THE BIRTH OF THE GREAT MIGRATION (JANUARY – MARCH)
Calving season runs from January to March, when the short rains transform the southern Serengeti and Ndutu region into lush grazing grounds.
During this time, thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope give birth within a few intense weeks, turning the open plains into a vast wildlife nursery. Newborns take their first wobbly steps just minutes after birth a vital survival instinct in a landscape where predators are always alert.
For safari guests, this season offers a rare blend of tender wildlife moments and thrilling predator encounters, along with exceptional photography opportunities.
It is one of the most emotional and visually rich periods of the Great Migration where new life begins and the circle of nature is on full display.
Property Updates
JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi (Westlands)
A modern luxury city hotel offering world-class dining, spa facilities, and elegant rooms in the heart of Nairobi. Perfect for pre- or post-safari stays, business travelers, and clients seeking refined urban comfort.
Hermosa Garden Hotel & Spa (Nairobi)
A serene boutique hotel set within lush gardens, offering a peaceful retreat from the city’s pace. With comfortable rooms, a full-service spa, and attentive hospitality, it’s ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, wellness, and a calm stopover before or after safari.
Karen Blixen Cottages
Charming, garden-set cottages near Karen Blixen Museum and Nairobi National Park. Best suited for travelers who enjoy quiet surroundings, heritage ambiance, and easy access to cultural attractions.
A serene boutique hotel set within lush gardens, offering a peaceful retreat from the city’s pace.
With comfortable rooms, a full-service spa, and attentive hospitality, it’s ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, wellness, and a calm stopover before or after safari.
Hermosa Garden Hotel & Spa
MASAI MARA
Kinara, a Luxury Collection Safari Camp
Kinara redefines safari luxury with spacious tents, private decks overlooking the savannah, and expert guides. A top choice for clients wanting exclusive wildlife encounters in the Maasai Mara.
Set amidst untouched wilderness, Paradise Plain offers an authentic safari experience with elegant tents, guided game drives, and breathtaking views of the Mara plains. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Paradise Plains
Kitirua Plains Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Part of the A&K Sanctuary collection, Kitirua Plains Lodge provides an elegant safari experience on the Amboseli plains, combining refined comfort with open views and prime wildlife access
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kibo Villa is a private luxury villa experience located on its own secluded grounds, surrounded by lush gardens and indigenous acacia trees. It offers an intimate, family-friendly safari retreat in the heart of Amboseli.
Kibo Villa
SERENGETI
Set in the wildlife-rich western Serengeti, Mapito Safari Camp offers refined tented suites, front-row access to the Great Migration, and unforgettable game drives led by expert guides. A perfect blend of comfort, nature, and adventure for discerning safari travellers.
Envi Sasini
Perched on a scenic hill within Serengeti National Park, ENVI Sisini blends refined tented villas and elegant safari comfort with breathtaking plains views. Designed for meaningful wildlife encounters—especially during the Great Migration—the camp features private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and handcrafted interiors.
Mapito Safari Camp
Craters Edge -Wilderness Collection
Set on the rim of the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, this luxury eco-lodge offers panoramic views, elegant tented suites, and exceptional access to Big Five game viewing. A perfect blend of wilderness and refined comfort.
JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp – Opening
August 2026
Set within the famed Solio Conservancy between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges, this new luxury safari camp offers front-row access to one of the world’s leading rhino conservation areas. Guests can enjoy sightings of white and black rhinos, guided night game drives, and visits to a private rhino orphanage.
The camp features 18 elegant tented suites with private plunge pools, the signature Spa by JW, and refined dining with sweeping views of the surrounding hills — blending conservation, comfort, and unforgettable safari experiences.
Mara Siana Safari Camp
Set on the outer edge of the Maasai Mara ecosystem in the community-led Ripoi Conservancy, Mara Siana is an intimate safari camp overlooking a natural waterhole in a vast, unfenced wilderness. Its quiet setting offers front-row views of daily wildlife movement in an uncrowded and deeply authentic landscape.
Guests enjoy classic safari days with game drives, walking safaris, cultural visits with local Maasai communities, and evenings of sundowners and fireside stories. With a small collection of safari tents, including family-friendly options,
Mara Siana is ideal for couples, families, and small groups seeking a relaxed, immersive experience rooted in conservation, culture, and connection to place.
The Safari Collection Update
Sala’s Camp has opened a new gym and spa, providing guests with enhanced wellness options during their safari stay.
Giraffe Manor now features a wine cellar, orchid house, and coffee house, while The Retreat at Giraffe Manor (from January 2026) introduces an all-inclusive menu designed for deeper relaxation and effortless stays.
Curated Safari Experiences for Guests
Wellness & Wilderness Safari – a gentle, unhurried safari experience focused on balance, comfort, and connection with nature. Photographic Safari – a guided journey for wildlife photography that emphasizes light, patience, and creative observation, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the natural environment.
Travel News & Updates
Boskovic Air Charters has expanded its fleet with additional charter aircraft, increasing flexibility and access to remote safari destinations.
Flydubai has increased flights to Nairobi and added new operations to Mombasa, enhancing UAE–Kenya connections.
Entebbe International Airport in Uganda reports record growth in both passenger and cargo traffic, positioning it for upcoming regional events like AFCON 2027.
Safarilink Aviation to introduce afternoon flights from Nairobi, Kenya, to Entebbe, Uganda, is set to revolutionize the ease of connectivity in the region, especially for travelers heading to these two destinations. With these flights, which will take off from the Nairobi airport starting February 6, 2026, travelers will be able to take advantage of the improved connectivity between the two cities, as the airline will be flying to the destination four times every week
Brussels Airlines will launch twice-weekly flights from Brussels to Kilimanjaro from June 2026, improving cess to Northern Tanzania safari circuits.
Myths & Misconceptions
Calving Season in the Serengeti
Myth: “Calving season is too dangerous to visit the Serengeti or “There’s nothing else to see besides calves.”
Reality: January–March is one of the most spectacular times to visit the Serengeti. While predator activity increases around newborn wildebeest, safaris are perfectly safe with expert guides.
Beyond the calves, the plains come alive with birdlife, migrating zebras, herbivore herds, and dramatic predator-prey action, offering a season full of diverse wildlife encounters and unforgettable photographic moments.
Highlight
As we release this first edition of the year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has travelled with us, shared their incredible experiences, left remarkable reviews, and taken the time to read our newsletters. Your support truly means the world!
Have you met our new AI Safari Guide, Jay? Follow him for fresh and exciting insights from the bush every month.
Have suggestions or topics you’d like to see in our newsletters? Let us know, your inspiration helps shape our stories!
To our valued suppliers, we continue to share a Feature or Property of the Week, share your updates and invite us to explore your experiences!
AFRITREK HOLIDAYS TEAM PROFILE New
We are pleased to introduce the newest additions to the Afritrek team. They bring valuable expertise and fresh perspectives that strengthen our commitment to exceptional safari experiences
Benedict Ndolo – Safari Consultant
With over 13 years of experience in luxury travel planning, Benedict designs high-end itineraries that balance comfort, exclusivity, and adventure. He is passionate about meaningful travel experiences and curates journeys that showcase the best of East Africa’s landscapes,
Josephine Njeri – Safari Consultant
Josephine is a tourism professional with over four years of experience in sales, itinerary planning, and partner relations.
She specializes in converting enquiries into confirmed bookings while delivering tailored travel solutions and excellent customer service.
Terry Mwende – Reservations Consultant
Terry brings hands-on experience in reservations management, itinerary costing, supplier coordination, and client servicing. Known for efficiency and attention to detail, she plays a key role in ensuring seamless travel operations for both international and local partners.
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