Travellers' Blog

We are reputed in the execution of our 15 days migration safari to Kenya and Tanzania; rated amongst the top selling wildlife safari in Africa. 

Book a date with us and witness the magical wildebeest migration in two of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations – Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Approximately two million wildebeests, including other African wildlife such as zebra and gazelles, move annually in an endless cycle across Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya in search of greener grass and water resources. 

Danger lurks in their every step as they’re closely followed by predators such as the lions, leopards and cheetahs, which makes for spectacular and breathtaking game viewing that none can match world over.

The herd of wildebeest plunge into the Mara River in Kenya, risking death by crocodiles and drowning, as they follow pastures brought by spring rains. 

Unknown to them, ferocious crocodiles lie in wait and the attack at the Mara River crossing completes the spectacular annual wildebeest migration, only witnessed in Masai Mara, between July and September. 

American tourists Susan Lauren and husband Jason Lauren, and Karen McCormick and husband Rick Berman, were on the migration safari trail in July and August 2022 and this is their breathtaking account of what they witnessed:

Stephen Muiruri, the Managing Director of Skyview of Africa Ltd (left), sharing a light moment with American tourists Jason Lauren and wife Susan Lauren, Karen McCormick and husband Rick Berman, and their tour guide Richard Kinyua, at Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel, after successfully completing their 15 days migration safari in Kenya and Tanzania between July 23 and August 4, 2022.

One of the synonyms for the term “safari” is “journey”. If you ever consider making the journey into the vast open spaces of East Africa, where animals roam freely and birds perch or wade in abundance, I strongly recommend turning to Skyview Africa, Ltd. and its talented Managing Director Stephen Muiruri.

I, my wife, Susan, and two of our relatives – Rick and his wife Karen – enjoyed the many game drives in some of the best safari locations in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). 

It was a private safari, meaning that we were not grouped with many other people.  That was a good balance given that we met scores of others (many in large tour groups) at various locations in the evenings.

Each National Park and game reserve is a unique habitat in which mammals and birds thrive. Our 15 days itinerary included Amboseli National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the fabulous Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara Game Reserve (my favourite), Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Aberdares National Park.

The four of us travelled in an exclusive safari van throughout Kenya and Tanzania. We didn’t share a van with strangers, like we witnessed with other safaris organised by other tour operators.

And we were paired with very skilled guides who have a deep knowledge of the wildlife in each area and of the varying habitats. The guides did all of the driving, navigating the routes expertly and with a good sense of where to go to see the widest variety of mammals and birds.

Jason, Rick, Karen and Susan enjoying a game drive in Masai Mara Game Reserve on their wildebeest migration safari in Kenya and Tanzania.

The majesty of the “Big Five” (elephants, Cape buffalo, lions, leopards, black rhinos) awaits you. We witnessed large herds of antelope, wildebeest and zebra grazing, often times stretched across the dirt roads.

We witnessed a part of the annual migration in progress; hundreds of wildebeest splashing across the Mara River from Tanzania into Kenya. We saw crocodiles on the river banks awaiting their next meal of a crossing mammal.

We were entertained by herds of elephants splashing and playing in large watering holes – a “pool party” of elephants, the babies incredibly adorable. Hippos, lots of them, in the lakes.

And my personal favorite, giraffes (three species: Reticulated, Masai, Rothschild) were stately grazing and strolling here and there.

If you like antelope there are scores of them: the agile impala and gazelles (Thompson and Grant’s). We saw topi antelope, waterbuck, eland and other species.

There were many groups of warthogs scurrying about, their “follow me” tails pointing skyward (hello Pumba!). There were groups of monkeys and baboons in the trees. We saw two species of jackals, and packs of hyena stalking about.

Flamingos, in a group of many thousands, lined the shores of Lake Nakuru.

If you are lucky (we were) you’ll see leopards sleeping on the branches of Acacia trees, cheetahs laying on boulders and prides of lions resting, well camouflaged in the amber grasses of the broad savannah. We saw lionesses moving about, often with their cute cubs trailing behind.

We now know the difference between the black rhino and the white rhino (we saw each). No, it’s not all about the color which is pretty similar in appearance. You’ll learn the difference when you get there.

And the birds. I managed to identify over 80 species with the help of a good pair of binoculars and a handy laminated field guide (I recommend a similar field guide for mammals as well). You’ll love the Secretary Bird. There were numerous pairs of ostrich pecking about.

The accommodations were comfortable and convenient. The more interesting ones were well-appointed tent cabins, “glamping” style. These (and also the lodges) are located in areas where the animals roam.

At night you might hear groups of hyenas calling out to one another or Cape buffalo grunting as they graze.

I enjoyed a private visit to a Maasai village at the invitation of one of the lodge’s security personnel. He showed me his small hut made of mud, straw and cow dung.

The village medicine man showed which plants have medicinal qualities. Another Maasai warrior demonstrated how he starts a cooking fire by rubbing sticks together. They wrapped me in a traditional Maasai Shukah and handed me a club used to control animals.

Don’t miss the opportunity to take a one hour hot air balloon ride. You’ll get up early but it’s worth it to watch the sunrise over the savannah and then to look down at herds of animals from different elevations.

A nice champagne breakfast awaits you upon the soft landing. The balloon pilot was great and it was fascinating watching him at the controls.

Susan briefing Stephen Muiruri, the Managing Director of Skyview of Africa Ltd (right), on their 15 days wildebeest migration safari in Kenya and Tanzania. With her are Jason, Rick and Karen.

Finally, let me say that Stephen was great in every respect. We had booked in May 2019 prior to Covid outbreak and had to delay the journey for three years.

“Hakuna Matata” (Swahili for “no problem”) – Stephen kept our rates stable and made the adjustments needed when an originally planned lodge was no longer available.

He was in close contact with us during the hiatus, being very responsive and patient in answering questions and providing information. He will fulfill any reasonable special request.

On our final day we met with him over lunch at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, then we fed giraffe’s at the Giraffe Centre before enjoying dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant on our way to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to catch our flight home.

Thank you Stephen, and a big “ASANTE SANA” (thank you very much) to our three guides/drivers, Elijah Mackenzie, Kasanda Malando and Richard Kinyua. You may just hear from us again; Rwanda (and their gorillas-in-the-mist) anyone?

Sincerely,
Jason and Susan Lauren

Stephen Muiruri, the Managing Director of Skyview of Africa Ltd, in a discussion with American tourists Susan, Jason, Rick and Karen after they successfully completed their 15 days migration safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Richard Kinyua was their tour guide.

Stephen Muiruri, the Managing Director of Skyview of Africa Ltd (left), taking Jason, Rick, Susan, tour guide Richard and Karen on a tour of Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. 

Susan, Jason, Rick and Karen saying goodbye to Stephen Muiruri, the Managing Director of Skyview of Africa Ltd, in Nairobi, a few hours before they flew back to their home in America.