East Africa’s Wildlife: Wildebeest & Whale Sharks

East Africa’s Wildlife: Wildebeest & Whale Sharks

Nairobi, Masai Mara, Serengeti National Park, Fanjove Island

nights
12
camps
4
from price, per person
USD23,323

This is one of those real bucket list adventures. You start in the heart of East Africa, following the wildebeest migration across the Serengeti and the Mara, then shift gears to the coast, where gentle whale sharks follow their ocean migration route. It’s the perfect mix of safari and sea, with game drives and walking safaris balanced with diving, snorkelling, and barefoot days on Fanjove Island.

JH

James Harris

Sales Team Leader

Manzili House

Manzili House

Wilderness Mara

Wilderness Mara

Days on safari in the Masai Mara

Days on safari in the Masai Mara

Wilderness Usawa Grumeti

Wilderness Usawa Grumeti

Days in the Serengeti National Park

Days in the Serengeti National Park

Serengeti Balloon Safari

Serengeti Balloon Safari

Laba Fanjove Island

Laba Fanjove Island

wildlife & activities

Highlights

  • Follow two of nature’s greatest spectacles: the wildebeest migration across the Serengeti and the Mara, and the whale shark migration along Africa’s Indian Ocean coast.
  • Experience a mix of safari adventures, including game drives, walking safaris, and hot air ballooning.
  • Dive or snorkel alongside gentle whale sharks on their migratory path for a once-in-a-lifetime ocean experience.
  • Unwind on Fanjove Island’s pristine beaches, where turquoise waters and coral reefs invite rest and exploration.
  • Enjoy seamless luxury and intimate, authentic East African stays throughout, with all travel and logistics effortlessly handled by us.

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Jomo Kenyatta Airport (Nairobi)

Meet & Assist: JKIA arrivals terminal to driver

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met in the main terminal by a Tradewinds representative carrying a name board. If arriving on an international flight, they will assist you through customs and immigration, and guide you to collect your luggage. You will then be escorted to the arrivals hall to meet your transfer driver for your onward journey.

Jomo Kenyatta Airport (Nairobi) to Manzili House

Road • 00:45h

You'll be met by a representative of Wilderness and transferred from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (Nairobi) to Manzili House by private vehicle.

Day 1 - 2

Manzili House

Location IconNairobi, Kenya

Unwind at Manzili House, a tranquil retreat, nestled in Nairobi's serene suburb of Karen. Inspired by the Swahili architecture of Lamu, this intimate haven exudes charm and sophistication. Each meticulously designed room features a private veranda and en-suite bathroom, for complete comfort and privacy. Relax by the lush courtyard pool or head up to the shaded roof terrace for picturesque sundowners. With a cosy lounge overlooking the courtyard and a fully equipped kitchen, Manzili House offers exclusivity and serenity for families or groups of up to eight guests. Enjoy a delightful breakfast each morning to start your day right. Explore nearby attractions such as the Karen Blixen Museum or Nairobi National Park, then return to Manzili House to unwind in your own private haven. Insider's Tip: Don't miss the chance to explore the unique blend of culture and nature in Karen, from historical landmarks to wildlife encounters.

1 nights • Manzili House x 1

Day 2

Manzili House to Wilson Airport

Road • 00:45h

You'll be met by a representative of Wilderness and transferred from Manzili House to Wilson Airport by private vehicle.

Wilson Airport

Wilson Airport to Wilderness Mara

Flight • 00:45h

Scheduled flight from Wilson Airport to Wilderness Mara.

Day 2 - 5
Wilderness Mara
Location IconMasai Mara, Kenya

Located in the heart of the Mara Triangle, one of the most wildlife-rich and visually arresting areas of the greater Masai Mara National Reserve, Wilderness Mara offers guests unrivalled access to both sides of the Mara River. This unique position provides access to a rich diversity of habitats while ensuring fewer crowds and deeper, more meaningful wildlife encounters. Here, 12 elegantly appointed tented suites are set along the edge of a seasonal marsh, designed to immerse you in the surrounds. Each canvas suite features an indoor and outdoor shower, and an elevated private deck to maximise the views filled with wildlife and birds. A family unit is also available for those travelling with children. There is also a full suite of amenities, from a serene spa and well-equipped gym, to an in-camp photographic studio designed to help relive and retell the day’s wildest moments. INSIDER'S TIP: Wilderness Mara is the only camp that allows guests across to both sides of the Mara River, opening up more space, more wildlife, and fewer crowds.

3 nights • - x 1

Selected experiences

Days on safari in the Masai Mara

Learn more

Your days in the Mara Triangle, the most exclusive wedge of the Masai Mara, typically begin with an early morning game drive, when predators are most active and the golden light creates superb photographic opportunities. With fewer vehicles than elsewhere in the reserve, sightings of lions, elephants, and even the elusive black rhino feel more intimate. After a leisurely breakfast back at camp, birders can explore one of East Africa’s richest avian habitats, with over 470 species ranging from crowned cranes to vibrant cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, or may choose simply to relax and enjoy the views, the spa, gym or pool. Afternoons bring another game drive, perhaps following herds of wildebeest, zebra, and giraffe as they move through the grasslands. For those seeking a cultural connection, you may also choose to visit a nearby Maasai manyatta, offering insight into traditional ways of life, storytelling, and song. As the sun sinks behind the Oloololo Escarpment, return for sundowners and dinner under the stars.

Day 5

Wilderness Mara to Wilderness Usawa Grumeti

Flight • 04:30h

Scheduled flight from Wilderness Mara to Wilderness Usawa Grumeti. On arrival at Migori Airstrip , you’ll be met and transferred by road for approximately 25–30 minutes to the Isebania border post. At the border, you will clear Kenyan Immigration for your exit stamp, then proceed to Tanzanian Immigration for your entry stamp. A representative will assist throughout. After completing immigration formalities, you’ll continue by road for approximately 15-20 minutes to the Tarime Airstrip for your onward flight. Basic restroom facilities are available. Before departure, please take a moment to confirm that all luggage has been transferred to your onward aircraft.

Day 5 - 9

Wilderness Usawa Grumeti

Location IconSerengeti National Park, Tanzania

Imagine endless horizons, skies stretching over the grassland as far as the eye can see … Every species in the Serengeti lives in perfect harmony with the one beside it. It is this balance, ‘usawa’ in Kiswahili, that ensures this phenomenal ecosystem functions in perfect symbiosis. In northern Tanzania, Africa’s greatest spectacle unfolds. Two million wildebeest, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, eland and other migratory animals graze, breed, and birth on the Serengeti’s plains; following the rains, moving as one. Prides of lion split the herds, taking down wildebeest and zebra. Cheetah chase down and tyre out gazelles while crocodiles prey on the brave; those who dare to cross the rivers first. This scale of wildlife, of predator-prey interaction is found nowhere else on Earth. Far from the crowds, Wilderness Usawa Serengeti's mobile camps are strategically located, moving to areas where the herds are as they follow the rain. With a number of sites available, positioned as close as is feasible to the action, in luxurious safari tents that leave no impact on the plains. Insider's Tip: Pack your walking shoes. All Wilderness Usawa Serengeti sites are positioned within designated walking zones, allowing walking safaris to begin right from camp.

4 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Days in the Serengeti National Park

Learn more

Your stay will be based at one or more of our many Usawa sites, which shift position every few weeks in response to the herds. Mornings and afternoons in the Serengeti can be spent on classic game drives across the plains, but the beauty of Usawa is that it also offers the choice to explore on foot. Walking safaris immerse you in the finer details of a safari: animal tracks, bird calls, and medicinal plants, and bring a different perspective to the Serengeti’s vastness. With over 500 bird species recorded, the skies are also as rewarding as the wildlife below. As dusk settles, return to camp for unhurried evenings around the fire. Here, stargazing takes centre stage: with no light pollution, the Milky Way blazes across the African sky, a reminder of your place in this timeless wilderness.

Serengeti Balloon Safari

Learn more

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with Serengeti Balloon Safaris. With over 30 years of experience, the company provides a bird's eye view of the stunning landscapes and iconic wildlife that define this safari hotspot. Your adventure begins early, with a 4 AM start, and featuring an exciting drive in the dark from your camp to the designated take-off spot. Keep an eye out for the chance to spot elusive nocturnal creatures in motion. As the burners roar and the balloon's giant envelope fills with hot air, your heart races as the balloon gracefully ascends into the sky. Over the course of an hour, you will be treated to extraordinary views over the Serengeti, before descending for a traditional champagne toast. Relive the magic of your journey over a classic bush breakfast served under an iconic acacia tree, complete with fine bone china crockery. Throughout the experience, you will have the opportunity to learn about hot air balloon navigation in all three dimensions, while the low burner noise ensures minimal disturbance to the wildlife below. Your morning comes to an end at 9:45 AM, as you receive your Serengeti balloon certificate and continue your day of adventure. After breakfast, you receive your Serengeti Balloon certificate and later meet up with your safari driver at approximately 09:45 ready to continue your days activities

Day 9

Wilderness Usawa Grumeti to Julius Nyerere International Airport

Flight • 05:10h

Scheduled flight from Wilderness Usawa Grumeti to Julius Nyerere International Airport

Julius Nyerere International Airport

Meet and Assist - Dar Es Salaam Int Airport Arrival

On arrival into Julius Nyerere International Airport, a representative from Extra Mile will meet you, with your name on a signboard, at Terminal 1 (Domestic) on the tarmac, or at Terminal 2 (Regional) or Terminal 3 (International) at the exit bridge inside the Arrivals terminal. The representative will assist you through customs and immigration and to collect your luggage. You will also be assisted with visas on arrival if required. You are accompanied to the Arrivals hall to check in for your onward flight or to your transfer driver for your onward journey. Note that Terminal 1 arrivals require a short transfer (4km /5 min drive) to Terminal 2 or 3. Terminal 2 arrivals require a short walk (2 min) to Terminal 3. (pg:max 21 pax)

Julius Nyerere International Airport to Fanjove Island

Flight • 01:05h

Scheduled flight from Julius Nyerere International Airport to Fanjove Island.

Day 9 - 13

Laba Fanjove Island

Location IconFanjove Island, Tanzania

Palm-fringed, powder-white sands; azure, shimmering waters; the call of birdsong; and a whole island to yourself…. Secluded and exclusive, Fanjove Island is a peerless tropical island idyll. As a secluded island, guests share Fanjove only with the abundant resident marine life, and of course our dedicated staff, who help to deliver the experience of a lifetime. Six discreet, eco-friendly private bandas are set along the sandy shore in complete harmony with the environment. The bandas are A-framed, shaped to resemble a Dhow sail, reflecting the local traditional sailing boats which may break the endless horizons as you gaze out to sea. Each banda is open at its front to capitalise on the uninterrupted ocean views, which can also be enjoyed from the upstairs balcony. The whole property has been designed to minimize its environmental footprint. Solar power is employed for all the rooms, and the buildings use traditional, natural materials – sustainable wood, mukuti (palm leaves) and thatch. Simple, stylish and comfortable, and completely in keeping with the unpretentious Fanjove vibe, the accommodation provides the perfect base from which to explore the island, shores and seas. Staying at Fanjove offers exceptional diving and snorkelling opportunities in warm waters of approx. 28°C and visibility of up to 30m. Butterfly fish, Angelfish, Damselfish… The Indian Ocean teems with brightly coloured fish. An open-air restaurant and lounge area is the ideal focal point at the end of the day, from where to gaze at the starlit skies and appreciate the undisturbed surroundings. Appetising fusion cuisine is served on understated yet stylishly-dressed tables on the beach.

4 nights • Fanjove Beach/Coral/Fanjove Villa/Villa No16 x 1

Day 13

Fanjove Island to Julius Nyerere International Airport

Flight • 01:05h

Scheduled flight from Fanjove Island to Julius Nyerere International Airport.

Julius Nyerere International Airport

Meet and Assist - Dar Es Salaam Int Airport Departure

On arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, a representative from Extra Mile will meet you, with your name on a signboard at the Departures Hall of Terminal 1 (Domestic), Terminal 2 (Regional) or Terminal 3 (International). The representative will assist you with airline check-in formalities and through customs and immigration. You will be accompanied to the lounge (if the passenger airline ticket entitles lounge access or it has been booked as an additional service) or to the final security check point prior to boarding your onward flight. (pg:max 21 pax)

What to expect

Includes

  • All safari accommodation & meals
  • Twice daily safari activities
  • Park fees and concession fees
  • Laundry service
  • Airport and inter-camp transfers as specified
  • Meet & Greet

Excludes

  • International flights
  • Gratuities
  • Personal purchases
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees

Start your journey

These experiences are just a glimpse of what’s possible. If you’d like to book this trip or shape a custom itinerary, we are here to help you plan your perfect safari.

GUEST EXPERIENCES

What others say

Our awards

The hard work of our teams on the ground and the communities we work alongside has been recognised through numerous awards. And we couldn’t be prouder.

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Virtuoso Award 2025

Virtuoso Award 2025

Wilderness - Best Sustainability Community Partner

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Travel + Leisure

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World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards

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Condé Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler

Wilderness DumaTau - #2 World Resorts

nights
12
from price, per person
USD23,323