The Great Migration with Hides & Helicopters in Kenya’s South Rift Valley

A flight from Wilson airport Nairobi, destined for Rangers Airstrip just outside of Olkirimatian. A scenic drive through local Maasai villages and some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable puts us in the luxury of Lentorre Lodge.

Lentorre is set on a spur running off the Nguruman Escarpment beside a natural spring in the heart of the Olkiramatian Conservancy, a community initiative developed by the local Maasai community to protect their wildlife, traditional lifestyle and their heritage.

Each villa is a separate, stand-alone structure with an un-spoilt view of the wilderness looking towards Shompole Mountain. Each villa has its own dedicated plunge pool, incredible power shower and some have a luxurious bathtub. Don’t get too comfortable though as we will be spending most of our evenings in the purpose built underground photographic hide.

Kitted out with air-conditioning and 4 single beds, we will be looking to make the most of the exclusive use of the hide over the four night stay. Purpose built, this hide has ideal and adequate lighting to assist in photographing a range of shy and illusive wildlife including Small Spotted Genet, White-tailed Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Leopard, Lion and others. Guests will have the option of overnighting in the hide or being escorted back to their rooms to enjoy the massive beds and sweeping views at dawn.

The mornings at Lenore will be at leisure as we look to recover from our long nights spent in the photographic hide.

We will host a representative from SORALO (South Rift Association of Land Owners) and Rebuilding the Pride for lunch as we look to gain a deeper understanding and insight into how people and wildlife are not just co-existing but thriving in this landscape. Guests joining us on this safari will be contributing to the work being done by SORALO and Rebuilding the Pride through a donation made directly to the organization.

After a dinner served beneath a canopy of stars we will descend once again into the underground photographic hide for another night of exciting photo opportunities.

Another relaxed morning followed by a presentation on Aerial Photography ahead of the first of two days of afternoon scenic flights. The doors are removed off of the R22 helicopter which will accommodate 2 guests each seated on the left hand side of the chopper.

Our group of 4 guests will be split in 2 with group 1 flying for the first hour this afternoon before group 2 takes up the second hour of magical light. Headphones will allow you to chat to our pilot and guide who will provide photographic guidance and tuition with a dose of history and an explanation of the geology and geography of the region. Our focus during these flights will be firmly on the abstract patterns and flocks of flamingos found in the two soda lakes of the region – Lake Natron and Lake Magadi.

Lake Magadi is the southernmost lake in the Kenyan Rift Valley, lying in a catchment of faulted volcanic rocks, north of Tanzania's Lake Natron. During the dry season, it is 80% covered by soda and is well known for its wading birds, including flamingos. Lake Natron is a mineral-rich soda lake in northern Tanzania, at the border with Kenya. It's a breeding ground for hundreds of thousands of lesser flamingos, despite the highly alkaline state of the striking red waters. It sits below Ol Doinyo Lengai, a soaring active volcano in the Rift Valley.

We will recall the afternoons’ experiences and enjoy dinner before enjoying our 3rd evening in the underground photographic hide.

This morning’s activities will focus on working through the images captured form the previous afternoons scenic helicopter flights. Your host will assist you in identifying what worked, what didn’t and what to focus on during the second afternoon of scenic helicopter flights.

Later today we will alternate the departures with Group 2 departing for their second 1 hour long flight ahead of Group 1. This system gives all guests adequate flying time during the best possible lighting.

This evening will also mark our final night at Lentorre and the underground hide

Depart from Lentorre and enjoy a scenic 30 - 40 minute flight directly into The Masai Mara where you'd land at the Mara Serena Airstrip and be met by our eagerly awaiting team of guides ready to showcase the wonders of the Masai Mara! Your Great Migration safari begins.

Enjoy full days out in the Mara Triangle as we bear witness to one of the the world's greatest wildlife events, the Great Migration. Depart our Wild Eye Mara Camp at first light, enjoy cooked breakfast out in the field, and spend the day exploring the wonders of the Mara Triangle, returning early evening to enjoy the comforts of our home base.

We'll have a morning game drive in the Mara as per the previous days, returning to camp a little earlier to allow for an earlier lunch. Flight departs Serena airstrip in the afternoon, destined for Nairobi's Wilson airport, before transferring to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for departing international flights.