Tag: Masai Mara

Angama Amboseli: Elephant Heaven

Posted on by James

With Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak – serving as its backdrop, Angama Amboseli creates an intimate and laid-back atmosphere in the heart of Kenya’s first community-owned conservancy; Kimana. Set within a forest of fever trees, Angama boasts some of the best guides in the region, as well as exclusive traversing rights on this private reserve – where some of Africa’s last super tuskers roam; elephants with tusks so large they drag along the ground as they walk.
This is truly Africa at its most quintessentially majestic.

With only ten Guest Suites in this private wildlife conservancy, Angama Amboseli is truly a respite from the world, and Amboseli National Park is only a 45-minute drive from the lodge to the gate, and is home to over 400 bird species and an array of wildlife.

Another contemporary take on African design with nods to the giants of this landscape — including concrete mixed with elephant dung for the unique exterior texture — each of the ten Suites is a mix of canvas, concrete and stone accented by woven rattan and grass, all in earthy, neutral colours. Each suite is orientated so that Kilimanjaro can be seen from nearly every corner — from the bed to the shower — while floor-to-ceiling screened doors are all that lies between you and the mountain.

The main Guest Area offers flexible indoor-outdoor dining with a baraza to wind down the days by the fire, telling stories with a drink in hand or marshmallows for roasting. The nearby Studios house a Safari Shop, Games Room, Art Gallery, Weaving Studio and a Photographic Studio, perfect for capturing Amboseli’s iconic scenes.

Kimana Sanctuary is the first community conservancy established in Kenya, and is owned by 844 Maasai family members. Thanks to its perennial water availability (fed by the snows of Kilimanjaro itself), the Sanctuary boasts the greatest habitat diversity and wildlife density in the area, with scores of eland, reedbuck, warthogs in their hundreds, as well with giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. Big cats are also regularly encountered.

Elephants are the real stars here as large breeding herds move in procession through the Sanctuary. There’s also a good chance you’ll see one of the famed Super Tuskers — elephants whose tusks weigh more than 100lbs each. Some of the last remaining Tuskers in Africa love to feed on the lush vegetation around the lodge.

Derived from the Maasai word for ‘salty dust’, Amboseli National Park is just a 45-minute drive from the lodge which guests can enjoy as a half- or full-day excursion with a picnic lunch at a private Angama spot. This is one of the best places in Africa to see huge herds of elephants marching single file across dusty pans or having a bath in the dry lake beds. In the savanna and woodlands, you may spot lion or cheetah, while in the wetlands, hippo, flamingo and an array of other local wildlife can be encountered.

Wake up to the sun illuminating Kili and after an early breakfast, depart for a full-day safari in Amboseli National Park. As you leave, visit the ‘pinch point’ — the smallest segment of a critical wildlife corridor.  Spend the day exploring the Park’s famous marshlands and dry lake bed looking for Super Tuskers. After a picnic lunch at a private Angama site, return to the lodge in time for a visit to the Studios. Dinner is served on the private patio of your Guest Suite as the moon rises slowly over Kili.

Your Butler gently wakes you with coffee before first light to catch your sunrise hot-air balloon flight. Float along with Kili, admiring the views below before touching down for a champagne breakfast. A much-needed siesta and lunch are followed by an afternoon with our conservation partner, Big Life Foundation — visit HQ for control room and camera-trap monitoring or go out with ranger patrols and canine tracking units. Enjoy your final evening sharing stories over a delicious dinner in the Guest Area.

Access to this magnificent lodge is very straightforward; there are daily scheduled flights with Safarilink landing at Kimana Airfield in the Sanctuary, as well as Amboseli National Park, about a 1h drive. Private charters are always welcome at the Sanctuary’s airfield, whether to or from the Mara or Nairobi.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about this unique safari which combines Africa’s giants; it’s highest mountain and its largest inhabitants, the elephants.

 

 

Mara Plains: Big Cat Heaven

Posted on by James

SPECIAL OFFER

Enjoy some extra time at Mara Plains Camp free of charge! You will get one night for free when booking a three night safari at Mara Plains. This special offer is applicable for new bookings for arrivals between 11 January and 14 June 2025, and between 1 November and 19 December 2025. This special offer may not be combined with any other special offers.

Mara Plains Camp is a one-of-a-kind luxury Kenya safari camp. Located in the private 13,300-hectare Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just on the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s northern boundary, you are immersed in one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on the planet.

The community-owned conservancies set a new standard for game viewing on the world-famous East African grasslands. Vehicle regulations mean far more intimate sightings, and you are not surrounded by throngs of day visitors as you might be in other parts of the ecosystem. This part of the world offers some of the best big cat viewing we have ever experienced.

Mara Plains Camp is ideal for those seeking a luxury Kenya safari, as this intimate Great Plains Conservation Réserve-Collection safari camp offers you the finest in wildlife viewing paired with the absolute best in safari hospitality and wildlife guiding.

The Olare Motorogi Conservancy hugs the northern border of the Masai Mara National Reserve and is known for its high concentration of wildlife and for the fact it only allows five safari camps to operate within its borders. Mara Pains camp lies hidden among the lush green forested banks of the Ntiakitiak River. This tiny camp in the wild is unforgettably luxurious and inviting. It allows its guests to get remarkably close to nature without sacrificing comfort.

Staying at one of the Masai Mara conservancies has countless benefits, not just to you the safari traveller… but also to the local Maasai community, the lands and local wildlife. The arrival of each safari travel, which is limited to a small number at any given time, contributes to programs benefiting the Maasai people. It also contributes to the conservation of the area and to the employment of Maasai staff, guides and trackers. By staying at Mara Plains Camp you are in fact helping to better the lives of the Maasai who have lived on these lands for generations and contributing to the conservation of the lands and the wildlife roaming them.

Mara Plains Camp is a member of Great Plain Conservation. This initiative is dedicated to protecting endangered species and supports Kenyan initiatives such as the Maasai Olympics. Great Plains Conservation also supports conservation education by investing in kids’ camps and supports local female-owned businesses through sale of their handiwork in the camp’s bush boutique. The conservation program has also planted more than 2000 trees in the Masai Mara. This was done in an effort to help regenerate the ecosystem and bring back indigenous trees to the Mara Landscape

As you near the camp you will see the first safari tents appear amidst a thick forest along the Ntiakitiak Riverbend. After crossing a bridge across the river and climbing a few broad steps, you’ll look out over an endless horizon speckled by flat-topped acacia. The camp’s décor and design pay homage to the look and feel of Eastern Africa. A touch of Swahili heritage can be found in the lodge’s large wooden doors originally from the island of Lamu. There are also occasional splashes of red in the décor which are reminiscent of the great Maasai chiefs and warriors. The rich leathers, brass and copper used in the campaign-style furniture give the camp a very lavish, yet warm and comfortable atmosphere. During your stay you’ll be treated to delicious home-cooked cuisine, lovely fine wines and tasty cocktails. The camp is made up of a total of seven safari tents and can accommodate a maximum of up to fourteen guests at any given time.

Each of the seven traditional safari-style tents are raised on decks and feature marquis ceilings. Their muted tones make them blend into the countryside beautifully and each tent enjoys sweeping views of the savanna in the distance. The safari tents feature a comfortable king-sized bed or two twin beds, a sitting area, rough hewn wood floors, thick Lamu wood doors, en-suite bathrooms with lovely deep copper freestanding tubs and walk-in showers, a writing desk, safe and complimentary WiFi. You will also find one pair of Swarovski HD binoculars and a professional Canon camera body and lens kit for complimentary use. Families with children 6 years and older are also welcome at the camp and are welcome in the designated family suite. These tented suites feature two bedrooms, one with a king-sized bed and the other with a twin bed. The family suites have a common lounge area and a private verandah overlooking the savannah.

 

Activities at Mara Plains Camp

Mara Plains Camp has a very comprehensive set of activities for you to choose from during your stay. For starters, every safari drive (during prime sunrise and sunset hours) or bush walk will be a memorable one thanks to the camp’s professional Maasai guides that will be there to accompany you. The camp will also offer you the opportunity to enjoy lovely gourmet bush breakfasts or lunch in a scenic location in the wild to make your day extra special. Thanks to the wide variety of bird species in the area (over 300!), you’ll also have plenty of opportunity for birdwatching either during a bush walk or while relaxing at camp. Another great way to relax when back at camp is to enjoy one of the camp spa’s relaxing massages. To get a taste of local culture and traditions you’ll have an opportunity to meet the Maasai during a visit to a local manyatta (Maasai village). For a very high-flying safari adventure you can also choose to go on a hot-air balloon safari flight at an extra cost.

 

Mara Plains Camp stay 4 pay 3 special offer

 

 

Mobile Migration Tanzania: in the Thick of Things

Posted on by James

First off, it’s important to understand what mobile camps actually are in the context of this post. Whilst some mobile camps are packing up and moving almost daily, the ones we are referring to here only change location twice a year, moving between north and south in the Serengeti Ecosystem in order to have front row seats to one of the greatest wildlife displays on earth, the migration of millions of wildebeest between grazing grounds.

The migration essentially follows a clockwise route from the calving grounds in the south around Ndutu Plains, heading up along the western corridor of the Serengeti through April and May and into the Grumeti area.
As more rain falls to the north, the herds continue towards the Mara River – the scene of the famous crossings – and surge through the Lamai wedge into the Mara Triangle of Kenya (this is around July/August), before moving east and then back south again, ending up in the southern end of the Serengeti to calve once more come January.

Now, if you’re a camp specifically in place for guests to be able to enjoy the majesty of the herds streaming past each day, you’re in a bit of a pickle once they’ve moved on and you’re left with… well… nothing.
Thankfully it’s never nothing in this part of the world as there is always a resident population of predators and general game, but given that the main reason so many people visit this part of the world is to witness the migration, it makes good sense to migrate with it.

A number of mobile camps base themselves in the southern Serengeti during the calving season and then shift to the northern Serengeti as the herds are approaching the Mara River and the crossings are in full swing. By moving operations, camps make sure they enjoy the best of both seasons, taking roughly a month to breakdown camps and move to the new locations whilst the herds are on the move.

A camp that can be fully broken down and set up again a few hundred kilometres away in only a few short weeks needs to be minimalistic by necessity, so we are not dealing with full-luxury affairs here. Rather, wonderfully comfortable canvas tents are there to cater for your needs exactly, without any unnecessary extravagance.

The approach for most safaris centred round the migration is that of a full-day affair, with breakfast and lunch eaten out in the bush while waiting for a river crossing or a calving event, so you are spending a minimal amount of time at camp anyway.

The reality though is that when you return, you have a wonderful sense of still very much being a part of the bush. Hearing a zebra chomping on grass only a few meters away through the thin canvas of your tent at night can be just as thrilling as watching a stalking pride of lions closing in on an unsuspecting buffalo!

Don’t expect ultimate bush opulence at a mobile camp. Hair dryers in the rooms and lightning fast wifi are so far from the reason you are there in the first place as to seem sacrilegious.
Instead you are treated to the rawest African experience. Paraffin lanterns and owls hooting overhead, lions roaring not far away as you zip up your tent flaps after dinner… the bleating of the wildebeest herds as they sometimes envelop camps completely.
And ultimately, the feeling that you are right where you should be.

Mobile camps are among the most authentic ways to experience the great migration.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about Entara Esirai, &Beyond’s Serengeti Under Canvas, or a number of others that we hold in very high regard…

Iconic Africa’s 3 Bucket List Safaris

Posted on by James

From the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia to the roaring Atlantic Beaches of Cape Town… Africa has an almost endless variety of experiences on offer. It would take multiple lifetimes to do them all.
Yet if we were absolutely pushed to choose only THREE – an almost impossible task – we know which way we’d go.

After much internal deliberation, we settled on one safari to get you blood absolutely racing, one to make you feel an unbelievable connection to nature, and one to bring you utter peace…

Here then is Iconic Africa’s Bucket List Selection of 3 (at least for now):

1. The Great Migration

It’s one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.

1.5 million wildebeest sweeping majestically over the great African plains is a sight that you won’t soon be forgetting. The annual circuit of this megaherd between the southern Serengeti of Tanzania and the Maasai Mara of Kenya is a sheer wonder to behold. The wildebeest – accompanied by half a million zebra – follow the seasonal rains and the good grazing they bring, moving in an never-ending clockwise ring.

From July through to September, the herds have been hitting the northern extent of their movements and have entered the Mara Triangle; a thin wedge of land between the Mara River in the east and the Oloololo Escarpment in the west. It is the Mara river and the crossing thereof that presents them with their greatest challenge on their already arduous journey.
Monster crocodiles lie in wait in the brown waters, and prides of lions line the banks, knowing how the herds will be funneled through very specific gulleys and exit points.
It is carnage as tens of thousands of wildebeest ford the river at once, and it is a glut for the predators.
A particularly wild crossing will leave you completely out of breath.

It seems almost impossible that there can be such an aggregation of wild animals in one place – or at least one area – yet the Great Migration as it is simply known will redefine what you previously imagined as abundance.
Seeing it first hand would be THE safari we would recommend, if you could only choose one…

2. Gorilla Trekking

Another safari to take your breath away, but in a total different manner…

Staring into the eyes of a great ape that but for its shaggy black coat and enormous size could be… you… will bridge the gap between human and nature in a profound way than any other experience you’ve ever had.
You will know – not suspect, but know – that this creature is working you out in exactly the same manner that you are working him or her out, and once you’ve encountered a sentient being like that in the wild, your whole perception of the word “wild” will change. As will your understanding of our human place in this world, and our responsibility to protect it.

The mountain gorillas of east/central Africa are confined to a very small area between Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC.
Uganda and Rwanda are where the infrastructure lies for gorilla trekking, and there are a number of excellent lodges to choose from, like Wilderness Bisate or Singita Kwitonda.
In reality, the lodge you stay in is secondary to the gorilla experience itself, but you do tend to find that the higher-end establishments prepare their guests far better for the treks on the mountain by providing things like gaiters, gloves and other handy equipment.

3. Boatride in the Okavango

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a true eden. Plate tectonics under the Kalahari Basin have meant that the Okavango River never reaches the sea. Instead it flows out into the Kalahari sands, forming an unbelievably lush inland delta covering 16 000 square kilometres that are simply brimming with wildlife.

The Okavango is seasonal, in that the floodwaters are only around between the end of May and September, when the rain that has fallen far away in the Angolan highlands has flowed down through the catchment area and spread out into the myriad waterways of the Delta.

This is the time to go boating.

There are essentially two options; mokoro or motorboat.

A mokoro (plural mekoro) is the traditional dugout canoe of these parts and is still used extensively bby local fisherman to pole their way through the winding channels. A mokoro ride (multi-day trips are possible) is slow and serene, and allows one real intimacy with nature. You approach silently round corners so have every chance of hearing what’s up ahead of you, like a stately elephant bull crossing a channel.

You get to see the Delta at eye-level, and can appreciate its finer details like frogs and waterlillies and wading birds. It is one of the most tranquil experiences you can find on Safari.

The second option is to head out on a motorboat. You can still find the serenity in droves once you’ve cut the engine, and the beauty of this mode of transport is that you get to cover a whole lot more ground in a short space of time, so if you want to maximise your experience but only have a couple of days in the area, this is the option we’d recommend.

The Okavango is such an incredible body of water (during the flood) that it is a shame not to get the full potential out of your time there, and a boat excursion is definitely the way to do this!

Africa is vast and so is the diversity of safari offerings. No two experiences are the same, which is really the beauty of safari in the first place. Even the same activities in the same area will always differ.

The above three options we are supremely confident will move you in a profound way. If you want the safari bug to bite – and you are unlikely to have much control over the matter – then the Great Migration, a gorilla trek, and exploring the Okavango’s waterways are a sure way to let Africa into your soul…

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about these and other experiences that are out there, just waiting for you…

 

 

The Mara Conservancies: a Conservation Framework

Posted on by James

It might seem strange to head out on game drive, spend some time viewing a lion pride sleeping int he shade, then drive round the corner and bump into a Maasai herdsman out walking with his cattle.
Yet that is the reality in much of rural Africa – the co-existence of wildlife and people. And if it is to be a peaceful and productive one, conservancies are an excellent way to maintain it.

The last thirty years in Africa have seen the evolution of the conservancy concept, which has spread fast.
Conservancies in Kenya in particular are regarded as a way of involving local communities with wildlife conservation. The purpose of a conservancy is not the same as a nationally protected reserve like a park, and they do not replace these area, instead they complement them.

Conservancies provide a range of local values, including clarifying and firming up local land tenure over pasture and grazing areas, improving security – both for wildlife and land-owners – through networks of community scouts and communications infrastructure and law enforcement bodies, and “providing a legal structure for communities to enter into third-party joint ventures with tourism investors in order to generate revenue from wildlife”.

Conservancies in Kenya are represented by Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association “who work with landowners and communities to sustainably conserve and manage wildlife and their habitat outside formal protected areas to perpetuate Kenya’s heritage.”

Whereas historically wildlife has been seen as a nuisance by both pastoralists and farmers (livestock gets killed by predators and elephants raid crops), and the establishment of restricted wildlife areas as prohibiting access to good grazing grounds, the establishment of conservancies essentially sees local landowners and local communities benefitting from tourism dollars whilst still maintaining many land-use rights, and ultimately coming to see wildlife as a positive.

Kicheche Wildlife Camps, who operate in three conservancies that border the Maasai Mara (Naboisho, Olare Matorogi and Mara North) have this to say about their trust in the conservcancy system:

Keeping with the commitment of The Long Run’s 4Cs – Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce – we collaborate with the local community via the Kicheche Community Trust to support traditional and sustainable ways of living that are in harmony with wildlife and the environment.

All guest donations and bednight contributions to the Kicheche Community Trust are channelled into projects impacting its conservancy communities. These then have a significant impact on women’s empowerment in particular.  The Trust’s efforts and passion evolve around four pillars: Education, Health and Family Care Community Empowerment, Environment and Conservation.

With an ever expanding number of conservancies across Kenya that provide safe havens for wildlife as well as invaluable corridors for its free movement between established protected areas, the system seems to be the way forward in areas where it can be implemented…

 

 

 

&Beyond Bateleur Camp: Front Row to the Masai Mara

Posted on by James

The Masai Mara – in particular the Mara Triangle between the Mara River and the Oloololo Escarpment – is most famous for the Great Migration that passes through each year, around July/August, yet what many don’t realise is that the game viewing is spectacular no matter what month you visit.
The lions, elephants, buffalo and cheetahs that call the area home don’t move with the migration; they are resident, and can be found whatever the season.

Nestled in indigenous forest at the base of the escarpment sits &Beyond Bateleur Camp.

 

It is situated in the Kichwa Tembo private concession, contiguous with the Masai Mara. Meaning ‘head of the elephant’ in Kiswahili, Kichwa Tembo consists of private land leased from Maasai landlords and situated in the remote western Mara, almost exclusively explored by &Beyond guests. In addition to its the excellent year-round concentration of wildlife, Kichwa Tembo lies directly in the path of Africa’s spectacular Great Migration, and perfectly positioned to maximise the viewing of the reserve’s wildlife.

Guests can almost exclusively explore this area on a game drive or on foot, as well as enjoying access to pristine outdoor dining locations.

Comprised of just two intimate camps of nine Luxury Tents each and a Luxury Family Tent, Bateleur Camp retains a wonderful sense of intimacy; each with its own private butler and housekeeper reflecting the ambiance and glamour of Kenyan explorers of old.
Slip into a world of hardwood floors, polished silver and copper bathtubs juxtaposed against the romance of the open Mara plains, with their abundant herds of game. Beautifully handcrafted artefacts, fine antiques, leather buttoned Chesterfield sofas, books, and crystal and candlelight adorn the comfortable sitting and dining areas, making you feel like you have slipped straight into a 19th century safari.

Cooling pools in each camp provide comfort in between stimulating game drives that can be so varied in their offerings. Grasslands, riverfront or the escarpment itself all offer something different in terms of setting and species.
On the culinary side, delectable cuisine is served in memorable settings – often beneath the stars – and bush breakfasts and romantic sundowners offer an unforgettable African experience. Adventures at Bateleur Camp include twice-daily game drives, including spot-lit night drives on which some of the more elusive nocturnal creatures might be encountered. The camp also offers a range of additional activities such as bush walks, hot air balloon safaris and community excursions, and for the fitness-minded a well-equipped gym and wellness treatment centre await.

The Masai Mara is unforgettable due to the abundance of wildlife and spectacular landscapes. This is the quintessential African safari experience, where travellers can expect to encounter the Big Five and observe thrilling predator interaction.

With the Kitchwa Tembo airstrip only a few minutes drive from camp, and flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi only taking an hour, Bateleur Camp is supremely accessible, allowing guests an easy trip to the greatest wildlife show on earth.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about &Beyond Bateleur Camp, and other East African safari offerings…

When to See the Great Migration

Posted on by James

A million wildebeest moving as one extended carpet of biomass is quite something to behold.

Throw in a quarter of a million zebras, thousands of Thompson’s gazelles, elephants moving through the throng and attending predators dotting the surrounding termite mounds, just waiting for an opportunity to strike, and you truly do have one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.

Yet as the name suggests, this is a migration. The herds migrate. They travel long distances, following the rains and resultant good grazing. After giving birth in the southern Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, they journey on a clockwise loop through up the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in Kenya, before heading back south again and repeating the process.

Although there might be yearly variations in exactly what weeks the herds move in because of what rain has fallen, for the most part the migration is fairly predictable, and knowing where the wildebeest will be and when is obviously quite important if your safari is meant to be timed to see them. Arriving in the Ndutu Plains area in July will only get you a view of a couple of resident wildebeest bulls, while one million of them are fording the Mara River 150km to the north. Timing, it seems, is everything.

Here then, is where to expect the herds at what time of year…

January – March

At the start of each year, the migration will be ending its southward journey, moving along the Serengeti’s eastern edge and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The grazing here is rich, providing the herds with the best conditions for raising their newborn calves.

Although the migration is essentially one continuous circuit, it seems reasonable to refer to the wildebeests’ birthing season as the start of the journey. Around late January or February, the herds occupy the short-grass plains that spread over the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and around Olduvai Gorge. Almost half a million calves are born here within a period of two to three weeks, or nearly 8,000 each day.

The abundance of vulnerable calves provides a glut for the predators, so the action is non-stop as lions, cheetahs and hyenas all feast on the bounty.

April – May

After birthing their young, around April the wildebeest herds start to move north-west toward the newer grasses of the central Serengeti, accompanied by thousands of zebras and other antelope. By May, long columns of wildebeest stretch for several kilometres as the animals start to congregate near the Moru Koppies, a scenically stunning area of the park. Mating season begins toward the end of May and wildebeest bulls compete for rights to the females, all the while as the herds continue to drift northwards.

Gradually, the movement gathers momentum and the wildebeest start to mass in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. A number of seasonal camps operate in this area, which open only at this time of year to take advantage of the great migration’s passing. The herds form in huge numbers along the pools and channels of the Grumeti River, which they have to cross in order to continue on their journey.

The Grumeti is much shallower than the Mara River so does not deliver quite the same spectacle, but the crossings are dramatic nevertheless. This can be a great time to visit the region as it is still deemed to be low-season, so generally offers excellent value for money.

June – July

As June moves into July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even riskier barrier then the Grumeti: the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti. These river crossings are arguably one of the most exciting wildlife events on Earth. They usually begin at the onset of high season in July, but timing all depends on rainfall and when the herds arrive in the area. It can vary by a few weeks either way but in general, late July is prime.

The herds will typically be found in the Northern Serengeti and over the border into Kenya’s Masai Mara.

At this time of year, daily river crossings can be seen at both the Mara and Talek rivers,

August – October

Once the herds have negotiated the river crossings they are generally spread throughout the Masai Mara’s northern region, with plenty of them remaining in the northern Serengeti. Years with heavy rains that result in fast flowing rivers take their toll on wildebeest numbers, but even in years of relatively gently flowing water, the crocs have an impact, as well as the resident lion prides. There is no single crossing: at some spots, there are just a few individuals fording the river, while others see thousands of animals moving without break for hours.

By September to October, the main chaos has ended and the migrating columns have moved eastward.

November – December

After the East African short rains in late October and early November, the wildebeest head south from Kenya and into the eastern edge of the Serengeti past Namiri Plains, an area renowned for incredible cheetah sightings. By December, the herds are spread throughout the eastern and southern reaches of the Serengeti, back down towards the Ngornogoro area (although they don’t actually enter the crater itself).

In the early months of the new year, the grasses in the deep south of the Serengeti are lush after the rains. This attracts the wildebeest as well as countless other plains game. The cycle commences as the calving season starts once more.

That is the great migration in a nutshell. Although witnessing the crossings in the dry season is the spectacle it is renowned for, the truth is any time of year can be spectacular.

With multiple accommodation options to choose from – both permanent and mobile – there is something for everyone.

Don’t wait to start your enquiry. Get hold of us through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your migration safari…

One of Africa’s Most Breathtaking Views

Posted on by James

Wildlife Photographer and Guide James Tyrrell recently visited Angama Mara, perched on the lip of the Oloololo Escarpment overlooking Kenya’s Maasai Mara. He is adamant that walking on to the deck for the first time and taking in the view below him is one of his all-time favourite safari moments.

Read what he had to say in a recent Angama Mara blog post here:

After more than a decade of living and working in the African bush, the truly “Wow” moments are inevitably going to be harder to come by.

Despite retaining the same level of childhood excitement I have always felt when heading out on a game drive or bush walk, it was always going to happen that over the years with a certain amount of repetition (and I hesitate to use that word, since nothing in the bush is ever the same), there would be just the slightest drop off in the impact a sighting would have on me. Actually, I guess it’s more a case of working in the bush for so long means it’s just harder to pick specific sightings out of the literally thousands you will have accumulated over the course of my career, just like Kilimanjaro would be tougher to point out if it was part of a mountain range instead of being free-standing. Maybe not the best metaphor, but it’s the closest I can think of.

The first time I saw a leopard hoist a kill will be indelibly imprinted on my mind for the rest of my days, but my twenty fifth time is a bit harder to zero in on. It’s not that one becomes jaded – not at all – but more that you have an absolute surplus of experiences to choose from, and many of them start to merge into each other over the years.

Having a moment then, in which you know, in the moment itself, that this is going to stay with you forever, becomes a rarity.

Walking on to the Angama Mara deck for the first time was one such moment for me.

Angama Kenya Iconic Africa Luxury Safaris

I can still go back to it in my head and feel the same sense of wonder and awe. I can still see what the light was doing and how cloud shadows danced on the grassland far below, and I can still hear the air rushing over the white-backed vulture’s wings as it soared past, beneath me.

It’s not often that I am truly at a loss for words, but seeing Africa laid out before me in all its vastness was something that upon consideration would have made anything spoken superfluous.

There’s a surrealism to that view that grips you. It’s almost like a live version of the love-child of Google Earth and the best nature documentary you’ve seen.
When elephants look like ants, the teeming herds of wildebeest resemble a moving carpet and you can make out every little twist and turn in the Mara River in the distance, you know you are somewhere special.

“Moments of Discovery” are one of the first things one learns about when training as a guide. They come in a multitude of forms; from the first time a guest exits their plane to the first time they enter their room, to their first encounter with a lion.
Hundreds of little moments – some more noticeably impactful than others – that aggregate over the course of a safari to create an intangible experiential synergy…

Each one is an opportunity for a guest to reconfirm to themselves – whether consciously or subconsciously – that this, right here, right now, is where they ought to be.
The top guides, lodges and companies in the safari industry – and other industries as well – recognise these moments of discovery as being instrumental in making guests or customers want to return time and time again.

One rare occasions, one single moment of discovery is all it takes for a guest to say to themselves, “I could go home right now, and I’d be happy”. More often than not these are the wildlife sightings normally associated with National Geographic; a leopard hoisting a kill, a wild crossing during the great migration or a pride of lions taking down a buffalo bull in the rain.
Sometimes though, they are something else, and for me, it was walking out onto the Angama Mara deck.

When such a moment occurs before a guest has even gone on safari, you’re onto a pretty good thing.

The view breathes life into your soul and captures your imagination.

A safari lodge that can do that is one that’s always going to occupy a special place in its guests’ hearts.

I know it does in mine.

5 Things you MUST Know About the Great Migration

Posted on by James

Although “great migration” sounds fairly generic and could refer to any mass of living creatures moving between areas in response to environmental change, in an African context, it refers to one thing specifically, and that is the wildebeest migration of Kenya and Tanzania.

Well over a million of these antelope (yes, they are antelope) move in a big clockwise circle through the year, following the rains between the southern Serengeti in Tanzania, up to the Mara Triangle in south-west Kenya, then swinging south again to calve once more near Lake Ndutu and the surrounding plains. It is truly one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

On many photographers’ and safari-goers buckets lists, the great migration is highly accessible to travellers, but before deciding where or when to go, there are a few things to consider:

It Moves

This first point may seem obvious, it being a migration and all, but the key thing to remember is that the huge herd/s is/are never in the same area for more than a couple of months. The cycle they follow, the depletion of resources and the renewal of resources elsewhere keeps them on the move, so that it is vital to know exactly at what point in their journey the wildebeest are at what time of year in order to plan your safari. There is no point booking a safari along the Mara River in Kenya when the herds are hundreds of miles away in Tanzania. Be informed as to where the herds are, and you are in for the experience of a lifetime.

It Has Specific Points of Interest

The river crossings tend to be the highlight of the migration, and the main reason people want to see it, but they certainly aren’t the only thing the migration offers. Specific times of the year offer specific behaviours; February for instance, sees the herds at the southern end of their migration, in the lush areas around Ndutu in the southern Serengeti, which is where the cows calve most of their young. An estimated 8000 calves are born a day during the peak of the birthing period, and as a result, predator encounters are rife at this time of year. You won’t see the dramatic river crossings during this period, but what you do see is in many ways equally spectacular.

It Changes Year to Year

Although one can say with a fair amount of certainty which part of the migration the wildebeest are going to be in in which month, seasonal variations in rainfall and grazing may well mean the herds are slightly ahead of or behind their projected location in any given year. Exact routes of the migration may also vary, and the great herd may well be further west in one year than it was the year before, and further east the next year.

It is an Emotional Experience

Few people witness the Great Migration and feel the same way about wildlife afterwards. It is an utterly breath-taking, awe-inspiring, moving experience that can leave you feeling completely drained after a prolonged sighting. Watching a group of 30 000 animals surging across the Mara River, fighting desperately to reach the other bank where a pride of lions may well be lying in wait, each wildebeest struggling – often in vain – to avoid the jaws of the enormous crocodiles that lie dormant for most of the year simply waiting for the annual return of the herds, is something no photograph or video can accurately capture the experience of.

It’s NOT the Only Reason to Visit

Whilst the wildebeests’ annual movements are certainly up there as most people’s main reason for visiting this part of the world, the beauty of the Serengeti/Masai Mara ecosystem is that it is a phenomenal wildlife destination whether the herds are around or not. The wildebeest migrate (accompanied by a quarter of a million zebra), but the large predators (who are largely territorial) and the rest of the antelope inhabitants do not, meaning there is a constant wildlife presence across the grasslands when the wildebeest have moved on. The big cats in particular are seemingly everywhere (over 3000 lions inhabit the Serengeti – reportedly Africa’s largest population), and each rocky outcrop or termite mound should be scrutinised for the tell-tale sign of a pair of ears sticking up above the skyline.
The open plains of East Africa is one of the greatest wildlife destinations on earth, even if there was no migration.

Our Iconic Africa consultants have a number of spectacular camps that we recommend in both Tanzania and Kenya from which you can gain access to the migration, so if this is a trip you are considering, or you just want to find out a bit more, be sure to visit our enquiries page…

 

 

Why visit the Masai Mara

Posted on by Lexi Hall

Wherever you go in the Mara, the one certain thing is that you’ll see an astonishing amount of game, often in one place at one time. A visit to the Masai Mara is guaranteed the safari of a lifetime. From the mating habits of lions, to the displaying characteristics of the crowned cranes, to the quirky behaviour of the male wildebeest, to the idiosyncrasies of the local Maasai people… there are so many wonders to take in.

Tanzania Great Migration Experience East Africa Masaai Mara

The area is watered by the luscious tree-lined Mara River and one of its tributaries, the Talek. On the western border is the gracious Oloololo Escarpment, which towers over the reserves highest magnificent concentrations of plains game.Still wondering why you should visit?

Here’s why we think you should add the Masai Mara to your itinerary:
Now more than ever, it has become very accessible with daily flights to various parts of the Mara.
The Maasai Mara is an extremely safe area, especially when travelling alone or with small children. Every few kilometres you will encounter the The Kenya Wildlife Service officers on patrol who protect both wildlife and people.

Witness one of the world’s most spellbinding wildlife movements – the Great Migration. This largest annual movement of over 1.5 million animals is an awe-inspiring spectacle that is incomprehensible unless in person. See video here.

iconic-africa-east-africa-migration-african-luxury-safaris

Hop in a hot air balloon with your significant other and watch over the rolling landscapes and the Mara River. If the views on the ground is breath-taking, imaging seeing the open plains from above. Click here for a sneak peek of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Like all African gems, the Masai Mara offers travellers the opportunity to spot any of the Big Five along with hundreds of other wildlife, birds and insects. A haven of fauna and flora, you can sight all of this in one place. This exquisite ecosystem boasts one of the highest densities of animals in the world with 95 mammal species.


The Masai Mara is a sanctuary for bird-lovers with 570 bird species recorded. Take the time to spot the immeasurable amounts of varying colours, types and sizes.


Take a cultural journey and explore the rugged terrains marked by millions of wildlife with the Masai herdsmen. Watch then graze their cattle alongside the Mara’s predators and prey.


While there are so many life changing things to do and see, the Masai Mara isn’t short of world-class accommodations either! Live in opulence while holding on to that Mara culture that always comes through at one of our exclusive luxury properties. More on which you will find here.

Getting to Know Kenya

Posted on by Lexi Hall

Kenya is without a doubt one of the classic bucket-list destinations. The true jewel in this beautiful country is the Masai Mara. Its name derived from the Masai people of the area and Mara, which refers to African jungle. World famous among travellers and photographers, this plain is known for the annual wildebeest migration from Tanzania and offers the best chances to see the Big Five. If you are visiting one of our lodges in the Masai Mara and intend on seeing other parts of Kenya, here is all you need to know about Kenyan history, culture and food.

Tanzania Great Migration Experience East Africa Masaai Mara

The moment you hear the word Kenya, you think of a safari because that’s exactly where the activity of game drives started. The name safari even comes from the Swahili word meaning ‘journey’ or ‘trip’. Not only did safaris originate in Kenya, but civilisation too! The Great Rift Valley is thought to be one of the ‘cradles of life’, and archaeologists working in the valley have found remains of what they speculate are some of the earliest human ancestors.

Kenyans are friendly and hospitable people and have great cultural and etiquette values. An important part of their social and business interaction is greeting. Handshakes and eye contact is customary to build trust and show respect. You won’t go far in this country without being greeted with a warm smile and a hearty “Jambo!”

Bateleur Camp Masaai Mara Kenya Safari Tour

Kenyan culture is a fascinating way of life that amalgamates thousands of year old traditions, social evolution and modern influences. This multifaceted way of life is expressed in different forms, from its people, languages and food to its music and dance and so much more.

Kitenge is a cotton fabric of various tie-dye colours and designs embellished with heavy embroidery. Although it is not accepted as authentic, traditional customary wear, the Maasai wear dark red garments to symbolise their love for the earth and their dependence on it. It also stands for courage and blood that is given to them by nature.

Kenya is not short of beats and rhythms with songs that dig deep into African culture. With the more traditional compositions that use drums and guitars, the variety is endless and fill the airwaves with authentic, yet contemporary sounds such as taarab – inspired by Arab and Indian immigrants.

Kenya is home to over forty different ethnic groups, each with its own unique traditions, identity and lifestyle. However, Kenya’s national dialect of Swahili and English bridge the communication gap.

Despite numerous ethnic-specific dialects, tribes and nationalities, Kenya is brought together as a single nation through cuisine. Like its people, Kenya’s cuisine has its own distinctive personality. Using native spices and local ingredients, you will discover a burst of flavours and a sense of their heritage in their local dishes.

In 1496 the Portuguese arrived and introduced foods from newly discovered Brazil such as maize, bananas, pineapple, chilies, peppers, sweet potatoes, and cassava. They also brought oranges, lemons, and limes from China and India, as well as pigs.

When the Europeans arrived, they brought with them cucumbers and tomatoes as well as thousands of Indians for labour. This labour force introduced curries, spices, chapattis and relishes which have become part of traditional chakula for many Kenyans.

Here are five delicious Kenyan dishes you should try during your visit to Kenya:

Ugali is the most popular food in Kenya – a staple starch cornmeal made with maize flour – that is often paired with protein dishes.

Pilau is similar to akhni, it is rice flavoured with spices and cooked in stock with meat, chicken or fish.

Kenyan Chapati is Kenyans’ favourite bread that resembles a roti. It is made with white flour, salt and oil and eaten for breakfast with tasty stew or kachumbari.

Mukimo is a popular food in Kenya and served at all major events. A delicacy made with potatoes, peas, corn and onions.

Nyama Choma is a grilled meat and it is barbecued over an open fire and usually eaten with Kachumbari.

Some local delicacies in the city centre include sambusas, corn on the cob, mkate mayai and deep fried yams.

If you are heading into a city centre or smaller town, be sure to use the Boda Boda’s, Piki-Piki’s, and Matatu’s. These are some of the main modes of transport. Boda Bodas are bicycles used to get short distances while Piki-piki’s are motorcycle taxis used to get passengers to destinations in half the time that a car can. Matatus are the cheapest and most efficient way to get around – minibuses are hard to miss with blaring music, custom paint jobs, and neon lights.

Angama Mara East Africa Kenya Safari Tour

For more on some of our most favourite luxurious Kenyan destinations click here.