When to come
Every safari is private. You choose the dates.
We don’t run a calendar of group departures. You tell us when suits you, and we build the safari around it, placed where the animals are at that time of year.
Two stories, all year round
The lion prides, cheetah, leopard and elephant of the Maasai Mara live there every month of the year. The wildebeest and zebra herds are always somewhere on their long loop through the Serengeti and the Mara, so the migration isn’t a season; it is a journey you can meet at any point. The river crossings are only one moment in it.
The year, month by month
January to March
The herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu in the southern Serengeti, and thousands of calves are born, with the lions, cheetah and hyena never far away. In the Mara it is dry and warm, with short grass and open country, so the cats are easy to find and follow.
April and May
The long rains turn the Mara and the Serengeti a deep, fresh green. These rains are nothing like the Indian monsoon: a storm builds, pours, then clears, and the light after a shower is some of the most dramatic of the year. The animals carry on as normal, and so do we. There is new grazing everywhere and young animals on the plains.
June
The rains are over in the Mara and the country is green and quiet. In the Serengeti, the herds are moving north through the central and western plains.
July to October
The herds reach the northern Serengeti and the Mara, and cross the Mara River. The crossings are best watched in the northern Serengeti; in the Mara, the last week of July is often the best time. They depend on the rain, and no one can promise one on a given day.
November and December
The short rains green the Mara again, the resident prides are often with cubs, and the light after an afternoon shower is the best of the year. In the Serengeti the herds stream south through the centre towards Ndutu, arriving early in some years and later in others, so we track them and decide where to base you close to your dates.
Something is happening every month. Tell us when you can come, and we’ll tell you what that time of year holds.
Ask about your datesThe five safaris
Questions people ask first.
What does all-inclusive mean?
Everything from the moment we receive you until we drop you back: transfers, camps, all meals, park fees, your private vehicle and guiding team. You won’t spend a penny unless you choose to, on drinks at camp or shopping. The only things outside the price are your flights, visas (including the Kenya eTA) and travel insurance, which is now mandatory for Kenya. We can process visas for you if you’d like.
Is the safari private?
Always. The vehicle and the guiding team are yours alone, and we never put separate parties together. That is what lets us stay with a sighting for as long as it takes.
Who are the guides?
Every safari has a guiding team of at least two: a senior guide and one or two guides working alongside. Our guides know the resident prides individually, and they read the land as well as the animals: the soil, the grass, the water, and why the animals are where they are.
Kenya, Tanzania, or both?
Kenya is the concentrated safari for fewer days: the Mara is compact, rich in resident cats, and easy to reach from Nairobi. Tanzania is the bigger, wilder one, where the guiding matters most and the ecological story is fuller. Together they make one ecosystem, and our Kenya & Tanzania journey covers the whole of it.
When is the best time to come?
Every month has something happening. The lion prides, cheetah, leopard and elephant of the Mara live there all year. The herds are always somewhere on their long loop through the Serengeti and the Mara, so we plan around where they will be. See When to come for the year, month by month.
Can I drive?
In the Serengeti, yes. We run two of our own Land Cruisers there, linked by radio, and you’re welcome to drive one with a guide beside you. Hand it back whenever you’d rather sit back and watch. In the Maasai Mara our guides drive the open game viewer, so everyone’s eyes are free for the bush.
Can we bring children?
Yes, children of every age come on safari with us, and it is a lovely time to introduce them to animals and their worlds. Children under 5 travel free, 5 to 11 are charged at half, and from 12 it’s the adult rate. That isn’t our choice: the camps charge by bed and the park authorities charge entry by age on the passport, so we pass those on as they are.
What about food?
Vegetarian and Jain meals are catered for regularly, and our camp in the Mara uses only halal meat. Our camps are chosen for where the animals are, not for their kitchens: they’ll happily attempt Indian dishes, but the flavours may not taste quite the way they do at home.
How do I book?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We check the camp and the guiding roster, then send you the itinerary and exact costing. To confirm, we need the names as they appear on your passports and an address for the invoice. A 25% advance holds your dates and the balance is due 30 days before you travel; within 30 days, full payment confirms. We invoice in US dollars. Bank transfer is preferred, and a card payment link is available with a 3.5% card fee.