five Private expedition is from July to October, when the Masai Mara hosts the dramatic river crossings of over a million wildebeest and zebras. This is the peak season for witnessing the Great Migration and intense predator action.
For Big Five sightings, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Samburu National Reserve offer excellent wildlife encounters year-round. Ol Pejeta is home to endangered species like the northern white rhino, while Samburu features rare animals and rich cultural experiences with the Samburu people.
For travelers seeking fewer crowds, June and November provide great opportunities for game viewing, though the migration herds may not be present in the Mara at these times.
No matter when you travel, New Paths Expeditions ensures you’re in the right place at the right time for an unforgettable safari.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!
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