Great Migration Safaris

Position yourself near the wildebeest herds in the Masai Mara or the Serengeti, with routes built around where they are likely to be on your dates.

A year-round movement, not an event

The wildebeest herds move continuously through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, so there is no single date on which the migration begins. What changes month to month is where the herds are likely to be, and therefore which camps and which country make sense for your dates.

River crossings are the images everyone has in mind, and they are genuinely unpredictable. A migration itinerary positions you in a relevant area with the time and flexibility to be out looking. It cannot promise a crossing, and we would not claim otherwise.

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Dorcas Munga
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Great planning and communication. My trips have been smooth. All expectations met 💯
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Mike Bourassa
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Our driver, Patrick, made the experience even more special with his outgoing personality and his knowledge of each park. He always made certain that he positioned his vehicle just right so we could get a perfect photo. He shared a lot about African culture an answered our questions. His keen eye spotted a cheetah from a long distance and we experienced the animal stalk and catch his prey (only to have a hyena steal it from him at the end). The accommodations were excellent at Massai Mara but were a bit too primitive at Amboseli. The large openings between the sleeping area and the bathroom brought way too many bugs into the tent. Wonderful memories of the entire experience!! We hope to come back next year and Patrick will be our choice of guide.
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Kate Mandere
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Wonderful team, very warm, helpful and well coordinated!
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Emmy Chepkoech
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I recently booked my 1st trip with Johnbow Tours and Travel and it was an outstanding experience from the start to finish. The team was professional, well-organised, helpful and incredibly friendly. Transfer to my hotel room and back was handled smoothly allowing us to relax and enjoy our journey. The fact that they allow lipa mdogo mdogo was not overwhelming paying for the package...I can't wait to book again with Johnbow 😊
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Gloria Kikete
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Jonbow has offers seamless travel service with a personal touch.
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Lolo Chgn
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Safaris de 5 jours depart Nairobi et arrivée à Diani beach Visite des parcs d’amboseli, tsavo ouest et est , t.hills Découverte d une faune magnifique Notre chauffeur Chombo a tout fait pour rechercher les animaux et il était à notre écoute ! Dépaysement total garanti Les hôtels étaient tout confort avec des conditions d’alimentation en eau et électricité précaire ! Nous remercions vraiment Morris et Chombo pour ce magnifique Safari
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Irene Nduku
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Excellent services, the team was friendly, efficient and went above and beyond to meet my need.Their service was prompt and effective. I highly recommend
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Cheyenne van den B
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We had a two day tour with Johnbow Tours & Travel to Tsavo West. The park itself is not that good to be honest, but we stayed at Salt Lick lodge and that was amazing. The animals are coming so close to the lodge, it is really beautiful to see. The driver Pius was also really nice and he had a lot of knowledge about the animals. I have been in contact with Morris and that was also really pleasant because of the arrangement we had.
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virginia mumo
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As a team of 12pax..we had an exceptional good experience with the Johnbow team. Well informed and humble team who contributed a lot to an enjoyable trip and creating memories.
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Stay06810033473
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Customer Servive Customer service was great!Communication was timely and effective especially as there were some flight changes.Either way the bookings were perfect, customer service was exceptional and we even got a treat for our anniversary, at no extra costElijah and Sam were very helpful.
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Annette M
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Exceptional Experience with Johnbow Tours and Travel! I had an unforgettable trip to Bali and Thailand, the guides were amazing, the places beautiful and the itinerary on point. Bali has very many temples and beautiful rice terraces, the swings and sunset views unforgettable. thank you Johnbow for the tour.
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KSP
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Memorable Safari with a Great Team and Guide We had a really good experience with Johnbow Tours during our Kenya safari. Morris, our main point of contact, was communicative and professional throughout. He stayed in touch via WhatsApp both before and during the trip, answering all our questions quickly and clearly, which gave us a lot of confidence going in.The pricing felt fair for what we received, and the Land Cruiser was comfortable, especially considering the long drives. They also provided snacks at the start of the trip upon request, which was thoughtful.Our guide, Paul, was very knowledgeable. He had a sharp eye for spotting animals and shared interesting facts about everything we saw. We had plenty of game drives and were lucky to spot a wide variety of wildlife.The only small issue was around water. We had been told water would be included throughout, but at a couple of the lodges, we were charged for drinking water, tea, or coffee during meals. It wasn’t a big deal, but having clarity on that from the start would’ve been helpful.Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable safari. The team was dependable, the schedule was well planned, and we felt taken care of from start to finish. I’d absolutely recommend Johnbow to anyone planning a private safari in Kenya.
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Alain V
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A great experience, a must for everyone who reads this Jonbow, our driver who has the same name as the agency, took very good care of us. He was on time for the appointment. Once on the road he was super attentive. In the park he was always the first to spot the game. He gave us very good explanations about all the animals we saw. No effort was too much to make us spot all the game. Super friendly and helpful guy. He operates from Mombasa/Diani Beach. He made sure that our safari will remain unforgettable.
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winnie a
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Dubai tour 2024 was a birthday gift to my son who turned lucky number seven. I writing to thank you for coordinating our trip to UAE, dubai. Everything was perfect; the flight, the hotel was clean and all staff were friendly and professional. Special thanks to Mary Gathua as she was the one who coordinated everything for us.The tour guides were excellent! They made things as easy for us as possible. I really appreciate these and that indicate the quality services that they provide.We had dubai town tour and our guide, Mr. Albert did exceptionally well. We learnt about the origin of UAE and the important features in dubai. We had dhow cruise with dinner, and the dessert safari with dinner.Desert safari was the best of the trip (the driver , Mr . Zaheer was very professional, and the overall experience was thrilling and amazing). The desert safari remains in my priority to do list when I visit dubai next.I would certainly recommend Johnbow Tours and travel to anyone wanting to visit Dubai. Thank you again and look forward to plan our next vacation with you.
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maryanne o
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Awesome Best tour company ..travelled to Dubai in Emirates .Booked the best hotel in Dubai..Johnbow staff are friendly and accommodatve I rate them10/10 they're affordable too .
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M A
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Superb service Happy New Year! Eunice managed our travel plans superbly, and I’m grateful. Our stay at Pride Inn was delightful; the staff’s service, food, attention, and entertainment made our holiday special and memorable. Thanks again for your excellent services.
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gladys n
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Efficient Eunice of John Bow ,was pretty helpful from getting us a hotel to SGR tickets, and transfers to the hotel.She also called to ensure we arrived safely.I loved the seamless process and especially because we chat on whatsapp mostly. Johnbow tours keep their word! I would choose them again.
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Awesome experience This travel company was very efficient. I engaged them on whatsapp in the morning and by afternoon they had finalised everything including the sgr tickets. Their staff Eunice was readily available even at night because we did night travel. And early morning at 4 am, she called to find out if the driver had picked us. I would recommend them anytime
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Sabina M
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It was a time of relaxation and fun. The trip was well planned from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. We had so much fun and took so many photos. We saw lions, cheetahs, elephants and other animals. If we could do it again, we would still chose Johnbow tours and travel.

Position, time and patience

The three things you can actually control are where you stay, how many days you have and how flexible your guiding is.

Wildebeest herds on the Serengeti plains

Pick the right side

The Mara and the Serengeti each have their months. Your dates should decide the country, not the other way round.

Stay close in

Camps inside or adjacent to the herds’ likely range mean less driving before the day even starts.

Allow enough days

Crossings happen on the herds’ schedule. More days in one area improves your odds far more than visiting more areas.

Expect no guarantees

Wildlife movements and river crossings are natural events. Any operator promising a crossing on fixed dates is overstating it.

Where the herds travel

The reserves and parks that make up the migration ecosystem, plus the Rift Valley lakes often added alongside.

How you watch it

Activities suited to migration travel. Availability is confirmed against your chosen camp and itinerary.

Great Migration

Great Migration

Plan a Masai Mara safari around the movement of the Great Migration herds. Time in the reserve allows for extended wildlife observation across…

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Game Drives

Game Drives

Explore the Mara Triangle on guided game drives, following the changing activity of wildlife across the landscape. Build time in your safari for…

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Photographic Safari

Photographic Safari

Make photography part of your time in the Masai Mara. Selected itineraries offer opportunities to photograph wildlife and the surrounding landscape, with time…

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Walking Safari

Walking Safari

Experience the landscape on foot with guided walking safaris along the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment. A walking experience creates space to notice…

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Bird Watching

Bird Watching

Spend time watching birds around the marshes of Amboseli. Bird watching can sit alongside game drives in a safari itinerary, giving you time…

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Big Five Safaris

Big Five Safaris

Track lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Each park offers different odds on the five, so the route…

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Sundowner Drinks

Sundowner Drinks

Pause for sundowners overlooking the savanna on selected Masai Mara journeys. The experience offers a quieter moment at the end of a day…

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Migration journeys

Itineraries tagged for the migration, in Kenya, Tanzania and across both.

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3-Day Masai Mara Budget Migration Safari

The short journey focuses on the Masai Mara National Reserve during the Great Migration season. It is designed for.

Destinations:

Nairobi | Masai Mara National Reserve
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3-Day Masai Mara Classic Migration Safari

This short, immersive journey focuses on the legendary plains of the Masai Mara. Designed for travellers with limited time,.

Destinations:

Nairobi | Masai Mara National Reserve
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4-Day Masai Mara & Nakuru Migration Safari

This migration safari balances the high energy of the Masai Mara with the quiet birdlife and rhino sightings of.

Destinations:

Masai Mara National Reserve | Lake Nakuru National Park | Lake Naivasha (Stopover)
ilora-retreats-masai-mara-camp-pool
4-Day Masai Mara Fly-In Premium Safari

The plains of the Masai Mara offer a steady rhythm of wildlife viewing and wide landscapes. This journey traverses.

Destinations:

Nairobi | Masai Mara National Reserve
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4-Day Masai Mara Migration Fly-In Luxury Safari

This safari offers a focused and calm journey into the heart of the Masai Mara. It is designed for.

Destinations:

Masai Mara (Mara North Conservancy) | Nairobi
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5-day Masai Mara Conservancy Migration Luxury Safari

Masai Mara’s private conservancies offer a quiet and steady rhythm of wildlife viewing. This journey focuses on the Naboisho.

Destinations:

Nairobi | Naboisho Conservancy (Masai Mara) | Masai Mara National Reserve

Send your dates and we will tell you honestly which area gives you the best chance.

Enquire

Camps positioned for the herds

Mobile and permanent camps in our collection that sit within the migration range.

Ubuntu Migration Camp, Serengeti National Park
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Family Rooms
  • Kids-Friendly
  • Laundry Services
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Wifi
  • Wildlife Viewing
Serengeti Migration Camp, Tanzania
  • Bar / Lounge
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Family Rooms
  • Kids-Friendly
  • Laundry Services
  • Restaurant
  • Wifi
  • Wildlife Viewing
Serengeti Wildebeest Camp, Serengeti National Park
  • Bar / Lounge
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Family Rooms
  • Free Parking
  • Kids-Friendly
  • Restaurant
  • Wifi
  • Wildlife Viewing
Elephant Pepper Camp, Mara North Conservancy
  • 24Hr Front Desk
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Family Rooms
  • Kids-Friendly
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Spa & Wellness
  • Wildlife Viewing
Angama Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve
  • 24Hr Front Desk
  • Bar / Lounge
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Family Rooms
  • Fitness Center
  • Kids-Friendly
  • Laundry Services
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Spa & Wellness
  • Swimming Pool
  • Wifi
  • Wildlife Viewing
Sand River Masai Mara National Reserve
  • 24Hr Front Desk
  • Airport Shuttle
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Family Rooms
  • Kids-Friendly
  • Laundry Services
  • Restaurant
  • Wildlife Viewing
Dawn on the Serengeti plains

Kenya side or Tanzania side?

The same herds cross both countries, so the question is which side suits your travel window. Broadly, the Mara and the northern Serengeti matter later in the year, while the southern Serengeti holds the herds earlier.

If your dates sit near a handover, comparing both before committing is worth the effort.

Explore Tanzania safaris

Plan the details

Timing decides almost everything on a migration trip.

Wildebeest on the plains

Time the migration

Our year-round guide explains where the herds tend to be month by month, and is honest about what cannot be predicted.

Explore migration timing
The Ngorongoro Crater

Kenya or Tanzania?

Both sides deliver outstanding migration viewing in the right months. The comparison guide sets out cost, access and timing differences.

Compare the two

Read before you travel

Timing, comparisons and costs for migration travel.

From idea to itinerary

Start with the dates; everything else follows from where the herds are likely to be.

Wildebeest herds on the move

Give us the dates

Your travel window determines the country and the area. Share it first, along with party size and pace.

Wildebeest on the Serengeti plains

Position the camps

We propose camps within the likely range, and build in enough days for the herds to cooperate.

Dawn on the plains

Confirm the details

Review the proposal, inclusions, transfers and booking terms, including what is not guaranteed.

When is the Great Migration?

It is continuous. The herds move through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem across the year, so the useful question is where they are likely to be on your dates rather than when the migration happens. Our year-round guide sets out the pattern.

Will I see a river crossing?

Possibly, but it cannot be guaranteed. Crossings depend on herd movement, rainfall and river levels, and they happen on no fixed schedule. A good itinerary positions you well and allows enough days; it does not promise a crossing.

Masai Mara or Serengeti?

Your dates should decide. Broadly the Mara and northern Serengeti matter in the later part of the year, while the southern Serengeti holds the herds earlier. Tell us your window and we will say which side we would choose.

How many days should I allow?

More days in one area beats more areas. Three or four nights in a single well-positioned camp gives the herds time to move into range and gives you several chances at a crossing.

Should I fly or drive?

Flying lets you reposition towards the herds and saves hours on longer routes, which matters when movements are unpredictable. Driving is better value and shows you more of the country between areas.

Do I need to book far ahead?

Yes. Camps in the migration range are limited and peak months fill early, particularly the small mobile camps that follow the herds. Earlier enquiries mean real choice.

Can I see the migration in both countries?

Yes. Combined routes link the Mara and the Serengeti, and work especially well when your dates fall near a seasonal handover between the two.

Is a balloon flight worth it for the migration?

A balloon flight gives a completely different sense of the herds and the landscape. It is an optional addition on selected itineraries and is subject to operating conditions on the day.

What is included in the price?

Start with each itinerary’s inclusions and exclusions. Park and conservancy fees, flights, camp category and optional activities vary. Your proposal sets out the exact inclusions before you confirm.

How do I start planning?

Send your dates first, then party size, preferred pace and budget. The dates determine the realistic options. Sending the form does not itself confirm a booking.

Ready to start planning your Safari? Tell us your travel dates, who you are traveling with, and what matters most to you.