The Great Migration Safari In Kenya
Experience Earth’s greatest wildlife drama – the Great Migration is the ever-moving circular migration of over a million animals across the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem on a challenging search of food and water as they navigate through crocodile-filled waters along the famous Masai Mara River. It’s a real-life wildlife safari drama – the great migration is an iconic safari must-see.
Your Guide To The Great Migration
Each year the plains of East Africa are home to Kenya’s Great Migration. After calving season which takes place in the southern parts of Tanzania’s Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as the animals journey through the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, before returning once again near the end of the year.
Taking place every year between July and October, Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve and the neighboring Masai Mara conservancies witness the greatest show on earth with over 1.2 to 2(two) million wildebeest, zebra and other herbivores marching from the southern Serengeti fields to the lush green grasses of the Masai Mara. The migrating herds are accompanied by over 200,000 Zebras, Topis, Impalas, and other Antelopes.
Along the way, high drama is always present, as thousands of animals are taken by hungry predators including lion, deadly Nile crocodiles, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena awaiting them, every step of the way. Driven by their own survival instinct, only the strongest survive this timeless journey. Thousands more are still born in the process, replacing the numbers and sustaining the circle of life.
Highlights of the Great Migration
As the herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles enter the Masai Mara National Reserve, the journey is surrounded with danger – young calves are snatched by predators, the weak, and ones moving slow are brought down by prides of lion, its estimated that more than 200,000 wildebeest are either drowned or injured, and in addition to the threat of the big cats, the marching herds are also faced with over 3000 deadly Nile crocodiles waiting in the shadowy waters of the Mara River during their river crossing.
Watch in excitement as the brave wildebeests blindly jump from the Steep Riverbank edges and into the river waters. The ones that make it to the other side are rewarded with spoils of the wide open Masai Mara plains.
Best Time... What Happens and When To Expect The Herds?
You might ask, can the Migration River Crossings be predicted?
No, not even the wildebeest know when they’re going to cross! In general, the best time to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara is from July to October.
Keep in mind though, some arrive at the water and swim over to Masai Mara immediately while some arrive and spend days hanging around grazing whereas some arrive and turn back to where they came from, that explains to you that Mother Nature is her own boss.
We wish we could predict the crossings, but no-one can. What we provide you with, is a very possible plan of when to expect the special moments during the Great Migration river crossing, but obviously there is no way to know for certain that the herds will cross a river during a particular period of time. This is why it is best to have as much time on safari as possible if you hope to see a river crossing.
The good news is that the Masai Mara has plenty of wildlife to enjoy all year round. The months that are most frequently mentioned as the best time of year to see the Great Migration involve July to October, these are also the busiest months in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
It is safe to say that you won’t have the herds to yourself during these months. You can expect more safari travelers within the Masai Mara National Reserve. For a quieter stay in this period we recommend taking a private Kenya safari and staying in one of the Masai Mara conservancies.
Month-by-Month Breakdown of the Great Migration Safari
With climate change, the long and short rainy seasons in Kenya and Tanzania are no longer as predictable as they once were, the weather itself can result in a delayed or early migration pattern. The rains can be late or early, which can in turn interrupt the wildebeest migration calendar.
Once again it’s important to plan for as much time on safari as possible. You cannot go in for two nights in Masai Mara, see a migration river crossing and travel back home – nature simply doesn’t work that way – you will be disappointed for no reason.
The Great Migration Safari In January to March
Great Migration Calving Season
January to March are mostly dry in the regions around southern Serengeti. Come late January or February each year, the migration will be finishing with a southern trek, moving along the eastern edge of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here the grasslands are rich in nutrition, long and fresh, providing the herds with the best conditions for raising their newborn calves.
February to March period is best known as the calving season, the beginning of new lives for the wildebeest – some 400,000 calves are born here within a period of two to three weeks, or nearly over 8,000 new wildebeest calves every day – lots of calves and lots of danger moments as the big cats pounce in for an easy kill. It’s a live action drama at every corner of the Serengeti, many predators drawn to the site by the thousands of exposed newborn animal babies.
The best region to see the calving season is in the southern Serengeti, mostly in the Ndutu region. If the grazing ground is good, the herds continue feeding and will remain in the Serengeti’s southern plains until they slowly start moving west in March.
The Great Migration Safari In April and May
Great Migration Mating Season
After giving birth their young calves in February and March, around April also welcomes the start of the long rains (Apr–May) and the herds generally travel in a northwest direction towards the Moru Kopjes and Simba Kopjes towards much fresher grass up into the central Serengeti.
Food becomes scarcer, the wildebeests begin to move North West, and they are joined by thousands of zebra and smaller groups of antelope, all this depends on the availability of rich grasslands and water. Marching in their large numbers, by May you will see a stretch of wildebeests for several kilometers as the animals start to congregate by the Moru Kopjes.
Mating season begins in full swing toward the end of May and male wildebeest battle head-to-head competing for the right to mate with interested females.
Now that the calves are stronger ‘the march,’ continues, everyone’s moving a little quicker, the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle grazing as they go along. At this time of year, you can follow the wildebeest migration as they gather in large numbers at the river’s edge. They will make their first crossing at the Grumeti River where crocodiles await.
The Great Migration Safari In June and July
The month of June marks the start of the dry season, with large concentrations of wildebeest in the Western Serengeti and on the southern banks of the Grumeti River getting ready for the toughest part of their journey. Each of these migrating animals must face the challenge of crossing the crocodile-infested river — scary and tense River encounters await them – the herds may have split up.
As we move from June entering July, the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra continue to head north along the western edge of the park toward an even much more dangerous river – the Masai Mara River, they have to cross into Kenya.
The Masai Mara migration river crossings is arguably one of the most exciting wildlife events on Earth. They usually begin during the high season in July, but timing all depends on nature – as mentioned earlier, it is impossible to tell when exactly it will happen. The herds will typically be found in the Northern Serengeti in the month of July – arriving along the Mara River in Mid-July.
Anytime from July, the herds can begin crossing the Mara River, those animals that have successfully made it across the Mara River will also be found in the plains of Masai Mara; there are some fantastic safari camps where guests can watch wildebeest river crossings right from the main deck of the camp on their Kenyan safari.
At this time, daily river crossings can be seen at the Mara and Talek rivers, both often central to incredible scenes. If you are to visit Kenya for safari during this months, this is will be best time to watch the dramatic Mara River crossings.
During July period, it’s important to book your Wildebeest Migration safari in Africa up to a year in advance or 3 months to get a good safari lodge on or as close to the river as possible – giving you the best game viewing spots during the safari. With a 4-day Maasai Mara migration safari, chances are 90% you will see the migration.
Photographers and documentary people travel to Kenya to see the wildebeests attempt to cross the river. We offer Wildebeest Migration photographic safaris that suit you if you are a passionate wildlife photographer.
The Great Migration Safari In August, September and October
August is generally considered the best time to witness the dramatic river crossings from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara. Most of the wildebeest and their migration friends will have reached the Masai Mara by August – many of the herds have already faced the challenge of crossing the Mara River and are spread throughout the green grasses of Masai Mara’s northern region. The herds break up into smaller hundred thousands of groups, as not all the wildebeest migrate into Kenya others remain in the northern Serengeti.
During the crossing, when the river is in full flow, there is panic and confusion at the crossings — combined with waiting predators and flowing water currents — others fall short and disappear underneath the waters, some swept away by the current, and still others are overwhelmed by the chaos of the moment.
But, still with the gently flowing water, the crocodiles await them, not to mention the lions and other large predators that patrol the Masai Mara River banks, and ready to ambush any wildebeest that cross to the other side.
By September to October, the main wildebeest migration chaos has ended and the animal migrating columns are slowly moving eastward. The herds are still enjoying their time in the Masai Mara plains. However, the wildebeests will still face the heavy waters of the Mara River once more as they prepare to cross once again for their return journey southward.
For a more exclusive safari experience, head for the private conservancies that are contiguous with the reserve.
Keep in mind that as a general rule of thumb, the Masai Mara is the best place to witness the Migration in September.
Come October, your best safari bet is still the Masai Mara. On a Great Migration in Kenya, the neighboring private conservancies are much less crowded and, not only will you still be able to witness the Migration, plus you can enjoy off-road game viewing, night drives and walking safaris – activities that are restricted in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
The Great Migration Safari In November and December
After the East African short rains in late October and early November, the wildebeest herds start moving down from Kenya and into the north-eastern parts of Serengeti plains – just keep in mind that the rains can be late or early, which is also unpredictable.
By December, they are spread throughout the eastern and southern reaches of the Serengeti.
In the early months of the New Year, the grasses in the deep south of the Serengeti are fresh and lush with rain. This attracts the herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other grazers as the birthing season nears.
And so, the never-ending cycle of the great migration continues on and on…
What Are The Best Migration Safari Tours?
Catch the Migration crossing with our sample itineraries, custom-made to deliver the best Wildebeest Migration safari packages.
Our safaris are all are completely customizable to your personal timing, budget and preferences.
Ready To Plan Your Migration Safari?
Chat with someone who’s been there. Get in touch with one of our African Safari Experts to help custom-make a Wildebeest Migration safari based on your travel wishes:
Wildebeest Migration Questions
To help you plan your Kenya wildebeest migration safari, we have undertook to answer the most common questions about Migration Safaris that our visitors may have – These wildebeest migration facts will help you understand this extraordinary natural event.
Please take note that the timing of wildebeest migration movements cannot be guaranteed. The secret is to choose the right month that you find best for you as follows:
Now that you know how the Great Wildebeest Migration in Africa works, you can easily see that the best time to go depends entirely on which events you’re personally interested in seeing. Remember, Masai Mara’s abundance of wildlife still makes the park fantastic all year-round.
Events When To See The Great Migration?
- Calving (Birthing) Season – February to March – Southern Serengeti.
- Mating Breeding) Season – April to May – Western & Central Serengeti.
- Grumeti River Crossings – May to June – Central Serengeti.
- Masai Mara River Crossings – Mega Migration – July to August – Northern Serengeti Into Masai Mara.
- On the Move – November to January – Masai Mara To Northern Serengeti to Southern Serengeti.
Looking for the best accommodation for a Great Migration safari can be divided into two broad categories: You can choose the accommodations outside the Masai Mara or accommodations inside Masai Mara.
For you to get the accommodations located inside the Masai Mara you need to make your safari booking at least 6 months before you start your Migration safari. Each of these two options have different advantages, but choosing one depends on what is important to you.
- Book Early – At Least 6 Months or a Year In Advance
During Migration tours in Kenya, these safari lodges and safari camps usually fill up very fast, especially because it’s a Great Migration tour from the month of June to October. Keep in mind, this is safari’s high season period.
- Plan Your Safari Timing Carefully
The Migration is a very unpredictable safari. Just make sure you know where to go and when to go on a Wildebeest Migration safari to ensure your expectations are met. Please choose and arrange your timing according to what you want to see and experience – keep an open mind too, there are many other wildlife that you will encounter, and this will help you avoid disappointments.
- Avoiding The Crowds
With the great migration safaris expect to meet lots of tourists, especially for the Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park experience high visitors during this safari high season between (June to October).
For a more exclusive safari, the Masai Mara private conservancies also offer exceptional, luxury accommodations and excellent game viewing drives. You’ll also enjoy activities that are restricted in the main reserve, such as night drives, bush walks and off-road game viewing.
- Stay Flexible To Wildlife Game Viewing
We highly recommend that you stay flexible and be open to other wildlife game viewing sightings, where you can spot other African Big 5 predators. This is because, a Wildebeest Migration tour can get busy at times, so it’s at least good if you give yourself the chance to see other wildlife.
- Add a Safari Destination to Your Migration Safari
The Masai Mara and Serengeti combine easily with each other, and each can combine and make a top safari itinerary. We recommend combining the Masai Mara with Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, or Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
You can even go further afield and easily add top safari destinations in Africa like:
Uganda or Rwanda – for the best gorilla-trekking experiences.
Diani Beach – for stunning tropical beaches and fantastic diving locations.
Zanzibar – for stunning tropical beaches and fantastic diving locations.
Two factors will trigger the wildebeest migration, searching for fresh grazing grounds – food and water. The large number of newborn wildebeest calves that now need to be fed.
This wildebeest migration is also due to the dry weather between January and March automatically causes a shortage of grass, making grazing conditions become depleted. The animals move between Serengeti and Maasai Mara such that they will be in Kenya shortly after the rains begin and the grass is abundant.
These wildebeests also follow the patterns of rainfall in East Africa, and vegetation growth – moving towards areas where fresh grazing lands have already grew.
It’s also part of a survival strategy against the Big 5 predators.
The annual Wildebeest Migration in Kenya runs for a couple of months every year, typically falling between July – October period. The migrant herds move in a cyclical pattern that lack scientific explanation. It is a journey borne of instinct.
During the months of July to September, the wildebeest migration reaches its peak in Kenya. This is when the massive herds cross the Mara River, braving risky water currents and challenging terrible predators in their journey for fresh grazing lands.
Each year, an astounding number of wildebeest undertake the epic journey of the Great Wildebeest Migration. With an estimated population of over 1.5 million individuals, this remarkable spectacle showcases the immense scale and resilience of these iconic herbivores.
The Great Migration in East Africa is not just about the Wildebeests. Joining alongside the hundred thousands of Wildebeest herds are more than 200,000 Zebras, Topi’s, Eland, Gazelles, and several other herbivores who also undertake this demanding journey.
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