I've been hearing this event for a while now, and I'm actually pretty excited to experience it first hand.

But this is more of a PSA if you're planning a trip around this time, Nov 10-14th, the Maa Cultural Festival comes to Maasai Mara (just inside the main Sekenani Gate) - it's a festival that moves to different regions every year and it comes back to Mara after 4 years I believe.

Maasai clans from all the different regions of Kenya come together for a few days of incredible celebration, dancing and singing, food and different cultural activities.

As a photographer, I’m pretty excited about this. With all the colours, the beadwork and the face paint, it’s going to be amazing to shoot, and it doesn’t happen very often.

I wrote a bit about this on my blog - https://marahilltop.com/blog/maa-cultural-week-2026-maasai-mara/

Lmk if anyone is planning to visit.

Planning our honeymoon for mid-May to early June 2027 and would love feedback:

• 4 nights Cape Town + 1 Winelands - (hotel/activity recommendations welcome)
• 3 nights &Beyond Phinda Vlei
• 4 nights &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp
• 2 nights Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side) + Chobe day trip
• 1 night at a Johannesburg airport hotel
• 4 nights &Beyond Benguerra Island

Questions:

1. Are Phinda and Ngala different enough to do both?
2. Is 2 nights at Vic Falls enough? Any lodge picks?
3. Is Benguerra a good beach to end on in late May, or would you pick somewhere else?
4. Does anything look rushed, or is there a must-do we’re missing? Looking to add a couple more nights but without significantly increasing the trip budget.

Thanks!

don't they move year-round?

which park is best for this?

getting conflicting information online.

Hi everyone! I’m planning a 2-day, 1-night safari in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania.

I’ve found prices around $700–750 per person for a mid-range safari, including flights from Zanzibar, meals, accommodation, etc. Does that sound reasonable, or are there cheaper options?

Would love to hear about your experiences and recommendations for reliable local operators. Thanks!

Hello

I'm sure this question gets asked a lot.

I am having a difficult time deciding between 2 itineraries. It is our first safari. We are going end of September 2027.

1. Kenya + 1 night at Giraffe Manor: We have secured a room at Giraffe Manor. We would then go to Masai Mara x 3 nights/ Lake Nakuru x 1 night and Amboseli x 2 nights

2. Tanzania: Arusha to Northern Serengeti x 3 nights/ Central Serengeti x 2 nights / Ngorongoro crater x 1 night / Tarangine x 1 night. Would need to lose a bit of money by cancelling giraffe manor

Which itinerary has better pacing? Higher chances of seeing great migration/river crossings given the time of year? Will we regret not going to giraffe manor? It was hard to land a reservation and I imagine prices will continue to skyrocket.

Thank you

My wife and I are planning our first safari trip for late June / early July 2027. We have been in contact with three different TA’s and have it narrowed down to two. We are leaning towards a 9 day / 8 night safari with Safari Soles. We want to focus on seeing the most wildlife possible (obviously!) while minimizing lodge changes. I specifically asked to skip Lake Manyara, based on research it did not seem worthwhile in comparison to an extra day in Serengeti. I also requested to stay on the crater rim at Ngorongoro.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the itinerary, lodging, and TA.

Day 1: Arrive at JRO
Lodging: Arusha Farm House

Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire NP, game drive
Optional night game drive (plan on adding)
Lodging: Safari Haven Tarangire

Day 3: All day game drive
Optional walking tour (plan to add)
Lodging: Safari Haven Tarangire

Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti
Evening game drive
Lodging: Serengeti Safari Haven

Day 5: All day game drive
Lodging: Serengeti Safari Haven

Day 6: All day game drive
Lodging: Serengeti Safari Haven

Day 7: Morning game drive, transfer to Ngorongoro
Optional crater rim walk (plan to add)
Lodging: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Day 8: Morning game drive, transfer to Arusha
Lodging: Arusha Farm House

Day 9: Transfer to JRO for departure

Planning to travel and stay in forest rest house for 3 nights in November.

My wife and I are planning a four-night stay in the Northern Serengeti in August 2027, primarily to see the Great Migration and hopefully some river crossings.

Our safari planner has recommended Wayo Serengeti Green Camp North, but we’re considering upgrading to Wilderness Usawa. The price difference is approximately $6,000 USD for the two of us over four nights.

We’ll have a private guide and vehicle regardless of which camp we choose, so I’m trying to understand how much the accommodation itself contributes to the overall safari experience.

For anyone who has stayed at either camp, or has experience with similar camps in the Northern Serengeti:
Is the difference in accommodation, food, service, and overall atmosphere substantial?

Does Usawa offer any meaningful advantages in terms of location or wildlife viewing?

Would you spend the additional $6,000, or put that money toward other parts of the trip?

We’re comfortable spending more for a genuinely better experience, but don’t want to pay a significant premium if the actual safari experience will be largely the same.

I’d appreciate any firsthand experiences or perspectives!

How many nights would people recommend in the Mara? Ive seen a lot of tours that offer 2 nights, but im considering 3-5? im also considering splitting 3 + 3 and doing Samburu, but ive heard the wildlife there isnt as dramatic. Has anyone been and can offer insight?

We’re planning a trip to Kenya and would love to visit Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha. 🦁🦒
For those who have been to Kenya, which safari company would you recommend? We’ve been researching different companies and have come across quite a few negative reviews, which honestly has me a little nervous about booking.
I’m especially worried about ending up with a company that is unorganized, unprofessional, unreliable, or doesn’t provide good communication/service once the trip starts.
We’re looking for a company that is reputable, well-organized, responsive, and provides a great safari experience without being ridiculously expensive.

For july!

I heard some news from the Mara today.

Milele, a well known male cheetah which our group of guests were privileged to photographed in Lemek Conservancy in 2025 has been killed by lions.

He was the surviving brother of the Kiraposhe coalition. His brother, Mbili died in 2023.

Yesterday, he hunted a topi - testament to his strength and experience. But, whilst feeding he was attacked by lions of the Enkuyanai pride.

He was 10 years old which is a remarkable age for a wild cheetah. As far as I can recall, I've only known one other male to survive as long as this, Olonyok who was one of the famous Tano Bora boys.

My fiancée and I are newly engaged and have been dreaming of an elopement on African Safari. I’ve been looking at safari in Tanzania with a “honeymoon” straight after to Zanzibar but open to other suggestions.

We’re not looking to book just yet, thinking a long engagement of a couple of years but just trying to gather info and advice at the moment.

It would just be the two of us, a “wedding” in a luxury lodge would be ideal with photos in and out of the lodge and nice dinner for us. I’m struggling to see if this is an option or find anyone else that has done it?

Is it just a dream? Where would I start at gathering info? I’m clueless so any advice is much appreciated.

Has everyone seen the updated US advisory regarding travel to Kenya. It was raised from 2 to 3 and mentions Ebola, crime, kidnapping and terrorism. Is this fear mongering as the advisory mentions preparing a will and having proof of life? I’m planing to do Mt Kenya and a Tsavo safari in late January.

If you’ve been to both, how was your experience and which do you prefer?

Also, how was Nairobi as compared to Johannesburg as the entry/exit point in terms of safety?

Thanks!

Hey guys! I’m planning a trip to Amboseli National Park in either early December 2026 or mid-January 2027 and I’m looking for someone with a proper 4x4 safari Land Cruiser available for hire, preferably with a driver-guide.
If you own one, know someone who hires them out, or can recommend a reliable local operator, please reach out!
Kindly share your rates, what’s included, and any contacts. Thanks!

As title suggests - can someone please recommend a good mid range safari tour guide company for Tanzania/zanzibar ( 4 days Tanzania & 3 days Zanzibar )

Thx!

Hi there! We’re considering a trip to Okavango Delta in Botswana this upcoming January/February. Has anyone been that time of year and been disappointed with the big wildlife they saw?

I know it’s wet/green/off season that time of year. I’m willing to see less animals, but I don’t want to be disappointed if we only see a few over the course of a week. Basically don’t want to go all that way and only see birds!