GUIDE
The Great Migration in the Masai Mara
More than a million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, move between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara each year, followed by lions, cheetahs and crocodiles.
When the herds are in Kenya
The herds usually arrive in the Masai Mara around July and stay until about October, before heading back south to the Serengeti. Exact timing changes each year with the rains, which is why we keep a few flexible days in migration itineraries.
The dramatic river crossings happen on the Mara River, when herds gather on the bank and cross in waves past waiting crocodiles. August and September usually give the best chances.
How to plan a migration safari
- Stay at least 3 nights in the Mara to give yourself time at the river.
- Book 6 to 12 months ahead: camps near the river fill up fast.
- Choose a private vehicle if you want to wait patiently at a crossing point.
- Consider a balloon flight over the herds at sunrise.
Migration safaris
Planning a migration safari?
Tell us your dates and we’ll suggest the best camps and route for that time of year.