Masai mara wildebeest migration 2023
Masai Mara Animal Migration 2022-2023
The Great Wildebeest Migration in the plains of East Africa is one of the world’s most thrilling, intriguing and spectacular displays of wildlife behavior. As such, our travelers place great timing importance on having the best front row seats to see the event.
Masai Mara is the most noted location of the wildebeest migration due to its famed Mara River crossings, and this has led to some misunderstandings about the migration itself. The migration is an ongoing movement of animals that takes place throughout the year.
The migration occurs within an area that is known as the “Serengeti ecosystem.” The 40,000-square mile area is defined by Masai Mara National Reserve in the north and, in the south, Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Maswa Game Reserve in Tanzania. The central, eastern and western areas include Grumeti Reserve, Loliondo, the official Serengeti National Park including part of southern expanse of Kusini and other protected areas.
The migration is not a singular, isolated event. Instead, the phrase describes the constant movement of over 1.5 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras, as well as elands and gazelles. As with other wildlife, the purpose of the movement is the search for pasture and water. When supplies of these vital resources are depleted in one area, the animals move to another area where water, grasses and other food sources are plentiful.
Owing to the massive size of the herds, the Great Wildebeest Migration arriving from the Serengeti stands out from other migratory movements. How the animals know where to find food and water remains a mystery largely, but researchers have developed some hypotheses about the behavior. Most evidence indicates that weather patterns and the cycle of the rainy and dry seasons have the greatest influence on the wildlife movement. Because rainfall and weather are somewhat unpredictable, there is no way to calculate concretely where the animals will be at any point in the year, nor how long they will remain in one area.
One of the most requested events in the migration is the arrival crossing of the Mara River that occurs around late July to August with parts of September and again on their return south, around the last two weeks of October through early November. These are the best times to track and see the annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara.
While the sight of masses of animals thundering across the open plains is spectacular, the Mara River crossing will take you through a range of emotions – awe, anticipation, heartache, inspiration, excitement and much more.
Highlights of the Great Migration
As the herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles enter the Masai Mara they are met by more than their fair share of lethal predators. Aside from the threat of the big cats, the lemming-like herds are also faced with over 3000 crocodiles lurking in the murky waters of the Mara River during their river crossing. Watching the herds blindly jump from riverbank ledges and into the river waters is spectacular to say the least. Eventually the massive herds are rewarded with spoils of the wide open Masai mara plains. For a short while, life is good. When the food supply dwindles and the rains move on, so do the herds.
Showtime… when to expect the herds?
In general, the best time to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara is from July to October. Keep in mind though, mother nature is her own boss. We will provide you with a very probable outline of when to expect those special moments during the Great Migration, but obviously there is no way to know for certain that the herds will cross a river during a particular period of time. Weather can be unpredictable and late rains or early rains can result in a delayed or early migration pattern. 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 visit the Great Migration, July to October, are also the busiest months in the Masai Mara. 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 game reserve proper and may have to queue up during safari game drives. Here is an outline of what to expect from the Great Migration.
This is a very general guideline for where the herds are during the year – bearing in mind that the entire Gnu Migration is triggered by rain, which can be early, late or on time:
January
The herds are in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, moving south from the north-east region and into the area near Lake Ndutu. The Serengeti is not fenced, so the herds are free to move where they can find grazing. Remember that although up to two million wildebeest, zebra and antelope form the Serengeti Migration, they are not all in a single herd. The animals break up into mega-herds of thousands or hundreds of individuals at time.
February to March
It is calving season (over 8 000 wildebeest babies are born each day!) so prepare yourself for lots of wobbly calves… and lots of heartbreak as fearsome predators swoop in. The Serengeti’s big cats take the lion’s share, but hit-and-run jackals, packs of wild dog, and hyena clans add to the spectacle. It’s a bittersweet ballad; the circle of life played out as a live action drama.
If the short rainy season (Nov–Dec) produced good grazing, the herds feed frenziedly and remain in the Serengeti’s southern plains until they slowly start moving west in March.
April
It’s the start of the long rains (Apr–May) and the herds generally move in a north-westerly direction towards the Moru and Simba Kopjes. The action-packed rutting (breeding) season is in full swing, featuring testosterone-fuelled jousts between males competing for the right to mate with receptive females.
May
Wagons roll! The massed herds are on the go, huge columns of up to 40 kilometres (25 miles) in length can sometimes be seen as the wildebeest funnel up into the central Serengeti. Everyone’s moving a little quicker now that the calves are stronger.
June
The wildebeest are usually in the central Serengeti and getting ready for the toughest part of their odyssey. The herds may have split up, with some already crossing the Grumeti River.
July
The Great Migration have reached the Grumeti region and northern parts of the Serengeti and are peering closely at the treacherous waters of the Mara River they have to cross into Kenya. Why? Huge Nile crocodiles, that’s why!
As mentioned, it is impossible to accurately predict river crossings – they depend entirely on the rains and the often unpredictable wildebeest themselves. It’s vital to book your Wildebeest Migration safari in Africa up to a year in advance to get a lodge on or as close to the river as possible – this cuts down on travel time to lookout points. The wildebeest do have historical crossing areas and you may spend days staked out in the hope of seeing the action. We recommend choosing a mobile safari camp that moves with the Migration to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time.
August
August is generally considered the best time to witness the dramatic river crossings from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara. You’ll need a passport to cross into Kenya; the wildebeest are exempt. The Masai Mara National Reserve is open to members of the public so for a more exclusive safari experience, head for the private conservancies that are contiguous with the reserve.
SeptemberThe herds break up into smaller groups, as not all the wildebeest migrate into Kenya. Less than half of the animals remain in the northern Serengeti, the rest are swapping war stories in the Masai Mara. So you could still see wildebeest in the Serengeti (just not the mega-herds) but as a general rule of thumb, the Masai Mara is the best place to witness the Migration in September.OctoberYour best bet is still the Masai Mara, but bear in mind it is a far smaller reserve than the Serengeti and there may be a lot of other visitors. The neighbouring private conservancies are much less crowded and, not only will you still be able to witness the Migration, you will also directly contribute to the Maasai communities who have lived there for thousands of years. Plus you can enjoy off-road game viewing, night drives and walking safaris – activities not permitted in the national reserve.NovemberIn a ‘normal year’ the short rains have begun, propelling the wildebeest to leave the now denuded grasslands of the Masai Mara and head back into the rejuvenated Serengeti. Bear in mind that the rain can be late or early, which is also unpredictable.The herds are generally on the move, but can be seen around the north-eastern parts of the Serengeti where they may split into smaller groups for their journey southward. Tip: although many people think of Africa as a hot place, the rain can cool things down dramatically. You’ll be out on early morning and late afternoon game drives – the sun is at its weakest during these times. Take at least one pair of trousers, closed shoes that can cope with mud, and a fleece or waterproof jacket. DecemberFresh grazing sees the wildebeest move south, covering the northern and eastern Serengeti to feast and prepare for yet another death-defying, 3 000-km (1 900-mi).
 |  |  |
| 3 Days Masai Mara Wildebeest migration 2023 | 4 Days Great Annual wildebeest migration in Kenya 2023 | 5 Days Annual wildlife migration in Maasai Mara Kenya 2023 |
 |  |  |
| Hot Air Balloon Ride Safari Masai Mara Experience the Masai Mara on a different level. Flying high up in the skies above the Masai Mara is the ultimate safari experience. The landscape below is a never-ending exciting mixture of riverine forests, sprawling savannahs, towering escarpments and rugged rivers. Against a backdrop of stunning sunrises, hot-air balloon flights in the Masai Mara give you a unique vantage point of the abundant wildlife living below. There’s really nothing quite like it, the view is unparalleled and the experience is unforgettable. | Kenya Honeymoon Holiday Vacation A honeymoon in Kenya offers the quintessential romantic safari experience. The iconic Maasai Mara offers endless savannahs, prolific game and an abundance of big cats plus incredible bush dining experiences. Witness the natural phenomenon of the wildebeest migration, meet the Maasai and Samburu people, balloon ride at sunrise and sip sundowners at your luxury lodge or by the beach on the Kenyan coast. From majestic wildlife to out of this world natural wonders, enchanting beaches and intriguing cities | Kenya Family Safari Kenya is a reasonably family-friendly destination, but it boasts few attractions that cater specifically to youngsters, and the threat of malaria might be deterrent for families with young children. Most children will enjoy a few days on safari, but be warned that youngsters often become bored on long hot game drives. For this reason, smaller and more contained safari destinations such as Lake Nakuru and Nairobi National Park might be preferable for families than the vast expanses of Tsavo, Masai Mara and the like. 9 Days Kenya Family Safari |
 Kenya Photographic SafariKenya Photography Safari Kenya is a highly photogenic country. The main point of interest for most people that want to go on a Kenya photography safari is the prodigious wildlife that inhabits the national parks and other reserves. Landscapes are greenest in the wet season, and the sky is least hazy then too, but this can be a difficult time to travel as game drives and other activities are washed out by frequent storms. |  Kenya Birding Safari We specializes in offering and organizing top-quality small-group birding tours throughout Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which are led by passionate and experienced professional bird guides. We offer a huge selection of small-group birdwatching tours featuring both sought-after and little-known destinations and ranging from targeted birding trips to more relaxed birdwatching tours, nature photography, and wildlife safaris. We endeavor to take small birdwatching groups or individuals and always spend quality time enjoying all the birds we encounter. Whether you are just beginning your birdwatching adventures or have been watching birds for years, all you need is enthusiasm. Birdwatching is rewarding everywhere in Kenya. For dedicated birdwatchers, a well-planned two-week itinerary is likely to result in a trip list of 350–400 species, a figure that compares favorably with anywhere in the world. |  Cultural Safaris KenyaKenya cultural tour in Kenya gives personal insight into some of the 42 different native tribes, their beliefs and their traditions. Although, most of our cultural experiences are visiting authentic remote villages, the cities and townships of Kenya represent a unique culture of its own. Each metropolis represents an interesting blend of cultures and ethnic creeds that is reflected in the architecture, food, art, clothing and much more. More importantly, many of the indigenous people in Kenya face great pressure from the modern world. Our cultural tours help raise awareness about their challenges, as well as the vital role they play in Africa. |
| Best of Africa Safari | Exclusive Safaris in Kenya | Kenya Photographic Safari |